Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will answer the second question first. I thank the Deputy for his comments and questions. The consultant chaired the appeals board, and administered and managed the list of appeal applications. Since the board stood down, the consultant has not had any role to play in effect. There was a disagreement as such as to the issue of costs for the period in question. The consultant remained employed, presumably by the NRH. It was able to point to an agreement from almost 20 years ago regarding the Department of Health paying the consultant's salary. As I said in my opening statement, in a situation where the consultant was not fully employed in respect of the work of the appeals board, and to move matters on to get the appeals board back up and running, the Department took the view that the costs should be met by the Government. In effect, they were met by the Department of Finance and went on to the Department of Health and then on to the NRH so that we could get an agreement in place to get the appeals board back up and running.

With regard to the new scheme, I cannot give any definitive date because it is not entirely within my control. Departmental officials are actively contributing to the work of the senior official level group that is being led by the Department of the Taoiseach. There have been two meetings and there will be further meetings with a view to progressing the working group report we discussed in the House earlier today. We want it done as quickly as possible. I recognise the limitations of the existing scheme and that it does not meet all of the needs that are there. I also recognise the lack of flexibility in reflecting individual circumstances when it comes to the eligibility criteria for the primary medical certificate. A new needs-based scheme is required and that will have to be developed. I cannot confirm a definitive timeline because it is not entirely within the control of the Department. It requires a number of other Departments to make an input into it.