Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Can the Tánaiste indicate the number of people whose charges were stopped because they complained? That information is important because it relates to the issue of who knew what and when. Given that the information would help to identify certain processes, has the Tánaiste made inquiries in that regard within the Department? Has she tried to ascertain the methodology of assessment of the complaints? Where were decisions taken when people complained that the charges should no longer apply? I doubt that such decisions were taken at health board level. If advice was ultimately received at health board level, it must have resulted initially from a referral to the Department. That must have happened on a repeated basis and at a high level. If charges were being stopped in some instances because those who made complaints had certain information, or had a sufficient level of belief in the case they presented effectively or the case that was presented effectively on their behalf, it is incredible that this was not known by senior officials in the Department, the Minister and Ministers of State.

I would like to know not only the number of cases but whether the Minister has checked the dates on which they were presented and terminated. This would inform us who was at the helm of the Department when each case arose. I have no idea how many cases there are. Were retrospective refunds paid in any or all of them? Will the Minister address this sincerely? In light of all that has arisen, has she sought the information personally to inform herself on who knew what?

See this speech in context