Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

On long-stay charges the intention is to have the legislation passed before the summer recess. As this will obviously be a mammoth logistical task, we are going to tender to get assistance because the last time the health service was in a position in which repayments had to be made, it took a considerable length of time — I believe it was up to three years — to reimburse a relatively small number of people in comparison to the number involved in the current case. I hope we will start to make repayments towards the end of the year, beginning in autumn, but it will not be before the summer.

On the issue surrounding work permit legislation, the Bill in question will be before the House during this session. Complaints were also made to me at my constituency clinic and investigated on my behalf on at least two occasions when I was Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I have asked my press officer today to publish the outcome of those investigations as presented to me by officials on that occasion. It is not correct to state nothing was done as the complaints were investigated.

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