Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Another contradiction is that sections 5(3)(a) and (b) provide that applications made after 1 January 2008, or such later date as the Minister may prescribe, will not be considered. That is fair enough and I understand its logic, but the Bill does not contain a specific date putting pressure on the HSE or the Department of Health and Children to pay up. While the Government is telling people they cannot apply after a certain date, it is not giving them any indication of when they can expect a repayment and that should be rectified in the Bill.

Can the Minister of State give any indication of exactly how many people are involved in the scheme? We have heard numbers, ranging from 60,000 to 80,000. Can he give us an accurate figure at this stage? He mentioned social welfare and the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. I am a little confused by the Bill because while the Minister of State is stating that people who get the payments will not be liable for tax, the information is being passed on to the tax authorities. Why is that being done?

I have made my party's case. I welcome the Bill but I am concerned about the Government's ability to ensure that the payments are managed correctly. I wonder if this will be another example of what occurred with the redress board where the bill will increase five-fold during the administration of the scheme.