Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 284: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she proposes to take to force health boards to return the pension books of residents that they continue to retain illegally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1626/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the refund of pensions to persons aged over 70 years in nursing houses; the procedure for returning the pension book to those persons or to their next of kin; the reason some pension books have not been returned to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2061/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 321 together.

The Health Act 2004 provides for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Health Service Executive decided that pension books held by health agencies in respect of pensioners who were charged in relation to long-stay care should be returned to the pensioners concerned or their representatives. Responsibility for this matter rests with the executive. My Department has requested the interim chief executive officer to investigate the matter and to reply directly to the Deputies.