Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has made arrangements for the implementation of the national repayment scheme to persons in nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24624/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the payment of refunds of nursing home charges to persons who were illegally charged will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24825/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to refund illegal payments taken from elderly patients in public nursing homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25082/05]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 372: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for refund of moneys under the national repayment scheme in relation to the overcharging of residents of public nursing institutions. [25153/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 271, 316, 368 and 372 together.

The Government has agreed the key elements of a scheme for the repayment of long stay charges for publicly funded residential care. Those who were charged and are alive and the estates of all those who were charged and died in the six years prior to 9 December 2004 will have the charges repaid in full. The scheme will not allow for repayments to the estates of those who died more than six years prior to that date. The repayments will include the actual charge paid and an amount to take account of inflation using the consumer price index since the time the person involved was charged. Legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible to provide a clear legal framework for the scheme. In the case of those who were charged and are still alive, the repayments will be exempt from tax and will not be taken into account in assessing means for health and social welfare benefits. The normal tax and means assessment arrangements will apply to those who benefit from repayments to estates.

I have appointed a national oversight committee to provide an independent input into the design of the scheme and to monitor its operation to ensure it is being implemented quickly and in the most equitable and effective way possible. An outside organisation with experience in handling mass claims will be engaged by the Health Service Executive to design and manage the scheme within the parameters of the key principles approved by the Government. The organisation will work closely with the HSE to ensure that co-operation is forthcoming on records held by the health agencies. It is anticipated that an organisation will be selected this autumn and will begin work on the design of the scheme. The scheme will be designed and managed with the aim of ensuring that those who are eligible for repayments receive them as soon as possible, with the minimum possible bureaucratic imposition. Priority will be given to those who are still alive. Many of those eligible have already been identified under the ex gratia payments process. The scheme will include a transparent and thorough appeals process. The legislation will include appropriate safeguards to prevent the exploitation of those who receive repayments and are not in a position to manage their own financial affairs. The scheme will include a provision to allow those eligible for a repayment to waive their right to a repayment and have the money assigned to fund one-off service improvements in elderly, mental health and disability services.

The national helpline established by the HSE to allow people to register if they believe they are due a repayment will continue to operate. There is no need for anyone who has already registered to use this facility to make contact with the HSE again to register for the scheme. Any person who considers that they or a family member may be eligible for repayment may register their interest in advance with Health Service Executive, by writing to the National Refund Scheme, HSE Midland Area, Arden Road, Tullamore, County Offaly or by e-mail to refundscheme@mailq.hse.ie; or by calling the helpline 1800 777737 during office hours.