Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason no member of the Health Service Executive has been appointed on a local basis to deal with relatives queries regarding the nursing home refund; if she will have this issue addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12212/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Repayment Scheme was launched in August 2006 and is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in conjunction with the appointed Scheme Administrator KPMG/ McCann Fitzgerald. A national advertising campaign also commenced on this date which included advertisements in all the main national newspapers and on national and local radio. The purpose of these advertisements is to advise residents and their families regarding their entitlement under the Health Repayment Scheme. There is also a website and an information line (1890 886 886) to assist the public with their queries and to date over 39,000 call centre queries have been received.

The HSE has also informed my Department that local HSE staff in long stay institutions have taken an active role in distributing application forms and information leaflets to the residents and/or their representatives. Application forms and information leaflets are also available through the HSE Local Health Offices and Post Offices. They also assist the resident and/or their representative in completing the application form and continue to deal with general queries in relation to the Health Repayment Scheme. Under Data Protection legislation information on specific applications can only be provided to applicants and not to third parties.

The Health Service Executive has also made applications to the Scheme Administrator in relation to residents who do not have the capacity to make the application themselves and who have no other connected person to make an application on their behalf. This will ensure that eligible residents who do not have capacity to understand the Repayment Scheme receive repayment.