Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 425 of 26 September 2007 regarding the issue of interest owing to long stay patients, the recommendations and conclusion as a result of these meetings; the estimate of the value of interest which is owed to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31797/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has received legal advice on this issue indicating that any past interest retained should be repaid in full. The HSE has received independent legal advice and has clarified certain issues in advance of initiating the refund of interest retained. The HSE is preparing proposals on the administrative process which would be most suitable and equitable to facilitate the refund of interest to clients, given the significant logistical and practical issues involved in arranging to credit all past interest due to all clients over an extended timeframe. Officials from my Department will continue to liaise with the HSE in this regard. The HSE has informed my Department that the current estimate for total past interest retained up to the end of 2005 is approximately €31m. When this figure is adjusted for inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, the total figure amounts to approximately €48m.