Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received to date under the health repayment scheme; the number and amount paid; the number still outstanding and expected to be paid; if the level of repayments to date is in accordance with original calculations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3880/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Repayment Scheme commenced in August 2006 with a national public information campaign designed to raise awareness about the Scheme and how potential applicants should go about applying for repayment. At the time of the launch, based on records held by the HSE, it was estimated that potentially around 70,000 people may be eligible to submit an application.

Over 36,000 applications for living and deceased patients have been received by the Health Repayment Scheme. Over 16,500 of the claims received by the Scheme Administrator have been concluded, which includes over 9,650 offers of repayment totalling more than €182 million. Further offers continue to be issued every week. Almost 7,200 payments have been made totalling in excess of €142 million.

Around 19,500 applications remain to be concluded. The Scheme Administrator has given assurances to the HSE that the vast majority of claims submitted by the public will be dealt with within the 2 year time frame allotted for the scheme which is due to end in June 2008. The HSE has indicated that if there are any outstanding claims as at the end of June 2008, such claims will be kept to an absolute minimum and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the long drawn out process associated with the health repayment scheme; when she expects such payments to be concluded; the costs associated with the refunds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3881/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald. Over 36,000 applications for living and deceased patients have been received by the Health Repayment Scheme. Over 16,500 of the claims received by the Scheme Administrator have been concluded, which includes over 9,650 offers of repayment totalling more than €182million. Further offers continue to be issued every week.

The Scheme Administrator has given assurances to the HSE that the vast majority of claims submitted by the public will be dealt with within the 2 year time frame allotted for the scheme which is due to end in June 2008. The HSE has indicated that if there are any outstanding claims as at the end of June 2008, such claims will be kept to an absolute minimum and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

The HSE has advised that the fees for the administration services required under the contract entered into in July 2006 were capped at €15 million exclusive of VAT.