John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason people who are called to an oral hearing in respect of the health repayment scheme are not informed that the appeals officer is a solicitor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15215/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Scheme Administrator issues each claimant with a copy of Section 16 of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006. Section 16 informs the claimant that the person appointed to consider appeals shall be a barrister or solicitor of not less than 5 years standing. Claimants who appeal the decision of the Scheme Administrator have the option of requesting an oral hearing with the Appeals Officer and they indicate this option on the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office's Appeal Form. The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office does not arrange oral hearings for claimants who have not requested oral hearings.