John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason people attending an oral hearing in respect of the repayment scheme understand from correspondence the hearing will be conducted by an appeals officer when, in fact, it is conducted by a solicitor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16184/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office is an independent office established to provide an appeals service to those who wish to appeal the decision of the Scheme Administrator under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006. When the Scheme Administrator issues a decision on an application to a claimant, a copy of Section 16 of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 is included, informing the applicant of their entitlement to appeal the decision. Claimants who appeal the decision of the Scheme Administrator have the option of requesting an oral hearing conducted by an Appeals Officer. Section 16 of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provides that the person appointed to consider appeals shall be a barrister or solicitor of not less than five years standing.