Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 29 April 2008, the number of offers which have been appealed; the number which have had their offer increased on appeal; the number of applications that were refused and were appealed; the number which have been successful on appeal; if she will clarify the ambiguity between the two figures of over 13,000 offers of repayment and the 12,976 offers received; the estimated number of applications which will be outstanding by the end of June 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19066/08]

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. I have been advised by the appeals office that as of 9 May 2008, a total of 2,935 appeals have been received, which represents less than 12% of processed claims. Of the 1,293 appeals dealt with up to 9 May 2008, 1,000 (77%) of the decisions issued by the appeals office agree with the decision of the scheme administrator.

The HSE has advised my Department that as of 2 May 2008, 13,578 offers of payment have issued under the scheme. The Appeals Office has advised my Department that as and from 2 May 2008, 650 claimants have appealed the amount offered and 171 of these appeals will result in an increased offer to claimants. The HSE has indicated that up to the 2 May 2008, 11,108 claimants have been deemed to be outside the scope of the repayment scheme and of these, 2,285 have appealed the decision of the scheme administrator. The appeals office has advised that of the 1,293 appeals decided to date, 122 of these appeals will result in an offer to claimants.

The HSE provides my Department with weekly statistical reports on the operation of the scheme. On the 28 April 2008 the HSE indicated that over 13,000 offers had been made but the most accurate statistical data available to my Department on the 29 April 2008, the day the Deputy's question on this matter was answered was for the week ending 18 April 2008 which indicated that 12,976 offers had been made. Offers issue on an ongoing basis and the difference represents offers made after the 18 April 2008 and before 28 April 2008.

The HSE has advised my Department that the scheme administrator has given assurances to the HSE that the vast majority of claims received from the public will be dealt with by the expiry of the current contract on 30 June 2008. If there are any outstanding claims at the end of the contract, such claims will be kept to a minimum and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.