Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cut-off point for applications for a nursing home payment refund; the basis for this cut-off date; if it has been challenged in the courts or at the appeals body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22516/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I take it the Deputy is referring to closing date of 31 December 2007 for receipt of applications under the Health Repayment Scheme. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the Health Repayment Scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald.

The Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provides a clear legal framework to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long term residential care. Recoverable health charges are charges which were imposed on persons with full eligibility under the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976 as amended in 1987 or charges for in-patient services only, raised under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954 as amended in 1965.

Since the launch of the Health Repayment Scheme in August 2006, the HSE has informed my Department that it has undertaken extensive national and local media communication campaigns to ensure that potential applicants are made aware of the Scheme. In addition, a series of nationwide road shows was undertaken to create awareness of the Scheme and to provide hands on support to applicants.

The HSE also undertook a final publicity campaign in December 2007 which consisted of a national print advertising campaign, a national radio advertising campaign which included advertisements in the Irish Independent, Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Sunday World and Sunday Independent. In addition, a regional media campaign resulted in press releases issued to the local print press and regional radio interviews on 20 stations.

The closing date for receipt of applications under the Scheme was set in the context of the HSE's current contractual arrangement with the scheme administrator which is due to expire on 30 June 2008. In view of the various measures undertaken by the HSE/scheme administrator to maximise awareness of the scheme, I have decided not to extend the closing date for receipt of applications.

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. The Appeals Office has advised my Department that as of 6 June 2008, 9 appeals have been lodged from applicants whose application was submitted after 31 December 2007.