Written answers

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Department of Health and Children

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme

11:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 340: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the refunds paid to date under the nursing home refund proposal; when the entire liability will be met; the full extent of this liability at present; the cost of the administration to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32588/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald. The HSE has informed my Department that to date over 38,900 claim forms have been received under the Health Repayment Scheme. It is estimated that following adjustments for rejections and duplicate claims, the number of valid claims will be approximately 19,300. To date 17,684 claimants have received an offer of repayment and the value of these offers is €330m. 12,756 claimants have received payment to date under the Scheme and the value of these payments is €260m. It is anticipated that the remaining offers will be processed by end November 2008.

However it should be noted that the repayments offered in November cannot be paid until the statutory 28 day period has elapsed and a completed Acceptance Form has been returned to the Scheme Administrator. In addition, the claimants who receive offers in November must be given the opportunity if they so wish, to appeal the scheme administrator's decision. Taking account of overheads the total estimated spend on the scheme will be in the region of €390m. The HSE has advised that the total cost of administering the Scheme to date is €19.5m which includes payments made to the Scheme Administrator, HSE administrative costs, Appeals Office costs, legal fees and probate costs.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.