Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an appeal will be opened in respect of a claim made under the health repayment scheme in view of the fact that the patient was in a public bed as confirmed by the declaration submitted from his or her general practitioner; and when payment will issue to the claimant in this case. [31932/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in processing appeals under the nursing home repayment scheme; the number of appeals officers processing applications; the average time it takes to process an appeal; if interest is granted on awards for the period from the date of receipt of the appeal application until the date of the decision of the appeals officer; the costs involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31934/08]

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. Up to 26 September 2008 the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office has received 4,158 completed appeal forms. Two Appeals Officers have been appointed to consider appeals.

The Appeals Office has advised my Department that the average waiting time for an appeal to be decided on is 91 days. The Appeals Officers must investigate each appeal independently, these investigations can require additional reviews by the Health Service Executive and the Scheme Administrator and certain appeals present a high level of complexity. In addition a very high percentage of appellants have requested an Oral Hearing. Up to 26 September 2008 the Appeals Officers have carefully and thoroughly considered and assessed 2,158 appeals and have issued decisions to each of these appellants. On amount appeals where the decision of the Appeals Officer varies with that of the Scheme Administrator the Consumer Price Index element is updated to the date of the revised offer.