John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when outstanding moneys owed to all claimants whose applications have been approved under the health repayment scheme will be paid; if the Health Service Executive has identified a deadline date for repayment of all moneys; if the HSE is prioritising repayment to those claimants who are still living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40381/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator K.P.M.G. and McCann Fitzgerald. The HSE has advised my Department that since commencement of the scheme over 18,600 claimants have received offers of repayment totalling over €351m and in excess of 14,300 payments have been made totalling over €300m. Further offers continue to be issued every week.

The HSE has informed my Department that the Scheme is progressing as speedily as possible and every effort is being made to settle the remaining outstanding claims as quickly as possible. The Scheme Administrator is very focused on prioritising a repayment to those claimants who are still living and offers continue to be sent to this cohort on a weekly basis.

The HSE has advised my Department that the Scheme Administrator is confident that the vast majority of claims submitted by the public will be concluded by the end of the year. However, it should be noted that repayment offers made towards the end of the year cannot be paid until the statutory 28 day period for appeals has elapsed and a completed acceptance form has been returned to the scheme administrator. In addition, claimants who receive an offer must be given the opportunity, if they so wish to appeal the scheme administrator's decision on their claim. As a result, this may have an impact on the timeframe for finalisation of the Health Repayment Scheme. The Scheme Administrator continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure that the scheme is finalised as quickly as possible.