Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing home refund appeals processed in each of the past 12 months; the length of time it is taking to process each application, both oral and written; the cost of administering the appeals office; the payment mechanism for the appeals officers; when it is expected to clear the back log; the numbers involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40437/08]

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 the end of 2007 the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office had received 1,206 completed appeal forms and of these lodged appeals the Appeals Officer had issued 407 decisions. Up to 7 November 2008 the Office has received an additional 3,633 completed appeal forms and the Appeals Officers have issued an additional 2,010 decisions. In summary, up to 7 November 2008 the cumulative total of appeal forms lodged is 4,839 and the cumulative total of Appeals Officers' decisions issued is 2,417. It is anticipated that the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office will continue to receive completed appeals forms during the first half of 2009 and that all appeals will be determined before the end of 2009.

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. A second Appeals Officer was appointed on 1 September 2008 to ensure appeals are determined as quickly as possible. The current average time for an Appeals Officer's decision to issue is 97 days.

The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office was established in December 2006. Two Appeals Officers have been appointed to consider appeals and the Office has four administration staff. The set-up and on-going operating expenses of the Office, including the salaries in respect of the Appeals Officers and staff, up to 31 October 2008 are set out in the table below. Salaries are paid to the Appeals Officers and staff by the Department of Health and Children. These salaries are then refunded on a quarterly basis to the Department of Health and Children from the Special Account as provided for under section 13 of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006.