Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a scheme pursuant to an Act (details supplied) is near completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43395/08]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated time for completion of all applications and winding down of the health repayment scheme; the cost of the scheme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43768/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 217 together.

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 informed my Department that since commencement of the scheme over 35,000 applications for living and deceased patients have been received by the Health Repayment Scheme. To date over 18,900 claimants have received offers of repayment totalling over €362m and in excess of 14,900 payments have been made totalling over €317m. Further offers continue to be issued every week.

The HSE has advised that the Scheme is progressing as speedily as possible and every effort is being made to settle the remaining outstanding claims. The HSE has advised 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 offers of repayment 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. Claimants who receive an offer must be given the opportunity to appeal the Scheme Administrator's decision regarding their claim and 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.