Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is acceptable that appellants of the nursing home repayment scheme have to wait more than six months for a decision on their appeal; if she will see that priority is given to elderly people who are alive and in need of the money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45602/08]

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 5 December 2008, the Appeals Office had received just over 5,000 appeals. Decisions have issued in 2,614 cases and a further 740 appeals have been withdrawn.

The decisions issued have upheld the earlier decision of the Scheme Administrator in 2,188 cases, resulted in claimants being deemed eligible under the Scheme in 235 cases, and resulted in an increased offer in 191 cases.

The Appeals Office must investigate each appeal independently. These investigations can require additional reviews by the HSE and the Scheme Administrator. In many cases, the appellants have asked for an oral hearing with an Appeals Officer.

However, I am anxious to ensure that all appeals are dealt with as quickly as possible. To that end, a second Appeals Officer was appointed in September 2008 and the need for additional Appeals Officers will be kept under review.

The Appeals Officers are committed to prioritising the determination of appeals against decisions of the Scheme Administrator which concern amounts due and, in particular, those lodged by or on behalf of living patients.

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 5 December 2008, the Appeals Office had received just over 5,000 appeals. Decisions have issued in 2,614 cases and a further 740 appeals have been withdrawn.

The decisions issued have upheld the earlier decision of the Scheme Administrator in 2,188 cases, resulted in claimants being deemed eligible under the Scheme in 235 cases, and resulted in an amended offer in 191 cases. Of these amended offers 163 have resulted in an increased offer and 28 have resulted in a decreased offer to claimants.

The Appeals Office must investigate each appeal independently. These investigations can require additional reviews by the HSE and the Scheme Administrator. In many cases, the appellants have asked for an oral hearing with an Appeals Officer.

However, I am anxious to ensure that all appeals are dealt with as quickly as possible. To that end, a second Appeals Officer was appointed in September 2008 and the need for additional Appeals Officers will be kept under review.

The Appeals Officers are committed to prioritising the determination of appeals against decisions of the Scheme Administrator which concern amounts due and, in particular, those lodged by or on behalf of living patients.