Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of claims under the nursing home repayment scheme which remain outstanding; the number awaiting payment; the number currently on appeal; the efforts being made to finalise all outstanding claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9330/09]

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 KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald.

Since the commencement of the scheme approximately 35,000 applications have been received by the Scheme Administrator and there are less than 5% or in the region of 1,600 claims to be concluded. There are approximately 1,100 claims which are awaiting payment. In these cases payment can only be made when the 28 day appeal period has elapsed and a valid acceptance has been received.

Every effort is being made to conclude the remaining claims. The Scheme Administrator is working with the HSE and the various institutions to clear the complexities on these claims and it is expected that the majority of these claims will be concluded in the near future.

The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office is an independent office established under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 to provide an appeals service to those who wish to appeal the decision of the Scheme Administrator. Since the commencement of the scheme the Appeals Office has received 5,336 completed appeal forms. 2,341 appeals remain to be determined.