Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has submitted an appeal in respect of the health repayment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21127/09]

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.

Two Appeals Officers have been appointed to consider appeals. 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. Up to the 22 May 2009 the Appeals Officers have carefully and thoroughly considered and assessed 3,415 appeals and have issued decisions to each of these appellants.

The claimant referred to by the Deputy lodged an Appeal Form with the Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office on 14 April 2008 and the Appeals Officer is currently awaiting additional information from the Scheme Administrator. When the Appeals Officer has made a determination on this appeal he/she will write to the claimant and will provide the claimant with the reasons for the decision.