Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health the estimated figure for the total amount held in patients' private property accounts by the Health Service Executive; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient guidelines, practices and monitoring are in place to ensure proper procedures regarding these moneys following the deaths of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16034/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Accounts at 31st December 2010 as per draft 2010 Accounts was €181,981,408. The estimated current balance in the Patient Private Property Accounts is €177 million as the value of funds held at the Central Fund has fallen by approximately €5 million this year due, primarily, to payments to late account holders' estates.

Both the Central Unit accounts and the local PPP accounts are audited each year by external auditors and also by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditors General.

The operation of the PPP accounts is governed by National PPP Guidelines, which set out the procedures to be followed in operating these Patient Private Property accounts.

Funds of a deceased patient are passed to the patient's Legal Personal Representative for them to administer faithfully according to the law, as part of the estate of the deceased.

This question is addressed at length in the HSE's Patients' Private Property Guidelines .