Vol. 568 No. 5
344 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that people who have been overcharged under the drugs payment scheme are still experiencing difficulties in claiming their just entitlements; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the Eastern Region Health Authority is referring same to his Department; and the action he will take to ensure that these people receive payment. [16485/03]
The drugs payment scheme (DPS) replaced the drug cost subsidisation and drugs refund schemes in 1999. It was initially introduced on an administrative basis, with the intention that regulations to underpin its operation would be introduced following amendment of the relevant section of the Health Act 1970. However, amendment of the Act was delayed and, following further consideration and legal advice obtained from the Attorney General's Office in October 2000, regulations made under the existing section 59 of the 1970 Act, fixing the threshold for the new scheme at €53.33, came into effect on 1 March 2001. Given that, as has been pointed out previously, claimants derived greater overall benefits under the new scheme as reflected in the significant increase in spending, the issue of possible refunds was not addressed at the time.
Following a review by my Department of the position on this issue, it was decided that a process should be put in place for assessing applications for refunds to people who may be owed money arising from the introduction of the DPS.
There have been significant administrative issues to be resolved before a process could be put in place but applications will shortly be invited through public notice, and each application for refunds will be considered under the terms of the agreed procedure.
