Dan Neville
Ceist:456 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick on the drugs repayment scheme. [25148/03]
Written Answers. - Drugs Payment Scheme.
Dan Neville
Ceist:457 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who claimed retrospective pay in respect of the drugs repayment scheme. [25149/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.
My Department has put in place a refund scheme, operated through the GMS Payments Board, to process applications from persons who may be eligible for a refund due to the delay in putting the drugs payment scheme, DPS, on a statutory basis. The scheme was widely advertised in the national press on 26 June 2003 and again on 12 and 14 September 2003 to publicise the extension of the closing date.
The General Medical Services Payments Board, is the body charged with operating the scheme on behalf of the Department. The claims received are being processed and payment of refunds has already commenced. All claims received by the deadline of 31 October 2003 will be processed and paid by the end of December. Approximately 29,000 applications for refunds have been received to date. I have had inquiries made and I understand that payment has issued to the person to whom the Deputy refers.