A scheme to refund nursing home charges illegally deducted by the State from elderly people commenced today.
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney who is
Under the scheme charges that were wrongly applied to patients in publicly funded long stay care will be repaid by the Health Services Authority (HSE).
It applies to patients who were in publicly contracted beds in private nursing homes and patients in receipt of inpatient services in community based facilities at any stage between August 1976 and December 2004.
A national public information campaign including newspaper and radio advertisements is currently underway to assist those who may be due a repayment to make a claim.
Priority will be given to 20,000 people who are alive but refunds will also be paid to a further 40,000 to 50,000 estates of deceased former residents of publicly funded, long-stay accommodation.
The average payment has been estimated at €15,000 to €16,000 for a typical three-year stay, but long-term residents are expected to receive larger refunds.
The overall cost of the repayment scheme will be approximately €1 billion with the Government providing €340 million in 2006 and the balance in 2007/2008.
The HSE has employed a team of KPMG consultants and McCann Fitzgerald solicitors to administer the fund.
The legislation which underpins the repayment scheme also provides for the right to an independent appeal against the decision made by the scheme administrator.
Minister for Health Mary Harney said: "The arrangements for the establishment of the Long Stay Charges Appeals Office are being finalised and I am confident that any appeals will be handled in an efficient and effective manner".
Ms Harney said: "The legislation which provides a clear legal framework for the scheme and the public launch and information campaign will ensure that repayments will now be made as quickly as possible to all those who were wrongly charged while also placing appropriate safeguards in place to prevent exploitation of those who receive repayments".
She added: "People receiving repayments have the option to donate some or all of this amount to the Repayment Scheme Donation Fund."
This fund will be used specifically for improving long stay care and will be in addition to normal State funding, she said.
The acting national director with care services in the HSE Tadhg O'Brien said: "The HSE is satisfied that this scheme will operate efficiently and will ensure that individuals are repaid in a swift manner.
Mr O'Brien said: "We encourage those seeking information on the scheme to call the special telephone number or visit the website for further details and further urge anyone who feels they are entitled to obtain a form and make a claim."
"Application forms are available at post offices and from HSE offices," he added.