One officer to process 3,500 nursing home appeals

FINE GAEL yesterday attacked the Government for only appointing one appeals officer to process more than 3,500 nursing home payment scheme appeals.

The party’s spokesperson for older people Paul Connaughton said in response to a parliamentary question, Health Minister Mary Harney confirmed that a total of 3,504 repayment scheme appeals had been lodged, representing 13% of processed claims.

He said 2,694 applicants had appealed their rejection by the repayment scheme and a further 810 applicants had appealed the amount offered by the scheme administrator.