A telephone helpline for people illegally charged for nursing home care has been 'inundated' with calls since it opened at 9am this morning, and is to be extended.
The Health Service Executive apologised to people who had been unable to get through to the helpline, but stressed that there is no urgency in making contact with it.
It follows a Supreme Court judgement earlier this month which found that the charges were illegal.
People who believe they may be owed money have been asked to contact the HSE, either through the helpline or by email, with the name, address and date of birth of the patient concerned, as well as the name and address of the long-stay centre, and date of admission.
A Cabinet Sub-Committee is considering how to repay the money concerned.
Independent report
Meanwhile, an independent report into how the nursing home charges controversy was handled by the Department of Health is expected later this week, a spokesperson for the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, has said.
In December, the minister appointed the retired head of Forfás, John Travers, to examine 'who knew what when' and why the Attorney General's advice was not sought at the earliest possible time.
Mr Travers has interviewed former Ministers for Health and senior civil servants for his report which is expected to be presented to the Cabinet next week.
The helpline number is 1 800 77 77 37 and is operating from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
