328 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 20 March 2002, he had taken action under the prompt payments legislation against health boards, the GMS Payments Board and other Departments that have not paid outstanding moneys to general practitioners for discretionary medical card holders, asylum seekers and their practice support allowances; if he has not taken such action, when he proposes to do so, in view of the fact that some of these payments are months overdue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11359/02]

I have not taken any action under the prompt payments legislation against the institutions mentioned by the Deputy, nor do I intend to do so. The problems experienced in processing payments to doctors in respect of discretionary medical cards and asylum seekers related to IT system difficulties. An arrangement has now been reached with the IMO in relation to these payments, including a retrospective element, on which the GMS payments board are currently acting. The matter of practice support allowances was one of interpretation, in respect of part-time support staff, which has now been clarified.