Minister for Health Mary Harney has confirmed that almost €2 billion in repayments to illegally charged nursing home patients will begin to be paid out in November.
Up to 75,000 elderly residents had fees deducted from their pensions between the late 1970s and 2004.
In her quarterly review of the health service before the all-party Oireachtas Health Committee, Ms Harney said it would take some time to make all the repayments.
"The first monies will start being repaid during the month of November," she added.
Up to 8,000 claims from living residents have been verified, and 3,000 from the estates of deceased patients. The average payment will be €20,000 to €25,000, and Ms Harney said that she expects a total of 25,000 living residents and up to 50,000 estates to lodge claims.
All claimants have up to 28 days to accept their settlement offered, or appeal.
The Minister also promised that the Breast Check programme will be extended to the west and south west of the country early next year. She also said it was important that a cervical screening programme was put in place for the whole country.