In 2008, the Minister for Health established the Special Obstetrics Indemnity Scheme (the “SOIS”). Under the SOIS, the Minister agreed to indemnify the Bon Secours and Mount Carmel Hospitals¹ in respect of specifi ed obstetric claims. The Government delegated the management of claims under the SOIS to the NTMA under S.I. No. 628/2007, National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Functions) (Amendment) Order, 2007. The named participating hospitals made contributions to a fund which is managed by the NTMA on behalf of the Minister for Health under section 29(2) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2000.

The Minister for Health authorised the SCA to draw down amounts from the fund to reimburse the SCA under section 16(2) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2000 for any amounts paid by the SCA on behalf of the participating hospitals.

SOIS funds

Scheme funds are invested in Exchequer Notes on behalf of the Department of Health. Income earned on the Scheme's investments is paid into the fund and is not recognised as income of the SCA.

The movement on the Scheme funds is set out below:

	2015 €'000	2014 €'000
Balance at 1 January	5,522	5,623
Claim settlements and expenses	(53)	(111)
Income earned	-	10
Balance at 31 December available for settlement of claims	5,469	5,522

¹ Mount Carmel went into liquidation in January 2014 and was subsequently purchased by the HSE in September 2014, to be utilised as a step down facility.