asked the Minister for Health whether his Department keep any data on the current scale of professional fees charged by doctors and dentists; whether there is any redress for patients who believe that they have been overcharged; and whether he will consider discussing this matter with the professional organisations concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fees of Doctors and Dentists.
73.
My Department does not keep any data on the professional fees charged by doctors and dentists.
The fees charged by them for services provided for private patients are entirely a matter between the doctor or dentist and his patient. It would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to raise issues such as alleged overcharging with organisations representative of the medical and dental professions.
Arising out of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the Minister for Health to Question No. 69 in my name today, and the brash arrogance with which he dealt with the question, I ask your permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
How dare the Deputy call it brash arrogance?
I shall communicate with the Deputy.