asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional occupancy of hospital beds due to insurance policies which pay benefits contingent upon the number of days spent in hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Beds Occupancy.
10.
No estimate of this kind has been made, nor would it seem practical to make one. I would, however, point out that about 16 per cent of the population are covered by the schemes of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board but that this group accounts for only 10.5 per cent of the bed-days in acute hospitals. This would seem to indicate that the demands by this group on hospital services are on the whole relatively light. However, the Voluntary Health Insurance Board and my Department will shortly be discussing possible future modifications in the board's schemes. The point referred to by the Deputy is among the matters which will be discussed.