asked the Minister for Health the proportion of spending in public hospitals that is financed by private patients through VHI or otherwise; the proportion of the capacity that is occupied by private patients; and if he will comment on his policy in relation to charging full cost to private patients.
Written Answers. - Public Hospitals Expenditure.
412.
The estimated income from charges in respect of services provided in private and semi-private accommodation in public general hospitals will represent about 5 per cent of the expenditure of public general hospitals in 1984. Such accommodation represents about 10 per cent of the total beds in public general hospitals. I will be reviewing the charges later in the year for the purpose of deciding on the extent to which they might appropriately be increased in 1985.