Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 4

Written Answers. - Blood Test Service Charge.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

239 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 was due to pay a £10 service charge for a blood test which was processed by the Laboratory Medical Service, Charlemont Mall, Dublin 2 even though he did not attend there and the blood test was taken by his doctor who was paid for the visit; and if he will outline the way in which service charges apply in this regard.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

On the basis of the information supplied by the Deputy, this charge appears to have arisen as part of a contractual arrangement between two private parties and is not in any way related to the service charge payable by patients in respect of attendance as out-patients at a public hospital. I do not have any function in relation to the charging or payment of such private fees.