Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 1995

Vol. 449 No. 8

Written Answers. - VHI Reimbursement Claims.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

27 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of people who received payment from the VHI for out-patient benefit in each of the last five years; the number of VHI subscribers who exceeded the ceiling of £1,200 in respect of outpatient benefit in each of the last five years; the number of VHI subscribers who would have claimed outpatient benefit for amounts between the old limits of £170.00 for a family and £105.00 for an individual and the new limits to be introduced on 1 March 1995, of £400.00 for a family and £250.00 for an individual; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 54 together.

Deputies will appreciate that the information requested is of a sensitive commercial nature and I cannot publish such information. Under the Single Market the health insurance sector is now subject to competition and potential rivals to VHI could use the details requested for their commercial advantage.I hope that it will be understood that in a potentially competitive environment it would not be usual or appropriate to publish such information.