Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.

Enda Kenny

Question:

295 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the circumstances under which a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been charged hospital fees; the nature of the charges involved; if these charges were for private or public rooms; if the person was in a position to give consent for charges to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10972/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The Deputy will be aware that the Health (Amendment) Act, 1986, enables charges to be made by health boards for in-patient and out-patient services for persons who received or are entitled to receive damages or compensation in respect of treatment for injuries caused by road traffic accidents.

The charges levied are normally the cost of providing the services or the average daily cost to the hospital concerned. The manner in which charges are raised under the Act is being appealed to the Supreme Court and the case is expected to be heard towards the end of the year.

The determination of eligibility for health services is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board and I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to write to the Deputy directly explaining the circumstances in which charges were made in this case.