Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:262. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of providing free acute hospital care for all citizens. [45503/13]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2013
262. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of providing free acute hospital care for all citizens. [45503/13]
View answer266. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current spending on acute hospital services. [45507/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 266 together.
Under the Health Acts all persons (not just citizens) ordinarily resident in the State are entitled to avail of acute hospital services subject to limited charges e.g. €75 per night in a public hospital bed subject to a maximum payment of €750 in any 12 month period. The HSE acute hospital allocation for 2013, as set out in the recently published HSE monthly performance report, is €3.704bn.