Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2015
218. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the proportion of the population aged 18 to 35 years and 25 to 35 years who hold private medical insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11030/15]
View answer219. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the proportion of all persons who hold private medical insurance who are 35 years of age or younger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11031/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
The Health Insurance Authority, the independent statutory regulator of the private health insurance market in Ireland, provides my Department with information returns on a twice-yearly basis showing the numbers insured with inpatient health insurance plans in the age categories outlined in the table below. This data is compiled in respect of the commercial health insurers and excludes people serving waiting periods and members of restricted membership undertakings (which provide insurance to people who are members of a particular group, normally a vocational group or employees of a particular organisation). While the data is not collected or available in the specific manner sought, the breakdown will be of interest as an indication of market trends.
|
Age Group |
Membership for the Market as of 31 December 2014 |
|
Aged 17 and under |
453,873 |
|
Aged 18 to age 29 |
203,077 |
|
Aged 30 to age 39 |
281,282 |
|
Aged 40 to age 49 |
293,155 |
|
Aged 50 to age 59 |
261,365 |
|
Aged 60 to age 69 |
217,455 |
|
Aged 70 to age 79 |
125,118 |
|
Aged 80 and over |
51,880 |
|
Total |
1,887,205 |
