asked the Minister for Health with regard to the letter of allocation for non-capital health expenditure sent to each health board in which he talks about the possibility of health boards maximising income by introducing certain charges, if he will make a statement regarding the nature of these charges and the measures he proposes to introduce in this regard.
Written Answers. - Health Board Charges.
109.
Paragraph 9 (iv) of my Department's letter of allocation for 1988 allows health boards to exercise flexibility, with my consent, in relation to charges and other income gathering measures, which are not in conflict with existing statute, where such flexibility would result in increased income. For example, paragraph 2 (iv) identifies an increase in canteen charges from 1st January next of, on average, 20 per cent. If, however, a health board is of the view that a restructuring of the entire canteen pricing system rather than a flat percentage increase, would be more beneficial in terms of income, the board may, with my consent, opt for such a restructuring.
It is, however, a matter for individual health boards to determine the appropriate areas for which such flexibility should be sought.
110.
asked the Minister for Health with regard to the letter of allocation for non-capital health expenditure sent to each health board in which he states that the institutional assistance regulations must be amended before 1 January, 1988 to enable charges to be made after 30 days, if he will outline the charges to which he is referring; and if he proposes to introduce a new form of service charges for the health services in 1988.
The service charges which are referred to in the letter in question are those provided for by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976 (S.I. No. 180 of 1976). These regulations enable a charge to be made on a person who has been in receipt of in-patient services for ninety days where such person does not have full eligibility for health services and has no dependants.
It is proposed to amend these regulations with effect from 1st January 1988 to enable a charge to be made after 30 days instead of 90 days as at present.
I do not propose to introduce new hospital service charges in 1988 other than a charge in certain circumstances for persons who receive in-patient hospital services outside the functional area of their health board and without the approval of their board.