Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Written Answers. - VHI Operations.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

67 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce any reforms to the structure of operation of the VHI, in view of its accumulated losses over the past two years of £23 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

75 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to ask the VHI to discontinue offering Plans D and E.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 75 together.

The losses in question occurred in the two years ending 28 February 1989. Deputies will be aware of the appointment of a recovery manager to the VHI board in October 1988, and that the board's recovery programme was introduced in January 1989. Each area of VHI's insurance plans was examined in detail by actuarial experts, and those changes found to be necessary were implemented.

The board's current financial year ends next month. All the indications are that the recovery measures are working and that the board's accounts will show a surplus for the year.

The VHI board have also submitted to me a longer term corporate plan. I am considering this at present, in conjunction with my consideration of the report of the Commission on Health Funding.