Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 3

Written Answers. - VHI Charter.

Ceist:

221 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to introduce a White Paper to analyse the current charter of the VHI and specifically to look at the implications of including long-term residential or nursing care cover; the timeframe before the publication of this White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24360/99]

The VHI operates pursuant to the Voluntary Health Insurance Acts, 1957 to 1998. The White Paper on Private Health Insurance, published on 16 September 1999, specifically addresses, inter alia, the future of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board. The Government consider that the board should be given full commercial freedom of operation, including freedom to develop new insurance plans. Legislation to amend the corporate status of VHI, in accordance with the provisions set out in the White Paper, will be presented to the House as soon as possible.

Subject to compliance with any requirements of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which is the designated insurance supervisory authority for this country, it would be a commercial decision for each insurance undertaking, including VHI operating under the proposed new legislation, to determine the matter of providing cover in respect of the cost of long-term residential or nursing care.

Barr
Roinn