Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

160 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will cease charging some general medical services patients for in-patient treatment under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Hospital long-stay charges can be made under two sets of regulations. Charges can be made under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976, S.I. No. 180 of 1976 as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987, S.I. No. 300 of 1987. These regulations enable charges to be made towards the cost of providing hospital in-patient services for persons with income who have been in receipt of such services for more than 30 days or for periods totalling more than 30 days within the previous 12 months. Medical card holders are exempt from these charges. In practice, however, persons in long-stay care do not usually hold medical cards as the hospital takes responsibility for all of the person's health needs. Persons with dependants are also exempt.

Charges can also be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965, where the patient receives shelter and maintenance rather than treatment. These charges apply from the date of admission and are payable by all patients who are in receipt of incomes including medical card holders and persons with dependants.

The over-riding consideration in applying long-stay charges is that persons with means who are in receipt of long-term care should make a contribution towards the cost of their maintenance. In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Allowance is made for any financial commitments the person may have and a reasonable amount is left to meet the person's personal needs. Charges may be waived if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, payment would cause undue hardship.

The Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations, 1987, S.I. No. 116 of 1987 as amended by the Health (In-Patient Charges) (Amendment) Regulations, 1999, S.I. No. 401 of 1999 allow for a statutory charge in respect of in-patient public hospital services. The charge is currently set at £26 in respect of each day during which a person is maintained, up to a maximum charge of £260 in any 12 month period. Medical card holders are exempt from these charges.