Bernard Allen
Ceist:616 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of his plans to change the corporate status of a company (details supplied). [22118/01]
Written Answers. - Private Health Insurance.
The White Paper on private health insurance published by my predecessor in September 1999 set out the Government's intentions in regard to any changes in the corporate status of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board. The Government considers that it is necessary to regularise the current position of the VHI and put it on the same footing as other State companies. Specifically, this will involve the repeal of the Voluntary Health Insurance Acts, 1957 to 1998, and the introduction of legislation to establish VHI as a company under the Companies Acts.
I, jointly with my colleague the Minister for Finance, have appointed corporate finance and legal advisers to examine and report on the matter. When the report of the consultants has been received the Minister for Finance and I will jointly consider carefully the advices available to us. Any change in VHI's corporate status will require legislation and would, therefore, be a matter for consideration and discussion in this House.