Hospitals Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2013

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Ceisteanna (271)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

271. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is now the case that the expected savings in 2014 from the measures contained in the Health (Amendment) Act 2013 in relation to the increased charges for private patients in public hospitals is €30 million and the full year effect €45 million instead of the €120 million originally outlined during the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 debate in Dáil Éireann; for the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41532/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health (Amendment) Act, 2013 (No. 31 of 2013) provides for the introduction of a single private in-patient charge for all private patients, including those accommodated in public beds. The charges set out in the Act have been set at a level intended to raise an additional €30 million in hospital revenue in 2014. As I outlined when the Act was being debated in the Dáil, as a result of discussions between my Department and the private insurance industry during the Act's passage through the Oireachtas, in order to agree a phasing-in of the charges for all private in-patients, including those who occupy public beds, I decided to implement the charges from 1 January 2014 at a rate calculated to raise an additional €30 million in 2014.