Seán Fleming
Ceist:250. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when treatment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54681/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services Provision
Ceisteanna (250)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Tobacco Control Measures
Ceisteanna (251)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:251. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the forthcoming public health (standardised packaging of tobacco) Bill. [54684/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was received on 19 November 2013 for the publication of the General Scheme of a new Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2013 and to proceed with the drafting of the legislation based on this General Scheme. It is proposed that all tobacco products will have to comply with this legislation.
In relation to the reference in the correspondence to public hearings due to be held by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, I would recommend that contact be made directly with the Committee to further the correspondent's request.
Questions Nos. 252 and 253 answered with Question No. 16.
National Children's Hospital
Ceisteanna (254, 255)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the national children's hospital development plan has been advanced to date; the degree to which he expects the plan to be on target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54689/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the final design, including accommodation and bed numbers, in respect of the new children's hospital has been decided; when construction work is expected to begin; the extent to which moneys expended previously in respect of the formerly nominated sites can be offset against similar preparatory work on a new site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54690/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.
The new children's hospital project is a priority for this Government. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is the body responsible for the capital project. Last August, I announced appointments to this Board to replace the transitional Board which had been in place since January this year. These appointments bring architectural, planning, procurement, engineering and construction expertise to the project. In August I also announced appointments to the Children's Hospital Group Board which, as client for the project, will play a key role in ensuring the new hospital is optimally designed and completed as swiftly as possible.
Prior to the commencement of construction, key elements of the project include design development, decant works for the site and planning permission. The new NPHDB has reviewed the design team procurement process, which had been initiated in July, and decided on a change of approach based on its collective expertise and taking into account changing market conditions. While this means that the design team will be selected in Spring 2014, rather than by the end of this year as originally planned, the Board is confident there will be no delay to the project overall. Pre-application planning discussions have commenced, a masterplan for the St. James's Hospital campus is being prepared and St. James's Hospital is working closely with the Development Board and the HSE in relation to the decant phase of the project. Work on the review of urgent care centre configuration is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.
Planning for the number of beds for the new children's hospital was undertaken during the previous phase of this project on the Mater campus, based on ongoing analysis of paediatric hospital activity, ongoing review of Diagnostic Related Groups (clinical activity), review of existing and future service plans with each of the specialty groups and application of National CSO Population and Labour Force Projections. This was carried out in parallel with a review of paediatric acute care trends internationally and the application of LEAN healthcare principles. Following the Government decision to locate the hospital on the St James's campus, further analysis of existing and planned hospital activity has been carried out and the number of beds required in the new children's hospital at the St James's Hospital campus is being finalised as part of this process. A significant proportion of the preparatory work that was done for the project on its previous site can be transferred to the new site.
Work on developing a detailed timeline is continuing, which will reflect the urgency and priority of the project and also its scale and complexity. However, at this stage, the Board is confident that construction can begin in Spring 2015 with the transition of services to the new hospital to commence at the end of 2018.
Question No. 256 answered with Question No. 33.
Health Insurance Data
Ceisteanna (257)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which private health insurance increases have been noted in respect of the various providers; if, in the context of any study of the proportion of the market controlled by each insurer, the age profile and the extent of premium increases over the past five years, it has been determined as to which insurer has gained the greatest advantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54692/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Insurance Authority, the independent statutory regulator of the private health insurance market in Ireland, provides advice to my Department on an ongoing basis, including in relation to market statistics and developments. The main relevant market developments over the past five years are as follows:
- The number of people who currently hold private health insurance is 2.047 million (end-September 2013) or 44.6% of the population. The number of people insured has been in decline since its peak at almost 2.3 million, or 50.9% of the population, at the end of 2008.
- The Health Insurance Authority data indicates that, in the 12 months to end-June 2013, the average premium paid to commercial insurers was €1,095 gross (adults and children combined), which represents an increase of 59% over the corresponding five-year period.
The following tables show the breakdown of membership by age for each of the commercial health insurers over the last five years.
|
End Dec 2012 |
Aviva Health |
Glo Health |
Laya Healthcare |
Vhi Healthcare |
|
0-49 |
19% |
1% |
25% |
55% |
|
50-59 |
19% |
0% |
21% |
59% |
|
60-69 |
15% |
0% |
20% |
65% |
|
70-79 |
12% |
0% |
16% |
78% |
|
80+ |
6% |
0% |
6% |
89% |
|
Total Market Share |
16.9% |
1.0% |
21.5% |
56.4% |
|
End Dec 2008 |
Aviva Health |
Quinn (Laya) Healthcare |
Vhi Healthcare |
|
0-49 |
9% |
25% |
65% |
|
50-59 |
6% |
20% |
74% |
|
60-69 |
3% |
15% |
82% |
|
70-79 |
1% |
7% |
92% |
|
80+ |
1% |
3% |
96% |
|
Total Market Share |
5.4% |
21.6% |
66.8% |
The tables show a significant disparity in the membership age profile, and thus the associated costs, across the four commercial insurers. VHI Healthcare continues to have a much greater proportion of members in the age groups 60-69 and above when compared to other insurers. Insurers with more older customers have higher claims costs. For example, in 2012:
- VHI had market share of 56% but had 67% of the total claims paid in the market.
- Laya had 22% market share but had 14% of total claims paid in the market.
- Aviva had 17% market share and 13% of total claims paid.
Given the disparities in claims costs, mostly related to age and health status, between competitors operating in the health insurance market, risk equalisation has been the mechanism used to create a level playing field in the market. It does so by providing risk equalisation credits (based on age, gender and level of cover) in respect of insured people aged 60 years and over. The aim is to distribute fairly some of the differences that arise in insurers' costs due to the differing health status of all their customers. The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013, which is scheduled to pass all stages of the Oireachtas later this week, sets out revised risk equalisation credits and the corresponding stamp duties that will apply under the RES from 1 March 2014 and will further improve the effectiveness of the Scheme overall. These revised credits should further level the playing field within the market, by making older clients less costly to insure.