Catherine Murphy
Ceist:212. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the way in which his Department is working towards reducing in-patient charges in the health system. [50335/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 14 October 2021
Ceisteanna (212)
Freagraí scríofa
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services. All persons, irrespective of illness or condition, accessing public in-patient (including day case) services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory in-patient daily charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 in any period of 12 consecutive months, subject to a number of exemptions which include;
- medical card holders;
-people receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases - including Coronavirus (Covid-19);
-people who are subject to 'long-stay' charges;
-children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations;
-people who are eligible for hospital services because of EU Regulations;
-women receiving maternity services;
-children up to 6 weeks of age;
-people with hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Card;
-people who are part of the Redress Scheme for Women Resident in Certain Institutions.
As announced in Budget 2022, funding has been provided for measures to alleviate the financial burden of hospital charges incurred for children accessing care. Further details of the proposed amendments to hospital charges for children will be announced in due course.
It should be noted that patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 211.