Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is the result of legislative changes. We were led to believe during the Second Stage debate that the high levy rate would not be applied but it is clear that this has not happened. It will have a significant impact on people who cannot afford health insurance and it will have a positive impact on very affluent people who can afford the best insurance policy. The situation is wrong.

What is the state of play in the private health sector with regard to per diem charges? If the public hospitals are charging a per diem rate for orthopaedic procedures, for example, is there an alternative available in the private health system? If so, why are the health insurers not taking advantage of that facility to reduce costs, as opposed to paying the per diem rate in the public hospitals?