Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has known for a long time that I am far from being an enthusiast of private health insurance. However, I accept that the risk equalisation approach is necessary in the context of where we are at this point in time and have no problem accepting that this is a requirement. I have some concerns and am disappointed my amendments have not been allowed.

In regard to hospital bed utilisation, I understand from the experience of others that in day cases where there is so-called bed utilisation - it is questionable as to whether these cases constitute bed usage because they are dealt with in a day ward where there are a number of trolley facilities - significant charges apply. These charges do not only apply to overnight stays. Will the Minister throw some light on this situation? Do these charges apply universally for privately insured day case patients presenting at hospitals? Are they charged significant sums for the utilisation of a bed over a period of hours during the day, when there is no overnight stay? What is the situation in regard to patients who are referred to the private attention of doctors and consultants?