Dr. Susan O'Reilly:

For income targets our group is expected to raise approximately €200 million of our core revenue budget in order to support services. This is part of the overarching funding model that currently exists. About two years ago there was a change where patients who have private insurance and who are admitted to public beds - principally through the accident and emergency department - can be charged for to their insurance companies. There are issues about this model because patients often fear that giving their insurance numbers means their premium would go up - like a car accident claim can affect premiums. Globally, premiums will go up if we get more money off the insurance companies so some of the insurance companies are fostering the practice of not giving out this information. We are in a slightly bizarre model. It is not a model I would like but it is the one we have got. There is no impact on delivery of services if we fall below these income targets. As the chief executive officer of a group, and I suspect my other colleagues are likely to agree, we would not be cutting back on services if we do not reach stretch targets generating private income and other revenue.