James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Minister makes the point that people are earning more and the economy has grown and this is the reason more people have VHI cover. I put it to her that 20 years ago there were 18,000 beds in the hospital system, which fell to 11,000 and now the number is at 13,000 while the population has increased by 700,000. It is the lack of access to public health care that makes people feel they must have health insurance in order to have any realistic chance of access to health care. The Minister mentioned the late Susie Long. Unfortunately, that was the reality for her. That is how many people feel. If they can afford health insurance, they will get it. Children are buying VHI cover for their parents to ensure they will access to hospital. That is the reality. It has nothing to do with our prosperity.

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