James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

We wish to go further. By the middle of the year we wish to bring in the six hour target in respect of the patient experience. The goal is that the time from when one enters an emergency department to the time one leaves or is admitted should be six hours for 95% of patients.

The Deputy is absolutely correct. I have considered this issue and have had quite a number of discussions in this regard with both Ministers of State, Deputies Shortall and Kathleen Lynch, on the danger that public hospitals would be incentivised to treat increasing numbers of private patients. This has been accommodated within what is planned because once the hospitals pass a certain quota, they will not be allowed to keep any of the money. Consequently, there will be no incentive for them to continue to do this.

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