James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I repeat what I said earlier, namely, that there is currently no limit in primary legislation on the number of days for which a Minister for Health can impose a charge on a public inpatient. Under existing regulations, the maximum number of days for which the acute public inpatient charge applies is ten. I reiterate that I have no plans to increase this. If, however, a future Minister for Health wished to increase the charge, under the Bill both his or her agreement and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform would be required. The leeway allowed to the Ministers before they would be required to return to the Oireachtas to increase the number of chargeable days further stands at a maximum of 15. That is a reasonable constraint and, therefore, I do not propose to accept the amendment.

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