Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, I do not accept that at all. First, the Government has not put off a decision on universal health insurance, UHI, until next year. I do not accept the Deputy's premise about an increase in costs for each individual. I accept that this is the most radical and fundamental change in the health service structure since the foundation of the State. We cannot continue with a system that is inequitable, unfair, which penalises those on lower incomes and costs an extraordinary amount of money. When the Deputy was Minister, it cost €16 billion.

The Government's decision today was to confirm the concept and principle of universal health insurance. However, there is clearly a need for a process of consultation with the people in order that everybody will understand what is involved. The fundamental difference between what is in place and what will apply under universal health insurance is that the package of services that will be available and the choice for each person as to what is most suitable for him or her will include access to primary care and GP care. Therefore, the cost being paid for that currently will not be a cost under UHI.

It is a matter of considerable importance that there be no confusion. Therefore, the process of consultation will involve ordinary citizens, men and women, around the country who will be impacted on by this change and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children which will have a central role to play and provide an understanding of or an explanation for the value of having a single tier system that will provide equal access, rather than having a two-tier system which is discriminatory, unfair, exceptionally costly and does not work.

I think what the Deputy is trying to get at is whether I can tell him what the average cost will be per package. I cannot do that because UHI will not be implemented in full for some time, but the process is in train. We have the strengthening of primary care services, the special delivery unit, the establishment of six hospital groups, the patient safety agency and the first phase of the money follows the patient approach. These are all parts of the process leading to implementation of universal health insurance.

To answer the Deputy's question, the Government has accepted and confirmed the UHI concept and principle. It is continuing to discuss the question of how best to roll it out and the process through which we can explain exactly what is involved. I do not accept the Deputy's figures or his assertion that this will cost more. The Minister for Health has said-----

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