Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government remains very committed to a model of universal health care that will provide patients with affordable, quality care at all times. That service will be funded through a different model of universal health insurance from what was originally proposed. Building on the reforms that are already in place, we will continue to move away from the wasteful, inefficient and unfair approach to health service provision we inherited some years ago. Moreover, it must be done in a way that is affordable to both taxpayers and the buyers of health insurance. Deputy Martin is well aware there are different models of universal health insurance and that the ultimate cost of insurance to families and the Exchequer depends upon the nature and type of model chosen and the level of subsidy to be provided by the State. The Government commissioned the ESRI to examine the financial implications of implementing a particular model of universal health insurance based on data from 2013, a time when health budgets had been cut significantly and systems had not been put in place to control costs more effectively. The high costs for health insurance customers estimated by the ESRI are not acceptable either now or at any time in the future. The ESRI report vindicates the Government's decision not to rush into the implementation of that particular model of universal health insurance.

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