Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There are reports in the media today of Irish hospitals hiring debt collection agencies to recoup the cost of unpaid bills from patients. It is reported that last year alone, over €500,000 was spent in hiring debt collection agencies. Patients are telling some very upsetting stories about harassment, threats, and strong arm tactics being employed. They talk about being frightened. They are mainly vulnerable people who are recovering from illness or surgery and the reported behaviour of these agencies is completely and utterly unacceptable. No hospital should be engaging debt collection agencies to pursue in this manner vulnerable patients, many of whom might be in some financial distress. Will the Minister for Health come before the Dáil to make a statement on this issue? I believe it would be merited as this is a serious matter. Will the Minister join me in demanding that hospitals desist from the practice of using debt collection agencies to harass patients?

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