Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Members are genuinely interested in asking the Minister for Health these questions.

Any question pertinent to the Minister will be relayed to him.

I thank Senators for their contributions to what has been a very good debate, of which I heard the last hour. The Bill is essential to give effect to necessary budgetary measures to support the continued provision of important services at a time when there is extreme pressure on HSE funding and in keeping with the move to a universal system of health insurance. The Bill will also make an important contribution to simplifying, modernising and enhancing the charging and contributions regime in hospitals, nursing homes and other residential settings.

I hope Members will not mind if I do not respond in order to the points raised. Certain points need to be made. I take on board Senator Feargal Quinn's point about the importance of maintaining ourselves in good health, even though we will always have acute episodes.

I always find Senator John Crown's contributions interesting. He referred to the administration of the health service, which is very important. As someone who was a recent beneficiary of the public health service, having had to be treated urgently, I know that the service provided is very good. We should be in no doubt about this. When people are in urgent need of health care, our experts kick into gear and respond well. The Senator's point is that difficulties arise because of the way we have allowed the health service to develop in terms of charges, administration and the crossing between the elements in our two-tier system. I will not refer to his comments on private health insurers, but I have no doubt that his experience is correct.

What is amazing about the fair deal scheme is that only 8% of the 22,000 applicants have applied for the loan element. The reason is that the average contribution is only €267 per week. It is a pity Senator Martin Conway is not present because there is a reason the family to which he referred is paying so much. The average contribution is what makes the scheme sustainable. In opposition we were critical of the scheme, but in hindsight it has worked extremely well in its operation. It has given a degree of comfort and security to families and older people that the intensive, long-term State care people need at that time in their lives is affordable. We can thank the previous Minister for Health and Children for this. The proposal to charge patients, as raised by Senator Marc MacSharry, was first announced in 2011 and meetings have since taken place on an ongoing basis between the Department and private insurers.