Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this Bill and particularly to the previous debates, of which I was not a part. One Senator offered congratulations on the bringing forward of this Bill. However, that is due to many people who spoke on the Bill previously and who have, in many ways, steered the Bill in the direction it is going. People's views are heard contrary to what one sometimes hear. It is a very important Bill. I have noted a number of the questions raised, particularly those raised by Senator Devine, which I may not be able to answer but I will ask the officials to come back to her on those.

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I have come in on this Bill at a very late stage. I was asked to take it on behalf of the Minister. I thank all the contributors and advise if there is some specific matter on which I have not touched, they might email the Minister's office and I will make sure they get a response to it. I thank everybody for their views.

To recap, the main purpose of the Bill is to specify the revised risk equalisation credits, and corresponding stamp duty levies, to apply on health insurance policies from April 2018. Community rating is a fundamental cornerstone of the Irish health insurance system. This means that people who are old or sick do not have to pay more than the young and healthy, whereas in other health insurance systems the level of risk than an individual presents directly affects the premium paid.

Under the risk equalisation scheme, all the money raised in levies from insurers is paid into a fund for the sole purpose of supporting the market in the form of credits payable. The credits and levy rates for next year strike a fair balance between the need to sustain community rating by keeping health insurance affordable for older, less healthy consumers and maintaining the sustainability of the market by keeping younger, healthier consumers in the market.It is very important that the Bill reflected this in the context of the number of young people who have joined policies in recent years. I can only think of my own family, particularly the younger members, who have taken out policies for the first time. I am of the view that what is proposed is really encouraging in the long term.

The Bill also makes a number of changes to the operation of lifetime community rating to ensure the continued smooth operation of schemes in this regard in a fair and balanced manner. Senator Swanick asked if the amendment will permit breaks in the insurance cover of people living in Ireland for at least six months up to a cumulative total of three years. These changes, coupled with ongoing increases in employment, which is the key driver in the demand for health insurance, will support the health insurance market and everyone who wishes to purchase private insurance. The amendment is on foot of recommendations made by the independent Health Insurance Authority in order that those experiencing unemployment, financial hardship or caring for their parents will not suffer under the loading process. The Bill allows us to maintain our support for the core principles of community rating. The latter is long established and well-supported Government policy for the health insurance market. The Bill will ensure that we can continue to provide the help and support necessary to ensure that the costs of health insurance are shared across the insured population.

It is very important to make a final remark on the Bill. Dealing with this matter on a weekly basis at my clinic, and understanding issues that Senators have raised about people coming to their clinics, I am aware that many people who have had health insurance for a long time have had to allow it lapse for many different reasons, whether as a result of through illness, the loss of a job or even due to making a decision not to continue with it. I compliment the people working in all of our hospitals, but particularly those in public hospitals, on the tremendous work they do, sometimes in very difficult circumstances when accident and emergency departments are really packed. I want to continue to support these people. There are still those who, even thought they have private insurance, attend public hospitals and, rightly so, because I believe our hospitals should be there for everyone.

I agree with Senator Swanick when he says that there are many private hospitals popping up and that if one does not have X, Y or Z, one is not allowed in. That is a shame, to be honest. If one has the ability to pay for the type of scan to which Senator Devine referred. one should be able to go in and pay, particularly if one has private health insurance.

On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senators for their input in respect of the Bill. I will relay some of the issues that were raised back to him. I thank Senators for allowing me the opportunity to read the Minister's proposal. I also thank the officials, who I met for the first time shortly before I came into the House, for all their work on the Bill.