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

I will ask the Minister to come back to the Senators on that point.

I thank Senators for their support for this Bill. Its provisions are technical but they are important for all the people who want an opportunity to buy into a health insurance scheme and to have proper guidance in making their choice. Health insurance is held by a large proportion of people in Ireland relative to other countries. It is important to have taken the opportunity to discuss this Bill and the positive effect that community rating and other aspects of health insurance regulation have on people's daily lives. The Bill deals specifically with issues relating to health insurance regulation, including provisions for revised credits and the stamp duty level to apply to health insurance policies from April 2020. The voluntary health insurance scheme operates on the basis of community rating, which means that everyone pays the same price for the same product. This is supported by the scheme, which aims to keep health insurance more affordable for older and less healthy citizens. In other health insurance schemes internationally and in other insurance markets in Ireland, the level of risk presented by an individual directly may affect the premium he or she pays. We are all aware of that from our own dealings with insurers.

I thank Senators again for their support for this technical Bill. I will convey the issues that were raised by Senators Gallagher, Norris and Colm Burke to the Minister, Deputy Harris. I thank the Acting Chairman and the Cathaoirleach's office for accommodating the debate this afternoon and wish Members and staff a happy Christmas.