Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there is a daily charge for persons staying in hospital who do not hold a medical card or private health insurance. [2204/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health (Inpatient Charges) Regulations 1987, as amended, impose a charge of €55 per night, up to a maximum of €550 in any 12 consecutive months, during which an individual is maintained as an inpatient in a public hospital. As well as those with full eligibility, categories exempted from the charges include children up to the age of six weeks, women receiving services in respect of motherhood and children suffering from specified diseases.

It should be noted that where exemptions do not apply and cases of exceptional need arise, the chief executive officer of the HSE has discretion to waive the charge where undue hardship would otherwise be caused. The chief officer of the relevant HSE area should be approached with any concerns in this regard.

For individuals who opt for private or semi-private treatment, the following charges apply in addition to the daily charge already referred to: