Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the time of admission and discharge determines if a daily charge for a hospital inpatient will be levied on a patient and if this results in the hospitals collecting two charges on the same day when a bed is vacated and the patient is replaced by another. [17841/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to charges raised on foot of the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations 1987, S I 116 of 1987. Where a person is maintained as an inpatient for a single period of more than one day, no account shall be taken of the final day. The effect of this is that the charge applies per day with no charge for the day of discharge or, effectively, the charge applies per night. However where a day case is concerned more that one person may — properly — use a day bed in the course of one day and each patient using the day care facilities in this way can be charged under these regulations. In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Charges may be waived if, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, payment would cause undue hardship.