John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the standards used to distinguish between private rooms in hospitals where patients pay a yearly payment for their insurance with regard to maintenance and food; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38624/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Health (Amendment) Act 1991, hospital accommodation in public hospitals is designated as public, semi-private or private. The formal designation of any particular part of a hospital as semi-private or private does not oblige health insurance companies to reimburse subscribers who may be accommodated in that area of the facility. Each insurance company makes its own arrangements for the accommodation and other amenities which must be provided to its subscribers in order for them to be reimbursed the cost of availing of the facilities.