Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the benefits which a patient derives from VHI in view of the fact that a patient (details supplied) in County Donegal has spent their referral time from a general practitioner on a trolley at Letterkenny General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14425/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Any person, who is ordinarily resident in Ireland, is entitled to receive treatment as a public patient by a consultant in a public hospital, including Letterkenny General Hospital, subject only to certain statutory charges.

Treatment in an accident and emergency department is provided on the basis of medical need and the fact that a patient holds private health insurance is not relevant to the nature of the treatment provided.