Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the contingency plans which exist should there be a sudden downturn in revenues if VHI subscribers cancel their personal private health insurance in view of the ineffective hospital services they are receiving and are of the opinion they are not getting value for money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16052/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Data relating to the Private Health Insurance Market for the period 2001-2004 shows that there has been a continuous increase in the number of persons covered by private health insurance.

The estimated Total Premium Income figure for 2005 is approximately €1.153bn. Also, in a Market Review of the Private Health Insurance Market in Ireland published in September 2005, the Health Insurance Authority found on-going support for availing of private health insurance cover. The Market Review also found that most consumers appeared to be happy with all aspects of their private health insurance plan and choice of insurer and that despite a series of premium increases, the majority of consumers still felt that private health insurance was good value for money. I am satisfied therefore that private health insurance consumers are satisfied that they are getting value for money from their health insurers and that no sudden decrease in the revenues of the private health insurers will occur.