Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to bring forward legislation regarding risk equalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12015/07]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to amend the proposed version of risk equalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12017/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 14 together.

This Government is intent on supporting genuine competition in the best interests of health insurance consumers and its development in the private health insurance market. At the same time, consideration has to be given to the stability of the community rated health insurance system, and the safeguards necessary to protect it, including risk equalisation. The ultimate beneficiary of risk equalisation is the insured population, particularly the elderly and the ill, who would otherwise be vulnerable to the effects of risk selection, and could find themselves priced out of being able to afford their insurance at the point in their lives when it was needed most.

I have appointed a 3 person market review group to examine whether an adequate rate of return is available to insurers in this market and associated issues as quickly as possible. I asked the Group to report back to me by the end of this month, and following consideration of their report, and the Reports of the Competition Authority and the Health Insurance Authority, I expect to bring proposals to Government. Following this process, I may be bringing forward amendments to the Health Insurance Acts or to the Risk Equalisation Scheme.

It is the case that some minor amendments to the present scheme will be submitted to the Oireachtas after the Easter recess for affirmation, having regard to the enactment of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2007.