Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the residents of a hospital (details supplied) are liable for the bills which are beyond the ability of people on limited incomes to pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12331/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005 have provided for two different classes of persons on whom charges may be levied. These regulations were signed by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health and Children on 14 January 2005.

Class 1 refers to people in receipt of in-patient services on premises where nursing care is provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises. In this case, a weekly charge can be levied of €120 or the weekly income of that person less €35, whichever is the lesser.

Class 2 refers to people in receipt of in-patient services on premises where nursing care is not provided on a 24 hour basis on those premises. In this situation, a weekly charge can be levied of €90, or the weekly income of that person less €55 or 60% of the weekly income of that person, whichever is the lesser.

These regulations provide for the maximum charge to be levied on either class of person. The HSE issued revised guidelines for the implementation of the charges in July 2006. The HSE has the power to reduce or waive a charge on the grounds of "undue hardship". Under Section 1 (b) of the Health (Amendment) Act, 2005, the HSE can examine a person's overall financial situation in view of the person's reasonable expenditure in relation to themselves or their dependants, if any. The HSE when assessing charges takes into account only that income attributable solely to the person in care.

As the information sought relates to a specific hospital which is within the area of responsibility of the Health Service Executive, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the mater investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.