Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the proposed VHI rate increases as indicated in a newspaper article (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the proposed additional 20% increase will be on top of a 23% increase already imposed at the start of 2009; if her further attention has been drawn to the difficulties this will create for existing VHI members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41803/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Neither I nor my Department have a role to play in the setting of prices by any private health insurance provider. This is a commercial decision for the insurers themselves. The article referred to in the Deputy's question speculates in relation to premium increases which may be brought in by one particular insurer. To my knowledge no announcement has been made to date by that insurer in relation to its premium rates going forward.