Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the co-location policy; if she is concerned that the VHI will not cover its customers in co-located private hospitals. [34749/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Renewed Programme for Government re-affirms the Government's commitment to the hospital co-location programme. Preferred bidders have been selected for six co-located projects. The co-location programme is a complex public procurement process. It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the changed funding environment. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects.

I have no role to play in the day to day running and commercial decisions relating to private health insurers. Private health insurance providers are free to choose their own service providers in order to service the health needs of their own insured population. As the regulator of the private health insurance market, it would not be appropriate for me to interfere with commercial arrangements between insurers and their chosen providers.