Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when he will publish a detailed plan for the implementation of universal health insurance. [13619/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to implementing a comprehensive programme of health reform, the ultimate objective of which is to ensure equal access to healthcare based on need, not income. This objective will be achieved through a single-tier health service supported by universal health insurance. The key policy principles of the reform programme are as follows. Firstly, the reform will involve significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients. This will be achieved on a phased basis to allow for the recruitment of additional doctors, nurses and other primary care professionals.

In parallel to the development of primary care, there will also be significant reform of the acute hospital sector. I am committed to tackling the issue of waiting times and waiting lists by introducing new initiatives such as the Special Delivery Unit. A more transparent and efficient "Money Follows the Patient" funding mechanism and a purchaser/ provider split will also be introduced. In the latter case, this will involve establishing hospitals as independent, not for profit trusts. Once the key building blocks, such as a strengthened primary care system and "Money Follows the Patient" funding, have been put in place, the health sector will be ready for universal health insurance.

Undertaking this comprehensive reform process is a complex task which must be carefully planned and sequenced. Officials in my Department are currently giving careful consideration to the reform programme with a view to developing implementation proposals for the phased introduction of the above reforms. Officials are also engaged in enhancing their understanding of the application of universal health insurance as well as considering best practice in healthcare reform.

In that regard, officials organised a seminar on universal health insurance which was attended by experts from the Dutch Health Ministry, the World Health Organisation and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Furthermore, officials will shortly be undertaking a study visit to the Netherlands to examine in more detail the Dutch health reform programme. A similar visit to Germany is also in the process of being arranged. I will be communicating on an ongoing basis as the detailed arrangements for examination and implementation of the reforms are progressed.