Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that hold private health insurance; and the percentage of the population this represents. [34583/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) compiles statistics on the numbers of individuals insured in the open market. The latest data available from the HIA relates to quarter three of 2011 and I am advised that 2.17 million people currently have "indemnity" private health insurance, which represents approximately 47% of the population. These figures include those insured by the three main companies: Aviva Health, Quinn Health Care and VHI Health Care. The figures also include those insured by restricted membership schemes which mainly operate for certain vocational groups.

In addition, 102,000 people currently have "cash plan" health insurance. Individuals with cash plans have not been included in the 47% population figure.