Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether a system of co-payments by patients under universal health insurance will be necessary to fund all but the most basic treatment services under UHI, due to the fact that the likely funding base for UHI will be insufficient to fund all treatment services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30328/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to fundamental reform of healthcare in Ireland that will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not income. Every individual will have a choice of health insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.

In February, I established an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance which will assist in developing detailed implementation plans for universal health insurance and driving implementation of various elements of the health reform programme.

The Group will also assist my Department in preparing a White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance. The White Paper will outline the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. Preparation of the White Paper is a complex process. It will involve significant financial modelling to support analysis of different design options and to estimate the cost of UHI. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government's term of office.

The reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful sequencing over a number of years. The Implementation Group will continue in existence throughout the health reform process and will oversee implementation of the reforms and consult widely.