Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the meetings he has held with members of the health insurance industry in relation to changes in charges announced in Budget 2012, the number of such meetings he has held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Following Budget 2012, I met with representatives of the country's main health insurance companies. At this meeting we discussed a range of issues including addressing the issue of driving down costs related to health insurance. The outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish a Health Insurance Consultative Forum to engage on issues of mutual concern.

In February of this year I established the Health Insurance Consultative Forum which comprises representatives from the country's main health insurance companies, the Health Insurance Authority and the Department of Health. The core focus of the Forum is on identifying ways of addressing costs throughout the industry, whilst always respecting the requirements of competition law. Bilateral meetings have taken place with each insurer where they have brought forward their own ideas for cost savings in the market. These ideas are the subject of ongoing deliberation and policy analysis within the Department.

The Forum also facilitates participating parties to consider certain issues related to the implementation of Universal Health Insurance (UHI). The future delivery of health services under UHI will require competing insurance companies driving efficient, cost effective delivery of high quality health care.