John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if it is the practice of hospitals and health insurance to charge for the use of a virtual bed or chair; and if so, if he will explain how this is defined and the costs involved. [45909/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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These charges are levied in respect of each day or part of a day during which in-patient services are availed of in respect of private, semi-private and day-care accommodation in public hospitals. These rates are set out in the following table.

The private in-patient daily charge of €75, subject to a maximum payment of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months also applies.