Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to debt collection practices employed at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; if patients may expect to receive a letter from Intrum Justitia if bills are not paid within six weeks of discharge; the terms of the agreement between Tallaght Hospital and Intrum Justitia including the level of payment; if similar arrangements are in place for the recouping of moneys from private health insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46091/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive seeks to maximise the recovery of income in a socially responsible, ethical, efficient and cost effective way. Initial follow up on outstanding debt is carried out by each hospital and includes the use of reminder letters. Collection agencies are only used when the normal collection process has been exhausted. The use of debt collection agencies has been common practice in the health service for many years.

The HSE has drafted a National Income Collection Regulation for Acute Hospitals which will be issued shortly. The HSE also plans to issue a National Tender for the provision of collection services. Debt collection has been in place at Tallaght Hospital for 13 years. The process path involved is the same approach taken by other Dublin Academic Teaching Hospitals (DATHs). Currently, the hospital issues the patient with a bill three days after discharge. Between 2 and 4 weeks after the patient is discharged the first reminder letter is sent. If no payment is made, the debt collection process commences when a second reminder is sent to the patient 14 days after the hospital reminder.