Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether introducing a charge on persons who do not attend hospital appointments will lead to another layer of bureaucracy which will be cumbersome and costly to administers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49597/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Charges are levied by the Health Service Executive for health services provided in hospitals in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970. Charges are not currently levied where people fail to attend hospital appointments. The possible benefits of introducing new charges as referred to by the Deputy would have to be balanced against the administrative demands involved. The Government will take decisions on all aspects of health expenditure in the context of its overall budgetary strategy for 2013.