Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the daily accommodation rate at the South Infirmary Hospital, County Cork; the way the cost is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50315/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Private in-patient charges are directed by the Minister under section 55 (1) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended.) Currently, the Minister directs the following maintenance charges under this section:

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

The 2010 Value for Money and Policy Review of the Economic Cost and Charges Associated with Private and Semi-Private Treatment in Public Hospitals reviewed the current per diem costing methodology for calculating charges. It recommended the introduction of case-based charges using Diagnostic Related Groups for private and semi-private patients in public hospitals. The Hospital Financing Subgroup, established under the auspices of the UHI Implementation Group, is currently preparing draft policy proposals on this issue. These policy proposals must be developed in such a way as to ensure consistency with the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a 'Money Follows the Patient' funding system for public hospitals and, ultimately, the commitment to a single-tier system supported by universal health insurance.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if patients that have paid PRSI are charged the Government in-patient levy when staying in hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50316/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The current statutory public in-patient charge is €75 per day, subject to a maximum of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months. The statutory in-patient charge also applies to day cases. A number of categories of individuals are exempt from the above charge, including those with full eligibility.

The payment of PRSI contributions by an individual is not a relevant factor when determining if an individual is exempt from a charge.