Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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596. To ask the Minister for Health the way he will achieve the charging of all private patients in public hospitals; if he will outline the steps and legislation needed to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2441/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2013, it has been indicated that legislative proposals will be brought to Government that will provide for charges to be collected from private in-patients who are not occupying a private designated bed. This charge will be phased in over a number of years to mitigate the impact on the private health insurance market. It is envisaged that new charges will be implemented in mid-2013 and will yield additional €60m in 2013. The details of the legislative changes are being worked on by my Department at present. In the meantime, the maintenance charges for private in-patients in public hospitals remain unchanged.