Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost savings he will make in 2013 in charging the full cost of private care in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40051/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The details of the new in-patient charges are set out in the Health (Amendment) Act 2013. As a result of the discussions my Department has had with the private insurance industry, in order to agree a phasing in of the charges for all private patients, including those who occupy public beds, I have decided to implement these charges from 1 January 2014. It is expected that the new in-patient charges will generate an additional €30 million in revenue in 2014 for public hospitals providing in-patient services to patients being treated privately by a consultant.

The deferral of the implementation date to 1 January 2014 allows time to carry out an independent assessment of private patient activity, to ensure that the new charges raise only the intended €30 million in 2014. This assessment is currently underway. If it is necessary, I will amend the rates by amending legislation to deliver the €30 million.