Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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642. To ask the Minister for Health when universal health care insurance will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50694/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where there is fair access to services based on need, not on ability to pay. Under UHI, everyone will be insured with their choice of insurer and will have equal access to a standard package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.

Intensive work is currently underway on the preparation of a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance which will provide more detail on the UHI model for Ireland. Drafting is at an advanced stage with a view to publishing the White Paper by the end of this year. The health reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencing over a number of years and full implementation of UHI will take some time to achieve. I anticipate that by 2016 the necessary groundwork will be in place to enable us to phase in implementation of UHI, as promised in the Programme for Government. I should add that it is my intention to consult widely as part of the reform implementation process.