Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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906. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the average increase to the cost of private health insurance over the past five years, referring specifically to average annual increase each year over the past five years; the steps, he proposes to take to control such increases having regard to the consequent difficulties imposed on families by the ever-increasing cost of private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1719/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The latest data available from the Health Insurance Authority, showing the annual average increase in the average premium paid by insured persons, is as follows:

2008: 8.6%

2009: 11.3%

2010: 7.4%

2011: 7.3%

2012: 12.1%

Full year figures for 2013 are not yet available. In the interim, the increase in the average premium per person insured for the 12 months to end-September 2013 is 10.6%.

I have placed significant emphasis on the need to address the level of costs in the private health insurance market. As part of the Consultative Forum on Health Insurance, earlier this year I appointed Mr Pat McLoughlin as Independent Chair to work with insurance companies and the Department to identify effective cost management strategies to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the private health insurance market. Mr McLoughlin’s first report was published on 26 December 2013, with the second phase to be prepared within a further three months. I will continue to focus on addressing costs to keep private health insurance as affordable as possible for people who wish to avail of it.

The Government's clear objective is for the health insurance market to remain as competitive and affordable as possible, as we move towards a new system of Universal Health Insurance.