Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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386. To ask the Minister for Health the current funds collected by the Exchequer in either direct or indirect health charges respectively, including PRSI; if it is planned to abolish such charges on the introduction of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10690/14]

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, where access is based on need, not income.  

Moving to UHI will involve a radical change to the way in which we organise and finance our health system.  Under UHI, the State will still be responsible for funding a large part of healthcare, however, for most of the services provided under the UHI standard package, it will be the premiums paid by the citizens to their insurer of choice, that will fund those services.  The White Paper on UHI, which I intend to publish very shortly, will provide more detail on how the new financing arrangements will apply.

In terms of statutory charges and whether they will apply under UHI, this is still subject to further analysis and consideration.  Decisions on charges are part of the wider issue of the total cost of UHI.  Calculating the cost of UHI is a complex matter and is dependent on a number of critical and interdependent variables such as; demand for and utilisation of healthcare, service delivery models, payment systems and regulatory and administrative costs. Decisions on statutory charges for health services will be  a matter for Government, and will only be undertaken when full costings on UHI are available.