Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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8. To ask the Minister for Health his views to the recent reports suggesting that there is no evidence that the universal health insurance model leads to reductions in the cost of health care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8052/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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A report titled The impact of the financial crisis on the health system and health in Ireland has been produced by the World Health Organization with full co-operation by my Department. The report emphasises the need for reform of our health services and acknowledges that this Government is the first in the history of the Irish State to commit to the principle of a universal, single-tier health service, which guarantees access to medical care based on need, not income. We remain committed to this goal of universal healthcare and to driving forward key health reforms.

With regard to the potential cost of a competitive universal insurance system, my Department is currently working with the ESRI, the Health Insurance Authority and others on a major costing exercise. This exercise will examine the cost implications of a change to a multi-payer, universal health insurance model, as proposed in the White Paper on UHI. The analysis will include a review of evidence of the effects on healthcare spending of alternative systems of financing, and of changes in financing methods and entitlements.

It will also estimate the cost of UHI for individuals, households, employers and the Exchequer. I expect to have the initial results from this exercise in April, following which I will revert to Government with a roadmap on the next steps to UHI.