Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the proposed Health Insurance (Reform) Bill 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18743/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is undertaking fundamental reform of the health service in order to ensure we deliver one that is more efficient, effective and of a higher quality.

A major costing exercise, involving my Department, the ESRI, the Health Insurance Authority and the HSE, is currently underway to establish the cost to the individual, household and to the State of the introduction of Universal Health Insurance (UHI). It is expected that initial costs from this exercise will be available in the near future. Following receipt of the results of the UHI costing exercise, it is my intention to revert to Government with a roadmap on the next steps for delivering universal healthcare.

As part of the reform programme there will be a need to improve structures and management systems within the health services. Legislative proposals will be brought forward, where necessary, to underpin these reforms. Given the complexity and breadth of the issues to be addressed, significant preparatory policy work must be, and is being, undertaken in advance of the development of the legislative proposals. The specifics in relation to the structures and related legislative changes to be pursued will be identified as part of this process.