Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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524. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons here currently covered by private health insurance; if this has increased or decreased since July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The latest available data from the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) shows that the total number of people with health insurance is 2.126 million, or 46% of the population (end March 2016). This figure includes those serving waiting periods and members of the Restricted Membership Undertakings (which provide insurance to people who are members of a particular group, normally a vocational group or employees of a particular organisation).

The HIA gather data on a quarterly basis and information in respect of June 2016 is not yet available. There was an increase of over 95,000 in the number of insured persons from March 2015 to March 2016, which contributes positively to controlling premium inflation and thereby helps to keep health insurance affordable for those who wish to avail of it.