Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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443. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact risk equalisation charges on health insurance policies are being categorised as Government levies by health insurers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2711/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The voluntary health insurance system in Ireland operates on the basis of community rating whereby everyone pays the same price for the same product (adjusted to reflect any loadings applicable under Lifetime Community Rating). Our community rated market is supported by a Risk Equalisation Scheme funded by a community rating levy payable by insurers on all written policies. The legislative basis for the levy is provided for in the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999. The levy is collected by the Revenue Commissioners from insurers and all of the monies collected are paid over to the Risk Equalisation Fund administered by the independent regulator - the Health Insurance Authority. The Authority redistributes the monies back to the health insurance companies by way of credits in respect of older and sicker people. The scheme is designed to protect community rating by spreading the cost of insuring older and sicker people across the market and allows all people to continue to pay the same net amount for a given health insurance product.