David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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371. To ask the Minister for Health if dedicated space for private practices will be made available at the new national maternity hospital; if this will result in a cost for the taxpayer; if so, the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21471/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is no differentiation between public and private in-patient rooms in the designs for the new hospital. Indeed, all in-patient rooms are of a similar design. In order to support the current commitment in the consultants' contracts, some private outpatient consulting space will be provided. The charge to consultants for the use of those rooms is an operational matter and will be determined in due course.

Currently, persons who opt to be treated privately on admission to a public hospital are liable for the consultants fees and hospital charges arising for that episode of care, whether paid for by the patient or by a health insurer on their behalf.