Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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395. To ask the Minister for Health if he is personally aware that accounts for inpatient charges in public hospitals are referred to collection services within two months of non-payment from the date of issue of the invoice by the hospital; if this is standard practice; if he considers this appropriate practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.

Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.

The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.