Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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2391. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any schemes that individuals can avail of to recoup money when they have been forced to go through private healthcare providers for their medical care due to inadequate public services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20587/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The HSE funds and operates the public healthcare system in Ireland. Private Hospitals and healthcare providers are independent organisations. In general, patients use their private health insurance when accessing healthcare in the private sector, while some patients who do not have private health insurance may opt to pay privately for the treatment. Treatment accessed in the independent private healthcare system is not eligible for reimbursement by the HSE or the Department of Health.

Private health insurance in Ireland operates within a voluntary, community rated market. This means that each individual pays the same premium for a particular plan, regardless of their age, gender or health status. Individuals who hold private health insurance may be able to recoup some of the costs of private treatment, depending on the level of cover provided by their insurance policy. The community rated market is regulated by the Health Insurance Authority, which provides information to consumers to help them make informed choices about their health insurance options.