Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1115. To ask the Minister for Health if she has examined the recent findings reported by a newspaper (details supplied) that identified 35 private health insurance plans as offering poor value for money; if she will provide details of any reviews, investigations, or enforcement actions undertaken by the Health Insurance Authority arising from those findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62189/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1116. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken by the Health Insurance Authority to ensure that consumers are fully informed of the comparative value of health insurance plans before renewal; the way in which the authority monitors and reports on products identified as poor value; and her plans to strengthen consumer information requirements in view of a newspaper (details supplied) report highlighting 35 plans that offer substandard value. [62190/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1117. To ask the Minister for Health if she is satisfied that the current regulatory framework governing private health insurance provides sufficient protection for consumers against low-value or duplicative plans; if she has sought advice from the Health Insurance Authority regarding the need for legislative amendments to improve price transparency and plan comparability; and the intended reforms or consultations in this regard. [62191/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1115, 1116 and 1117 together.

The Minister for Health notes the article published in the Irish Independent on 7 November 2025. Insurers are permitted to offer any product that complies with the regulatory framework. Pricing decisions are a matter for insurers based on commercial considerations such as medical inflation and claims costs. The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) has advised that it has not undertaken any reviews, investigations, or enforcement actions arising from the article, as there is no apparent breach of the relevant regulations by insurers in offering these products.

Under section 21(d) of the Health Insurance Act 1994, the HIA has a role in increasing public awareness of consumer rights and the health insurance services available. The HIA provides a free and impartial evidence-based comparison tool on its website (www.hia.ie), which enables users to compare all products on the market. The HIA also undertakes regular public information campaigns across radio, online, and social media platforms, and participates in outreach events to provide information to consumers. The Authority encourages all consumers to review their cover regularly and to shop around at renewal time to ensure they are on the most appropriate plan for their needs and circumstances.

The Minister is committed to ensuring that the regulatory framework governing private health insurance continues to provide for transparent consumer information which is provided through the Health Insurance Authority's comparison tool. The Department will continue to engage with the HIA on these matters and will consider any recommendations for reform that may arise from this work.