Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
594. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the safeguards in place to ensure that vulnerable patients, such as those on low incomes or with long-term illnesses, are not subject to aggressive debt-collection practices by HSE hospitals. [53097/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra595. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has examined the approach in other EU countries with universal health systems in relation to pursuing unpaid hospital charges; and to indicate whether reforms are under consideration to reduce reliance on private debt collectors. [53098/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra596. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department intends to publish an annual report detailing hospital debts, recovery rates and payments made to collection firms, in the interests of transparency and public accountability. [53099/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 594 to 596, inclusive, together.
Patient charges are an element of the funding for the Irish health system. Charges have not been increased in recent years despite inflation. Furthermore, hospital Inpatient charges were abolished in 2023.
Remaining charges include those for Emergency Department, Outpatient and Injury Units. Exemptions do apply for Medical Card holders and patients eligible under various criteria.
The operation of hospital charges and collection of same is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Non collection of charges directly impacts affordability of services provided by the HSE. Therefore, it is incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to look for amounts owed.
In case of difficulty paying a hospital bill, the regulations allow an instalment arrangement to be agreed.
Debt collection agencies are only engaged when normal billing arrangements have not been successful.
