Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
271. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will discuss the provision of high-intensity focal therapy for prostate cancer patients with private insurance providers (details supplied). [13106/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health is responsible for the legal framework governing the health insurance market in Ireland. This is a voluntary market that operates under the principles of community rating, open enrolment, lifetime cover and minimum benefit.
The Health Insurance Act 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations 1996 (the Regulations) require insurers to provide a minimum level of cover to every insured person, regardless of what insurance policy has been purchased.
Private health insurance providers act as commercial entities in a competitive private health insurance market. If a procedure is not a minimum benefit under the Regulations, then insurers can decide whether or not to cover it on a specific plan.
Beyond the Regulations, the Minister does not have a role in the commercial decision making of any private health insurer.
The Minister is not in a position to direct any insurer to provide cover for any particular procedure or service, or direct how that cover is to be provided, or the associated costs.
