Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1679. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure no public hospital engages debt collectors to collect outstanding fees from patients; if he will outline the policy in relation to collecting outstanding debts from seriously ill patients; the hospitals that employ debt collecting companies; the names of those companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37994/23]
View answerPatient 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.
