In-patient charge for Mayo children to be abolished

A Mayo Oireachtas member has welcomed the news that the statutory public in-patient charge for children is to be abolished.

Senator Lisa Chambers stated: "This proposal is yet another important step towards delivering universal healthcare in Ireland.

"This legislation, when drafted and enacted, will ease the financial burden of parents and guardians when bringing their child to hospital for in-patient care and will help to ensure that cost is not a significant consideration when children require access to in-patient treatment.

"The government's goal is universal healthcare and this is another important step towards affordability as it will make our public hospitals free for children when they access treatment as a public patient.

"I hope that, with the support of all parties in the Oireachtas, these charges will be abolished by the summer.”

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has received approval from Cabinet to draft a scheme for the abolition of both overnight and day case public in-patient charges for children under 16.

These charges have been in place for many years, therefore primary legislation will be needed to amend the Health Act 1970 to abolish the public in-patient charge for children under 16 years of age.

The legislation needed to fulfil this objective will now be developed by the Department of Health and the draft Bill will be published as soon as it is finalised.

The proposed Bill will remove the existing acute statutory in-patient charge of €80 per night for all children less than 16 years of age in all public hospitals.