The government intends to abolish the statutory public in-patient charge of €80 for children.
The change will apply to children under the age of 16 and the plan is to abolish both overnight and day case public in-patient charges for children under 16.
Currently public patients (including children) are liable for the charge of €80 per night, up to a maximum of 10 nights (€800) in a 12-month period.
Medical card holders and other certain specific classes of persons are exempt from these charges.
Funding was provided in Budget 2022 to enable the change which is expected to come into effect later this Summer.
