The Government is increasing the health insurance levy imposed on private health insurance companies, which is aimed at making health insurance more affordable for older people.
Companies will now have to pay €205 for each adult and €66 for each child on their books. This represents an increase of €20 in the existing adult rate and €11 in the child rate. The money goes into a fund to give tax relief to people over 50 for health insurance.
The head of Quinn Healthcare, Donal Clancy said the measure was unwarranted and followed a 21% increase in the cost of private beds in public hospitals in the Budget.
Mr Clancy said it would make health insurance even more unaffordable for many people who are already struggling financially.
The levy was announced in November 2008 as an interim measure pending the introduction of a new risk equalisation scheme.
