Patients attending hospital A&E units and staying in public hospitals will face a 10% increase in charges, under changes introduced as part of the budget.
The A&E charge of €60 will increase by €6 to €66, for a visit to casualty, if a patient does not have a doctor's letter or a medical card.
Charges for stays in public beds and private beds in public hospitals are also to increase by 10%.
These measures will generate €24m for the health service next year.
