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Updated 12.20pm.
EDUCATION MINISTER RICHARD Bruton has asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to look at putting coding into the primary school curriculum.
Bruton wrote to the chief executive of the NCCA, Dr Anne Looney, asking that they look at how coding might be introduced to primary schools. He wrote:
“I am acutely conscious that we need to give all children the best start in a world where such skills will be key to participation and success.”
In a statement on the decision, Mr Bruton said:
For the generation of children recently born and starting to enter primary school, creative thinking and problem-solving skills will be absolutely key to how they develop in reach and achieve their potential.
In particular, their ability to think critically and develop solutions in the digital world will be vital for their prospects in life. I am determined that we should continually improve the education system in this area.
Coding will be an option for a short course for the Junior Cert under the new Framework for the Junior Cycle, along with digital media literacy and Chinese. The course is due to be introduced in 2017. A short course involves 100 hours of work over the three years of the junior cycle.
The NCCA is currently examining a new primary maths curriculum which is due to be introduced in early 2017. Bruton asked that the consideration of introducing coding be done as part of that review.
[image alt="" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2016/07/shutterstock_349189646-296x196.jpg" width="296" height="196" title="" class="alignnone" /end]
Skills Gap
According to a study in 2015, 70% of Irish people surveyed believe that coding should be introduced into education for six to 12 year olds.
The UK has had computer science on its curriculum since 2014 for students aged five to 16.
In 2015 there were 4,500 information, communication and technology jobs left unfilled due to a skills shortage.
Having the course early on would also hopefully address the gender gap in the sector by reducing the barriers to learning for women, as suggested by the 2014 ‘Women in IT’ report.
Google urged the government to put coding on the Leaving Cert curriculum earlier this year.
Eh the tax payers of this Country fund the health system already.. We provide the Hospitals, Doctors and Nurses.. Why should we have to take out private health insurance.. It’s another double tax..
Exactly
and with the exception of a few fully private hospitals, every private bed and most hospital infrastructure (as well as the mixed private/public sector education subsidy for the doctors that profit from it) has also been funded by the taxpayer, yet are ‘rented’ out to the private sector.
We just need political will to get rid of this private industry before the new mandatory private insurance comes in to subsidise the unwanted voluntary insurance market. It took a war for th UK to bring in the NHS – hopefully, we will bring it in without having to resort to that.
Wheres my PRSI going?
What’s a tracker mortgage
Why? Did you not notice the two business men who bought provate hospitals 2 or 3 yrs ago?
Agree with you. What are we eating PRSI for?
“Why should we have to take out private health insurance.. It’s another double tax..”
That’s almost true. For most procedures you’re likely to need you will find that no matter what level of health insurance you have, you have to go into a public hospital anyway. Even if you are one of the lucky few who have a procedure that can be completed at blackrock clinic, the doctors in there also work in the public system.
Where you need private health insurance really is to skip the ridiculously long queues for non-life-threatening illnesses. These illnesses can be debilitating and even make it impossible for you to work, and despite that you could find yourself on a 3 year waiting list if you rely solely on the public system.
Private health insurance is needed if you want to avoid the union- dominated quangos that suck up our money on inefficient services, and provide a crappy health system. If you think this is wrong, then you should have a word with the union reps who effectively veto any attempt to provide improved services which involve any removal of unnecessary staff. There was industrial action in Cork a few years ago, because an electrical union objected to anyone other than their members chamging lightbulbs. That’s where your PRSI goes. We’re lucky to have any money left to actually pay for frontline services.
Hmmm . coincidence.
How do they expect this template to work?
It’s absolutely crazy.
Your right Colin, but don’t forget that frontline staff aren’t afraid to strike either and the sympathy vote means they will get what they want. Don’t know how many people I have heard saying that aren’t paid half enough, but when you ask them how much nurses are paid they don’t have a clue.
So I work all my life. Pay tax for every mistake, quango and government F-up.
My tax pays for 1 million medical cards added to the fact it’s paying for hospitals, doctors, nurses and layers and layers of admin staff oh and our minsters of Health cosy not so little pensions.
If I’m in an accident before they even put on a plaster on me I’ve to pay a charge to attend the A&E department I’ve paid for.
Now they want me to pay for health insurance because the 30 years of tax I’ve paid so far means nothing if I get sick.
Leo along with the rest of his government care not one tiny bit about the Irish tax payer.
Scroungers demanding gold standard everything yet again and expecting the taxpayer to fund it.
Sam Bartell
Some off shore Corporate account, its needed to keep the elites in comfort.
I wonder how much tax from medical insurance goes in to the governments coffers ??????????
dunno but i get my health care through my job and the government see’s fit to charge me benefit in kind on that. As if getting away with out having to fund my health care wasn’t enough. my trough over floweth’s so they seem to think
Does your keyboard not come with a ‘€’ symbol or do they charge you in e tablets?
It’s obamacare in Ireland! This is happening quicker than expected
Exactly and there’s Varadkar – chief cheerleader for the whole ‘well this is coming in now folks time to pay up’ nonsense. This government with their 80K salaries and cushy pensions are totally out of touch with the average citizen. What services does your extortionate taxes pay for? Nothing apparently.
“It’s another double tax..”
It’s a fear tax.
People on very low incomes are paying it, because they fear the alternative, where people have died on a waiting list.
Correct, but only a revolution will change the system.
Denis, Denis O Brien…is that you?
Go home dude- low paid workers pay 21% tax on their wages while multi-millionaire corporations pay 6.7%. We want to see decent public services in return for our money. I wouldn’t accept shoddy goods from my shop why would I accept it from my government! Vote Left in the next elections lads and ladies!
The corporation don’t understand that they too rely on the public services to insure their workers can fulfill their work …
No buses – what does a strike cost a company ? They ignore that bit though when it comes to paying tax – Like free lodgers !
Because Fine Gael with the help of their lackeys in the Labour party want to make it an even more unjust society. Two tiers one for the haves and one for the never will haves.
I hope these politicians don’t consider themselves Christians as judging by their actions heaven will be full of camels.
Here is part of where Ireland is at the moment.
.
1. The country need from start to finish a complete clean investigation of corruption between business and politicians. Investigators should be given a “Go Anywhere” ability to chase any lead. What we DO have is yet another farce of an “Inquiry” where the government says you can only inspect one thing and even then you cannot go down further levels and attached avenues.
.
2. FG & Labour are now forcing people to take out private health insurance. So what? (a) Its another bill where a lot of people can’t even afford the already charges/levies/taxes, etc (b) they AGAIN are forcing people into more PRIVATE contracts with the businesses being the winners in eventual profit – not the state health industry that they continue to screw-up (deliberately?)
.
3. They are going to spin that Ireland is on the better while on one hand give SOME of you a tiny amount of money (and make out they are great), they will with the quiet other, take same away and more…
.
4. The cronyism & nepotism continues. Despite Enda Kenny HIMSELF stating (3.05pm) on his first day in the Dail that “Honestly is their policy” – thats alone has been COMPLETELY shown to be an utter sick joke! I know of TOP ministers that have seen their wives rewarded by unadvertised jobs, with huge wages and equal massive perks… Besides sons, daughters and other family being looked after – then they also look after their business mates also. All this continues…
.
5. Denis O’Brien has been allowed to totally take the piss out of the laws that are supposed to govern over monopolies in Ireland – as he continues to buy influence and control everything from radio, newspapers, magazines, TV stations, air plane companies, health care, petrol stations, petrol supply for army+ambulances+garda vehicles, water systems, phone services, and more… And the FG & labour Party are allowing him to get away with it – while they see “donations” to their people and party!
.
6. We are plainly getting screwed on our services. Bus services being privatised. Water heading the same way. Fishing rights given away. Bogs of Ireland control has been give away to the effect that its curtailed also, oil multinationals with politicians have robbed the country of hundreds of billions in natural resources. Our forestry land has tried to be robbed – thats stalled – but they will be back! You can bet your backside on that one…
.
7. They are about to yet again screw the whole country in secret over TTIP trade treaty. Ironic (or more sick double standards) when they are about to celebrate our supposed “FREE REPUBLIC” in 2016, as they hand over MORE MASSIVE power away from Ireland not only to other countries – but massive multi-national corporations by very detailed legal means also.
.
I could go on but unless you are completely stupid, a traitor to Ireland, in other words a person willing to (a) stay by all this crap and (b) a supporter of Fine Gael and Labour then for gods sake, not just share this post – but join me and others in getting up off our arse and do something. Its only your and your children’s own present and future we are talking about. If that don’t mean crap to people then they are going to deserve all they get – because on top of the crap thats already been done, thats happening now, there is a whole heap of more crap to come.
.
STOP voting these clowns back in – even if they are living in your area – they are STILL seeing you stabbed in the back. Enough is enough.
.
Wake up Ireland. Get up Ireland.
Any policy below €1000 is pretty much pointless. So, apart from fleecing people, what’s the point?
Put simply, to avoid age related loading later
But you get nothing for a policy of below 800 – 1000 anyway so age related loading is another sham. If you want health insurance when you’re older, you would be better off putting the money you would spend on a cheap policy into a savings account and then getting a good policy when you retire.
You wouldn’t want to get too old mind because you would never be covered. Some of the stipulations on all policies, such as pre-existing conditions 5 – 7 years, initial waiting period 26 – 52 weeks, maternity cover 1 – 2 years, upgrading policy waiting period of 2 – 5 years are restrictive, but compared to the fine print on the cheaper policies, they look positively indulgent.
I think it’s a safe bet that this sham won’t be around when children of the 80s are in need of health insurance.
The point is to preserve jobs for all those working in the health insurance industry whilst off loading the cost of the public health service into the private sector and freeing up some of general taxation to go to pay off our IMF, ECB and bondholder loans. Simple!! Its called ‘the three card trick’, or ‘fool ‘em in the counting up’!!
When people are forced to pay for health insurance prsi should be reduced. While i understand the need for health insurance the problems with hse are clear, too much money is wasted on management and administerial side of things while the only answer our govt can come up with is to force people to pay out more money on private insurance. Nobody seems to be able to fix whats wrong even though its obvious to everyone and once again the taxpayer gets reamed. Now we pay prsi to pay for public healthcare and we are going to have to pay a private insurance company, add that to having to pay a water bill to a company which probably will be privatised in the future even though we pay for water alreadythrough taxation. When is the draw on our pockets going to end??
Gerard Crotty
Put simply, its a very lucrative eugenics program that will enrich some government ” Good old boys “
I love the way that the marketing people have framed this… Anyone under 34 need not be concerned with this … At the minute.
“The point is to preserve jobs for all those working in the health insurance industry whilst off loading the cost of the public health service into the private sector and freeing up some of general taxation to go to pay off our IMF, ECB and bondholder loans. Simple!! Its called ‘the three card trick’, or ‘fool ‘em in the counting up’!!”
Spot on Jack.!
Its a protection racket. Pay up now or join the queue if you get sick.
Forgive my scepticism, but since health insurance is a huge revenue stream for the health industry isn’t there a vested interest for the health industry to keep the queues and waiting lists as long as possible?
Remember this next time a politician promises to cut the waiting lists. It will be a lie because they know that it will never be allowed to happen.
The system is sick, throwing more money into it will not fix it.
Why are doctors who work in the industry allowed to work both under public and private hospitals? If they just worked on public hospitals would the waiting lists be so long? When I pay for my private healthcare why do I still have to pay my doctor?should my doctor not be free? I pay private healthcare and still can’t afford to go to the doctor or dentist. The system is a scam
It’s called a monopoly Niall ….like the beef industry for example – remember that Rhona one had her own medical devices leasing company as well and she the darling of the Mater until that broke …
Pigs just eat and eat ……..
The Health Insurance Authority are very unclear in their information. If you have ever had health insurance as an adult you are entitled to credit for this period. For anyone who only gave up cover in the last few years, the 30 April deadline may be irrelevant. I’m 44 and, had insurance from the age of 21-42. My community rating (CR) age is therefore reduced from 44 by the number of adult years cover = 21 ( adult cover = 42-21=21) (CR age = 44-21=23). On this basis I can avoid taking out insurance for another 12 years if I wish, by which time my CR age will be 35 (23+12=35). I had this confirmed directly from HIA but this is not explained properly anywhere.
This is good to know, I also had it for years but could not renew when prices jumped….
Thanks Duncan.
Excellent info to pass on
Thanks Duncan. Just saved me €642pa. I was also in the VHI for 30 years until 2011 when I was priced out of the system.
The VHI quango have been systematically pricing older members out of the system in recent years.
The fact that Warren Buffet, the “sage of Hathaway” has rescued them from bankruptcy may have something to do with it..
No such thing as health insurance in this country only Q skipping. F**k me if I’m gona pay extra to skip the Q just to see the same doctor.
I’m paying prsi so i wont be paying for another health tax
How many politicians have shares in private nursing homes and hospitals? We are talking James Reilly for starters …. and let us not forget Denis O’Brien who owns the Beacon Private Hospital …….. how many more can you name? Another sham by a sham Government .
These entry level policies won’t even cover people for care in a private hospital….and the level of benefits in a public hospital are quite miniscule.
Be careful Maire Ben. You can’t say anything bad about Denis O’Brien on the Journal.ie or they will black list you. The Beacon is not the only thing he owns you know?
I’m at this moment sitting on a hospital trolley with a drip in my arm, nothing too serious thank god, but because the illness is an illness I had prior to taking out my insurance I’m not covered, could never really get my head round that one
Mine is not a question by the way, just a general moan
If I die in the next few hours does that mean I no longer have to give a fcuk about money?
I am totally puzzled. The govt. want free health and gp care for all. A one tier health system. Why are they then rolling out this new scheme for the private health insurance Market which will ensure a two tier system. Someone is telling porkies.
It’s not a new scheme, new rules would be more accurate. It’s fairer to those that have paid health insurance their whole lives against those that suddenly decide to take out insurance later in life. Health insurance is still optional.
Optional is not 100% accurate Reg! Agreed you don’t have to get it if you don’t want! But this is bully boy tactics to try make you to get it! When he states figures like an elderly person with maximum penalties will be paying €40,000 euro extra over the course of their life then for some types of people it will start to take away the choice in the matter!
Why should late entrants be subject to minimum waiting periods before accessing treatment, if their policy is going to be heavily loaded anyway? Why are they introducing lifetime community rating if the plan is to abolish it under UHI?
Any chance you parasites could do one and take the government with you? This is nothing but more austerity on the already squeezed poor. Won’t last more than 6 months.
I found this on the ‘HIA’ (The Health Insurance Authority) website.
GloHealth – “Hospital Care – Good Individual” €187 p.a. But when I go to the GloHealth website there’s no information on this plan, its as if they want me to buy a more expensive plan, and hide the cheap plans….
Hi Brendan, Thanks for the comment about GloHealth, it is a good point. We made a decision to remove some of our Hospital Cash plans from our website during the run up to the LCR loading coming into effect because having one of these plans does not give you credit in the future when calculating loadings. Health insurance can be complicated at the best of times so hopefully I can explain our decision a little here! The plan you refer to ‘Hospital Care – Good Individual’ is not a health insurance ‘indemnity’ plan i.e. a plan that pays for your treatment in a hospital directly with the hospital. It is a hospital cash plan which instead gives you cash back for each night you have to stay in hospital but you pay the hospital for the stay and/or treatment. We were worried that someone who might want to Beat LCR would buy one of these cash plans online without fully understanding the consequences on future loadings. Therefore we felt it would be better to offer these just through the call centre where an experienced agent could talk someone through the decision. At GloHealth we are keen to promote our less ‘expensive’ plans because we actually offer the cheapest indemnity plan in the market, which is our Base plan when bought online at http://www.BeatLCR.ie. We would be delighted to take you through the various options on 1890 781781 if you have the time. I hope this helps explain things but please contact us directly if it hasn’t.
Rip off merchants
Was it just me or at the start did he mention that basically there was a lack of funds in private health insurance? So really this is government introducing legislation to protect the private sector! Or did I totally misunderstand that!
Risk equalisation and the other insurers who are in the market compensating the VHI for their older age profile, that’s what it comes down to.
Is ‘Health Insurance’ a scam ?
I had health insurance from 2000 until 2010 I’m 43 now but can’t afford to take up a new plan at the moment…what will this mean for me?
Guess who bought the Beacon Private Hospital for a knockdown price before mandatory private health insurance was announced? Yes that’s right, Denis O Brien.
Talk about a backwards system..
I emigrated to Belgium a few years ago and was told I would need to get insurance here when I took up employment.. A little miffed I decided it had to be done.. To my amazement the yearly, yes YEARLY cost of this was a staggering €60. If i wanted full hospital cover I had to fork out another massive €60 on top of that. (it’s €66 now and €120 for full hospital cover with a one person private room should I need to go in overnight for any reason)
It’s a kind of Co-operative agreement, there are a few different companies offering a very similar package to what I have.
The basic €66 covers,
(non cosmetic) dentistry,
Gp visits,
hugely subsidised prescriptions,
hugely Subsidised hospital visits.
Examples I’ve had personally:
Tooth extraction : cost €120, I got almost €80 back
GP visit : cost €26, I get €18 back
Eye operation:cost in the region of €2400, I didn’t have to fork out at all and got billed €11..yes ELEVEN euro!!
General painkiller on perscription: usual cost over te counter €19/€23 I actually pay €2.70/€2.80
Only last week I had to go to an Osteopath, they are covered too..
Cost (without GP referal) €40, I get €10 of that back.
I get a yearly allowance for my glasses, sports classes/Gym membership etc. Too..
If they can do all that here for €66 a head (granted my version of PRSI goes towards the subsidised costs) why the f***do you guys still have to pay extortionate rates?
!Talk about a backwards system..
I emigrated to Belgium a few years ago and was told I would need to get insurance here when I took up employment.. A little miffed I decided it had to be done.. To my amazement the yearly, yes YEARLY cost of this was a staggering €60. If i wanted full hospital cover I had to fork out another massive €60 on top of that. (it’s €66 now and €120 for full hospital cover with a one person private room should I need to go in overnight for any reason)
It’s a kind of Co-operative agreement, there are a few different companies offering a very similar package to what I have.
The basic €66 covers,
(non cosmetic) dentistry,
Gp visits,
hugely subsidised prescriptions,
hugely Subsidised hospital visits.
Examples I’ve had personally:
Tooth extraction : cost €120, I got almost €80 back
GP visit : cost €26, I get €18 back
Eye operation:cost in the region of €2400, I didn’t have to fork out at all and got billed €11..yes ELEVEN euro!!
General painkiller on perscription: usual cost over te counter €19/€23 I actually pay €2.70/€2.80
Only last week I had to go to an Osteopath, they are covered too..
Cost (without GP referal) €40, I get €10 of that back.
I get a yearly allowance for my glasses, sports classes/Gym membership etc. Too..
If they can do all that here for €66 a head (granted my version of PRSI goes towards the subsidized costs) why the f***do you guys still have to pay extortionate rates?”
Answer;
because we are Irish.!
Well i must say the fine gael propaganda machine under the disguise of the journal is in full swing today , poor excuse for journalism and week after week of desperate attempts to put a shine on a faded and jaded coalition
Get real
I’ve just received a copy of the VHI bill from my last hospital stay. Total was €10,118.50 for six nights in a public hospital (bed, consultant, anesthetist, radiology and pathology charges). Great that it was covered by policy BUT if I didn’t have health ins or a med card where would the charges go to? I’m sure they wouldn’t be billed to me! Have to question whether it’s worth paying for policy in this case?
You would have been charged €75 for each night you spent in hospital, so for six nights €450! If you went in through A&E there would be a €100 charge.
So I pay €550 and government cover the rest. That €550 is still cheaper than the cost of my annual policy….mmmh
So it would seem that the government benefit from me having a policy (rather than me) as they can pass charges that would never have been billed to me on to the health insurance company.
Can anyone provide a strong justification for having health insurance? Have tried to advocate the benefits on a number of occasions with friends but that argument is getting weaker and weaker.
Gave mine up a few years ago when my income took a dive, haven’t really worried about it too much since. The main benefits are faster access to health services and access to private hospitals (depending on yout level of cover). I wouldn’t be too bothered if I had a private room or not.
Reg
That explains the waiting lists and the running down of the health service, * PRIVATISION *
These extortion rackets are already getting more than enough.
Im sorry I have to what now!!!!
I’m a 25 year old guy, just started my first proper job out of college. is it better for me to get insurance now or should I hold off until my early 30′s?
Hold off until you’re 50. There will be universal health insurance then.
Why are specialists and consultants working in both private and public hospitals
Does anyone remember when younger men were heavily loaded when it came to car insurance and the EU determined that this was discriminatory on the grounds of sex? Surely this is the same? Its discriminatory on the grounds of age.
I also agree with those stating its another double charge! Shameful!
The E.U. are the saviours when they need good P.R. – that’s all that was – they have played along with Nama and Siteserv and loads of other stuff and they expect us to be ruled by them …silly Europeans !
I pay close to €175 per month (2 adults) and everything all consultant/hospital visits have to be paid directly on the day of appointment, I’ve just been told by my provider that I can not submit a claim until the month that my policy expires. (This could mean just under a year if you’ve just started a new policy!) So far this week I’ve had to fork out €250 consultant fees & €588 for tests my follow up consultation will be €140. This is such a rip off, why don’t the hospitals deal directly with the insurance providers? I wouldn’t mind paying the excess at the time of appointment, I’ve checked a few providers & this seems to be standard now. It’s a really unfair system.
Why not introduce a model like in Germany, the health insurance is a set percentage of your wages, half of which is payed by your employer, so everyone on public health insurance pays the same in regards to their income, then once a quarter you pay 10 € if you go to a doctor, the rest is free, of course you’ll still have to pay a certain amount for any medicines, but overall it’s not a bad m,del
The German system works superbly well, rarely do I wait longer than an hour in AE to be seen. It’s a fair and equal system that works. The entire Health system in Ireland needs a complete overhaul that benefits the people not insurance providers.
It’s difficult for someone like me to decide to take out health insurance. I’m 22, I’m relatively healthy and I don’t have a dangerous job. And yet this system is trying to get me to pay knowing I’ll get nothing out of it to subsidize older people or people with pre-existing conditions? In short, it’ll lower the prices for those who would otherwise be paying ludicrous rates.
That’s fair enough, so why don’t I get the same deal on car insurance? I’ve never crashed, never been in an accident and I’m not a dangerous driver. So why am I paying four or five times more than a 40 year old? I’m subsidizing their health insurance, why can’t they subsidize my car insurance?
because they have the dail wrapped up and don’t care about equality or principles – just take, take take and to hell with the people who are paying is my guess -
Dublin is booming I hear ..
Yeah, I actually agree in principle with the idea. But it shouldn’t be that way. I think everybody here would prefer the care you get with private insurance over the HSE. But that’s not a glowing review of private insurance, it’s a condemnation of our public system. I’d prefer a well funded and functioning public health service, but I’ll take the private option if it’s cheap enough.
With these bottom basement packages all i can see you getting for €400 is a trolley and a blanket. If there’s a queue for public hospital beds at the moment surely you still have to wait on a bed like everyone else as these packages don’t cover private beds. Rip off Ireland at its best again. Paying up to €6,000 a yr in PRSI and it doesn’t even getting you a tooth filling.
I’m 32 now – do you recommend I get health insurance now or wait until I am 35? Also, what is the best basic plan for a healthy person with no prior insurance? Thanks!
The time for breaking windows is fast approaching.
Bigus Diccus
Yes, lamp posts and ropes, every dictator gets their last day.
I am 34. My husband has had me on his policy for 10+ years. If he should die at some point and I took out my own policy will my premium sky rocket?
OMG Lily. If you are starting to think like that maybe you should look to increase your husband’s LIFE insurance rather than health insurance.
I’m now 33 and live overseas, I had health insurance when I lived here up until 2008. Given that I have lived abroad and plan to move back, what will the impact be?
Have you ever seen a grown man naked?
If you’re non resident in Ireland on the 01.05.15, when you return you have 9 months to take out private medical insurance where you will be given a “credit” towards the loading. If you wait longer than 9 months you will be hit with the full loading
LCR- A neccessity for when PAYE/PRSI/USC just isn’t enough!!!!!!!!!!
i love how the govt’s trying to prop up the failing private health insurance industry by forcing us all to take out overpriced policies the majority of which cannot even be used for up to 5 years due to ridiculously broad scoping pre-existing condition clauses.
So if I decide to move back home in the future I’m pretty much f****d? (Over 35)
In the same way they told us to invest in pensions then they raided them when they collapsed.
I’d rather spend my money on healthy food and make use of the free medicine nature has to offer like exercise and hope for the best I don’t get hit by a falling piano
Being sick is the norm these days that’s why every punter is an expert on the hospital situation
If we had a more balanced approach to living we’d see little of these problems
I will in me bollox be paying for private medical insurance.
If I had preexisting condition and was being treated publicly, but moved abroad and on to an international health insurance plan for expats that doesn’t have any prexisting condition clauses What would it mean when/if I moved back to the Irish private health system in terms of penalties and waiting periods?
it means you have to wait 5 years to use the private health insurance policy your forced to pay for under this new legislation because absolutely every policy sold in ireland at the moment has an exemption clause for preexisting conditions, both known and unknown, at the time the policy is purchased. be prepared to waste tons of money paying for private health insurance while still waiting for public appointments.
I would categorically say. G F Y.
The government can go and f@(k themselves
Hi Daragh. Can you find out if you had insurance from 18 years till 34 do you still get the levy added on if I’ve had no insurance the last 5 years.
You buy the health insurance only to find out it covers nothing except maybe one GP visit
Wtf is the nonsense,Do i now stop paying my portion of tax for the money pit that is the HSE – is this some sort of f”"”@ing joke????
I’m 30 years old. If I take out health insurance for the first time after 30 April will I have to pay the loading?
No….it doesn’t kick in until you’re 34 years….and even then….we’re being told that LCR won’t apply under UHI….which makes the whole exercise completely pointless.
So the government are working for the VHI?
Leo and the government can F.O. as where is the money going to come from to pay this? Having health insurance does not cover anything if you do not have the top notch expensive brand and then that does not cover consultants either, it is a rip off in a rip off country?
So…I’ve been paying PRSI all my life………now I have to pay so as not to avail of it………mmkay.
That’s because the Department of Finance handed over the National Pension Reserve Fund without a referendum – that was private citizen’s property in trust of the State – not property of the State –
Meanwhile Kevin Cardiff hides in Europe !
Equalisation in the Insurance industry but no equalisation in the Sate-owned bank mortgages –
Do you get a refund if you die before you get old with this new scheme ?
After being in the VHI for all my health insurance down the years, this year i joined HSF. For the plan I’m on, i get full cover for 65 euro a month for two adults and two kids and offers more than the VHI plan was 126 euro per month and offered little. Only down side is you have to pay the bill first and claim it back.
My mother was in hospital for six months some years ago. Without going into too many details, not all of her treatment was covered by the public hospital system. She was very, very ill.
The total cost came to €40,000. The whole thing was covered by VHI.
No way she or the family could have afforded to pay that much. So, we were all vey glad she had VHI.
Just one example.
I know loads of people who had both private health care and public health care when they were sick and they died in hospital
“I know loads of people who had both private health care and public health care when they were sick and they died in hospital”
True,Hermes, but some die quicker than others..
It must be lovely for Deputy Varadkar to barely make a dint in his €90,000 salary to go and purchase the finest healthcare , while we poor working class must queue and wait for our already paid for health services…..
I’m 47 and I will NOT be bullied by a deadline to purchase healthcare to line the pockets of fat cat operatives….and this time next year when the hospital bed queue eventually DOES decline , Deputy Varadkar will be looking for his medal or pat on the back , because we ALL went American overnight and purchased private health care………..I’m sorry , I would rather queue and avail of what I already paid for !!!!!!
They should just have made Obama president, what do we need Enid Kenny and the others for ?
How much will it cost if you dont take out health insurance? Paying 400e for ten years from 25 until you are 35 is surely more expensive than jus taking the charge when you take it out first?
Very True – it’s just scaremongering. Some interesting figures here about insurance costs and these age related “penalties” – http://www.moneyguideireland.com/health-insurance-age-related-penalties-some-figures.html
Thought private health insurance meant less time waiting to see consultants, specialists etc?
€&@k you Leo you just cost me another €35 a month from my magical disposable income
What you need to know? Well, most important thing about it, its essentially its a hidden stealth tax.
I am on VHI Plan P, which only covers the €75 per night hospital fee. Is this sufficient to avoid loading?
If I decide to upgrade to a more comprehensive policy later?
More than likely you’ll be subject to waiting periods if you upgrade your cover at a later date. Best bet to contact the VHI and ask them. Since that policy only covers you for ten days in-patient treatment up to a max of €750, you’d want to check out if you’re also going to be liable for the statutory in-patient/day charge for periods that are beyond 10 days.
@Paul, the plan is not enough for you to avoid the loading as the policy you have only covers the Public Hospital bed charge and not any treatment.
So why have it if it does not cover anything as it should?
“I think unfortunately it’s the Irish psyche – there’s a lot of people I’ve spoken to who aren’t willing to part with their money”. An interesting perspective from the Private health insurance companies who will reap massive benefits from Fine Gaels ongoing process of underfunding and collapse of the Public health service.
… It’s just State sponsored blackmail. Surely forcing people to take out a policy under threat of age-related penalties qualifies as age related discrimination ? It should be challenged for legality.
I’ve no health insurance.im not gonna have any either.i get sick I go the doctor.i get really sick I go the hospital.why would I pay for health insurance
Another “purge” coming on Medical Cards on the way then.!
If you’re sick just go to an EU country with your European insurance card and get treatment, or just pay for it there. I needed to see a specialist, didn’t even need an appointment, doctor’s visit 10 euro, medication 30, this is all without any insurance. The service was excellent. Same in Ireland: specialist 220, medication – who knows, a fortune.
And don’t let me start about dentists…
I donated mine to my creditors back in 2008 .True story.
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