Initial costings on universal health insurance should be available in the first quarter of next year, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar told the Dáil.

He said he expected an independent analysis on submissions relating to a scheme in the next week. The submissions, he added, were part of a consultation process initiated after the publication of a White Paper.

“The Independent thematic analysis of submissions from the consultation process on the White Paper, and the results of the major costing exercise on UHI, will assist in charting a clear course towards the objective of creating a universal, single-tier health service,’’ Mr Varadkar added.

Parked

Fianna Fáil

health spokesman

Billy Kelleher

said it was very clear from the Minister’s reply that universal health insurance had been parked. It was evident, Mr Kelleher added, from the

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

and other bodies, including the

Health Insurance Authority

and those providing cover in the market place, that the scheme would increase the cost to ordinary people.

Mr Varadkar said that, “to be clear’’, universal health insurance was not being parked. When he received the costings, they would know what it would cost the exchequer, employers and individuals and they could take the debate from there.