17 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the voluntary health insurance scheme does not cover payments for a speech therapist service even for stroke victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

VHI has indicated that its priority, in the interest of its members, is to concentrate financial resources in the area of greatest need, which is high cost in-patient hospital care.

Where speech therapy is carried out as part of in-patient hospital care, the costs of the service are included in the hospital charges which are fully reimbursed by VHI. Where costs are incurred, other than in association with hospital in-patient treatment, by a person who has elected to be a private patient of a speech therapist the VHI does not normally reimburse such costs. However, in exceptional circumstances, depending on the merits of the particular case, the VHI may reimburse such costs under its outpatient scheme. If the Deputy has such an exceptional case in mind she might consider bringing it to the attention of VHI.