There are reports in the media today of Irish hospitals hiring debt collection agencies to recoup the cost of unpaid bills from patients. It is reported that last year alone, over €500,000 was spent in hiring debt collection agencies. Patients are telling some very upsetting stories about harassment, threats, and strong-arm tactics being employed. They talk about being frightened. They are mainly vulnerable people who are recovering from illness or surgery and the reported behaviour of these agencies is completely and utterly unacceptable. No hospital should be engaging debt collection agencies to pursue in this manner vulnerable patients, many of whom might be in some financial distress. Will the Minister for Health come before the Dáil to make a statement on this issue? I believe it would be merited as this is a serious matter. Will the Minister join me in demanding that hospitals desist from the practice of using debt collection agencies to harass patients?

There is a reasonable expectation that people who can pay for services should pay. Having said that, I do not agree with the type of behaviour about which the Deputy has spoken. There is a need for compassion. People's personal circumstances need to be accounted for. This type of heavy-handed approach is not acceptable. There are those, however, who can pay but will not pay. Some patients also opt for private inpatient services in public hospitals and are liable for a range of private accommodation charges, from which there are no exemptions. We have increased medical card limits in order that many more people can avail of medical cards. We have also introduced free GP care for the under-sixes and over-70s to assist families with medical costs. However, I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Health.