Gilmore attacks Laya healthcare’s plans to hike charges by up to 20%

Ireland’s second largest private health insurer, Laya healthcare, is to hike its charges by an average of 20%.

Laya’s announcement comes a day after Vhi Healthcare said it would be increasing prices across a number of its plans by an average of 3% on Mar 1.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore criticised the hikes, saying the last thing hard-pressed families need is a hike in private health insurance.