Taoiseach defends medical cost increase

The Taoiseach is defending the decision to hike up drug and treatment fees in hospitals.

Late yesterday evening, the Department of Health announced that the monthly cost of the drug payments scheme will jump by a quarter.

The fee for attending accident and emergency units has also increased by 21%.

Bertie Ahern says these price hikes are necessary to ensure quality care.

"What we have tried to do all the time, is to give the very best service that we can give," he said.

"It’s a service that is getting more expensive. It’s developing an enormous hospital building programme, and an enormous staff program.

"To give that service means that all the time you have to keep looking at the cost base.

The Taoiseach added: "If you want to give a quality service then you have to review these things on a regular basis."