The Minister for Health has admitted he cannot say how much people will have to pay for Universal Health Insurance. The government has launched its plans for the mandatory insurance cover today,

The plan is to have it in place by 2019.

Under UHI the government aims to see everyone insured and have a choice of health insurer, as well as equal access to a standard package of services.

While the State will pay or subsidise the cost of UHI for those who qualify.

Under the plan, health insurers cannot sell cover that provides faster access to services covered by UHI.

Minister James Reilly says the people who are most discriminated against by the current system will stand to gain the most from the new regime.

But he insists that the cost to struggling households will be far lower than the €920 people pay for the average policy today.

On Newstalk Lunchtime, James Reilly outlined his vision for the new system.

A new White Paper on the government plans was launched this morning. It includes a claim that the increased number of customers with health insurance will help to drive down the costs for everyone.

The system will not be in place for another five years, but the government says if it were in place today health insurance would be far cheaper.

The White Paper outlines key elements of the new UHI system and how it will work. The areas covered include:

• the model of UHI for Ireland, including the design of the new system
• the process for determining the future basket of health services, including the package of services that will be covered under UHI
• the funding mechanisms for UHI

Taoiseach Enda Kenny insists the new system will mean cheaper and better healthcare services for everyone in Ireland.

Niall Hunter of IrishHealth.com says the new system will bring about many changes.