New figures from the Health Insurance Authority show that nearly 1,700 fewer people were insured in the second quarter of this year

Number of people with health insurance lowest since 2020

· RTE.ie

The number of people with health insurance has fallen for the first time in six years.

New figures from the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) show that nearly 1,700 fewer people were insured in the second quarter of this year.

VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health have all announced multiple premium increases over the past number of months.

In its latest quarterly report, the HIA said growth in the market has slowed to its weakest level in a decade.

However it also noted that quarter two historically records the weakest growth of the year and despite the dip in numbers, all signs are the market remains stable with over two and a half million people holding health insurance at the end of June.

The drop in numbers comes ahead of further price increases from VHI and Laya Healthcare next month.

The watchdog has urged consumers to shop around for better deals.