07/01 The Front Pages

‘Families face €1,000 hit in shock VHI rise’ – the Irish Independent.

‘Swine flu infection rate doubles as over 5,000 fall ill in last week’ – the Irish Times.

‘VHI boss refuses to confirm salary cut amid fury’ – the Irish Examiner.

The popular Plan B premiums for VHI cover is to rise by 45 per cent – the biggest increase in the health insurers history.

There are currently 1.35 million people in the country availing of VHI cover and there is further anger this morning as VHI chief executive Jimmy Tolan has pointedly refused to say if he took a pay cut last year.

Meanwhile, there has already been at least 5,000 cases of swine flu treated by GPs in 2011.