New mechanisms are to put in place to control costs under Health Minister James Reilly's Universal Health Insurance (UHI) plan.

The potential high costs to both the Exchequer and individuals of funding the UHI scheme had been reportedly been causing tensions within Cabinet.

The redrafted Government White paper on UHI will provide for mechanism to control the costs of the scheme to be fast-tracked, according to today's Irish Times.

There is to be a cap on State expenditure on healthcare under the scheme.

The White Paper is to be be circulated within the next few days with a view to bringing it before the full Cabinet shortly.

Under UHI, the entire population will be insured through designated insurance companies for equal access to primary and hospital care under a State-regulated UHI system. The distinction between public and private care for basic treatments will be removed, and there will be a single tier access system, Dr Reilly has promised.

The insurance companies will purchase care on behalf of the State scheme from providers such as hospitals.

Those on lower incomes will have their insurance premia paid by the State, while others will have to make insurance payments into the scheme, although there will be State subsidisation of a portion of these payments.

People requiring specific 'extras' on top of the basic care package will have to pay more into the scheme.