The HSE spent €363,000 on debt collectors in the first ten months of last year, as they pursued patients for unpaid hospital bills.
By far the highest amount was in Cork University Hospital.
There's a €100 charge for attending an emergency department, and an €80 fee for an overnight stay in a hospital.
If patients don't pay, the HSE refers the debt to collection agencies after a period of time.
Freedom of Information figures show €363,000 was spent on debt collectors by HSE hospitals between January and October of last year.
The figure for 2020 was €568,000.
The executive says hospitals have an obligation to collect these charges, but they can operate payment plans.
Cork University Hospital spent €86,000 on debt collectors in the first 10 months of last year.
