The increase in charges for visits to accident and emergency units at hospitals has been criticised by the Labour Party spokeswoman on health, Ms Roisin Shortall.
The charge was increased from £12 to £20 in this week's Budget.
Ms Shortall, who is also chairwoman of the Eastern Health Board, said it was a 66 per cent increase, and she also criticised the increase in cost for a public bed from £20 to £25 per day.