asked the Minister for Health the total number of people from EEC countries who have received free medical treatment in Ireland; and the cost involved.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Treatment for EEC Citizens.
29.
asked the Minister for Health the measures that are taken to determine whether people from EEC member countries are entitled to free medical care in Ireland.
31.
asked the Minister for Health if any figures are available as to the number of Irish people who have received medical treatment in EEC countries; and the cost involved.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 to 31, inclusive, together.
Information is not available on the number of people from other EEC countries who have received free medical treatment in Ireland or on the cost of providing this treatment. Likewise information is not available on the number of Irish people who have received medical treatment in other EEC countries or on the cost of providing this treatment. The reason for this is that to avoid administrative expense arrangements have been or are being negotiated with the other EEC countries to waive claims for re-imbursement or, as in the case of the United Kingdom, to accept a bulk annual payment to cover the liability. Hence identification of individuals benefiting under these arrangements is not necessary.
A visitor to Ireland from an EEC member state, other than the United Kingdom, who wishes to receive medical care under the EEC regulations is required to produce a document—EEC Form E111—which establishes his entitlement to services. A visitor from the United Kingdom is required when seeking services in this country to identify himself as an insured worker in the United Kingdom or a person in receipt of a United Kingdom social security pension or as a dependant of either such person.
Would the Minister agree it is unbelievable that these figures are not available when the Department pay in each case for medical services provided for citizens of EEC countries? Surely that information must be available because it is provided on a special form sent in by doctors. These people do not come under the ordinary GMS scheme. These special forms are submitted to the GMS payments board which is directly under the Department. Therefor that figure has to be available.
Most countries waive this——
There is a specific amount paid in respect of each person by the GMS payment board.
We waive them in so far as the EEC countries are concerned.
Every doctor who sees a person from the EEC makes a claim for him so that a specific claim is made in respect of each person. That figure has to be available in the GMS payments board.
That information could be compiled, but we do not have to use it.
Could I have that information?
If it is readily available.
I could understand the difficulty if a specific claim was not made in respect of each person.
So far as we are concerned we only look for information that is of use to us.
Could the Minister look for the information which is of use to me and which I asked for in this question?
The Deputy was really concerned with the question of the cost involved. So far as we and the other EEC countries are concerned, there is no cost. We waive it as between them and us.
I asked for the amount paid in respect of EEC residents who came here.
Internally?
Yes.
I will see if that can be done.
The Minister informed the House of the forms necessary for EEC residents to receive health benefit while in Ireland. Could he tell us what forms an Irish person should have with him to receive health benefit while visiting another member state of the EEC?
That is a separate question.
It arises on Question No. 31.
It varies. I can let the Deputy have details. They are given in various publications of the Communities.
The number of Irish people treated in other countries? The public would find it helpful if that information was made available.
I will see that it is made available.