Vol. 439 No. 3
131 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health if reciprocal arrangements exist between the United Kingdom and this country in respect of automatic medical card entitlements for recipients of United Kingdom DHSS retirement pensions.
Under EC Regulations persons with a social security pension from one EC country may transfer residence to another EC country and retain their entitlements to health services. This means in effect that Irish social security pensioners who take up residence in another EC member state are eligible for health services in that State while pensioners from other EC member states, including the United Kingdom, who take up residence in Ireland obtain a medical card.
If however such persons receive an Irish social welfare pension (as either a recipient or a dependant) or take up employment or self employment in Ireland, they come under Irish legislation and entitlement to a medical card will be based on means.
An agreement is in place between the United Kingdom and Ireland whereby the cost of providing health services to United Kingdom social security pensioners who take up residence in Ireland is borne by the United Kingdom.
