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Health Board Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004

Wednesday, 13 October 2004

Questions (137, 138, 139, 140)

John Perry

Question:

138 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received correspondence of 7 September 2004 on behalf of persons (details supplied) in County Sligo; if she will make a decision in view of the circumstances outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24582/04]

View answer

Written answers

The correspondence in question has been received in my Department. It refers to medical treatment obtained in another EU country. It is a matter for the health board to determine if the treatment is to be authorised in such circumstances.

Where an individual requires specific treatment which is necessary and which is not available in Ireland, a health board may authorise the provision of treatment in another EU member state under EU Regulation 1408/71, which provides for the co-ordination of health and social security arrangements between members of the EU. The E112 is the relevant EU liaison form issued by the health boards in such cases. The issue of the E112 form involves a commitment by the health board to pay the cost of treatment and in issuing the form the health board should specify the nature and extent of treatment to be covered.

It is a matter for the health board to assess each application and to certify criteria by a medical consultant that the treatment is not available in this country; there is an urgent medical necessity for the treatment; there is a reasonable medical prognosis; the treatment is regarded as a proven form of medical treatment; and the treatment abroad is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.

The regulations cover public treatment only and it is important to understand that any person who opts for private treatment is liable for any expenses incurred. Each of the Community countries has its own rules regarding public health services. Under the circumstances, a copy of the documentation has been forwarded to the chief executive officer of the North Western Health Board with a request that he should investigate the issues raised and reply directly to the Deputy.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

139 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a domiciliary care allowance will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [24678/04]

View answer

The assessment of entitlement to and payment of the domiciliary care allowance is a matter for the relevant health board and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance. Accordingly, a copy of the Deputy's question has been forwarded to the regional chief executive of the authority with a request that he should examine the case and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter or urgency.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

140 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if domiciliary care allowance will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [24679/04]

View answer

The assessment of entitlement to and payment of the domiciliary care allowance is a matter for the relevant health board and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance. Accordingly, a copy of the Deputy's question has been forwarded to the regional chief executive of the authority with a request that he should examine the case and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

141 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate claims that parents of children living in Meath and north Kildare are granted domiciliary care allowances more frequently than their counterparts living in west Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24680/04]

View answer

The assessment of entitlement to and payment of the domiciliary care allowance is a matter for the relevant health board. Accordingly, a copy of the Deputy's question has been forwarded to the chief executive officers of both the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the North Eastern Health Board with a request that they should examine the query and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

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