Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
216 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding Irish third level students studying in the UK whose parents are holders of a family medical card here; the medical cover that they are entitled to in the UK; the level of cover they are entitled to when they return home for the weekend or school breaks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31370/04]
View answerFrom 1 June 2004, the European health insurance card replaced the E111, E119, E110 and E128 forms. Prior to this date, an Irish student travelling to the UK to study a recognised course was required to obtain E128 from his or her local health board. A valid E128, issued prior to 1 June 2004, may still be used as evidence of entitlement until the expiry date on the form.
The European health insurance card entitles people to receive health care in the public system as necessary while on a temporary stay in another EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, taking into account the nature of the care and the expected length of stay. The card does not grant entitlement to any treatment where the aim of the journey is to obtain treatment. The regulation covers public treatment only and any person who opts for private treatment is liable for any expenses incurred.
However, Ireland and the United Kingdom waived the requirement to produce EU forms and the European health insurance card between each other. It is only necessary for Irish residents in the UK on a temporary visit to provide proof of residence in Ireland, in the event that they require necessary treatment, as covered by the European health insurance card.
An Irish student studying in the UK who returns to Ireland for a temporary stay and is accepted by the health board as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility, category 1 medical card holders, or limited eligibility, category 2, for health services. Persons aged 16 to 25 years who are financially dependent on their parents are entitled to a medical card if their parents are medical card holders. Those who are dependants of non-medical card holders are not normally entitled to a medical card except where they have an entitlement under EU regulations or where they are in receipt of a disability allowance. Students who are financially independent of their parents are entitled to apply for a medical card in their own right and are assessed on the same criteria as all other applicants. The decision on whether a person is regarded as a dependant or as being financially independent is made by the chief executive officer of the health board on the basis of the circumstances of each individual case.
