Medical Treatment Entitlement

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Questions (1205)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

1205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health under EU Health Regulations as set out, if a person is entitled to continue receiving medical treatment in Northern Ireland in view of that fact it was in the Northern Ireland jurisdiction that the original diagnosis was made and initial treatment was given as they resided and were employed within that jurisdiction, subsequently they moved to reside in the Republic of Ireland and are now current medical card holders of the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16601/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

On the basis that the person referred to by the Deputy is in receipt of a UK pension and has full eligibility to services in this country under EU Regulations, he/she may also have entitlement to health care in the UK if he/she satisfies the criteria specified in article 883/04. The article provides that a frontier worker who retires is entitled in case of sickness to continue to receive benefits in kind in the member State where he/she last pursued his/her activity as an employed or self employed person, in so far as this is a continuation of treatment which began in that Member State. The term 'continuation of treatment' means the continued investigation, diagnosis and treatment of an illness.

As the competent State in this case is the United Kingdom, and the continuation of treatment is in that jurisdiction, this is a matter for the British authorities.