Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2013
249. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the amount that was recouped from EU member states for the awarding of medical cards to persons under EU regulation 883/04 in each year from 2010 to 2012; if he will provide the breakdown by member State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19340/13]
View answer250. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 and 227 of 6 March the way in which his Department knows how to recoup costs of medical cards awarded under EU Regulation 883/04 if the Primary Care Reimbursement Service of the HSE does not track the details of those eligible under these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.
The amounts received by Ireland in respect of reimbursement of healthcare costs provided under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, for the years in question are: 2010 - €320,000,000; 2011 - €270,000,000; 2012 - €220,000,000.
All the above monies were received from the United Kingdom. Ireland's primary interaction is with the United Kingdom with whom it operates a bilateral healthcare reimbursement agreement, covering such persons as temporary visitors between the two countries, pensioners of one country and their dependants residing in the other country, and the dependant families of persons employed in the other country. Under the terms of the agreement net liability between the two countries is calculated on a lump sum basis rather than an individual basis. The payment made in any one year is based on an estimate of the number of persons falling within categories eligible for reimbursement and for whom each country is liable and an estimate of the average cost of providing healthcare treatment. Payment is made following discussions and agreement between the two administrations. Payments are made in advance and are subject to final settlement once all necessary statistical and financial information is complete. Total payments in any one year can relate to both final settlements in respect of previous years' liabilities and advance payments in respect of the current year. Ireland has had waiver and bilateral agreements with many member states whereby such costs are mutually waived. Some of these agreements have been terminated in recent years. In view of this and of the increased numbers availing of services since the EU was expanded the HSE is putting in place measures to enable it to commence the issuing of claims for reimbursement of costs to the relevant competent states in the future.
