Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2015
197. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the policy that is being drafted by the Health Service Executive and his Department to address the issue of the costs incurred by donors participating in the living donor programme during the pre-operative and post-operative periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9689/15]
View answerI introduced a policy for the Reimbursement of Expenses of Living Kidney Donors with effect from 12 November 2014.
The policy provides for the reimbursement of accommodation and travel expenses incurred by living kidney donors up to a maximum of €6,000. Any loss of earnings incurred by the donor for up to 12 weeks after the donation takes place will also be eligible for reimbursement, up to a maximum of €6,000.
The policy includes details in regard to procedures, rates and upper limits applying to each reimbursable item, including procedures in relation to the reimbursement of loss of earnings for salaried/waged donors as well as self-employed donors.
The aim of the policy is to acknowledge living kidney donors and to minimise any financial hardship incurred by such donors. The reimbursement process is managed by the HSE.
