Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 July 2015
175. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if funding for procedures under the cross-border health care directive is sourced from the overall annual budget allocated to the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27886/15]
View answer176. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health how money is found to fund procedures under the cross-border health care directive when money for similar procedures here can be restricted due to funding restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27887/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The Health Service Executive operates the EU Directive on patients' rights in cross-border health care in Ireland. The HSE has provided a sum of €1 million in this year's National Service Plan to address costs specific to the EU Directive. This scheme is still in its infancy so it's not really possible to predict the level of take up and on that basis the HSE will keep the level of funding required to operate the scheme under review as part of its overall service planning process for the health service.
