Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
584. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that staff of his Department are being penalised with regard to health insurance premiums when in the service of the State abroad; that this has been the case since lifetime community rating was introduced and the VHI global insurance policies they are obliged to take out have been deemed not to count as domestic policies; and if he will end this discrimination. [9799/16]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the significant challenges the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating presents for the international health insurance policy operated by my Department.
My Department administers foreign assignments for officials from across Government Departments who are assigned to serve the State in a variety of roles across our Mission network.
A variety of administrative supports are provided to officials and their families, including a comprehensive international health insurance policy, the cost of which is shared by the officer and the Department. The policy is designed to take account of the complex variations in assignment duration and type, as well as the frequent changes of location between Ireland and posts abroad made by officers and their families. Clearly it is important that officers and their families have access to adequate healthcare while serving the State abroad, often in difficult locations.
Following the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating last year, late entry loadings now apply for people aged 35 and over when taking out domestic health insurance for the first time. We have been advised that the Department’s international health insurance policy is not considered a domestic product under current health insurance legislation. Therefore, Irish officials assigned to serve the State abroad are potentially now subject to loadings on their health insurance when they return to Ireland.
My Department has been engaged in extensive discussions on these issues with both the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as other relevant bodies, with a view to reaching a satisfactory outcome. These efforts will continue and staff representatives will continue to be updated accordingly.
