Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
718. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if persons (details supplied) will be included in the replacement for the Cross-Border Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5369/21]
View answerPrior to the 1st January 2021, UK pensioners residing in Ireland who had accessed healthcare under the EU Cross Border Directive were required to have their healthcare costs reimbursed by the UK as this was a requirement of the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive. As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive no longer apply to the UK. This has an impact for UK pensioners residing in Ireland, as Ireland now becomes responsible for the reimbursement of any healthcare costs arising from accessing healthcare under the EU Cross Border Directive in another EU/EEA Member State since 1 January 2021.
Separately, as the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK, on the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland.
In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise this scheme should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.
