Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2021
230. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme will continue on an administrative basis beyond the end of 2021 pending the enactment of legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51461/21]
View answerThe Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NI PHS) has been in effective operation since 1 January 2021. This Scheme was introduced to mitigate the loss of access to care from private providers in Northern Ireland under the EU Cross Border Directive, which ceased to apply as a result of Brexit. The Government intends to place the administrative NI PHS on a statutory basis and an extensive examination of options to inform the drafting of a General Scheme is currently underway. I can confirm that the administrative scheme will remain until such time that a statutory scheme is in place.
Patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU Cross Border Directive Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries.
