asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Irish women travelling to the United Kingdom who are pregnant and bringing with them completed E112 certificates under the European Communities Social Security Regulations entitled "Certificates concerning the retention of the right to sickness or maternity benefits currently being provided" are refused payment in respect of maintenance in maternity hospitals in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UK Maternity Benefit Eligibility.
9.
There are two situations in which EEC Form E112 is issued by a health board to an eligible person to enable him or her to get medical treatment in another EEC state:
1. in the case of a person who is referred abroad for treatment which is not available in this country and
2. in the case of a person who, in the course of receiving treatment for a condition in this country, changes residence to another EEC state.
The first situation would not normally arise for maternity services because a full range of maternity services is available in this country. I am not aware of services being refused to a person in the second situation.
If the Deputy has information about some case in which problems have arisen I will arrange to have the matter investigated if he provides me with particulars.
I willingly undertake to provide the information to the Minister. Will the Minister assure me that he will then contact the British authorities to clarify the situation because Irish pregnant women travelling to the UK have been refused benefit there. That has occurred in more than one instance. In a number of London hospitals the form referred to has not been accepted for maternity benefit.
Perhaps the Deputy might like to provide details of the case in question.