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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Repayment for Medical Services to British Nationals.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

454 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health if there is a cash repayment by the British Government to his Department for medical services provided to British nationals resident in this country; if so, the amount of this payment; and the way in which this payment is allocated to the relevant health boards. [850/94]

Under EU regulations the United Kingdom is liable for the cost of providing health care in Ireland to persons who are UK residents who avail of services while visiting this country, UK pensioners and dependants resident in Ireland, and persons who reside in Ireland who are dependants of UK workers. The arrangement is reciprocal in that Ireland has a liability in respect of Irish pensioners and dependants resident in the UK, and Irish residents who avail of services while visiting the UK.

These mutual liabilities are calculated using a methodology approved by the EU Commission, and result in a net liability for the UK. The estimated receipts from the UK for 1994 under this arrangement amount to £50 million and is accounted for as an Approrpration-in-Aid in the Health Vote. This supplements the Exchequer grant approved by the Oireachtas. The receipts from the UK are part of the overall funding available to the health services, from which the health board allocations are made. In determining the allocations for each board, the Department takes into account the cost of the totality of services provided, which includes the cost of providing services to persons for whom the UK authorities are liable.

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