Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

115 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the health boards have a right to refuse a person assistance in regularly attending a hospital in Dublin (details supplied); and if he will give details of the regulations in this regard. [15868/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

There is no statutory entitlement to the provision of transport to attend out-patient clinics. Each case is considered individually on its own merits having regard to the circumstances involved and to any financial hardship arising. A report from the community welfare officer is considered in each case. In some cases, based on that report, a contribution towards the cost of journeys undertaken is provided.

Questions of this type in relation to a particular individual are the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board.

Powers of a health board in relation to the matters raised in the Deputy's question derive from section 57 of the Health Act, 1970.

57.–(1) A health board may make arrangements for providing ambulances or other means of transport for the conveyance of patients from places in the board's functional area to places in or outside that area or from places outside the functional area to places in that area.

57.–(3) When a person makes use of an ambulance or other means of transport provided under this section, the chief executive officer of the health board concerned may, at his discretion but subject to any relevant regulations under section 31 of the Health Act 1947 [which relates to the control of infectious diseases] direct that,

(a) a charge be made for the use in accordance with regulations made by the board, or

(b) no charge be made therefor.