Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
246. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have applied to receive treatment abroad under the E112 scheme in respect of eating disorders in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the number of these persons whose applications were approved; and the cost of the treatment funded by the Health Service Executive in each case. [21988/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved treatments in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE) where the treatment is:
- Among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation,
- Not available in Ireland,
- Not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease.
A decision is made on each application in accordance with this legislation and guidelines and on the basis of a review by clinical experts. The cost of the treatment is not a deciding factor when approving an application. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.
In compliance with the HSE's guidance on patient confidentiality and data protection, the release of statistical information is based on a volume of cases of five or greater. In 2009, the number of persons who applied to receive treatment abroad under the E112 scheme in respect of eating disorders and whose applications were approved was 5 and the cost of treatment was €395,820.47. In 2010 there were no applications. As regards information for 2011, 2012, and 2013 I regret that I am informed by the HSE that the number of such cases is not great enough to ensure compliance with their guidance on patient confidentiality and data protection legislation, based on volume of cases and therefore, they are not in a position to release this information.
