Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
420. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the discussions that have taken place between his Department and counterparts in the Departments of health in Belfast and London regarding the continuation of the cross-border health initiative and the treatment abroad scheme after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5669/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra422. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department has sought a specific meeting of the all-island dialogue on Brexit focused on the issue of health provision and the implications of Brexit on cross-Border health schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra423. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans that have been put in place with other EU member states by his Department in the potential situation whereby no bilateral agreement can be reached with the United Kingdom for the provision of cross-Border health initiatives in the event of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 420, 422 and 423 together.
There is close co-operation between the UK and Ireland in the area of health, both on a North South and East West basis. This cooperation occurs both within the framework of our common EU membership and on a bilateral basis. The primary concern of the Department of Health in addressing the implications of Brexit is to ensure continuity of health services and to avoid any changes to the current situation that would have a negative impact on human health. This will be pursued on both a bilateral and EU-wide basis as appropriate.
An extensive programme of engagement is underway at political and official level regarding the implications of Brexit in the area of health. I discussed this matter with my Northern Ireland Minister of Health counterpart, Michelle O’Neill MLA, at the NSMC health sectoral meeting on 9 November. We noted the fact that work is ongoing in each jurisdiction to deepen analysis and that this is challenging when it is not yet known what new arrangements may emerge as regards the UK’s future relationship with the EU. We will keep this matter under review at future NSMC health sector and plenary meetings. I have discussed the issue of Brexit with the UK Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Health, David Prior, and the UK Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt. I also held bilateral meetings with the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety on 3 October 2016 and on 6 February, at which we discussed the implications of Brexit in the health sphere.
In addition to the above, there is ongoing engagement between senior officials from my Department and their counterparts in the UK and Northern Ireland in relation to Brexit. The Secretary General and Management Board of the Department of Health met with the Permanent Secretary of the Northern Irish Department of Health and his Management Team on 12 January and explored issues relating to Brexit as part of this engagement. It has been agreed to hold a further meeting in six months’ time. The Secretary General also met with the UK Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health on 17 January. Engagement will continue with the UK and Northern Executive at political and official level, particularly as positions crystallise on areas of shared interest relating to the health sector in a post-Brexit context. Of course, Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU. In line with the agreement at EU level, there have been and will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered.
My Department is building on initial work completed to deepen its analysis of the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies arising over the longer term as a result of the UK's decision to leave the EU, including in the area of cross-border health co-operation. A Department of Health Management Board Subcommittee on Brexit was established in advance of the UK referendum to examine the implications of a decision to leave the EU on healthcare in Ireland and for Irish citizens. The Subcommittee is chaired at senior level and made up of representatives from across the Department, as well as from the HSE at National Director level. This sub-committee has met four times, with each division within my Department providing support and analysis. My Department has not yet sought a specific meeting of the All Island Dialogue on Brexit. However, the Department has tasked the HSE and its other agencies with conducting further analysis on the impact of Brexit, which is ongoing, and is currently considering the issue of a wider stakeholder consultation.
The issue of access to health services in the UK and other EU member states is being considered as part of wider contingency planning being undertaken to address the implications of Brexit in the area of health. The 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. Patients apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the State through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish-based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it. Irish patients who had planned to travel to the UK under the Treatment Abroad Scheme may continue to do so as planned. This scheme will continue to apply to the remaining 27 EU Member States following the departure of the UK, as will initiatives such as the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive for people entitled to public patient healthcare in Ireland who want to avail of that healthcare in another EU/EEA member state. I wish to assure the Deputy that there are no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK's decision to leave the EU. It is important to be clear that until the UK formally withdraws from the Union, it remains a full member, with all of its existing rights and obligations.
Assessing and managing the risks related to the UK’s decision to leave the EU will be an iterative process as issues emerge and recede in the coming weeks and months. Dealing with the implications of Brexit in the area of health will remain a priority over the period ahead.
