Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
860. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the specific charges by HSE and voluntary public hospitals for bone marrow donors; if his attention has been further drawn to the practice of charging donors for their stay in hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47018/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra861. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a reimbursement scheme is in place for bone marrow donors for the recoupment of expenses such as charges for overnights in hospital, transport to and from hospital, car parking and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47019/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 860 and 861 together.
The most suitable bone marrow donors are fully matched family members. There is no reimbursement scheme in place for related bone marrow donors. A statutory daily charge of €80 is levied (up to a maximum of €800 annually) where a person has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis. Medical card holders are exempt from this charge.
If a suitable donor is not available within the family, it is necessary to seek an unrelated donor. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service maintains a register of people who are willing to donate their marrow - the Irish Unrelated Bone Marrow Registry. The Irish Unrelated Bone Marrow Registry covers all hospitals costs and reimburses any expenses incurred by the donor.
