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Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Ceisteanna (376, 377, 378, 432, 435)

John Lahart

Ceist:

376. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the cross-border healthcare directive memorandum of understanding with the UK and Northern Ireland; the progress relating to same; the issues being experienced; when the issues will be resolved; the steps being taken in the current process to address same; when the directive will proceed for administrative approval, reimbursement and surgery scheduling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Lahart

Ceist:

377. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the most recent discussions that have been held with the departments of health in Northern Ireland and the UK concerning the EU cross-border healthcare directive post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3167/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Lahart

Ceist:

378. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the cross-border healthcare directive agreement between medical assistance schemes (details supplied); the progress in moving forward same; when the directive will be back up and proceed for administrative approval, reimbursement and surgery scheduling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3168/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

432. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a scheme (details supplied) has been impacted by Brexit; if the scheme is operating as normal; if changes to the scheme are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3316/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

435. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of the authorisation of medical procedures that were applied for before the end of December 2020 to be carried out in Belfast under the cross-border directive. [3323/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 to 378, inclusive, 432 and 435 together.

Since 1 January 2021, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) no longer apply to the UK. On the 28th December 2020 the Government approved the implementation of a new Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme. The new Scheme operational from 1 January 2021 for 12 months on an administrative basis will enable persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland.

Furthermore, the HSE has also put in place transitional arrangements for certain patients who have a legitimate expectation of continuing to access care in the UK under the current provisions of the EU Cross-Border Directive Scheme including provision for reimbursement of healthcare costs by the HSE to persons who fall into certain categories, such as patients who can evidence that they have treatment booked prior to December 2020 for treatment in 2021. Patients are advised to contact the HSE CBD office directly with queries on individual applications and whether they are covered by the transitional arrangements or the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme.

Patients also continue to have access to health services under the EU CBD Scheme in all other remaining EU/EEA countries.

In the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic, persons seeking to utilise these schemes should review and adhere to the public health guidance and restrictions in place at any point in time.

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