Richard Bruton
Ceist:1456. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the European Health Card can have its life extended in view of the inability to renew due to the cyber-attack. [33428/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 July 2021
Ceisteanna (1456)
Freagraí scríofa
I am informed by the HSE that the EHIC system has been fully operational since Friday 9th July 2021 and that applicants are receiving their cards in the post 4 to 5 days later. In the event that a card does not arrive a person may contact the HSE's EU Regulation office and they will be issued with a ‘Temporary Certificate’ so the person had a valid document for their travel. Contact details for the EU Regulations National Office are as follows: EU Regulations Office, HSE, North West Wing, St. Joseph's Health Campus, Mulgrave Street, Limerick. Email: euregulations@hse.ie.
I am also informed by the HSE that arrangements were put in place following the cyber-attack to ensure that no person would be prevented from receiving treatment as per terms of the EHIC. When the cyber-attack occurred the HSE informed every EU State of the difficulties being encountered. Furthermore, to ensure no person went without treatment, if a person who had entitlement to an Irish issued EHIC presented for treatment, the State in which treatment was being requested had both a phone contact and email address for the HSE's EU Regulations National Office who could confirm if the person had entitlement. I am also informed that any person who sought an EHIC when the HSE's systems were down and who contacted a local HSE office was provided with EU Regulations National Office email address so if they travelled abroad and required treatment per terms of the EHIC they could contact the office and they would liaise with the treating hospital to ensure treatment was provided.