Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
664. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive to extend arrangements for the provision of access to healthcare services in the State for residents of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26356/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealthcare co-operation with Northern Ireland covers a range of areas and there is ongoing communication between officials in my Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland. I have also met Minister Swann a number of times since I became Minister for Health.
There are agreements in place covering specific specialist treatments on a cross-border basis, including elective and urgent cardiac surgical cases from Northern Ireland being treated in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and, in the opposite direction, the North West Cancer Centre (Radiotherapy Unit) at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry is providing access to radiotherapy services for people in the north west of the island including patients from Ireland.
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others).
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK includes provisions relating to social security and health rights for certain categories of persons. Social security and healthcare rights are also provided for by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.
I am committed to continuing close and productive cooperation with Northern Ireland.
