We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Health Services.

Cross-border health-service eligibility

Summary

Deputy Harte said people moving between Donegal and Tyrone faced uncertainty about access to free health services. The Minister said eligible Irish social welfare recipients and contributory pensioners have reciprocal rights in the UK, as UK residents do in Ireland.

There are other people besides those in the categories Deputy O'Connell and Deputy Boland have been mentioning. I am not going as far afield. Persons from Tyrone who move to Donegal find, no matter what their income is, that they are entitled to all the free health services but they are not getting them. They have to establish their right to them. A person in the lower income bracket from Donegal who moves into Tyrone finds a different situation.

Comment on this

The situation is completely reciprocal. All the EEC countries receive from and afford each other the same facilities in this regard.

Comment on this

Is the Minister telling me that someone from the lower income bracket who leaves Donegal and moves into Tyrone will receive the same facilities?

Comment on this

I have indicated that the position is that any Irish person who has eligibility here under our social welfare legislation or contriburory pension has the same rights in the UK and vice versa.

Comment on this

Would the Minister make it clear and not keep it a secret?

Comment on this

It is in the answer I have read out. It will be in the Official Report.

Comment on this