Cross-border health scheme
Deputy Collins sought clarity on whether cross-border health treatments would still be reimbursed after Brexit. The Tánaiste said the intention was to maintain services through a no-deal Brexit and that legislation already existed to do so.
In the recent debates on Brexit in the Dáil, the Government assured the public that the cross-border health scheme, which has enabled thousands to get urgent cataract, hip, knee and other operations, would continue no matter what kind of Brexit unfolds. This indeed was good news for the people, but the HSE cross-border team has been advising those looking to go to the North of Ireland for operations under the scheme that if they do not have a consultation before 12 April, it is not guaranteed that they will be reimbursed after that date. There might be a little bit of confusion out there. I have a number of buses heading to the North of Ireland in the next weeks. Will the Tánaiste clear this matter up? Will the patients be reimbursed after their operations?
Comment on this
My understanding is that the intention here is to maintain the provision of cross-border health services as they are today through a no-deal Brexit, should that happen. We have legislation in place now that can be commenced to do this. To be sure, I will ask the Department to come back to the Deputy on the specific question he has asked.