Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 691: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the entitlements Irish citizens can now enjoy in Bulgaria under the European health insurance card; and when the country information for Bulgaria and Romania will be provided on ehic.ie. [1284/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Regulation (EC) 1408/71 provides for the coordination of social security systems, including healthcare, among EU member states. Under its provisions, inter alia, those who are covered by the healthcare system of one member state and who become ill or injured while staying temporarily in another member state, are entitled to receive treatment in the public healthcare system of the member state of stay. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides evidence of such entitlement. The aim is to ensure that a person who becomes ill or injured can continue his or her stay as planned under safe medical conditions. The EHIC does not provide evidence of entitlement to planned treatment in another member state.

EHIC holders are treated on the same basis as any covered person living in the member state of stay and the treatments available and charges, if any, will depend on the public healthcare system in question. As some costs may be incurred, as the Card does not cover the cost of repatriation, and as illness abroad may result in other unforeseen costs that are not medical costs, all those planning a visit to another member state may wish to consider taking out insurance.

The same rules apply for Irish visitors to Bulgaria and Romania as for all EU member states. It is intended that information about the public healthcare systems of Bulgaria and Romania will be made available on the ehic.ie website very shortly.