Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The document did not read that way but that is okay.

Page 39 refers to the recovery of costs of health services provided under regulations of the European Union. The HSE recovered €220 million in 2013 and €172 million in 2014, a reduction in the year of €48 million. I understand this is primarily related to people from the United Kingdom who are resident here and would be entitled to free medical and hospital care if they were living in the UK. Under EU rules, they are then entitled to avail of free care if they are living in Ireland. I have tabled a number of parliamentary questions on this topic and I am on record as having raised this issue previously. There is an arrangement in place between the Irish and UK authorities, whereby the UK authorities will pay a sum to Ireland based on the number of UK citizens living here. I understand the figure is net and may be based on a figures of approximately 40,000 people. According to a reply I received to a parliamentary question, new negotiations were to take place because the calculation used was based an old figure. I do not believe the negotiations have been finalised. Both sides probably require help from the Central Statistics Office or other bodies to work out the correct figure and ascertain whether we are receiving what is due to us.

This issue was brought to my attention by a man who visited my office and informed me that, having lived in England, he was entitled to free hospital care here and was not required to pay for outpatient appointments, accommodation, overnight stays or accident and emergency charges. I wondered how this could be the case. He informed me that the British Government pays Ireland for this and that hospital care was free of charge for him. I was surprised to learn that 40,000 people or more are entitled to completely free hospital care in the public service, whereas Irish people must pay for it. I ask the witnesses to talk us through the figures. Is it correct that English people in Ireland have free hospital care whereas Irish people must pay charges? Is my understanding of the position correct?