Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Good afternoon everyone. We thank the witnesses for taking the time to be here this afternoon. I have spoken with Ms Donohoe a number of times on the phone about different cases and I take this opportunity to single her out for the work she does and the manner in which she does that work. She is an excellent public servant and so we have a bualadh bos on this end for her and her work.

This has been a very successful programme since its inception. It was a bit slow to get off initially but once it took off, the demand for the scheme has been phenomenal. Many people languishing for long periods on waiting lists found an avenue through the cross-border directive to access care, with 98% of them looked after on the island, which was a big advantage for those who had to travel.

We are well aware that people have accessed the provisions of the cross-border directive in all parts of the country, as far down as Cork and Kerry. I understand a few notable bus journeys were made from that part of the world in recent times. Ms Sandra Reilly from Cavan knows what I am talking about when I say that for people living along the Border, the process has been very successful, as the journey would naturally be short for accessing care. I compliment everybody involved in it.

As has been outlined in the initial contribution, a kind of interim scheme is now in place. Other members spoke at an earlier meeting about the importance of finding a replacement.

It is vitally important to find a long-term replacement for the current scheme, which expires at the end of the year. I would welcome an update on where that is currently. I am hopeful that we will have the details of the new scheme long before the year end. I would welcome that. It is important to realise that while we are still only in March, when a patient is contemplating getting care of whatever kind, the process of getting to a point where they decide to go cross-border for that care, getting an appointment, getting all the paperwork sorted, to being post-operation or procedure, takes a long time. Therefore, in order for people to have certainty in that regard, the quicker we get the details of the new scheme, the better. I know that there are representatives of the Defence Forces here today, and that Senator Wall has spoken previously on the importance of this particular scheme for them. They, too, are most anxious that a long-term replacement scheme is found.

While Ms Donohoe is on the line, I have a question for her. What changes, if any, would she recommend be made from the old cross-border healthcare directive, if I can refer to it as such, to be included in the new scheme, that were perhaps problematic in the old scheme? That is all. I thank the witnesses for their contributions.