Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to question why current guidelines for the HSE treatment abroad scheme do not cover the costs of accommodation, baggage or travel agent fees for the travel companion of a patient who is unable to travel alone. I find it very perplexing that under current structures an individual who is unable to travel alone cannot receive financial support for the baggage, accommodation or travel agent costs of a person travelling with him or her.

We must remember we are not just dealing with guidelines or facts and figures, but real people who are actively and adversely affected by these decisions. The financial burden of their illness, as well as the emotional burden, is very real and distressing. In my constituency I have been dealing with the case of an individual who is not, and never will be, in a position to travel independently to receive his annual treatment in the United Kingdom. Thus through necessity his wife is required to travel with him, but under the scheme she must bear the financial burden of her accommodation, baggage and travel agent fees. To be honest I am bewildered as to why the treatment abroad scheme does not allow for the travel expenses of this woman. As far as the HSE is concerned, she should have to worry about paying these expenses as well as worry about her ill husband. The couple is in receipt of an invalidity pension and a half rate carer's allowance. They have to borrow money to cover these critical expenses.

This is unacceptable. We are dealing with individuals who, by virtue of the fact that they are covered by the scheme, are by definition unwell and vulnerable. We are not dealing with an extravagant request. In his instance the person has simply asked that as her husband is unable to receive the treatment he needs within the State, the HSE should cover the reasonable cost of somewhere for her to sleep. It is clear that the TAS do not cover these expenses but I feel strongly that this decision on the structure of the scheme must be revisited, in so far as is practicable.

These people are not looking for much. All they want to do is travel with a loved one who cannot travel alone, without the worry of putting themselves in debt. I think this is a reasonable request and I fail to see how anyone would find this situation tenable or sustainable for individuals in such circumstances.

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