Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the cross-border health directive and the urgent need for additional staff in that unit. As Members are aware, people who have been on a waiting list for a long time can avail of healthcare in another EU state and recoup the costs from the HSE. It can be availed of anywhere in Europe but the reality is that most people, including people from Monaghan, Cavan and elsewhere, will avail of that service in Northern Ireland. The scheme has proved very popular among those who, unfortunately, languish for long periods of time, many of them in pain, on waiting lists.

The scheme's popularity has exploded. In 2014, 57 processed applications for reimbursement went through that unit. In 2018, the figure exploded to 5,379. The one difficulty people have with this is the long delay in reimbursement. Some people are waiting up to five or six months to get money back, which puts great stress, strain and financial pressure on people awaiting reimbursement. I understand that the cross-border health directive unit has made representations to the Department on a number of occasions seeking additional funding for more staff but so far, that has not happened. I call on the Minister for Health to give additional resources and staff to that unit so that the backlog of people awaiting reimbursement for procedures undergone in Northern Ireland or elsewhere is fast tracked and expedited. Hopefully, the Acting Leader will put my request to the Minister.