Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too wish the Cathaoirleach, Martin, all the staff on the Leinster House campus and, indeed, Members a healthy and happy new year.

I would like to raise the issue of the long-term future of the cross-border healthcare directive. This scheme has been a significant success since it was introduced in June 2014. To emphasise how popular it has become, in 2014, only seven people were reimbursed, to a value of €29,000. That had grown by last year to 4,614 people availing of the scheme, with a value of €15 million. For people who have been languishing on hospital waiting lists for many years for eye procedures, hip replacements or whatever else, the cross-border healthcare directive has been a game changer. People can get their care in Northern Ireland, the UK or wherever else, and the HSE reimburses almost the total fee for the procedure.

Unfortunately with Brexit, the scheme is coming to an end or has come to an end. I understand there are transitional arrangements in place with authorities in Northern Ireland for the next 12 months but, thereafter, there is no long-term security. I urge the Leader, on behalf of Members, to write to the Minister for Health to stress the importance of creating a new scheme whereby people who find themselves on public waiting lists for a time are able to continue to get that care if they are in a position to avail of it. It is important and I would be grateful if she could communicate that on behalf of us all.