Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will fund a stay in a clinic in the UK for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15390/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will fund a stay in a clinic in the UK by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15444/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

Where an individual requires specific treatment which is necessary and which cannot be provided in Ireland, the Health Service Executive, HSE, may refer the person to another member state for treatment. Under EU regulations, the executive issues a form E112 to the person being referred to establish his or her entitlement to such treatment and to imply a commitment by the HSE to pay the full cost of the treatment. My Department has issued guidelines which set down the criteria to be used by the Health Service Executive when assessing applications for approval of forms E112, as follows: the application to refer a patient abroad must be assessed before the patient goes abroad except in cases of extreme urgency. Medical evidence must be provided by a hospital consultant giving details of the condition from which the patient suffers and of the type of treatment envisaged. It must be certified by the consultant: that the treatment concerned is not available in this country; there is an urgent medical necessity for the treatment; there is a reasonable medical prognosis; the treatment is regarded as a proven form of medical treatment; the treatment abroad is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.

In the case where a person's E112 application has been approved, the HSE may provide assistance towards the cost of travel and subsistence expenses. The decision on the provision of such assistance is a matter for the HSE. Arrangements which are made privately for the treatment of a patient in any country abroad, must be regarded as outside the terms of the EU regulations and the HSE has no obligation to meet any part of the cost involved.

In this case, my Department has requested the chief officer of the executive's western area to investigate this matter and reply directly to the Deputy.