Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish citizens who travel abroad and who get sick at sea while travelling are not covered under the E111 scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26247/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under Regulation (EC) 1408/71, a person who is eligible for health services in Ireland, is accepted by the Health Service Executive as being ordinarily resident or is an EU national employed in Ireland, and who becomes ill or injured while on a temporary stay in the territory of a member state of the EU, EEA or Switzerland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system of that member state. The European Health Insurance Card, which replaced the form E111 on 1 June 2004, provides evidence of this entitlement.

It should be noted that the card does not cover the cost of treatment in a private setting. Card holders are advised on the public information website and leaflet about the EHIC to contact their local HSE office or log on to www.ehic.ie for more information about their entitlements in particular countries.

In the event of an Irish resident falling ill while at sea there is a marine rescue service which is operated by the coastguard service of individual EU/EEA countries. In cases where the appropriate course of action is to transport the patient to a hospital in one of these countries, the service is provided and health care costs are paid by the Health Service Executive.