Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 207: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the implications for the long-awaited Eligibility for Health and Personal Social Services Bill of the European Court of Justice decision in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19483/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The judgement to which the Deputy refers, known as the "Watts case", relates to the question of prior authorisation for hospital treatment abroad where a patient would otherwise be subject to undue delay in their country of residence.

My Department is studying the implications of the ruling both for the provision of hospital services generally, and for the proposed new legislation on eligibility in particular.

My main concern is to continue to ensure that patients who require hospital treatment can do so without delay and that there are effective procedures for reviewing their cases where they are awaiting treatment. The National Treatment Purchase Fund is already playing an important role in this regard.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her Department's preparations of the Eligibility for Health and Personal Social Services Bill; if the heads of this Bill have been agreed; when the Bill will be presented before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19484/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is currently preparing the Heads of a Bill to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services. The Bill will define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made and provide for an appeals framework.

It is my intention to publish the Bill by the end of the year.