John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card patient is entitled to have an MRI scan carried out free of charge; the average waiting time for such a scan in the mid-west Health Service Executive region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38094/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no charge payable by public patients who receive an MRI scan in a public hospital. All public patients are entitled to public hospital services subject only to the statutory charges in respect of in-patient services and at Accident and Emergency Departments, where applicable. Statutory charges for hospital in-patient services and out-patient services are not applicable in the case of people with full eligibility i.e. holders of a medical card.

In relation to the specific information sought concerning the average waiting time for an MRI scan, as the management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.