Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide copies and a short explanation of agreements which exist between the Irish and UK Government to supply medical services, such as a medical card, to British citizens residing here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43925/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Regulation (EC) 1408/71 provides for the coordination of social security systems, including healthcare, among EU member states. Under its provisions persons who are residing in one member state but who are pensioners of or employed in another member state, are entitled to receive, inter alia, healthcare in the member state of residence provided on behalf of the member state of employment or the member state paying the pension (the "competent state"). In Ireland, those residing here who are covered by EU Regulations receive an EU medical card.

Under these provisions, a UK pensioner residing in Ireland or a UK-employed person who resides in Ireland receives an EU medical card. Dependants are also covered by these provisions. These provisions apply between Ireland and the UK as between Ireland and all other EU member states. The Regulation provides for costs to be reimbursed by the member state on whose behalf the healthcare is provided. Because of the traditional close links between Ireland and the UK, and the considerable movement between the two countries, a bilateral reimbursement agreement is in place to deal with reimbursement for healthcare provided under EU Regulations on a lump-sum basis.