Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an Irish Citizen living abroad can return home; and the medical care that they will be entitled to. [43927/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Where an Irish national returns to Ireland and is not covered by any of the arrangements made under EU regulations, he/she should be regarded as ordinarily resident here if he/she: is employed or self-employed here; or satisfies the HSE that it is his/her intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year.

Where an Irish national is working abroad on a short-term contract but satisfies the HSE that it is not his/her intention to take up residence outside of Ireland on an indefinite basis, the status of ordinarily resident and eligibility for Irish health services may be retained. The HSE may take account of the nature and duration of the contract as well as evidence such as proof of property purchase, lease or rental, or evidence of transfer of funds, bank accounts or pensions in arriving at its decision.

Where an Irish national has been resident abroad for a period of up to three years but the HSE is satisfied that the person did not establish an entitlement to health services in any other country, the HSE should (if the circumstances as outlined above do not apply) regard the person as "ordinarily resident" in Ireland if he or she requires treatment on returning to Ireland. This is intended to ensure, in particular, that persons who emigrate do not lose their health services eligibility on residence grounds before they have been able to establish eligibility elsewhere. It would not apply where a person is covered by EU Regulations and, in particular, it would not entitle a person temporarily resident in another EU country to have the HSE extend the European Health Insurance Card beyond the normal period.

An individual living in Ireland for at least one year is considered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to be 'ordinarily resident' and is entitled to either full eligibility (Category 1, i.e. medical card holders) or limited eligibility (Category 2) for health services. Dependants of an 'ordinarily resident' person who themselves have not been in Ireland for a period of one year must declare themselves to be the dependants of that person to the HSE, and seek to satisfy the HSE that they intend to remain in Ireland for a period of at least one year.

Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship, with the exception of persons over the age of seventy years, who are automatically entitled to a medical card. Persons in Category 1 are medical card holders and they are entitled to a full range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultants services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances and a maternity and infant care service. Determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.

Persons not entitled to a medical card, but with an income below a certain threshold (50% above the medical card income guidelines) may be entitled to a GP visit card. A GP visit card entitles the holder to free GP services. For those who do not qualify for a medical card, a number of schemes exist which provide assistance towards the cost of medication. Under the Drug Payment Scheme a person and his/her dependants do not have to pay more than €85 in any calendar month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and appliances.

Persons in Category 2 (non medical card holders) are entitled, subject to certain charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including consultant services and out-patient public hospital services including consultant services. The current public hospital statutory in-patient charge is €60 per night, up to a maximum of €600 in any twelve consecutive months. Attendance at accident and emergency departments is subject to a charge of €60 where the patient does not have a referral note from his/her doctor. A maternity and infant care service is provided during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth.

Further information on eligibility for health services can be obtained from the HSE National Information Line on 1850 24 1850, which operates from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m., or on www.hse.ie.