Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason post operative care here would be denied in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who travelled abroad to have surgery to avoid the long waiting period for the same surgery here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5573/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an appointment for a cochlear implant at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5574/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.

Under the provisions of Regulation (EC) 1408/71, persons who are covered by the public healthcare system of one member state are entitled, under certain circumstances, to receive healthcare in the public system of another member state. Article 22 (1) (c) of the Regulation governs the referral of patients for public health services to another member state (E112 arrangements). Under this provision, the HSE may, where certain criteria are met, authorise a person to go to another member state for treatment in the public health system there. In such cases, a Form E112 is issued by the HSE, which involves a commitment by the Executive to pay for the cost of treatment. It is a matter for the HSE to assess each application for an E112 Form and determine whether authorisation for treatment abroad should be granted.

In the case raised by the Deputy, therefore, it is open to the parents of the child concerned to make application to the Treatment Abroad Section of the HSE if they wish to seek treatment for her in another EU member state in accordance with these entitlements. In the event that treatment is arranged in this way, the necessary follow-up care would be available in the Irish public health system.