Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there has been a recent policy change within the overseas treatment section of the Health Service Executive regarding the funding of specialist treatment for patients who availed of services in the United States of America; if a new directive has been issued by the HSE limiting overseas treatment funding to within the EU; the outcome for patients whose only possibility of treatment is in non EU hospitals such as the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40778/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Regulation (EC) 1408/71 provides, inter alia, that people who are insured with or covered by the healthcare system of one member state may access healthcare in the public system of another member state in certain circumstances. Article 22 (1) (c) of the Regulation governs the referral of patients for public health services to another member state. In accordance with this article, a person eligible for health services in Ireland must be authorised by the HSE to go to another member state for treatment in the public health system there, where certain criteria are met. When authorisation is granted, Form E112 is issued by the HSE and is confirmation that the HSE will bear the cost of the treatment. These arrangements apply in all EU/EEA member states and Switzerland.

It is a matter for the HSE to determine whether authorisation for treatment abroad (including outside the EU/EEA states and Switzerland) should be granted.

As the case in question is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.