Written answers
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Department of Health and Children
Pension Provisions
9:00 pm
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to moneys received from the UK for those who are entitled to a UK pension and who live in Ireland and use the health services here; the amounts paid by the UK for each of the past five years and the arrangements that are in place for the current and future years. [14753/10]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Ireland operates a bilateral healthcare reimbursement agreement with the United Kingdom comprehending such persons as temporary visitors between the two countries; pensioners of one country and their dependants residing in the other country; and the dependant families of persons employed in the other country. Under the terms of the agreement net liability between the two countries is calculated on a lump sum basis rather than an individual basis. The payment made in any one year is determined based upon an estimate of the number of persons falling within categories eligible for reimbursement and for whom each country is liable and an estimate of the average cost of providing healthcare treatment. The amount payable is agreed following compilation of the necessary data and discussions between the two administrations. Total payments in any one year can relate to both final settlements in respect of previous years' liabilities and advance payments in respect of the current year. The net payment received from the UK over the last five years is as follows: 2005 - â¬448.6 million; 2006 - â¬396.7 million; 2007 - â¬450 million; 2008 - â¬100 million; 2009 - â¬286.6 million. An amount of â¬285 million is estimated for 2010. An amount of â¬50 million has been received to date in 2010.
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