Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Health when directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients' rights in cross-border health care will be transposed into legislation and the transition arrangements will be put in place to ensure the effective transposition of the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12429/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Directive on the Application of Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare was published in the EU Official Journal on 4 April 2011 and the transposition period of 30 months commenced on 24 April 2011. Member States have until October 2013 to implement the Directive.

The purpose of this patient-focussed Directive is to establish a clear legal framework to facilitate cross border health care with a focus on patient rights, information for patients on entitlements and patient choice. This will require all Member States to put in place processes to allow for the exchange of information on treatments, and their cost, to citizens across the EU. Member States will also have to facilitate the exchange of patient information following treatment and put in place mechanisms to refund patients up to the amount the treatment would have cost them to have received the same procedure in their own Member State. Given the complexity of the issues to be considered, both nationally and between Member States, it is envisaged that the transposition of the Directive into Irish law will be completed within the transposition time frame of October 2013.