Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 501 of 5 March 2013, as a letter from a registered practitioner in the EU is acceptable for other EU members attending accident and emergency in Ireland, the reason it is not acceptable for an Irish person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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As previously indicated, the A&E charge which is currently €100, is provided for by the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 1994 (as amended). The charge charge applies to persons attending Accident and Emergency, Casualty Departments or any other facility providing similar services subject to exemptions set out in these regulations, including medical card holders and those who have a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner.

Under EU Regulations, a person who becomes ill or injured while on a temporary stay in any EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland may available of emergency health care in the public health system of the country under the terms of that countries public health system. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued to facilitate this process. In Ireland such a person is treated as if they have full eligibility (i.e. have a medical card) and no charge is levied. Irish citizens are treated in a similar manner when they require such emergency public health care within the EU\EEA and Switzerland (and produce their EHIC), the arrangements are reciprocal and Ireland provides services to citizens of other EU\EAA States and Switzerland while they provide emergency care to our citizens.