Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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675. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria and amounts for paying for emergency departments; if he will outline all changes to the policies and amounts in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29016/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Emergency Department charge of €100, as set out under the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013, applies to out-patient services provided at any of: an emergency department; an accident and emergency department; a casualty department; a minor injury unit; an urgent care centre; a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services. This charge is subject to a number of exemptions under Article 3 including medical card holders and those who have a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner. The charge shall not apply where such an attendance results in a hospital admission. The charge is made only in respect of the first occasion the service is provided in relation to each episode of care.

The amount of the charge has not changed since the 1st of January 2009 when it was increased from €66 under the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2008.