Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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377. To ask the Minister for Health if families of transplant patients who have to travel overseas are entitled to financial assistance; and if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who claims that subsistence is still outstanding to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45804/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations and Department of Health Guidelines, does not provide for Travel and Subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments. However the HSE, subject to available funding, under the Treatment Abroad Scheme Travel Policy, may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for patients, and a travelling companion where appropriate or where the referring consultant identifies a necessity. Expenses other than air/sea fares are not admissible. However, patients who experience difficulty funding any additional costs may apply to the Department of Social Protection for assistance as an exceptional needs payment.

I understand the individual to whom the Deputy has referred has received appropriate assistance with his flight costs when accompanying a patient for treatment abroad. This was in line with the Treatment Abroad Scheme Travel Policy. Any further claim for subsistence cannot be met as it is not provided for under the Scheme.

On 12 November I introduced a scheme for the reimbursement of some expenses of living kidney donors which applies to living donor transplants in Ireland and to those who, under clinical supervision, of the Renal Transplant Programme in Beaumont Hospital, travel to the UK for paired kidney donation. However retrospection does not apply in regard to such payments.