Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Health if an agreement has been made between the United Kingdom and Ireland so that if an Irish citizen who has worked long term in the UK, and held a UK medical card, is then automatically entitled to an Irish medical card when they return home to retire. [7878/16]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Under Regulation (EC) 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, persons insured in any EU Member State, together with persons insured in any EEA Member State (Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein) or in Switzerland, are entitled to receive health care services in Ireland at the cost of that member state provided they are not subject to Irish social security legislation. Persons in this category are entitled to full eligibility and receive a medical card as evidence of their entitlement. The applicant is only required to demonstrate to the HSE that they qualify under the EU Regulations and there is no requirement to submit income details and details of savings.

The applicant must produce the appropriate E or S-form, completed by their Member State confirming the healthcare entitlement for which that state is liable. The position regarding the UK is that, under a reciprocal agreement, the EU S form is not required, however, proof of receipt of a qualifying payment from the UK authorities should be provided with the application to the HSE.

The HSE has responsibility to establish if an applicant is subject to Irish social security legislation. A person is considered subject to Irish social security legislation if s/he is in receipt of a contributory Irish social welfare payment or engaged in work in Ireland and subject to PRSI. If a person is considered subject to Irish social security legislation, the person will not qualify for a Medical Card under EU legislation or the reciprocal agreement, but may qualify for a means-tested medical card under national legislation.