Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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467. To ask the Minister for Health to organise for the Health Service Executive to cover the cost of repatriation of remains to parents in a suitable manner in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities where the woman has to leave the country for a termination. [19207/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for public health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means.

The HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. The treatment in question must be provided for under Irish legislation, otherwise there is no entitlement to authorisation under the Scheme.

In general, the Health Service Executive do not pay for the cost of repatriation of remains from overseas to Ireland.

I addressed the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities in Dáil Éireann last Thursday during the debate on Deputy Wallace's Private Members Bill. Aside from the constitutional issues raised by the United Nations Human Rights Committee's findings in the case of Amanda Mellet v Ireland,I was distressed by Ms Mellet's experience of services that should have worked for her but clearly did not.

Consequently, I have asked the HSE to report to me this week on the clinical and counselling services in place to support women and their families who have to deal with a pre-natal diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality. I am also considering within the law what other services and responses can be put in place to help women in these terrible circumstances.