Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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933. To ask the Minister for Health the reason those who suffer from haemochromatosis who do not have a medical card must pay €80 for each hospital visit to have blood removed in view of the fact that persons suffering from other long-term illnesses such as diabetes can be treated for free; and if he will request the HSE to enable persons with haemochromatosis likewise to receive their treatment free. [1010/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services, including consultant services, and to public out-patient hospital services. Under the Health (In-Patients Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, a person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge, currently €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 per year. On this basis, where venesection for persons suffering from haemochromatosis is classed as a day case procedure and is not carried out in an out-patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies.

While it is not envisaged that haemochromatosis will be included on the Long Term Illness scheme, my Department is currently examining arrangements for patients with Hereditary Haemochromatosis in the context of the recommendations set out in the HSE's 'Model of Care Report for Therapeutic Phlebotomy for Patients with Hereditary Haemochromatosis'.