Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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342. To ask the Minister for Health his views on updating the travel policy regarding the treatment abroad scheme implemented in 2009; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current travel policy does not cover the reimbursement of the costs to hospital accompaniment stays for parents of minors who have no choice but to be with their children while they are receiving treatment abroad; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some other European countries this accompaniment cost is covered by some hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2881/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.