Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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346. To ask the Minister for Health the number of applications for refund under the cross-border directive in the system; the amount in total claims outstanding and awaiting processing; the estimated waiting time for an application submitted for a refund of expenses incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17530/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE operates the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland, whereby patients can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The HSE's target for reimbursing patients for healthcare accessed abroad under the CBD is a maximum of 20 working days from receiving all completed documents. However, the HSE confirmed that it currently takes approximately 75 days to process reimbursements. The HSE have confirmed the increase in processing times is due to a significant increase in the amount of applications received for the CBD.

A review is being undertaken of current administration arrangements associated with the operation of the CBD scheme in the HSE, with a view to providing a report to my Department shortly.      

As it is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the number and value of claims for reimbursement under the Cross Border Directive.