Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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289. To ask the Minister for Health if there are circumstances in which a public patient (details supplied) can be assisted with funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43033/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health Act 1970 (as amended) all persons ordinarily resident in the State are eligible for public health services provided by or on behalf of the HSE on a full or limited eligibility basis.

When a patient opts to avail of health services from a private provider, the relationship between the patient and the provider is a private contractual matter. The current public health eligibility framework provides no basis for funding private patient charges incurred by a patient in these circumstances.