Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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686. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to arrange a replacement reciprocal scheme between Ireland and the UK for the European health insurance card, EHIC, in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31442/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Arrangements for Irish residents wishing to use European Health Insurance Cards in the UK before the end of the transition period remain unchanged. The maintenance of European Health Insurance Card rights in respect of the UK after that time is part of the on-going EU-UK Future Relationship negotiations.

Both the Irish and British Governments are however committed to maintaining, in so far as possible, the current healthcare arrangements under the Common Travel Area (CTA). Under the CTA, Irish citizens and British citizens who live in, work in, or visit the other state have the right to access healthcare there. The Government is working to ensure that new arrangements will provide for continued access to the health services, including necessary healthcare while on a temporary stay, between Ireland and the UK, including on the island of Ireland, which residents in both jurisdictions currently access.

Furthermore, the Government identified the importance placed by residents of Northern Ireland to continued access to EHIC type benefits. This matter is also being addressed in discussions between the EU and the UK on the future relationship negotiations. In the event that this issue is not adequately resolved our preparations continue for the development of a direct reimbursement scheme which will allow eligible residents of Northern Ireland to apply to the HSE for the reimbursement of the cost of necessary healthcare incurred while visiting an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland.

My officials are working to progress the necessary legislative arrangements to give effect to such a scheme and is engaged with the HSE to ensure that it has the necessary operational arrangements in place to administer this in the relevant scenario.