Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
269. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if, under the planned healthcare abroad scheme, initial consultations with treating consultants abroad via video or phone call are specifically prohibited under the scheme; if the prohibition is outlined in legislation grounding the scheme; the reasons this prohibition exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15420/26]
View answerI understand the Deputy may be seeking information on the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme, which facilitates patients to access planned healthcare in another EU Member State. The HSE funds authorised treatment for patients in the EU/EEA under the governing EU Social Security Co-ordination Regulations and Guidelines. The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State, UK or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is not available in Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. Article 20 of Regulation 883/2004 addresses authorisation for planned healthcare in another Member State. The article is normally interpretated as applying where the patient travels to and is physically present in the Member State where treatment is provided . Information and guidelines on the EU Social Security Co-ordination governing legislative framework, including planned healthcare under Regulation 883/04, are available on the European Commission website: [Specialised information - Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion] and [Publications Office of the European Commission]. Since the HSE is responsible for implementing the Regulations in Ireland, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
