Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
803. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether value-for-money or cost-effectiveness assessments are conducted in respect of treatments funded under the treatment abroad scheme; if so, the methodology used; and if not, the reason no such assessments are required. [28122/26]
View answer813. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE or her Department has any mechanism to assess, benchmark, or challenge the cost of treatments invoiced by other EU/EEA healthcare systems under the treatment abroad scheme; and if so, the methodology used. [28132/26]
View answer814. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a formal value-for-money assessment framework applies to treatment abroad scheme expenditure; and whether this has been reviewed or updated since 2020. [28133/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 803, 813 and 814 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for a public consultant based in Ireland 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:
• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
• not available in Ireland;
• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;
• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;
• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
The HSE provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme
Under the terms of the EU Regulations on Social Security Co-ordination approved planned treatment, availed of by persons entitled to treatment abroad under EU Regulation 883/2004, is provided in the host Member State's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost that applies to nationals of that State. The governing EU Regulations and framework on the co-ordination of social security systems provide for arrangements, including disputes, regarding reimbursement between institutions in the home Member State and the Member State of treatment.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. As the HSE holds responsibility for the management and operation of the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
