Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1492. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if she will consider a proposal to allow elderly people who are not entitled to a medical card and who have paid PRSI all their lives be exempt from the €100 accident and emergency charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40267/26]
View answerThe Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2019 provides that, subject to certain exemptions, a charge shall be made for out-patient services provided at designated centres including an emergency department (€100) and a minor injury unit (€75). These exemptions include a person with a medical card, a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner and a person whose attendance results in admission as an in-patient.
There are no plans at present to amend the provisions in relation to the application of these charges.
