Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
1058. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health whether a person (details supplied), who qualifies for breast reconstruction surgery under the Cross-Border Directive, may access this surgery in a private hospital within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6130/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. Under the terms of the CBD, patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the country they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser. The HSE, in fulfilling its role as the National Contact Point (NCP) in Ireland, provides information for patients on the operation of the CBD, including on its website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/cross-border-directive/. Where a person accesses private healthcare in Ireland there is no facility for the cost of that care to be reimbursed by the public health system.
