Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
985. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a long-Covid patient (details supplied) without health insurance who has been referred for a procedure that can only be done privately could have this procedure covered by the HSE or a hardship scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7538/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical cards holders) and limited eligibility (all others).
Medical card holders can access a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all public hospital in-patient services including consultant services, all public hospital out-patient services including consultant services, home nursing, dental, ophthalmic, and aural services and appliances. Apart from prescribed drugs and medicines, which are subject to a prescription charge, public health services are provided free of charge to medical card holders. Where a person avails of private healthcare in Ireland there is no facility for the cost of that care to be reimbursed by the public health system.
