Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
732. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if a formal national policy or governance framework, as distinct from administrative processing arrangements, governs the authorisation, funding and oversight of the treatment abroad scheme; if such a framework exists, to provide a copy or web reference; and if no such framework exists, to confirm this explicitly. [50970/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in Regulation (EC) No. 987/2009. 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.
Applications to the TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment.
Information and guidelines on the EU Social Security Co-ordination governing legislative framework are available on the European Commission website:
• www.employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/specialised-information/eu-legislation_en
• www.employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/specialised-information/official-documents_en
The HSE is responsible for implementing the Regulations in Ireland and provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/
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 also asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
