Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The cross-Border healthcare directive has been a hugely successful healthcare plan for those in the Republic who find themselves on waiting lists for whatever procedures. Very many people have availed of the directive. An issue has now arisen in respect of those who seek cataract surgery. I understand that the success of the scheme speaks for itself. Since 2017, over 4,000 people have travelled to the North of Ireland, in this instance, to avail of cataract surgery and the HSE has reimbursed people a certain amount of money. The sum used to be somewhere in the region of over €1,900 but as and from 1 July, the amount has been reduced to €800-odd for the procedure. The net result of the decrease is that the procedure will cost people more money.

As Senators can imagine, cataract surgery can be life changing. Apparently the new reimbursement amount was introduced after 1 July, which is only a few days ago, but there was very little communication about the change. So much so that people who had their procedures booked for a long time were only told just a week or two before their surgery that the reimbursement figure has been cut in half, which is very disappointing. I have contacted the HSE about the matter and await correspondence. It would be useful for us to have a debate, perhaps when we return after the recess, about the Northern Ireland healthcare plan or on arrangements for anyone who wants to travel anywhere in the EU to have these procedures done. The initiative has been hugely successful and it is disappointing that the reimbursement figure has been cut in half. I would very much welcome a debate on the matter.