§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Health what action he has taken to promote reciprocal benefits between the British health service and medical provision in Eire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIt has not been feasible to negotiate reciprocal arrangements for medical treatment because of the differences between our health services and those in the Irish Republic, which are related generally to income limits or insurability under the Republic's Social Welfare Acts.
I am informed that nationals of other countries who are permanently or tem- 20W porarily resident in the Irish Republic are entitled to use the health services there on the same terms as nationals of the Republic. But most visitors from the United Kingdom would not qualify for treatment free or at a reduced charge and the health authorities in the Republic cannot be expected to do more for visitors than they do for their own citizens.