Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 June 2011.

Health: Reciprocal Agreements

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 23 May (WA 381-2), whether they will publish the details of the survey of 1,500 pensioners used to establish liability for payment of European Union healthcare costs between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; what was the average payment made last year to (a) the Republic of Ireland for each of the 44,000 United Kingdom pensioners living there, and (b) the United Kingdom for each of the Republic's 3,000 pensioners living in the United Kingdom; and what were the total payments involved.

Answer: The survey took the form of a questionnaire, sent by the Pension Service to those in receipt of a United Kingdom pension, resident in Ireland. A copy of the questionnaire has been placed in the Library. In 2010, the United Kingdom paid Ireland €270 million in respect of healthcare costs. This includes an offset amount of £17 million for the value of UK claims. However, these amounts do not specifically relate to treatment provided in that year. Several member states, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, use an average cost basis for calculating claims. Member states are required to submit their average costs to the European Commission for approval. The latest published average cost figure (2008) for the United Kingdom is £3,598.66. The latest published average cost figure for Ireland (2004) is €6,789.44.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 9864; 728 c209WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2011-1005
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Deposited papers
House of Lords; Health: Reciprocal Agreements
Monday, 23 May 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Reciprocal Agreements
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Reciprocal Agreements
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Reciprocal Agreements
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: British nationals abroad Health services Finance Pensioners Reciprocal arrangements Republic of Ireland Questionnaires
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk