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Healthcare in Ireland
The quality of health care and health care facilities in Ireland is of a very high standard and is similar in structure to that of the UK. In some rural areas, facilities are limited, but access to town-based facilities is not too difficult. The Minister for Health & Children is responsible for policy and concerning the health service and the Health Service Executive (HSE) is in charge of executing the policy. Healthcare in Ireland is predominantly free.
The State Healthcare System
Healthcare in Ireland is free and you do not need to contribute to the Irish social security system to receive treatment. Indigenous citizens qualify by birth. Citizens from the European Economic Area (EEA), which consists of all EU member states and Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, qualify because Ireland has a reciprocal health agreement with all EEA member states. Foreigners from outside of the EEA must be able to show that they qualify for ordinary residence and will remain resident in the country for at least a year by producing an residence or work permit, proof of property ownership or a valid rental agreement, or in the case of students, proof of college registration. All foreigners from outside of the EU must also show evidence of an Irish bank. If you qualify for ordinary residence, your dependant family members must also qualify in order to receive free healthcare. Citizens do not fall into the above group will have to pay for all medical treatment, although emergency treatment may be given free depending on necessity.
Category 1: Medical Cardholders
You must hold a medical card either issued by the Health Board in Ireland or from your home country within the EEA. This entitles you to free medical treatment, which includes doctors’ visits and treatment, prescription medicine, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, dental treatment, eye tests and treatment by an optician, aural treatment and appliances and maternity and infant care. If you come from outside of the EEA, you can apply for a medical card, but it is means tested according to your income. The income limit is changed each year and is measured according to age and family status.
Category 2: Citizens without Medical Cards
People who do not qualify for a medical card receive a letter from the Department of Health and Children confirming their entitlement to category two benefits. This means that you must pay for any visits to a doctor, prescription medicine, inpatient hospital care, emergency ward treatment, routine dental treatment, eye tests and treatment by an optician and aural treatment and appliances. Out patient treatment in a state hospital and maternity care is free. All old age pensioners over the age of 65 are entitled to visits by a nurse and, if necessary, occupational therapy.