Everyone, regardless of nationality, who is accepted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to access in-patient and out-patient services in publicly funded hospitals, that is, HSE hospitals and voluntary hospitals. Certain visitors to Ireland are also entitled to public health services, for example, people covered under EU Regulations.
Charges for accident and emergency/casualty and out-patient services
If you use accident and emergency services without being referred there by a GP, there is a charge of €100. There is no charge if you are referred by a GP (bring your referral letter with you) or for certain groups listed below.
The charge applies to the following public facilities:
- Emergency departments
- Accident and emergency departments
- Casualty departments
- Minor injury units
- Urgent care centres
- Local injury units
- Any other facility providing similar services
The charge of €100 does not apply to the following groups:
- Medical card holders
- People who are admitted to hospital as an in-patient as a result of attending the casualty department (you will then be subject to in-patient charges)
- People receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases
- Children up to 6 weeks of age
- Children, in respect of the following diseases and disabilities: “mental handicap, mental illness, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, haemophilia and cerebral palsy”
- Children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school health examinations
- People who are entitled to hospital services because of EU Regulations
- Women receiving maternity services
- People with Hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Act Card