HEALTH CARE

As in any country, the largest and most sophisticated health care facilities in Ireland and Northern Ireland are in the larger centres, a consideration to be kept in mind when choosing where to live. There are many excellent health care facilities on the island and not only have many Irish doctors and dentists gained experience in leading centers in North America but also many Canadian doctors have obtained their medical education in Irish medical schools.

Indeed, in mid-June of 2005 it was announced that Irish doctor, Brendan Drumm, who had worked "at one of the world's most prestigious children's hospitals, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto" had accepted an invitation to head the recently revamped Irish Health Service. Also Dublin General Practitioner, Dr. Richard Blake, who is a Canadian Embassy Designated Medical Practitioner for health certification for Irish people moving to Canada, spent a year of clinical fellowship in Toronto hospitals, primarily at the former Wellesley Hospital. His wife, Dr. Marielle Blake, completed a post-graduate orthodontics degree at the University of Toronto, which study included related experience at 'Sick Kids'.

The following discussion describes Ireland's two-tier health care system; a private practitioner and hospital system that provides quickly accessible service and a public system that is characterized by waiting lists. Doctors are organized into two broad categories: GPs and Consultants (specialists) whose fees are considerably higher than GP fees. Doctors' offices are called "surgeries".

Ireland requires that those moving to it demonstrate their ability to provide for themselves, including evidence of health insurance. Health insurance pays for many things, including pretty much everything that happens in a hospital. It does NOT, however, pay for the full cost of doctor visits and tests done via the doctor's office; it is expected that the costs of those visits and tests will be paid for at the time of the visit. Note also that health insurance plans do not cover dental care and that there can be significant waiting periods before coverage takes effect for pre-existing conditions..

The State provides residents with pills and other treatment items free of charge for specified long-term illnesses. There is a monthly ceiling on the amount a family has to pay for prescription drugs (currently 78 euro). Health care costs not covered by insurers can be taken into account in calculating income tax liability.

There are three health care insurers in Ireland. Two have been in operation for some time: the semi-state VHI (Voluntary Health Insurance), the largest by far (www.vhi.ie), and BUPA Ireland, a not-for-profit organization (profits are reinvested into healthcare for the benefit of plan members), which is part of BUPA, a global health and care organization with members in over 190 countries (www.bupaireland.ie). The third is VIVAS, a new private sector insurer (www.vivas.ie). If one of these providers is chosen, the highest level of coverage should be considered since, once enrolled, it is possible to 'size down' one's coverage but it may be difficult to raise it.

In addition to the Irish alternatives, Canadians moving to Ireland should consider health insurers outside Ireland that offer worldwide coverage. This is important if the move to Ireland might be followed by a move elsewhere, say, to the Bahamas, since a pre-existing condition could arise whilst living in Ireland.