The HSE is to foot the bill for Irish patients forced to travel overseas for healthcare as a result of long waiting lists.
New legislation allows patients travel to the North or any other EU country to receive care for anything that they would be entitled to within the public health system in Ireland - and be reimbursed for the cost.
Patients don't need to be on an existing waiting list to apply for the scheme - which was enacted into law in February.
Health Editor with the Sunday Business Post Susan Mitchell says the Government were reluctant to sign up to the scheme:
