More parents accompany children receiving treatment abroad

267 persons have benefitted from a new government measure that covers the cost of flights for the second parent that accompanies a child abroad for medical treatment.

Launched last year, the measure was introduced to help parents whose sick children needed to travel abroad for treatment. Up until January 2014, the government used to cover the flight costs of just one parent, with the second parent forced to fork out the money from their private pockets.

Many a times, children being treated for a medical condition or illness can be forced to travel more than once a year.

According to information tabled in parliament, the new measure made it easier for 267 children – under the age of 18 – to be accompanied by both parents.

The cost of the scheme last year cost €68,500 for 177 persons.