To ask the Minister of Health whether individuals who split their time between NI and Ireland are entitled to be registered with a GP in both jurisdictions.

In Northern Ireland, a person seeking to register with a GP practice is generally expected to be ordinarily resident in the area served by that practice and to meet the relevant entitlement requirements.

Individuals who are resident in another jurisdiction, such as Ireland, and depending on their circumstances, be entitled to receive necessary or temporary healthcare, but this is not the same as being permanently registered with a GP practice in Northern Ireland.

In Northern Ireland entitlement to access publicly funded healthcare is residency based. The Provision of Health Services to Persons Not Ordinarily Resident Regulations 2015, make provision for certain visitors, who satisfy an exemption, during a stay in Northern Ireland.

Anyone who has demonstrated they satisfy the 'ordinarily resident' test, is entitled to access publicly funded health care in Northern Ireland, while they are residing here. Absences of three months or more from the UK in accordance with GMS Regulations 25, will render their registration with a GP void and their registration will be cancelled, necessitating them to register again, on their return.

Entitlement to be registered with a GP in the ROI, is a matter for the Health Service Executive and any queries in relation to their rules, would need to be taken up directly with them. It is the responsibility of the patient to tell their GP if they are under the care of any other GP, regardless of where that GP is located.