I am very sympathetic to such cases. However as Minister for Health statutorily I may not intervene in the manner as sought by the deputy.
Officials were asked to examine this issue. I was informed that pursuant to Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 the Minister for Health shall not give a direction under section 10, or specify a priority or performance target under section 10A, as respects—
(a) any function of the Executive relating to the provision of treatment or a health or personal social service to any particular person,
(b) any function of the Executive relating to a decision concerning—
(c) whether or not a particular person is eligible for a particular health or personal social service (including the payment of a grant or allowance),
(d) the extent to which and the manner in which a person is eligible for any such service.