Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2023
175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the fact that a person (details supplied) who was referred in August 2023 for an urgent appointment for a thyroid/ENT consultation to the Mater Hospital Dublin, has received an appointment for 21 March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54019/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a response from the HSE.
