Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
874. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate that a person (details supplied) must wait a period of up to three years for a cataract operation and that the same person has been denied a household benefit package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Household Benefit Package would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
As part of the package of wide-ranging health related supports for Magdalen Laundry Survivors, eligible participants do not have to pay the statutory emergency department charge or the public hospital in-patient statutory charge. These exemptions mean that the eligible women do not have to pay €100 for an emergency department attendance or €75 to attend an injury unit or €80 for each day in an acute hospital as an in-patient.
Under 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 matter of cataract surgery, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. I understand officials from the Department of Health have been in touch with the Deputy’s office for specific details that are necessary to enable the HSE to issue a reply.
