Written Answers Nos. 680-703
680. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the total number of PET CT scanners that are available in Ireland in HSE and non-HSE hospitals; the name of each hospital; the number of scanners in each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59086/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress that his Department has made to identify the infrastructural requirements for rolling out radioligand therapy in Ireland including the identification of radioligand therapy centres and the provision of specialised training to staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59087/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRadioligand therapy is a type of nuclear medicine that works by delivering targeted doses of radiation to cancer cells. One form of radioligand therapy licensed by the European Medicines Agency and approved for reimbursement by the HSE in the treatment of specific neuroendocrine tumours is called Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT). Currently, PRRT is not available in Ireland. Eligible patients access PRRT via the Treatment Abroad Scheme, with the majority of patients attending London, Sweden and the Netherlands.
St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, which is the national centre for neuroendocrine tumours, has been designated as the initial site for PRRT in Ireland and has been provided support for the development of the required infrastructure and training of staff for the provision of PRRT. This service is expected to be operational by year end 2022. The HSE has approved the reimbursement of PRRT through the standard reimbursement assessment process.
682. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated with lutathera in Ireland and under the HSE's treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59088/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
683. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department intends on making a submission indicating Ireland's interest in participating in the EU4Health Joint Action for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), in order that Ireland can have access to part of the €53 million of funding that is available for these policy areas through this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU4Health Programme mandates a wide range of support to health policies and actions. The EU4Health annual work plans are structured around four overarching strands – crisis preparedness, health promotion & disease prevention, health systems & healthcare workforce, and digital – with a cross-cutting priority on cancer. My department participates actively in the EU4Health Steering Group and Programme Committee, and together with its aegis bodies including the Health Service Executive and Health Research Board, works to bring possible support measures under EU4Health to the attention of health authorities and eligible stakeholders.
Participation in the 2022 EU4Health Programme joint action on diabetes and cardiovascular disease initiatives remain under consideration by officials in my department.
684. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the consultation process will commence regarding the €10 million in funding allocated in Budget 2023 towards publicly funded IVF treatment; when full details of the scheme will be announced and made available; the way that this scheme will work in tandem with the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 when enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra717. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the discussions that have taken place with private fertility treatment providers and his Department with regards to the roll-out of publicly funded IVF treatment in Ireland in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59433/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra718. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the consultation that has taken place with stakeholders with regard to the roll-out of publicly funded IVF treatment in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59434/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra719. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that access fertility treatment in Ireland each year; if the budget allocated for 2023 is adequate to address that need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59435/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra720. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when he envisages that Ireland will have a fully-funded public fertility treatment system; the expected cost and timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59436/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra736. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for persons who are living with and beyond cancer, whose fertility has been impacted by their treatment, to ensure that they will have access to publicly funded fertility treatments, such as IVF, as announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 684, 717, 718, 719, 720 and 736 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government. The Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary. This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility-related issues at this level of intervention. Patients are referred by their GPs to their local Regional Fertility Hub, which provides a range of treatments and interventions, including: relevant blood tests, semen analysis, assessment of tubal patency, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, fertility-related surgeries, ovulation induction and follicle tracking.
There are five Regional Fertility Hubs currently operational. At this juncture, it is anticipated that the sixth and final Regional Fertility Hub will be in a position to be opened in Q1 of next year. Therefore, the completion of Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs at six locations across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care will see the introduction of tertiary fertility services, including IVF, provided through the public health system. In this regard, funding was secured in Budget 2023 to support access to advanced AHR treatments, including, crucially, to allow the commencement of Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care.
This investment will facilitate the first steps to be taken towards the provision of a complete publicly-provided fertility service, which is the ultimate objective of Government. In particular, it will allow the historic development of the first National Advanced AHR Centre, delivering IVF and ICSI through a wholly public clinic. This is scheduled to open in the early part of 2024 and will provide a nationwide service, with all six Regional Fertility Hubs having equity of access for onward referral to it, via a shared care pathway. Subject to the provision of additional funding in future, it is envisaged that additional National Advanced AHR Centres will be developed and become operational on a phased basis elsewhere in the country.
The 2023 allocation will also be utilised to support the Regional Fertility Hubs in order to expand their scope of services next year by introducing the provision of IUI (intrauterine insemination), a significant, yet less complex and less intrusive, component of AHR treatment.
Separately, as an interim measure, I have instructed that some funding be made available to support access to advanced AHR treatment via private providers from September 2023.
Substantial planning, development and policy work is required to establish the scope, design and requirements for this component of the Model of Care. At this juncture, the design and scope of this aspect of the Model of Care have not been finalised as detailed consideration of a range of issues including service and treatment design, eligibility and access criteria, and associated resource implications is required, including the current provision of fertility preservation services for cancer patients.
My officials, in conjunction with NWIHP, are now actively planning for the operationalisation of both the publicly- and privately- provided service, including the development of a national eligibility framework, as well as determining how the interim funding for private treatments will be provided to individual eligible patients. I expect that this process will involve, where appropriate, engagement with relevant stakeholder groups.
In respect of the Deputy’s query on the number of patients who access fertility treatment in Ireland, data from the Health Products Regulatory Authority, as published by the Library & Research Service of the Houses of the Oireachtas, indicates that a combined total of 9,878 IVF, IUI and frozen embryo transfer cycles were commenced in 2020. However, it should be noted that other jurisdictions which publicly provide or publicly fund, by whatever means and to whatever extent, AHR treatment all generally have some form of eligibility framework in place which restricts access to such treatment to patients who meet relevant criteria, such as in respect of, for example, age, BMI (body mass index) or medical indication.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 passed Second Stage in the Dáil in March 2022 and has been referred to the Select Committee on Health for Third Stage. I am not in a position at this juncture to give a definitive timeline for the Bill’s complete passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, nor its subsequent commencement. However, my officials will continue to undertake preparatory work in respect of the establishment of the AHRRA and I wish to reiterate my commitment to progress this much-needed and long-awaited piece of historic legislation to ensure that a robust regulatory framework for AHR is in place as quickly as possible.
Overall, my Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader new AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
685. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the length of time that it will take to establish the new assisted human reproduction regulatory authority once the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 is enacted by both Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59093/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 passed Second Stage in the Dáil in March 2022 and has been referred to the Select Committee on Health for Third Stage.
The focus of this Bill is on the regulation, for the first time in this country, of a wide range of assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices undertaken within the jurisdiction.
Ireland is currently very much an outlier internationally and we do not have a specific regulatory framework in place in respect of this area of health care. This means that individuals are currently availing of complex and sometimes risky procedures, at present predominately provided through the private sector, in what is effectively a legal vacuum.
The provisions outlined within the Bill generally will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight, and it is specifically the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (the AHRRA) which is of central importance in this regard.
It is important to reflect that this new framework will regulate how AHR treatments are provided. In the first instance, for example, the legislation provides for a licensing system and treatment providers will be required to hold the requisite licence in order to provide treatments. The AHRRA will oversee and monitor this system, including to ensure that providers operate within the scope of the law and their licence. This regulatory framework will help bring guidance, clarity and peace of mind to service users, as well as to providers.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position at this juncture to give a definitive timeline for the Bill’s complete passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, nor its subsequent commencement. However, my officials will continue to undertake initial preparatory work in respect of the establishment of the AHRRA and I wish to reiterate my commitment to progress this much-needed and long-awaited piece of historic legislation to ensure that a robust regulatory framework for AHR is in place as quickly as possible.
686. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) from County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment date from a hospital in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
687. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the total estimated monthly budget and annual expenditure on paediatric aids and appliances by the resource allocation groups in CHO3 per RAG group for each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59124/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for pain injections. [59137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
689. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if urgent home care will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59163/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
690. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for aids and appliances for those under 18 years of age in each health area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59171/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
691. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the purchase of a house for use as a 24-hour staffed mental health facility in Midleton, County Cork has been completed by the HSE; if he will provide its exact location in Midleton; the total cost of the house; if it will require planning permission and adaptations or further works for use as a mental health facility and, if so, the budget for same; if it will include 'continuing care' placements or if it will function instead as a 'high support hostel'; the number of residents the facility will accommodate; the staffing levels for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
692. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the measures and additional supports that the HSE is putting in place to assist GP practices and others across County Donegal with supporting Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services. Ukrainian refugees will be able to access the equivalent health services as people who are already ordinarily living here, and are entitled to apply for a medical card.
The HSE has arranged a range of bespoke GP services for those accommodated in hotels and other settings. The exact model for each site varies, however all have access to GP Out-of-Hours services, while those staying in private accommodation can register with local GPs.
As the provision of GP services to Ukrainian refugees in County Donegal is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
693. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has not received their frontline worker payments. [59262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
694. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing his Departments’ services who are employed in his Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that his Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59294/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has one Disability Access Officer that co-ordinates physical access to and within the building for staff and visitors. Internally for staff of the Department, there is a Disability Liaison Officer and a Disability Access Officer who are available to and engage regularly with employees with a disability.
I have referred your question to the HSE for response as it relates to customers accessing their services.
695. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being taken to increase the numbers of dentists accepting medical card patients in Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59322/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over.
I have been concerned that medical card holders in some parts of the country have been having difficulty in accessing a local dentist, including in Co. Wexford. Therefore, following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, I introduced a package of measures from 1 May 2022 to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors. This has led to an increase in the numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS in recent months.
I am also committed to improving access to oral healthcare services in the longer term through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte . This €5m award is part of an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year and support substantial service reform, through policy implementation. This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the DTSS, the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE.
On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence, including through work on the development of a new medical card scheme. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.
The HSE is available to assist anyone who is struggling to access a dentist. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE directly assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by contacting private contractors or arranging treatment through HSE employed dentists.
The €15 million additional Budget 2023 award includes €5 million to support the HSE to continue to provide this emergency care service across the country next year, as well as to provide care to the targeted primary school class programme, and preparation is underway in the HSE for the use of this funding.
696. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when sacituzumab-govitecan will be approved for use by the HSE to urgently assist patients with cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59319/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy):
- The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy®) on the 2nd February 2022 from Gilead Sciences Ltd. (the applicant) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, including at least one of them for advanced disease.
- The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Phamacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 7th February 2022.
- The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 8th March 2022. The NCPE advised the HSE that a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy®) compared with the current standard of care.
- The HSE commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the 1st April 2022 as per agreed processes.
- The NCPE publishes details of medicines where the HSE has commissioned a Rapid Review assessment and/or a full health technology assessment on their website. The website is updated at regular intervals and includes assessment outcomes and updates on reimbursement for each individual medicine and indication listed. Details of the assessment(s) of Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy®) are available at www.ncpe.ie/drugs/sacituzumab-govitecan-trodelvy-hta-id-22007/. The NCPE website reports that a full HTA was submitted by the Applicant company on the 10th August 2022 and the HTA assessment is ongoing.
- The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications.
- The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. The pharmacoeconomic report will be reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of any commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group considers all of the evidence and makes a recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team.
- The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team. The HSE Executive Management Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The application remains under consideration with the HSE. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
697. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if new development funding for mental health will be released by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order that funding can be used for new clinical programmes in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, detailed discussions are now underway with the HSE in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
698. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) will be allowed to remain with the same service in the Tralee area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59326/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
699. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the ability of the Tallaght University Hospital neurofibromatosis clinic to continue to accept referrals for new patients; if he will ensure that the clinic has adequate staffing resources; if he will take steps to address the lack of diagnostic equipment at the neurofibromatosis clinic in Tallaght University Hospital; if he will address concerns in relation to the absence of a paediatric dermatologist, a paediatric neurologist and the unavailability of an optical coherence tomography machine in the ophthalmology department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59327/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
700. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns within the ophthalmology sector regarding the viability of providing services to medical card holders; if any negotiations are ongoing with respect to the reimbursement rate under the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59332/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI value the important role community ophthalmologists play in our Health Service in the delivery of holistic patient care. I am fully committed to the development of community services which can facilitate expanded and more integrated provision of eye care in local communities.
The Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) was established in 2004 as a pilot project in response to an identified need. The COSMTS engages four practices across seven locations to provide medical and minor surgical care to patients outside of the acute care setting. The COSMTS reduces the demand for these services at hospitals, eye clinics etc. The treatments and the current fees payable under the COSMTS are set out in Schedule 3 of Statutory Instrument 274 of 2013.
It was intended that the COSMTS would be extended nationally on a phased basis following an evaluation in 2006. The HSE explored options in this regard, but resource constraints prevented any further rollout beyond the original pilot practices. The HSE continue to keep this matter under active consideration but advise that a detailed evaluation of the operation of the COSMTS will need to be carried out before it is extended further or before the rates are revised.
The HSE’s 2017 Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report outlines a blueprint for the future development of Primary Eye Care Services for children and adults in accordance with the needs of the population. A priority for the HSE in 2022 has been the development of Primary Care Eye Teams in CHO 6, 7, and 9.
I believe that a contractual relationship between community ophthalmologists and the HSE which is modernised to emphasise a strengthened primary care system is of paramount importance. My officials are working with their counterparts in the HSE with a view to contracting more services from secondary care settings out to community contractors.
Of course, it is important that any publicly funded service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services or provide better value for money or patient outcomes.
701. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59348/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
702. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the date that the pay increase, as discussed by Government and unions, will be implemented in relation to HSE staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
703. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59354/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
