Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also thank our guests for coming back to us today. It is important that we get to discuss these issues again. I thank them also for the good news on the extension of the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme. I have some questions on that. Senators Gallagher and Malcolm Byrne have asked some questions on it already. On waiting times, Ms Donohoe stated that 90% of those who responded on their forms indicated that waiting times here had forced them to use this scheme. Given what we are hearing about waiting lists, are we expecting increasing numbers of people to use the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme or whatever new scheme may emerge? Is there capacity in the system to meet such demand, if it occurs? That is a very important issue and I am sure the committee and our guests have looked at it.

Ms Morgan stated she hoped the new scheme would be introduced in early 2022. Are any problems envisaged with the old Northern Ireland healthcare scheme continuing if that target of early 2022 is not met? It is important that we let people know if that target is not going to be met. It can happen, unfortunately, that targets may not be met, and if that were to happen, it would be important for people to know that the old scheme can continue.

Senator Gallagher mentioned the PMAS, which is an excellent scheme, and Ms Donohoe described it as such in our previous conversation. PDFORRA had hoped to extend the remit of the scheme to family members. I take Ms Donohoe's point that the HSE welcomes groups availing of the scheme. Would an extension to family members be considered, encouraged or welcomed by the HSE and the Department? The same question may apply regarding capacity. Does the Northern Ireland healthcare system have the capacity to deal with demand if our waiting lists grow, as many of us expect they will?

I believe the Northern Ireland scheme has been extended until July. The witnesses might confirm that. Do we know how many people from Northern Ireland have availed of the scheme to come to the South for healthcare services? Are conversations taking place between the authorities here and the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Board concerning an extension of its scheme and, if so, where do those conversations stand now?