Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients referred outside this jurisdiction for various procedures in each of the past six years to date in 2011; the reasons for such referral with particular reference to the availability of the extent and quality of any such services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26631/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulations and in accordance with my Department's Guidelines. The TAS provides for the cost of approved treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland through the issue of form E112 (IE). Under EU Regulations, an E112 form is issued to cover the cost of lawfully permitted treatment/examination that is not available to an "ordinary resident" person within their resident member state.

To date, the TAS scheme has operated from regional HSE offices across the country so national figures for the number of patients referred abroad for the last 6 years are not readily available. I have requested the HSE to collate these figures and I will forward them to the Deputy when they come to hand. From January 2012, the HSE will operate the TAS in a central facility and figures will be maintained on a national basis.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which paediatric services are adequate to meet current or anticipated requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26632/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The provision of paediatric services in Ireland and health outcomes for children are broadly in line with other EU countries. Child mortality rates in the under one year old and under five years old categories are similar to those in other EU states. The national childhood immunisation rate of 90% compares well with other developed countries.

However it is clear that there are issues which need to be addressed in relation to ensuring better outcomes for young patients. Specific areas of importance at present in terms of service pressures are adolescent Scoliosis, Urology, Endocrinology, transition to Adult Inherited Metabolic Disorders services and Child Protection.

In developing improved and additional services the HSE has been working to identify areas of specific and projected need in paediatrics nationally to ensure best in class care in Paediatric Services into the future and have provided additional funding to support this. Areas such as Paediatric Critical Care, Immunology, a Retrieval Service, Neurosurgery, Rheumatology, Spina Bifida and Newborn Screening have come in for focused attention and investment. Challenges remain to implement some of these development posts given the employment moratorium however the hospital network and the Regional Director are working to progress the appointments.

The HSE is currently working on developing a national model of care and clinical programme in paediatrics. The aim of the model of care and clinical programme will be to ensure that children receive the most appropriate treatment in the most appropriate location as close to their homes as possible with only the most complex cases being referred to the national centres. Dr Alf Nicholson has been appointed as national lead for the development of the new clinical programme in paediatrics and Dr John Murphy has been appointed national clinical lead in neonatology. The proposed new children's hospital will be at the centre of the national model of care and will provide an outreach programme to the regional centres.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which orthopaedic services are equally available and accessible throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26633/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department has asked the HSE to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy and I will be in further communication when it is to hand.