Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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430. To ask the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in County Monaghan, with amelia of the arm will have funding provided to have a prosthetic arm fitted as suitable for the child's needs and after, as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10392/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public healthcare outside the state through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.

The TAS allows for an Irish based medical consultant to refer a patient who is normally resident in Ireland, for treatment in a public hospital in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland, where the treatment in question meets the following criteria:

(a) The application to refer a patient abroad has been assessed and a determination given before that patient goes abroad.

(b) Following clinical assessment, the referring Consultant certifies the following:

They recommend the patient be treated in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland;

The treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;

The treatment is a proven form of medical treatment and is not experimental or test treatment;

The treatment is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner;

The hospital outside the state will accept EU/EEA form E112 (IE).

Each application to the HSE TAS is reviewed individually on its own merits and there are no restrictions, regarding age or otherwise, on a person making an application to the HSE TAS for review and decision. Each application is for an individual episode of care unless otherwise specified by the consultant on the application form. Each application to TAS is processed and given a formal written decision. If that decision is one of decline, the reason for that decision is clearly outlined and the option of an appeal is afforded. Full details of the Treatment Abroad Scheme and how to make an application may be found on the HSE website at or by contacting the office by phone at (056) 7784554.