Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health why the Health Service Executive, via the TAS, advises applicants who suffer from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome that they are not eligible for cover to travel abroad for treatment on the basis that treatment is available in Ireland, given that the Executive has stated that following its patient consultation process in 2014 it compiled a submission which was part of the 2016 Estimates process but was not selected for funding, thus acknowledging the need for a specialised consultant-led team for patients suffering from this Syndrome, yet in contrast applications via the European Directive are refused to patients on the basis that the referring consultant must be of the same speciality and there is no specialist in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10908/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

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.