Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

182. To ask the Minister for Health if he will allow retrospective funding for equipment such as wheelchairs in cases where persons have bought equipment privately to avoid long waiting times for occupational therapy; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person affected by the current situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21788/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under Section 6 of the Health Service Executive Governance Act, 2013, the Minister is legally barred from directing the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide a treatment or personal service or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The HSE has a policy and protocol in place in relation to the provision of electric and manual wheelchairs. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.