Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1309. To ask the Minister for Health if treatment for a person (details supplied) under the treatment abroad scheme is still available and sanctioned for Belfast; if, following the initial three months treatment, the person can continue infusions at another location in Northern Ireland, in view of capacity issues in Belfast; if he will provide a full list of locations in Northern Ireland where other patients that have been released from the hospital in Belfast have continued their infusions in order that the person can select the most convenient location to travel to; if, in the event that the person cannot be facilitated in Northern Ireland after the three months, the HSE will facilitate the infusions here under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1629/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1264 and 1309 together.

The HSE operates a Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland under EU Regulation 883/04, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulation 987/09, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients 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.

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.

The HSE has been asked to further examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.