Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person who resides in County Waterford and has type one diabetes cannot access a life-changing course (details supplied) being held in County Kilkenny rather than having to attend the course in County Dublin which is too costly and inconvenient for the person. [24915/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Health if he will schedule an emergency appointment for a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24916/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.