Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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358. To ask the Minister for Health if an outpatient appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be expedited. [48965/17]

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.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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359. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment scheduled for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48984/17]

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 Cross Border Directive (CBD) entitles persons ordinarily resident in Ireland who have an appropriate referral for healthcare to opt to avail of that healthcare in another EU/EEA country. Healthcare accessed under the CBD can be accessed in either the public or the private healthcare system of the country abroad. The HSE operates the CBD in Ireland. In line with practice in other EU Member States the HSE, through the National Contact Point (NCP) office, provides information for patients on the Cross Border Directive on its website and also by phone.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.