Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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643. To ask the Minister for Health if a surgery appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3061/20]

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 HSE advise that they are very cognisant of the impact that a change in admission for surgery has on patients, and as such every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures and operations. The HSE further advise that patients are scheduled based on clinical need, but that unfortunately surgery may be deferred due to consultants needing to prioritise emergency cases. The decision to delay admission is not undertaken lightly and when such a decision is made, it is based on the safe delivery of care to all patients.

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

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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644. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an occupational therapy appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3064/20]

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