David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2975. To ask the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39762/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, given the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems, my Department contacted the HSE regarding the current status of the patient’s application under the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS). The disruption to service is on-going, however the HSE have confirmed that the latest information they have available is that the patient's application was incomplete and an extension was granted until 6th August 2021 to allow for the submission of required documentation.

Further queries with regard to this application should be directed to the HSE TAS office. The TAS office may be contacted by phone on 056 778 4900 / 056 778 4908; by email at treatmentabroad.scheme@hse.ie or in writing at Health Service Executive, Seville Lodge, Callan Road, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny. Further information is also available on the TAS website.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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2976. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to take action on the exclusion of addiction treatment facilities from the HIQA remit. [39764/21]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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2977. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to take action on the lack of public oversight and transparency in addiction treatment facilities. [39765/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2976 and 2977 together.

Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE is responsible for the provision of health and personal social services including addiction services. The HSE either provides these services directly or contracts to have them provided on its behalf.

Organisations providing addiction treatment services, funded by the HSE, are required to meet minimum standards in the delivery of services across a range of criteria as part of the service level agreement process.

The Department of Health has no jurisdiction over agencies that provide private addiction treatment services.

There is no provision in legislation for the introduction of regulations relating to the inspection of residential addiction treatment centres by HIQA.

I am committed to ensuring there is transparent monitoring and oversight of publicly funded drug and alcohol treatment services.