Written answers
Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Department of Health
Hospital Waiting Lists
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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488. To ask the Minister for Health why there is a significant delay to provide cataract surgery for a medical card holder (details supplied) aged 85 years who has been waiting for this operation for more than three years; what options are available to ensure the procedure is carried out as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5041/24]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October 2023. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
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