Healthcare Policy

801. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the approval hierarchy in place for treatment abroad scheme funding decisions, including the grade or role of officials authorised to approve standard applications and high-cost or complex cases; and whether Ministerial or Departmental sanction is required above specified thresholds. [28120/26]

802. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a formal written policy, circular, or governance framework governs approvals under the treatment abroad scheme; if so, to provide the title and date of such policy; and if not, the basis upon which consistent decision-making is ensured. [28121/26]

803. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether value-for-money or cost-effectiveness assessments are conducted in respect of treatments funded under the treatment abroad scheme; if so, the methodology used; and if not, the reason no such assessments are required. [28122/26]

804. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of internal audits, external audits, or Comptroller and Auditor General reviews conducted in respect of the treatment abroad scheme since 2020; the dates of such audits; and whether any findings or recommendations were made regarding expenditure controls or governance. [28123/26]

805. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific oversight mechanisms exercised by her Department in relation to the treatment abroad scheme, including whether regular reporting, budget monitoring, or performance review processes are in place; and the frequency of such oversight. [28124/26]

806. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the treatment abroad scheme records and tracks expenditure by treatment category, referral pathway, or clinical indication; and if not, the reason such data is not collected in the context of public expenditure oversight. [28125/26]

808. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the policy basis upon which ongoing referrals and funding approvals are authorised under the treatment abroad scheme, including whether such approvals are governed by national clinical policy, EU regulation alone, or Departmental guidance. [28127/26]

809. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to identify the specific division within her Department responsible for oversight of treatment abroad scheme expenditure; the grade and title of the official designated as budget holder for the Scheme; and whether that individual has formal responsibility for approving or rejecting expenditure variances. [28128/26]

810. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a defined annual budget ceiling is set for the treatment abroad scheme; if so, the ceiling in each year from 2020 to 2026; and the process by which expenditure exceeding projections is approved or sanctioned. [28129/26]

811. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out the full approval chain for individual high-cost treatments funded under the treatment abroad scheme, including whether financial approval is distinct from clinical approval and the level at which final sign-off occurs. [28130/26]

812. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide details of all audits carried out on the treatment abroad scheme since 2020, including dates, scope, findings, and any recommendations made in respect of expenditure control, governance, or value for money. [28131/26]

813. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE or her Department has any mechanism to assess, benchmark, or challenge the cost of treatments invoiced by other EU/EEA healthcare systems under the treatment abroad scheme; and if so, the methodology used. [28132/26]

814. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a formal value-for-money assessment framework applies to treatment abroad scheme expenditure; and whether this has been reviewed or updated since 2020. [28133/26]

815. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any additional governance, oversight, or approval criteria apply to gender-related treatments funded under the treatment abroad scheme; and if not, the rationale for the absence of such criteria. [28134/26]

857. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her plans to address the lack of a national programme of comprehensive, evidence-based psychoeducation for people with experience of psychosis and their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28249/26]

858. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her plans to publish the review of alternative models to remunerate sessional peer facilitation of recovery-focused programmes such as EOLAS which was due to be published by the end of 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28250/26]

859. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the policy or clinical guidelines that result in a patient being transported to the nearest hospital for treatment, even where that facility does not have the appropriate neurological services required for the patient's condition; if she will outline the protocols in place to ensure patients with specific neurological needs are directed…

876. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health if she will outline the engagements her Department has had with professional bodies representing athletic therapists who have approached her Department seeking regulation; the process by which professions not designated under existing regulatory frameworks can obtain statutory regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28626/2…

284. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health her views on whether informed consent is a fundamental patient right and one of the key protections available within the healthcare system which has also been recognised in decisions of the European Court of Human Rights; her further views on whether informed consent is a fundamental right and, in non-emergency situations, should be clear…

285. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if there is evidence of the prioritisation of flu patients ahead of terminally ill cancer patients during periods of high demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27758/26]

2456. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the implementation of National Strategy and Policy for the Provision of Neurorehabilitation Services in Ireland, From Theory to Action, Implementation Framework 2019-2021; and the next steps planned. [24731/26]

2657. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the implementation timeline for the National Laboratory Information System, including key milestones, expected completion date, and the governance arrangements in place to ensure delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23710/26]

2669. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema (details supplied); the steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23760/26]

2670. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations, including an organisation (details supplied) will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway. [23761/26]

2671. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health if her Department plans to review the operation of private health insurers in relation to coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients, given concerns regarding inconsistent decision-making, the use of criteria designed for lymphoedema rather than lipoedema and practices that may result in patients being forc…