Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
105. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the expenditure-control framework applied by her Department to the treatment abroad scheme since 2020; if any budget ceilings, sanction limits, or cohort-specific controls apply to referrals for persons aged under 18 years; and the way in which her Department assures value-for-money where costs are set by external health systems and the scheme is described as demand-led. [11576/26]
View answerThe Treatment Abroad Scheme operates within the overall health expenditure framework approved by the Oireachtas through the Estimates process and reflected in the HSE National Service Plan. The HSE is required, under the Performance and Accountability Framework agreed with my Department, to deliver all services, including the Treatment Abroad Scheme, within its overall annual budget allocation and to put in place appropriate governance, monitoring and financial controls.
While access to the Treatment Abroad Scheme is determined by individual clinical eligibility rather than fixed activity quotas, it is not exempt from budgetary oversight. Expenditure on the scheme is monitored as part of the HSE’s monthly financial reporting, and pressures arising within the scheme must be managed by the HSE within its overall annual budget allocation.
There are no age-based budget ceilings or financial caps applied to referrals under the Treatment Abroad Scheme, including for persons aged under 18 years. Notwithstanding that treatment costs are set by external health systems, the HSE applies statutory eligibility, prior approval, verification and audit controls, with my Department assuring value for money at system level through the budgetary and performance framework within which the HSE operates.
As the detailed operation of the Treatment Abroad Scheme, including the specific control measures in place, is an operational matter for the HSE, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the HSE for direct response.
