Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1013. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any cost ceilings, budget controls, or value-for-money assessments are applied to approvals under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. [32566/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 May 2026
Ceisteanna (1013, 1028, 1061)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:1028. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what formal audit schedule, risk assessment, or expenditure-control framework applies to the Treatment Abroad Scheme; who is responsible within her Department for oversight of that framework; and whether the Scheme is subject to periodic value-for-money review. [32592/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:1061. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what internal financial controls are applied to ensure that costs claimed under the Treatment Abroad Scheme are reasonable, necessary, and proportionate. [32653/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1013, 1028 and 1061 together.
The 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 financial caps applied to referrals under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. 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.