DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL (OFFICIAL REPORT) Dé Máirt, 27 Iúil 2021 Tuesday, 27 July 2021 Health Services

1663. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if there is a legal basis for the refusal to accept referrals to the HSE for orthognathic surgery from private orthodontic practitioners; if the only referral method for public treatment for this procedure is through the HSE pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34757/21]

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.

Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.