The cross-Border healthcare directive office has the responsibility to ensure that people who avail of the National Treatment Purchase Fund are refunded when they come back after their operations. I know that hundreds of people are availing of that scheme. It is unfortunate that they cannot have the procedures in this jurisdiction but unfortunately, they have to go away. I understand the office dealing with this has 11 staff members, even though the workload has increased by 1,200% over the past two years. A business plan is being considered at present and I ask that this plan be approved without delay to ensure that people who have to avail of the scheme and have to travel are refunded as quickly as possible.

I thank Deputy Scanlon. When it comes to cross-Border issues, I note that the direction of travel goes both ways. Many citizens from Northern Ireland come to the Republic for surgery as well. On the important issue the Deputy highlights, I will check the progress of that business case with the HSE and revert to the Deputy directly.