Thousands of people who needed cataracts removed or their hips and knees replaced availed of the cross-border directive. That has been followed this year with the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme. As many people still need these interventions and it is clear that our own health service is in serious jeopardy, I ask the Government to continue the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme after 31 December, as it is due to end on that date. I strongly appeal to the Taoiseach to please continue the scheme because people will lose their eyesight and will continue to be in pain with their knees and hips and they will also need other interventions.

The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, responded by providing the scheme following Brexit as, unfortunately, the decision on Brexit invalidated the cross-border directive. That was outside of our control. We are very anxious to ensure that the €350 million available under the waiting list initiative is being spent and every effort will be made to procure treatments for people in various locations. We will review the situation at the end of December, and I will come back to the Deputy in respect of it.