1192. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure clear and consistent governance across ophthalmology emergency referral pathways; that no patient with suspected acute or sight-threatening pathology is turned away from hospital care and that regional equity is provided in order that patients in Thurles and surrounding areas have timely access to emergency eye services. [48031/25]

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.