1235. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanism by which the HSE verifies that an overseas provider is a public healthcare service, as distinct from a private provider, prior to authorisation under the treatment abroad scheme; whether that verification is conducted centrally or relies on the referring consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64754/26]

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