Niamh Smyth
Question:608. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52137/23]
View answerPrimary Medical Certificates
Questions (608)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Hospital Staff
Questions (609)
Niamh Smyth
Question:609. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was informed in Drogheda Hospital that a physiotherapist would treat them in Ballyjamesduff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52143/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (610)
Carol Nolan
Question:610. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total costs incurred by his Department arising from the placing of advertisements with the national broadcaster, RTÉ, in any format, for each of the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52166/23]
View answerWritten answers
Please see below in tabular format total media spend with RTÉ from the Department of Health from 2016 to 2023 (YTD).
|
Year |
RTÉ Media Spend – Department of Health |
|
2016 |
€21,876 |
|
2017 |
€22,079 |
|
2018 |
€1,045,504 |
|
2019 |
€523,754 |
|
2020 |
€1,946,671 |
|
2021 |
€2,179,569 |
|
2022 |
€171,393 |
|
2023 (YTD) |
€425,542 |
The Department works to select the most appropriate advertising mediums for the target audience and message for each campaign focused on providing effective advertising and good value for money. It is important to note that the figures laid out above include the period with expenditure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department's COVID-19 pandemic communications included a comprehensive advertising campaign across both traditional and online media channels to ensure information reached the widest public audience possible ensuring the public were informed of the latest public health guidance.
The Department's response to the pandemic also included Healthy Ireland communications focused on promoting the Health and Wellbeing of the public both during the pandemic and on an ongoing basis. Healthy Ireland communications includes comprehensive advertising campaigns across both traditional and online media channels to ensure information reaches the widest public audience possible aimed at raising public awareness of the benefits of healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and sustaining mental wellbeing. This included an obesity prevention campaign aimed at younger adults outlining the benefits of healthy eating, physical activity, better sleep and managing stress. This also included the “Hello Again World” social connections campaign aimed at older adults initially developed in the period following the COVID-19 pandemic when older adults were asked to cocoon. This campaign highlighted importance of reengaging and building social connection and in a second burst is linking people to new online resources on gov.ie/socialconnections. These resources aim to raise awareness of the benefits of social connections and encourage people to build strong social connections with simple accessible actions.
The Department’s communication also include advertising to raise awareness for landmark new initiatives. Communications included advertising to raise awareness as the free contraception scheme and extensions of the scheme. They also included the first Irish national Menopause Awareness campaign which guided people towards gov.ie/menopause, which provides trusted information for anyone impacted by menopause in Ireland. They also included advertising to raise awareness of the expansion of the GP Visit Card scheme to approximately 500,000 more people in 2023 encouraging registration for under 8’s GP visit cards for children aged 6 and 7, plus applications for means tested GP visit cards with increase financial thresholds.
Question No. 611 answered with Question No. 592.
Question No. 612 answered with Question No. 593.
Disease Management
Questions (613)
Denis Naughten
Question:613. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund the 18 European rare disease reference networks that involve Irish clinicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52178/23]
View answerWritten answers
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of new development expenditure will be available.
My Department has completed an update of the 48 recommendations from the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018. In parallel to this, work has commenced on the development of a new Rare Disease Plan and is progressing with due consideration being given to how it can best meet the needs of patients and families affected by a rare disease. A Steering Group has been established and will be convened in December to drive the development of a successor to the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018.
My Department has also recently secured co-funding for Ireland’s involvement in the EU Joint Action on Rare Diseases (JARDIN). The Joint Action aims to support European Reference Networks (ERNs) integration to the national healthcare systems of Member States by providing direct grants to Member States’ authorities.
The expected results of this Joint Action are exchange of best practice and concrete proposals, guidelines, models, and recommendations for better integration of ERNs into national healthcare systems, including well-defined patient pathways, referral procedures, development of national networks on rare diseases, and guidelines for development of national teleconsultation tools.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (614)
Carol Nolan
Question:614. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue by organisations (details supplied) from 2020 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52193/23]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Departmental Policies
Questions (615)
Niamh Smyth
Question:615. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health what facilities two-week respite is provided on an annual basis to carers in the home; what the waiting time is for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52203/23]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Health Services
Questions (616)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:616. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who suffers from ADHD has been declined a long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52215/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions covered by the scheme.
These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their condition, free of charge.
Statutory Instrument No. 277 of 1971, place the following limitation on the Scheme:
"Arrangements for the supply of drugs and medicines to persons suffering from mental illness in pursuance of section 59 (3) of the Act shall be made only in respect of persons under the age of 16 years."
Therefore, the limitation on age currently applies to persons eligible for the LTI Scheme under the category of "mental illness"; the Scheme has operated on this basis since its inception.
However, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework. This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
In 2022, a range of measures were delivered including the abolition of public inpatient charges for children, reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, and the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17-25.
In 2023, further measure have facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. These include an expansion of GP care without charges to children aged 6 and 7, and to people earning no more than the median household income, the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for adults, and the extension of the free contraception scheme to include women aged 26-30. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (617)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:617. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if PCR testing centres or free PCR tests will be made available to the public given a recent uptick in infections and hospital admissions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52217/23]
View answerWritten answers
Public health advice relating to COVID-19 is available on the website of the HSE. This advice is kept under continuing review. At present, the advice is that people with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home until 48 hours after symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from COVID-19.
The public health rationale for testing, case finding and tracing of infection to reduce COVID-19 transmission is focused on mitigation of the severe impacts of COVID-19 for those most vulnerable to the disease and those with risk factors who may benefit from specific interventions. Testing for COVID-19 is now operated on a sustainable model similar to the model that exists for other respiratory diseases. Testing is no longer needed unless a GP or healthcare worker advises you to have one or under the direction of Public Health in the HSE. Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 should seek advice from their GP or treating clinician.
The targeted approach for COVID-19 testing now in place supports clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of individual “at risk” patients. This may include, for example, when a clinician is considering access to a specific therapeutic intervention. In common with most other infectious diseases, the HSE now operates a comprehensive disease surveillance-based model in line with public health guidance.
Additional resources have also been provided to the HSE to ensure enhancements are put in place to existing infectious disease surveillance systems in the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Eighty-nine new posts in disease surveillance have been created with 55 of these already recruited. The HPSC is delivering an enhanced, integrated public health surveillance system for a range of respiratory pathogens (SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV etc.) This includes, for example, prioritising improvements to disease surveillance programmes such as expansion and strengthening of GP sentinel surveillance, Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance and establishment of a Biostatistics and Modelling Unit at the HPSC and strengthening of other surveillance systems that support COVID-19 surveillance. In addition, Wastewater Surveillance and Whole Genome Sequencing programmes remain in place and operational. This ensures effective monitoring and signalling of what is happening with infectious diseases at population level, so that we can better understand disease transmission and severity along with population immunity and risk.
Departmental Data
Questions (618)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:618. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown in tabular form of the number of private nursing homes by county owned by domestic and international private investment firms, respectively; the names of each investment group; and the number of years of ownership of each nursing home. [52221/23]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Dental Services
Questions (619)
Niamh Smyth
Question:619. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the national school dental service has ceased in Counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52227/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Health and Safety
Questions (620)
Niamh Smyth
Question:620. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if his Department is seeing an increase in reports of rodents, mainly rats, causing concerns for health in towns and villages nationwide; what his Department is doing with other Departments to combat this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52231/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (621)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:621. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 1 February 2022, if he will provide an update on his plans to promote and advertise the use of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive scheme to help alleviate waiting lists for medical procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52240/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (622)
Niamh Smyth
Question:622. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of staff currently employed in CAMHS in the Cavan-Monaghan mental health service; the funding allocated to CAMHS in the Cavan-Monaghan mental health service for 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52257/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (623)
Ged Nash
Question:623. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the reason a group of workers (details supplied) who work with a private service provider providing residential services to persons with additional needs and funded through Section 39 have been deemed ineligible for the pandemic special recognition payment; how the decision is consistent with the fact that workers, for example who work for private providers in the nursing home sector are eligible for the payment; if he will review this policy issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52269/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services
Questions (624)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:624. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a problem that some psychotherapists and psychologists are facing whereby they cannot get appropriate rooms or space to run their services to meet the demand (details supplied); if he will address this issue to aid the reduction of waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52290/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (625)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:625. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the freeze of a GP’s panel will be lifted to allow patients to transfer to and from the GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52317/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (626)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:626. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the implementation plan of a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52344/23]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Hospital Services
Questions (627)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:627. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the most recent performance profile for 2023 to date for the acute hospitals network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52346/23]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE publishes its Performance Profile and Management Data Reports covering activity across the public health system, including acute hospitals, on a quarterly basis. I understand that the HSE expects to publish its Quarter 1 2023 reports shortly, with reports for Quarter 2 to follow afterwards.
Hospital Services
Questions (628)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:628. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the use of private bed capacity as a surge measure for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52347/23]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Hospital Services
Questions (629)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:629. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the implementation of a plan in a hospital group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52348/23]
View answer
Awaiting reply for Department.
Hospital Services
Questions (630)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:630. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health to outline the members of a board and their credentials (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52349/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Health Service Executive
Questions (631)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:631. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the reason there is an embargo on recruitment in the HSE coming into the worst time of the year, given that in University Hospital Limerick last Christmas, many lives were lost due to staff shortages; will this be the same this Christmas; if this is due to a budget deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52377/23]
View answerWritten answers
Recruitment across the HSE has been very strong in 2023. The HSE workforce is at its highest ever which is good news for both the public and the health sector staff throughout the country and reflects an expanding health service.
The Government funded the HSE to recruit 6010 new posts (net) in 2023 to support the development of services. The HSE has reached that target before the end of 2023, and this is why a temporary recruitment pause has been put in place.
The Government has allocated €22.5 billion to the health budget for 2024 with the Department of Health's additional allocation in budget 2024 being nearly €2 billion. This additional allocation includes an increase of €808 million in core current funding, €1,032 million in non-core current funding and an additional €120 million in capital funding.
As of September 2023, there were 143,075 staff working in our health service, an increase of 5,330 WTE year-to-date in 2023. The HSE also filled 13,000 replacement posts in 2023. The overall increase in staffing since December 2019 now stands at +23,263 WTE.
This figure of +23,263 WTE represents a net increase of 6,808 nurses and midwives; 3,388 health and social care professionals, 866 consultants and 1,806 non-consultant hospital doctors.
With regard to Acutes Services, the staffing in this area is 351 WTE above the year-end target of 3,400.
If the current level of growth was allowed to continue uncontrolled, the HSE would be significantly over the targeted and budgeted recruitment figure by year end which would have financial implications for 2023 and following years and adversely impact on the HSE's ability to recruit essential patient facing clinical staff. The temporary recruitment pause was introduced in an effort to control the excessive growth t ensure that recruitment levels stay within overall funding for new posts in 2023 and allow space for growth in clinical staff.
While there is a current temporary recruitment pause, where contracts have been issued and accepted, these will be honoured. International recruitment orders which are underway will progress where there is a commitment for 2023 and 2024.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (632)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:632. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the rates of refund allowed for specialised spectacles for children in CHO 2 has been reduced, as this cutback is having a big impact on parents of low income whose children require expensive specialised spectacles; the amount of the savings that these cutbacks will accrue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52378/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (633)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:633. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a surgery appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52390/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.