Written Answers Nos. 1571-1584
1571. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he plans to introduce a free shingles vaccination scheme for older adults to protect them from what can be a debilitating illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57004/23]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Further information is available here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/shingles/
It is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.
It may be of interest to note that the Health Information and Quality Authority are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.
1572. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the outcome to an inquiry into a death (details supplied); if he will reveal who the commissioner into this inquiry is; what actions were taken arising from the inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57005/23]
View answer1573. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if procedures are in place that are to be followed in cases of sepsis, including regular check-ups, in light of a report into a death (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57006/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1572 and 1573 together.
As the Deputy’s questions relate to a specific incident, I have referred them to the HSE for direct response.
1574. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to reduce or abolish the charges applicable to patients who directly present to minor injuries units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57007/23]
View answerThe Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2019 provides that, subject to certain exemptions, a charge shall be made for out-patient services provided at designated centres including an emergency department (€100) and a minor injury unit (€75). These exemptions include a person with a medical card, a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner and a person whose attendance results in admission as an in-patient.
While there are no immediate plans to amend these charges, various steps are being taken to help alleviate the pressure in the Emergency Departments. One of these measures is to provide more patients with consistent access to alternative care options by standardising the opening hours of injury units across the country to provide a service seven days per week 8am to 8pm. Two pilot schemes are underway with a private provider to deliver local minor injury capacity, one in Cork operating for an 8-week period - 4/1/24 to 29/2/24, and one in Naas operating a 6-week period – 24/01/2024 to 29/02/2024. Both pilots will be reviewed in the context of the overall HSE Local Injury Unit expansion.
1575. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the circumstances in which ambulances are permitted to take patients to the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital, rather than an emergency department in another hospital; the number of times that an ambulance has taken patients to Monaghan Hospital in each applicable month in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57008/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1576. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of times in each month in 2023 that the National Ambulance Service utilised a helicopter to transport a patients from locations in County Monaghan, by each hospital; the number brought to each hospital in each month to which patients were presented; the average time in each month within which the helicopter ambulance arrived on scene from the original call to the ambulance service, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57009/23]
View answerAs this question relates to National Ambulance Service (NAS) operational and service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1577. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 5 December 2023, the number of patients that received a CT scan in 2023 at Cavan Hospital with addresses in each applicable county; the number of patients that received a MRI scan in 2023 at Cavan Hospital with addresses in each applicable county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57010/23]
View answerAs 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.
1578. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting appointments to secure a CT scan at Cavan Hospital; the number awaiting appointments to secure an MRI scan at Cavan Hospital; the average waiting time in each instance, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57011/23]
View answerAs 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.
1579. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57024/23]
View answerUnder 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.
1580. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he expects ozempic to be added to the GMS list for weight loss; the reason the drug is not available under the drug payments, considering the considerable impact it is having on weight and the associated positive effect it is having on health, thus reducing the long term requirement for other services linked to obesity and weight problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57047/23]
View answer1624. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the reason and on what clinical basis the ozempic injection was removed from GMS cards; if he has plans to reinstate it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57374/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1580 and 1624 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
Ozempic® (Semaglutide) is indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise. Ozempic® (Semaglutide) is not licensed or reimbursed for the treatment of weight management in a non-diabetic population.
Therefore, reimbursement support for Ozempic® (Semaglutide) for the licensed indication only is available to those with eligibility under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme. Ozempic® (Semaglutide) is not available on the Drugs Payment Scheme.
1581. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health to outline what regulations apply to the sale of non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57069/23]
View answer1582. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the increased number of people under the age of 18 years using non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57070/23]
View answer1583. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if any analysis has been undertaken as to the health risks associated with non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches, particularly to those under 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57071/23]
View answer1584. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his Department is tracking consumer rates of purchase and consumption of non-inhalant nicotine products, such as pouches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57072/23]
View answer1585. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that non-inhalant nicotine products are flavoured, brightly packaged, marketed, and given prime placement behind the counter in most stores in a similar fashion to vapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57073/23]
View answer1586. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he believes that non-inhalant nicotine products should be subject to the same plain packaging regulation as cigarettes are in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57074/23]
View answer1587. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the need to regulate the packaging, selling and advertising of non-inhalant nicotine products in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57075/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1586 and 1587 together.
Nicotine pouches are currently not covered by domestic or EU tobacco control legislation, with some Member States classifying them as either a foodstuff or medicine. The regulation of nicotine pouches is being discussed at EU level, both in terms of how these products are categorised and in the context of the review of the Tobacco Products Directive. An EU public consultation was carried out in 2023 to gain views on further regulation of novel products such as nicotine pouches, and a proposal from the EU Commission is expected this year.
It is understood that prevalence of nicotine pouch use remains extremely low in the adult population across the EU. Data on adolescent use of nicotine pouches in Ireland will be collected as part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) in 2024. There is very little independent evidence available regarding any health harms from nicotine pouches, though they contain nicotine which is an addictive substance. My Department continues to monitor any emerging evidence regarding these products.
