Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1605. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of reducing the drugs payment scheme threshold to €50 and €100, respectively. [33543/19]
View answerDrugs Payment Scheme Data
Questions (1605)
Written answers
The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to reduce the cost of medicines. In line with this commitment, I announced a reduction in the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) threshold, from €134 to €124 a month, as part of Budget 2019 and this reduction was implemented on 1 April 2019.
Under the scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
I intend to consider further proposals for reductions in the DPS threshold, in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and with regard to the funding available.
The estimated full year cost of reducing the DPS monthly threshold to €100 is €25.2 million.
The estimated full year cost of reducing the DPS monthly threshold to €50 is €84.1 million.
Hospital Beds Data
Questions (1606)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1606. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of adding 1,000 acute beds to the hospital network. [33544/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the provision of healthcare services, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Questions (1607)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1607. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of hiring 4,000 new nurses on the pre-2011 rate of pay. [33545/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Health Services Staff Data
Questions (1608)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1608. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of hiring 500 consultants. [33546/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Emergency Departments Data
Questions (1609)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1609. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of abolishing accident and emergency charges. [33547/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013, S.I. No. 45 of 2013, set the charge made for services provided at an Emergency Department. There are a number of exemptions to the charge, including where a person attends his or her GP and is referred to the ED, where attendance results in admission as an in-patient or where services are made available in respect of a prescribed disease or disability to children under 16 years of age. The Regulations provide that the charge shall only made in respect of the first occasion the service is provided in relation to each episode of care. The full list of exemptions from the ED charge, is set out in Regulation (3) of the S.I. No. 45 of 2013. Currently the ED charge is set at €100.
The accident and emergency charge is recorded by the HSE as Out-Patient charges. In 2018 the HSE reported Out-Patient charges income in hospitals of €18.6m. This amount is the estimated full year cost of abolishing emergency department charges.
Dental Services Data
Questions (1610)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1610. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to reinstate the 2008 dental treatment services scheme. [33548/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE introduced measures in April 2010 to cap expenditure under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), at the 2008 level of €63 million, as part of Budget 2010 measures. The cost of providing treatment under the DTSS was €58.8 million in 2018.
The cost of restoring treatments which had been provided before 2010 to all medical card holders would depend on a number of factors, including the underlying oral health of the population and the likely level of take-up of such services.
Regarding future dental services, the new National Oral Health Policy, "Smile agus Sláinte" which I launched in April 2019, includes proposals for the introduction of packages of care for children from birth to 16 years of age to be delivered by contracted local dental practices. It also proposes preventive packages of care to be made available for all eligible adults at different intervals during their life course. In addition, routine oral healthcare services will continue to be provided as well as complex care tailored to individual needs.
Home Care Packages Data
Questions (1611)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1611. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to clear home care package waiting lists. [33549/19]
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
Autism Support Services
Questions (1612)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1612. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to clear assessment of needs waiting lists for children with autism. [33550/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (1613)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1613. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to hire 100 speech and language therapists, 100 psychologists, 100 occupational therapists and 100 physiotherapists. [33551/19]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Treatment Abroad Scheme
Questions (1614)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1614. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 2 July 2019, when a reply will issue from the HSE. [33587/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. I can confirm to the Deputy that the HSE has been contacted and advised that this reply is overdue and that a reply should be issued as soon as possible.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (1615)
John Brady
Question:1615. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the options available in cases in which a person with MS is denied access to the medicinal cannabis access programme by their consultant, if there are specific consultants approving access through whom the person may seek access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33588/19]
View answerWritten answers
As the deputy is aware, on 26th June I signed legislation which will allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) on a pilot basis for five years.
This new legislation means that commercial medical cannabis suppliers whose cannabis products meet the specified requirements set out in the legislation and which have been listed in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations will be able to supply these products to the Irish market.
Once suitable medical cannabis products are made available by suppliers, the Access Programme will make it possible for a medical consultant to prescribe, in line with the published clinical guidance, a listed cannabis-based product for a patient under his or her care for the following medical conditions, where the patient has failed to respond to standard treatments:
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
It should be noted that currently no medical cannabis products are available for use under the MCAP as it is expected that it will take some time for suppliers to arrange to have their products made available on the Irish market.
Up to date information relating to the Medical Cannabis Access Programme, which includes a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document, is available on the Department's website.
Pending full operation of the MCAP, and for medical indications not included in the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so. In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
A patient's doctor will provide them with an explanation for their clinical decision, if they are not prepared to prescribe any particular treatment, for example medical cannabis. If the patient is not satisfied it may be possible to seek a second opinion from another medical practitioner, by way of referral from their GP. However, such decisions are clinical in nature and neither the Minister, nor the Department of Health can interfere in such clinical decision making or make the clinical decision that medical cannabis would / would not be appropriate for the treatment of an individual’s medical condition.
Respite Care Services
Questions (1616)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1616. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long on an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33591/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Occupational Therapy Data
Questions (1617)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1617. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who availed of occupational therapy in a primary care setting in counties Cavan and Monaghan during the first six months of 2019. [33623/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Health Services Data
Questions (1618)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1618. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who availed of physiotherapy in a primary care setting in counties Cavan and Monaghan during the first six months of 2019. [33624/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (1619)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1619. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours will be provided to elderly persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [33625/19]
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
Home Help Service Data
Questions (1620)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1620. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours cut in the first six months of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33626/19]
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.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (1621)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1621. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason the €5 million promised to Cavan General Hospital has not been allocated to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33627/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (1622)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1622. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the way in which he and the HSE will spend €5 million that was promised to Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33628/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (1623)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1623. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when he will notify Cavan General Hospital of the allocation of €5 million in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33629/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (1624)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1624. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to help and relieve families that are not receiving adequate home help. [33630/19]
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.
Hospitals Funding
Questions (1625)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1625. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the €5 million promised to Cavan General Hospital will be used during 2019. [33631/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Beds Data
Questions (1626)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1626. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the five new beds promised for Monaghan General Hospital will be ready and in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33632/19]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Capacity Review published last year was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both hospital and community – combined with a wide scale reform of the manner and the location of where health services are provided.
An additional 267 acute hospital beds opened under the Winter Initiative 2017/2018, and the National Service Plan for 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme. The main elements of the 2019 capacity programme are:
- the provision of 75 acute beds and 70 community beds under the Winter Plan 2018/19 - the HSE have confirmed that 75 acute beds and 59 community beds have been opened to date;
- 47 additional beds, including a 40-bed modular build in South Tipperary General Hospital, 4 HDU beds in Cork University Hospital, and 3 HDU beds in the Mater which are due to open by Q4 2019;
- preparation of 202 beds during 2019, including the 5 additional beds in Monaghan Hospital, with a view to bringing this extra capacity into operation in Q1 of 2020;
- commencement of works on a 60-bed modular ward in University Hospital Limerick.
With regard to the specific question the Deputy has asked, I have asked the HSE to respond directly with the information requested.
Hospital Admissions
Questions (1627)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1627. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons admitted to Cavan General Hospital in the first six months of 2019. [33633/19]
View answerWritten answers
This is a very busy period for our health services, with many hospitals reporting significant numbers of patient attendances. For the first six months of 2019, the number of patients attending hospital EDs increased by 3.6%, and the number of ED admissions increased by 2.5% compared to the same period last year.
Despite the significant increase in demand, our health services have managed better for the first six months of 2019 than in the previous year, and the numbers of patients waiting on trolleys nationally were 4.7% lower than the same period last year.
With regard to the specific question the Deputy has asked, I have asked the HSE to respond directly with the information requested.
Maternity Services Provision
Questions (1628)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1628. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant mothers who have used the anomaly scan in Cavan General Hospital to date. [33634/19]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
Cross-Border Health Services Provision
Questions (1629)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1629. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason patients going across the Border for treatment are waiting so long for arrears payments from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33635/19]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE is responsible for the operation of the Cross Border Directive and the management of the HSE Cross Border Directive (CBD) office is an operational matter for the HSE. I have, therefore, asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
It should be noted that the numbers of persons availing of the Directive has been increasing steadily for a number of years with a corresponding increase in the workload for the CBD office. I am aware that the HSE is currently considering a business case, and other interim steps, to address issues which have arisen with regard to the processing of reimbursements.