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Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Written Answers Nos. 481-505

Medical Card Administration

Questions (481)

James Browne

Question:

481. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the way in which the medical card client registration unit treats medical card applications when queued for the attention of the deciding officer; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of delays on applicants whose applications lose their place in the queue when referred to the medical officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4109/20]

View answer

Written answers

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

Health Services Provision

Questions (482)

James Browne

Question:

482. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the referral and treatment pathway for persons who, during their annual diabetes retina screen, are identified as having an eyesight abnormality other than those conditions that are part of the retina screen referral and treatment pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4114/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Questions (483)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

483. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the provision of a canopy at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4120/20]

View answer

Written answers

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

Health Services Provision

Questions (484)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

484. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4123/20]

View answer

Written answers

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

Disability Services Provision

Questions (485)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

485. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if funding will be released to the HSE disability section for a person (details supplied) to avail of residential services. [4124/20]

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Written 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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Questions (486)

Peter Burke

Question:

486. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [4129/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.

The NHSS budget for 2020 has increased by €70m over its 2019 budget.

At present, the capital value of an individual's principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap. This cap does not apply to productive assets such as farms and businesses except in cases of sudden illness or disability where specific conditions are met.

Rental income, including income arising from the rental of a farm, is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include income tax and, therefore, any income tax arising from rental income should be deducted; other deductions include some health expenses, levies required by law to be paid, and interest on some loans in respect of a person’s principal private residence.

The proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

The General Scheme of Bill for the Amendment to the NHSS was approved by Government on 11 June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme on 13 November 2019. Further progress on the development of the Bill has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Department's ongoing work to respond to the challenges arising as a result.

It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.

As an element of this question is in relation to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this element as soon as possible.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (487)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

487. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if asthma will be included under the long-term illness scheme in the near future. [4141/20]

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Written answers

The Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI 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 scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the scheme at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that it is proposed that the LTI Scheme would be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.

For people who are not eligible for the LTI Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.

Under the Drug Payment 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.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (488)

Thomas Gould

Question:

488. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason haemochromatosis was removed from the long-term illness scheme (details supplied). [4152/20]

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Written answers

The Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI 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 scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

Haemochromatosis was not included on the above list and there are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the scheme at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that it is proposed that the LTI Scheme would be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.

For people who are not eligible for the LTI Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.

Under the Drug Payment 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.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.

Further, the issue of the provision of therapeutic phlebotomy services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients, including the issue of charges, is under consideration by my Department and the HSE.

Meanwhile, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is now accepting hereditary haemochromatosis patients who are eligible to donate blood at their fixed and mobile donation clinics nationwide.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (489)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

489. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be transferred from the ASD services in Mervue, County Galway to the ASD services in Briarhill, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4154/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Questions (490)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

490. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the new CAMHS building (details supplied) will open in Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4157/20]

View answer

Written answers

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (491)

Barry Cowen

Question:

491. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when they can expect an appointment for admission. [4160/20]

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Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Questions (492)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

492. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a payment under the fair deal scheme can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4162/20]

View answer

Written answers

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

Ambulance Service

Questions (493)

Noel Grealish

Question:

493. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the status of an ambulance base proposed for Maam Cross, County Galway, which was agreed by the National Ambulance Service and is awaiting HSE approval; the timeframe for a decision on the ambulance base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4164/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare services and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (494)

Barry Cowen

Question:

494. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment at the orthopaedics outpatient clinic at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [4170/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (495)

Barry Cowen

Question:

495. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [4171/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (496)

Barry Cowen

Question:

496. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for a MRI and ultrasound at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [4178/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (497)

Barry Cowen

Question:

497. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [4181/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (498)

Barry Cowen

Question:

498. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment with the orthopaedic department at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [4183/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Questions (499)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

499. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been rejected by the hardship scheme without explanation or notice; and if he will request a review of their case and application for the hardship scheme. [4189/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

HSE Properties

Questions (500)

Pat Buckley

Question:

500. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the site of the former HSE health centre in Cloyne, County Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the desire of a group (details supplied) to establish a base in this unit for training and storage; and his plans to assist it in this plan and to support such services in the local area into the future. [4193/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (501)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

501. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for two CT scans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4194/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (502)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

502. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide a drug (details supplied) for the treatment of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4195/20]

View answer

Written answers

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are antimalarial drugs with several pharmacological actions which impart therapeutic efficacy primarily in the treatment of rheumatic disease. They share similar chemical structures and mechanisms of action. Hydroxychloroquine is licensed in Ireland for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus, and dermatological conditions caused or aggravated by sunlight. It is not licensed for the treatment of COVID-19. There are no medicinal products containing chloroquine phosphate authorised for the Irish market.

The COVID-19 Evidence Review Group (ERG) for Medicines was established to support the HSE in managing the significant amount of information on treatments for COVID-19. This COVID- 19 Evidence Review Group is comprised of evidence synthesis practitioners from across the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE), Medicines Management Programme (MMP) and the National Medicines Information Centre (NMIC). The group respond to queries raised via the Office of the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, National Clinical Programmes and the Department of Health and respond in a timely way with the evidence review supporting the query.

The Evidence Review Group undertook a rapid evidence review of antiviral therapies in the treatment of Covid-19. In vitro, pre-clinical studies have suggested that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may be effective treatments for Covid-19. However, emerging clinical evidence is increasingly showing a lack of significant clinical efficacy of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19. Researchers have registered hundreds of clinical trials for COVID-19, many of which are actively recruiting. COVID-19 trials need to be well designed and adequately powered to generate robust evidence. A number of large, international clinical trials of investigational treatments for COVID-19 (including hydroxychloroquine) are underway in Europe. These include the Solidarity trial, the REMAP-CAP trial and the Discovery trial.

Based on the best evidence available, at present, prescribing of antivirals for the management of patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease should be restricted to hospitals only. Therefore, any use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of Covid-19 is restricted to use in hospital settings and in line with the recommended guidance in the Clinical Management of Acute Respiratory Infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/drugs-management-programme/specific-antiviral-therapy-in-the-clinical-management-of-acute-respiratory-infection-with-sars-cov-2-covid-19-version-3.pdf .

Chloroquine is not listed for use in this guidance.

Home Help Service

Questions (503)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

503. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional home help will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4196/20]

View answer

Written answers

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (504)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

504. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4197/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (505)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

505. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4198/20]

View answer

Written 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

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