Written Answers Nos. 2755-2778
2755. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to access the national counselling service by county; the average wait time; the number of persons waiting over one year by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39007/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2756. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery by county; the average wait time; the number waiting over one, two, three and four years, respectively by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39008/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last sixteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021, and the resultant curtailment of acute hospital services, is reflected in the most recently available waiting list figures to 13th May 2021.
On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”, outlining a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met. However, the implementation of this plan was suspended pending the resolution of the recent ransomware attack, which had a significant impact on acute hospitals.
The HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The HSE advise that at present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and there are still a number of areas of ongoing concern. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak in the first quarter of this year and the ransomware attack has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services. My Department does not have full access to information on the impact of this ransomware attack on elective waiting lists but will provide an update as soon as one is available.
In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to improve access for patients waiting for high volume procedures, including cataracts. Ophthalmology services are provided throughout all hospital groups in the country, with cataract removal one of the key procedures carried out as part of this specialty.
A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there. The impact of such initiatives can be seen in the reduction in the waiting times to access cataract procedures since 2019. At the 13th of May 2021 there were 4,275 patients waiting for a cataract procedure compared to 6,437 in January 2019.
An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the NTPF. This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been unable to receive weekly national hospital waiting list data or downloads. The latest published waiting list information was collated by the NTPF on 13th May 2021.
The information requested by the Deputy, concerning the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery by county; the average wait time; the number waiting over one, two, three and four years, is outlined in the attached document.
The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
Cataract Waiters by County as of 13/5/2021 - Please note that the 4+ years is too small to include so it’s been merged into 3+ years
|
Sum of Amount |
Column Labels |
||||
|
Row Labels |
< 1 year |
< 2 years |
< 3 years |
3+ years |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow |
23 |
13 |
5 |
41 |
|
|
Cavan |
72 |
10 |
82 |
||
|
Clare |
73 |
22 |
95 |
||
|
Cork |
135 |
13 |
148 |
||
|
Donegal |
124 |
45 |
169 |
||
|
Dublin |
1469 |
133 |
20 |
1622 |
|
|
Galway |
215 |
12 |
227 |
||
|
Kerry |
27 |
27 |
|||
|
Kildare |
125 |
12 |
137 |
||
|
Kilkenny |
19 |
10 |
29 |
||
|
Laois |
36 |
36 |
|||
|
Leitrim |
21 |
11 |
32 |
||
|
Limerick |
132 |
43 |
9 |
184 |
|
|
Longford |
22 |
10 |
32 |
||
|
Louth |
120 |
9 |
129 |
||
|
Mayo |
90 |
14 |
5 |
109 |
|
|
Meath |
223 |
20 |
243 |
||
|
Monaghan |
52 |
52 |
|||
|
Offaly |
42 |
6 |
48 |
||
|
Roscommon |
55 |
10 |
65 |
||
|
Sligo |
98 |
26 |
6 |
130 |
|
|
Small Volume Areas |
13 |
26 |
17 |
56 |
|
|
Tipperary |
107 |
31 |
11 |
149 |
|
|
Unknown |
13 |
13 |
|||
|
Waterford |
55 |
25 |
13 |
93 |
|
|
Westmeath |
93 |
10 |
103 |
||
|
Wexford |
72 |
24 |
18 |
114 |
|
|
Wicklow |
96 |
14 |
110 |
||
|
Grand Total |
3609 |
536 |
113 |
17 |
4275 |
Mean NumDays: 177
Median NumDays: 96
|
Area of Residence |
TimeBand |
Amount |
|
Carlow |
< 1 year |
23 |
|
Cavan |
< 1 year |
72 |
|
Clare |
< 1 year |
73 |
|
Cork |
< 1 year |
135 |
|
Donegal |
< 1 year |
124 |
|
Dublin |
< 1 year |
1469 |
|
Galway |
< 1 year |
215 |
|
Kerry |
< 1 year |
27 |
|
Kildare |
< 1 year |
125 |
|
Kilkenny |
< 1 year |
19 |
|
Laois |
< 1 year |
36 |
|
Leitrim |
< 1 year |
21 |
|
Limerick |
< 1 year |
132 |
|
Longford |
< 1 year |
22 |
|
Louth |
< 1 year |
120 |
|
Mayo |
< 1 year |
90 |
|
Meath |
< 1 year |
223 |
|
Monaghan |
< 1 year |
52 |
|
Offaly |
< 1 year |
42 |
|
Roscommon |
< 1 year |
55 |
|
Sligo |
< 1 year |
98 |
|
Tipperary |
< 1 year |
107 |
|
Unknown |
< 1 year |
13 |
|
Waterford |
< 1 year |
55 |
|
Westmeath |
< 1 year |
93 |
|
Wexford |
< 1 year |
72 |
|
Wicklow |
< 1 year |
96 |
|
Carlow |
< 2 years |
13 |
|
Cavan |
< 2 years |
10 |
|
Clare |
< 2 years |
22 |
|
Cork |
< 2 years |
13 |
|
Donegal |
< 2 years |
45 |
|
Dublin |
< 2 years |
133 |
|
Galway |
< 2 years |
12 |
|
Kildare |
< 2 years |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
< 2 years |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
< 2 years |
11 |
|
Limerick |
< 2 years |
43 |
|
Longford |
< 2 years |
10 |
|
Louth |
< 2 years |
9 |
|
Mayo |
< 2 years |
14 |
|
Meath |
< 2 years |
20 |
|
Offaly |
< 2 years |
6 |
|
Roscommon |
< 2 years |
10 |
|
Sligo |
< 2 years |
26 |
|
Small Volume Areas |
< 2 years |
13 |
|
Tipperary |
< 2 years |
31 |
|
Waterford |
< 2 years |
25 |
|
Westmeath |
< 2 years |
10 |
|
Wexford |
< 2 years |
24 |
|
Wicklow |
< 2 years |
14 |
|
Carlow |
< 3 years |
5 |
|
Dublin |
< 3 years |
20 |
|
Limerick |
< 3 years |
9 |
|
Mayo |
< 3 years |
5 |
|
Sligo |
< 3 years |
6 |
|
Small Volume Areas |
< 3 years |
26 |
|
Tipperary |
< 3 years |
11 |
|
Waterford |
< 3 years |
13 |
|
Wexford |
< 3 years |
18 |
|
Small Volume Areas |
3+ years |
17 |
2758. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current projected timeline for works to commence on the new primary care centre in Finglas, Dublin 11; if the HSE has tendered for the services of a design team to progress the project; if so, the projected timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39029/21]
View answerFinglas has been identified as a high priority location for the development of a Primary Care Centre. In 2012, a HSE direct-build Primary Care Centre was approved, and the Dublin City Council owned property on Mellowes Road was identified as the preferred site.
Following the decision not to grant planning permission in February 2015, HSE Estates in conjunction with local Primary Care Services Teams identified an alternative Dublin City Council site for a new Primary Care Centre in Finglas.
The feasibility study for the Finglas Primary Care Centre is now complete. The procurement of a design team is underway, and design team tenders were returned in May. The HSE will be in a position to appoint a design team in Q3 2021.
It is important to recognise that the delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
2759. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will fund and proceed with the specialist community diabetes teams which form part of the enhanced community care programme; if so, when this will occur in 2021; the status of progress in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39030/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2761. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when HSE Grangegorman primary care centre will reopen; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39032/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
In respect of the case of the person (details supplied), the HSE National Hearing Aid Centre offers a free service to people who have received HSE hearing aids. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions the walk-in service is currently suspended. Clients are requested to post their hearing aids to the Audiology Services (Dublin North City and County), Grangegorman Primary Care Centre, Upper Grangegorman Road, Grangegorman, Dublin 7.
2762. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the NPHET forecast of the death rate from the delta variant per 1,000 cases of the virus in the most pessimistic scenario based on different levels of vaccination across the population; the basis for these forecasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39055/21]
View answerThe modelling scenarios begin with some basic assumptions on the effective level of close social contact and the increased transmissibility of the delta variant. The level of close social contact is assumed to increase either to the level seen in early summer 2020 (moderate social contact) or late summer 2020 (higher social contact). The transmissibility of the delta variant is uncertain, so the scenarios use conservative estimates (where the delta variant is 1.97 times more transmissible than the variants circulating in 2020, based on estimates from ECDC) or higher estimates (where delta is 2.4 times more transmissible, based on published UK estimates of the relative transmission advantages of the alpha and delta variants).
This gives four scenarios for transmission, levels of infection and case numbers, ranging from optimistic (moderate social contact, conservative transmission advantage for delta) to pessimistic (higher social contact, higher transmission advantage for delta).
We know that the widespread administration of vaccines means that there will be fewer infections, and that infections are less likely to lead to severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality. The vaccination programme is incorporated into the model. Vaccine uptake ranges from over 95% in older and vulnerable cohorts to 80% in young adults. The models assume that the first dose of a vaccine is approximately 60% effective in preventing symptomatic infection with the alpha variant, and the second dose increases effectiveness in preventing symptomatic infection to 80-90%. Furthermore, one dose of vaccine is assumed to offer 70-85% protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death due to infection with the alpha variant, with a second dose increasing vaccine effectiveness against severe disease to 90-95%.
Vaccines are known to be less effective in preventing symptomatic infection with delta, and this reduction in vaccine efficacy is taken into account in projecting the number of infections and cases in each scenario. However, the available evidence suggests that vaccines are equally effective in preventing severe disease with delta compared to alpha, and this is assumed to be the case in the models.
When all these factors are taken into account, on average per 1000 cases, the models project 15-25 hospitalisations, 2-3 admissions to ICU, and 2-4 deaths. These ratios are comparable to what is being seen in the UK and other jurisdictions.
2766. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will address delays to developmental checks for young children in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; when these developmental checks by public health nurses will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39069/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2767. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions between an organisation (details supplied) with the HSE regarding the transfer of the service to another provider following notice of registration cancellation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39070/21]
View answer3135. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions between a service (details supplied) with the HSE regarding the transfer of the service to another provider following notice of registration cancellation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40376/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2767 and 3135 together.
Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) provides residential and day services to people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs in a number of communities in Community Health Care Organisations (CHOs) 4, 5 and 7 under a Section 39 service arrangement with the HSE. Duffcarrig is one of the CCoI communities located in County Wexford, which provides residential services to 24 people.
Following inspections at the Duffcarrig site, HIQA issued a notice to Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) on the 4th of June 2021, that the registration of Duffcarrig would be cancelled within 28 days, due to ongoing issues of non-compliance at the centre with the regulations governing the provision of residential services to people with disabilities.
As CCoI did not contest the decision, the cancellation of the registration of Camphill Community Duffcarrig took effect at 12 midday on Saturday 3 July 2021.
Under Section 64 of the Health Act, the HSE has a responsibility to operate the centre as if it were the registered provider from the date the cancellation came into effect. The HSE has informed HIQA of the arrangements put in place to take over the operation of the centre and now are legally responsible for the safety and well-being of the residents concerned.
The HSE are engaging closely with CCoI on a transition plan with a view to transferring the provision of services in the Duffcarrig facility to an alternative provider, with the objective that residents will continue to receive their residential care services at the Duffcarrig site. These discussions are ongoing.
The foremost concern of Government is to ensure the continuity of services provided by Camphill in the interests of the service users and families who rely on these vital services and supports. I welcome the fact that HIQA inspectors will continue to monitor the centre during this transition to verify the safety and quality of service to residents is prioritised, which is my primary concern.
2770. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39091/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2771. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to revert to the model of care that required physical attendance at a general practitioner practice before a person can obtain an abortion inducing medication once the Covid-19 related restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39098/21]
View answerAs part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together last year to put arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.
For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it will be possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e. before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
The arrangement enabling remote consultation will be reviewed once the public health emergency is declared over. There is regular ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise.
2772. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the primary care centre on Inisbofin; when the promised centre will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39102/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2773. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given a date for a face-to-face consultation. [39103/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2774. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason free dental check-ups under the school dental scheme which were carried out in second, fourth and sixth class are now only available to children in sixth class; the reason for the complete withdrawal of the service in some rural towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39104/21]
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 unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2775. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if there is a long-term plan for school dental check-ups under the school dental scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39106/21]
View answerSmile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, was published in 2019 and sets out Government policy regarding oral health services.
Currently dental care for children under 16 is provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE in accordance with 1994 Dental Health Action Plan, with a strong emphasis on prevention. This is delivered through targeted screening and prevention for school children at certain dental developmental milestones and for special needs groups.
Under the new Policy, all children up to 16 years will have available to them eight oral healthcare packages consisting of examinations, assessments (including orthodontic assessments), advice, prevention interventions, emergency care and referral as appropriate. The packages will be provided in a primary care setting by oral healthcare practitioners contracted by the HSE. The roll-out of these packages of care will take place incrementally.
Forty-one actions were identified within the Policy, which will be delivered over the next six to seven years. Nine priorities were identified for the first three years following publication of the Policy, one of which is to progress prevention and primary care packages for children up to 16 years of age. Despite the current public health emergency, work to prepare for implementation is being undertaken in my Department and progress is being made on the Priority Actions identified in the Policy in the areas within my Department's remit.
2776. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in reviewing and updating the National Carers' Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38896/21]
View answerIreland’s National Carers' Strategy is designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and who are empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.
Under the Strategy, a range of measures have been introduced or extended by my Department to support family carers in recent years. Most recently, the Government allocated €2 million in Budget 2021 to advance the implementation of the National Carers' Strategy, with a focus on providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region. My Department is currently working on the details of this allocation with the HSE.
The Programme for Government contains a firm commitment to progress the review and update of the National Carers’ Strategy, and this is a priority for me, as Minister for Health. To this end, my Department will undertake preparatory work this year in relation to the design, scope and workplan for delivering a review of the Strategy. Furthermore, my Department is committed to keeping all the key stakeholders informed in relation to our progress in this area, including relevant government departments, representative organisations and those who advocate on behalf of family carers.
2777. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if post-mortem tests were carried out on each person that died with Covid-19 in order to confirm the cause of death as being due to Covid-19 in view of comments made (details supplied); if so, the number of tests that were carried out; the results of same from March 2020 to June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39108/21]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that for surveillance purposes, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre's (HPSC) definition of COVID-19 deaths includes deaths in all possible, probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases and all should be notified, unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to COVID-19 infection (e.g. trauma). There should be no period of complete recovery from COVID-19 between the illness and death. All COVID-19 deaths are notified regardless of the setting, including home, community and hospital settings. The HPSC reports all deaths among these COVID-19 cases as outlined above and does not just confine the death reporting to those who die within 28 days of a positive test. This is in line with how COVID-19 cases are reported by the majority of European countries and follows WHO guidance for COVID-19 death surveillance.
Confirmed and suspected or possible Covid-19 related deaths are reportable to the relevant District Coroner in every case. The Coroner determines if a post mortem is required to establish the cause of death. In most cases where the diagnosis of Covid-19 has been established, a post mortem examination will not be required unless other circumstances are present and the law mandates an autopsy to be directed by the Coroner. Further information and guidance in relation to the Coroners Service and deaths due to Covid-19 infection is available at the following link - hse.drsteevenslibrary.ie/ld.php?content_id=32848220.
Statistics for the specific number of Covid-19 post-mortems carried out is an operational issue, and is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
2778. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if an Irish person who has suffered a stroke in the United States of America and returns home in need of continued support, for example, occupational therapy, physical therapy and possibly permanent residential facility is entitled to same. [39109/21]
View answerThe Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical cards) and limited eligibility. In order to be deemed as "ordinarily resident" an individual must be a resident in Ireland for at least 12 months or can provide proof that they intend to live here for at least 12 months. Full eligibility is determined primarily by reference to income limits and determination of an individual's eligibility status is the responsibility of the HSE.
Individuals with full eligibility can access a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all public hospital in-patient services including consultant services, all public hospital out-patient services including consultant services, home nursing, dental, ophthalmic, and aural services and appliances, a termination of pregnancy service and a maternity and infant care service. Individuals with limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including consultant services, subject to certain charges. Other services such as allied healthcare professional services may also be made available to persons with limited eligibility.
The HSE is responsible for the provision of therapy services at an operational level with access to these services determined by an individuals assessed clinical need. It should however be acknowledged that access to some therapies in some localities may be subject to capacity constraints, although every effort is being made to address these and to ensure that services are available to those that need them.
Residential placements for people with a disability are provided on the basis of need and within available resources. Placements are considered following detailed clinical assessments by HSE services. The HSE engages with families to ensure that those with the greatest need are prioritised. Access to places for those with the most complex needs are allocated on a priority basis and appropriate availability of service.
In relation to residential care should an individual require it, the HSE administers the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, which 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 Scheme aims to ensure that long-term residential care is accessible and affordable for everyone, and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. Information relating to this Scheme can be found on the HSE's website.
