Brendan Smith
Question:154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when additional personnel will be approved for a healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60726/21]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (154)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (155)
Colm Burke
Question:155. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has considered including women with gestational diabetes on the long-term illness scheme for the duration of pregnancy which is recommended in a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60728/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
Gestational diabetes is not a permanent or long-term illness and is, therefore, not covered by the LTI scheme. There are currently no plans to make specific provision for gestational diabetes under any new or existing health scheme. However, a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The maximum payable under the DPS will be further reduced to €100 per month from 1 January 2022. 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 eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Health Services
Questions (156, 159)
Colm Burke
Question:156. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department is taking to assist with the slow transition of patients from paediatric to adult diabetes services in Cork which currently has a minimum two-year waiting list for adult services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60729/21]
View answerColm Burke
Question:159. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to help with the staffing shortage with large patient numbers in diabetes services in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60733/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 159 together.
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last nineteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
On the 7th October I published the Acute Waiting List Action Plan. This plan, to run until December 2021, has a series of targeted measures that are designed to address the growth in waiting lists caused by Covid-19 and the cyber-attack.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and NTPF. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
The 2021 National Service Plan recognised the need for an unprecedented expansion of the permanent health workforce through permanent appointments. Funding has been provided for an increase to approximately 135,655 WTE across the health service by December 2021, which is an increase of 15,838 WTE over funded 2020 levels. There is significant workforce recruitment underway. The HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy identifies the specific roles and grades to be hired.
In relation to diabetes services in Cork Hospital and the transition from the paediatric to adult diabetes services, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (157)
Colm Burke
Question:157. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider establishing a national ICT infrastructure that enables electronic health record availability to assist with the shared care of diabetic children between hospitals and regional services across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60730/21]
View answerWritten answers
The eHealth Strategy for Ireland and Sláintecare both recommend the establishment of electronic health records for everyone using health services in Ireland. This is a long-term programme of work that requires a sustained commitment in terms of funding and resources for eHealth in Ireland.
It is not envisioned that specialty specific or indeed patient cohort specific electronic health records will be separately developed, as to do so would result in multiple different electronic health record systems which would then not cater well for people with multiple health conditions.
There are also plans to develop shared care records which will be of particular benefit to people who need to avail of health services across multiple health locations and these may well be suited for those children highlighted by the Deputy. Children's Hospital Ireland are especially focussed on how best to share information on children that receive care from them but also rely on services offered throughout the rest of the country.
Health Strategies
Questions (158)
Colm Burke
Question:158. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the proposal (details supplied) for the creation and implementation of a National Diabetes Registry to identify an accurate figure of the number of persons living with diabetes in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60731/21]
View answerWritten answers
In September 2019 Sláintecare Integration funding was allocated to the HSE to design and procure a National Diabetes Registry demonstrator product and develop a full specification plan for a National Diabetes Registry. It was intended that the registry would be in place by 2021. However, the project was paused as it was dependent on the input and expertise of key HSE staff who were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work.
The development of a National Diabetes Registry remains a priority, and following substantial increases in investment in eHealth, is now being considered as part of a wider review of Ireland’s health information strategy. The diabetes registry, along with other disease-specific registries, will operate as “virtual” registries and will use existing health and social care records to enable the monitoring of the incidence and prevalence of disease in Ireland.
Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 156.
Hospital Staff
Questions (160)
Niamh Smyth
Question:160. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review an issue (details supplied); if a bonus scheme is being considered in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60736/21]
View answerWritten answers
Government have indicated their intention to recognise front-line health sector workers in respect of the extraordinary contribution and commitment they have made in respect of the management of the pandemic.
The most appropriate means and timeline for such recognition is being considered noting that the pandemic is still ongoing.
Health Strategies
Questions (161)
Seán Haughey
Question:161. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce childhood obesity; his views on proposals from an organisation (details supplied) to end the advertising and marketing of unhealthy food products to young persons by regulating online and social media marketing and extending the broadcast ban to 9 pm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60738/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” contains a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”.
The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. Childhood obesity is a key priority under the Policy, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates. Actions taken under the OPAP to date with a particular reference to childhood obesity include the introduction of Nutrition Standards for Schools, the Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1 to 4 Year-Olds and Children's Food Pyramid, and the START communications campaign to combat childhood obesity.
The OPAP provides for a mid-term review to be carried out, which will lead to a refreshed and updated Plan with a revised set of actions for the remaining lifetime of the OPAP. This review provides the opportunity to consider developments and new evidence since the publication of the OPAP, and to assess which elements might best be further progressed by legislation or by other means.
The review will be informed by an evaluation of the OPAP which is being carried out by the Health Research Board Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork. This process has included an assessment through an online survey by numerous experts and stakeholders, and the final report is expected to be received shortly. A strong evidence base will be required for any new legislative measures, and the review of the OPAP will build on the work already underway to identify gaps in the implementation of the Plan, including where actions need to be progressed, whether by legislative or other means, and where further research is required. This will input into what measures should be included in a Public Health Obesity Act, and stakeholder consultation will also be an important element of the considerations in relation to this.
In relation to the issues around advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods aimed at children, Ireland is currently co-leading a Work Package in this area under the EU Joint Action “Best ReMaP” (Best practices in Reformulation, Marketing and public Procurement). The title of the Work Package is “Best practices in reducing marketing of unhealthy food products to children and adolescents”. Work has been underway under this Joint Action since October 2020 and there are 17 Member States participating.
In relation to broadcasting, the rules around programming, advertising and sponsorship are contained in the Childrens’ Commercial Communications Code (CCCC). This is a statutory code with its basis in section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The current version of the CCCC has been in operation since 2013, and a review was carried out by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and published in 2020. The process for consultation in respect of a new version of the CCCC has not yet begun, but the Department of Health will certainly contribute to that process.
Medical Cards
Questions (162)
David Cullinane
Question:162. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the mean, median and maximum spend across medical cards and general practitioner visit cards in tabular form. [60739/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Questions (163)
David Cullinane
Question:163. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the medicines which are under consideration for addition to the long-term illness scheme. [60740/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These conditions are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme at this time. However, the LTI scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The maximum payable under the DPS will be further reduced to €100 per month from 1 January 2022. 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 eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In addition, where an applicant is over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Persons may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Medicinal Products
Questions (164)
David Cullinane
Question:164. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of adding menopause medicine treatments by type to the drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60741/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The maximum payable under the DPS will be further reduced to €100 per month from 1 January 2022. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes (including the DPS), in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Under the 2013 Act, there are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines - including that a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
I, as Minister for Health, have no role in these decisions.
The HSE does not reimburse medicines or agree reimbursement terms in advance of the completion of the required processes. Therefore, it is not possible to give the cost of adding unspecified menopause medicines to the formal reimbursement list in advance of these processes.
Hospital Charges
Questions (165)
David Cullinane
Question:165. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if hospitals that cannot meet the final annual deadline at the end of March for coding of inpatient charges will receive a time concession; if not, the way he plans to ensure this does not negatively impact hospital budgets for the following year; the supports he will put in place to ensure on-time validating inpatient coding of charts, such as extra staff or time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60742/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (166)
Pa Daly
Question:166. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the vaccine requirements for parenting activities such as parent and child groups or breastfeeding classes in community centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60743/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the COVID-19 situation in Ireland remains of concern and is delicately balanced. Ireland remains vulnerable to a further deterioration in the disease profile depending on several factors, including levels of social contact in the coming weeks and over the festive period, adherence to basic public health protective measures and levels of immunity across the population. The potential impact of the recently identified Omicron variant remains uncertain at present.
Organisers of indoor group activities should ensure that appropriate protective measures are in place, and where indoor groups have a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people indoors, pods of 6 should apply.
As our booster campaign progresses, we must all take steps to protect ourselves and those around us. This includes acting fast, isolating and getting tested if we have symptoms; wearing a face covering where appropriate; making sure that indoor spaces are well ventilated; maintaining social distancing whenever appropriate; and covering our coughs and sneezes and keeping our hands clean.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (167, 176)
Willie O'Dea
Question:167. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reinstating the temporary assistance payment scheme to cover specific costs incurred to implement intensified infection prevention control measures in view of high levels of transmission of Covid-19 across the community and the advent of the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60752/21]
View answer
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:176. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if discussions are expected to reinstate the temporary assistance payment scheme in the face of the high levels of transmission of Covid-19 across the community and the advent of the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60874/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 176 together.
The Government has provided extensive support to the Nursing Home Sector since the start of the pandemic. The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary, administrative measure to respond to the challenges being faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic, and was extended twice beyond its original planned end date.
In broad terms, TAPS had substantially fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19 and therefore it was appropriate to end the standard assistance element of the scheme in June 2021. From June onwards, in recognition of the residual risk presented by the virus, Minister Donnelly and I have agreed to the continued availability of the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme until the end of this year. This will ensure that contingency is available in the event of an outbreak.
According to the most recent available HSE data, from 24 November, over 8,172 claims had been processed, with some €120.7 million euro of direct financial support provided to the sector. Due to the extension of outbreak assistance, claims continue to be received and paid; €1.75m has been paid to nursing homes under 75 separate claims for outbreak assistance since the end of June. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
There continue to be a number of outbreaks reported in nursing homes each week; however, current data suggests there may be a reduction in the number of associated cases per outbreak. The State has continued to prioritise residents of nursing homes in the response to COVID-19, including through the successful and early roll-out of the vaccine programme to nursing home residents. This prioritisation is continuing with the roll-out of booster vaccines to nursing home residents, which is expected to be completed by early December. The roll-out of booster vaccines has provided important protection for residents - booster vaccines for the over 65's commenced at the beginning of October and were substantially completed within a three week period.
As the pandemic has continued, many further support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been made available through the Health Service Executive (HSE), including the provision of PPE on a no-cost basis, the implementation of serial testing, the support and engagement of COVID-19 response teams and public health teams, the temporary accommodation scheme for nursing home staff and further supports. Many of these supports will continue to be provided by the HSE for the foreseeable future.
Health Services
Questions (168)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:168. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he can arrange respite care and funding for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60762/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.