Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1693-1713

Dental Services

Questions (1693)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1693. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if there is an option for a person (details supplied) to obtain treatment. [1339/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Facilities

Questions (1694)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1694. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue of poor access to food for staff who work in Tallaght University Hospital (details supplied); and if his Department will work with the hospital to ensure that the canteen remains open for longer periods in order to facilitate staff who work shifts. [1345/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Question No. 1695 answered with Question No. 1626.

Hospital Charges

Questions (1696)

Colm Burke

Question:

1696. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of removing all adult inpatient and day service hospital charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1349/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Charges

Questions (1697)

Colm Burke

Question:

1697. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the daily inpatient and day service hospital charges by amounts of €5, €10, €15 and €20, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1350/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Social Welfare Schemes

Questions (1698)

Colm Burke

Question:

1698. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the monthly drug payment scheme threshold by amounts of €2.50, €5, €10, €15 and €20, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1351/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Prescriptions Charges

Questions (1699)

Colm Burke

Question:

1699. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of removing the prescription charge for persons aged over 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1352/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Prescriptions Charges

Questions (1700)

Colm Burke

Question:

1700. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reducing the prescription charge for all medical card holders by 50 cent and the maximum monthly amount by €5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1353/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Cards

Questions (1701)

Colm Burke

Question:

1701. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the weekly income limits for the general practitioner visit card by proportions of 10% and 15%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1354/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for medical cards and general practitioner visit cards are determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical cards/GP visit cards. Revisions to the income thresholds has regard for Government policy, increases in the Consumer Price Index and other issues which may be relevant.

With regard to the estimated cost of increasing the weekly income thresholds for GP visit cards, this information is not readily available at this time. However to ensure the medical/GP visit card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, it should be noted that my Department keeps both medical and GP visit card issues, such as existing income thresholds, under regular review.

Hospital Charges

Questions (1702)

Matt Carthy

Question:

1702. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the date on which a charge was applied for non-general practitioner referral attendance at the minor injuries' unit at Monaghan Hospital; the levels of charges that have applied since; if he will request the HSE to reduce or remove this fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1363/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

However, the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2019 provides that, subject to certain exemptions, a charge shall be made for out-patient services provided at designated centers including an emergency department (€100) and a minor injury unit (€75). These exemptions include a person with a medical card, a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner and a person whose attendance results in admission as an in-patient.

Where care is provided in the public hospital system in an outpatient setting (other than services provided in certain designated centers including an Emergency Department or Minor Injury Unit) no charge is liable.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1703)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1703. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the membership of the recently established waiting list taskforce; and if a copy of its terms of reference will be provided. [1365/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are working on initiating a comprehensive reform programme that will deliver a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them 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 will include representatives from the HSE and NTPF. The process and plan will be informed by the lessons and achievements of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Taskforce. It will also build upon the recent successful delivery of the Acute Waiting List Action Plan and associated oversight forum, chaired by the Secretary General and with membership from my Department, the HSE and the NTPF, that has been in place since October 2021. A 2022 Waiting List Action Plan is currently being developed under the auspices of this oversight forum. This will form the first stage of the Multi Annual Waiting List Plan.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1704, 1746, 1772, 1842, 1844)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1704. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of Covid-19 booster vaccinations for children aged 12 to 15; if the issue is under consideration by either the National Immunisation Advisory Council or the European Medicines Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1366/22]

Réada Cronin

Question:

1746. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when booster vaccines will be sanctioned for those under 16 years of age given the number of parents anxious their children should avail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1572/22]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

1772. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for high-risk young persons attempting to access a booster vaccine via the online portal; and if he has plans to address this delay. [1770/22]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1842. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when 12 to 15 year olds with underlying conditions will be provided with a booster vaccination. [2056/22]

Mark Ward

Question:

1844. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when he expects the roll-out of the Covid-19 booster programme to those under 16 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2060/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1704, 1746, 1772, 1842 and 1844 together.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 16 years and older with the rollout now underway. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1705)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1705. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to provide extra funding to Westdoc to provide more comprehensive cover for general practitioners in the Connemara area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Westdoc co-operative provides out-of-hours GP services in Community Healthcare West, covering counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. It is acknowledged however, that the Westdoc service does not extend to certain rural areas within the region.

While GP out-of-hour co-operatives are private entities the HSE provides substantial funding to support the out-of-hours co-operatives, covering a wide range of costs. This funding is provided to out-of-hours co-operatives through service level agreements with the HSE. As the HSE has responsibility for determining the allocation of funding from its budget, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

 

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1706)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1706. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a general practitioner will be appointed to a practice (details supplied); the reason for the delay in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1368/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Question No. 1707 answered with Question No. 1709.

Question No. 1708 answered with Question No. 1709.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (1709, 1707, 1708)

Pa Daly

Question:

1709. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the hours of operation of additional Covid-19 PCR testing centres in County Kerry; the testing capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1388/22]

Pa Daly

Question:

1707. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if additional Covid-19 PCR testing resources in Killarney and Listowel will be provided to facilitate the current demand in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1386/22]

Pa Daly

Question:

1708. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if additional Covid-19 PCR testing centres will have sufficient staff such that they can remain fully in operation during scheduled hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1387/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1709, 1707 and 1708 together.

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

Infectious Diseases

Questions (1710)

Pauline Tully

Question:

1710. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that were tested for Lyme disease here in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the number of persons that were diagnosed with Lyme disease over the same period; the number of staff employed in this area; the type of tests carried out for Lyme disease here; if these tests are routine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1399/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 Staff

Questions (1711)

Pauline Tully

Question:

1711. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of ophthalmologists employed by the HSE nationally in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the number employed in Cavan General Hospital over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1400/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Question No. 1712 answered with Question No. 1678.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1713, 1738)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1713. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the assistance that is available to a private patient to help them to register with a general practitioner in their area in cases in which they are unable to access a general practitioner service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1403/22]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

1738. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the process for persons moving residence who cannot find an available general practice to accept them as patients in their new area of residence; the supports available from the HSE for persons in this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1467/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1713 and 1738 together.

Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.

People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other GP practices in the surrounding areas.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.

These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those working in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021.  

These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.