Niamh Smyth
Question:153. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the criteria for the long-term illness scheme to include Crohn’s disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6922/22]
View answerDepartmental Schemes
Questions (153)
Written 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.
There are currently no plans to make specific provision for Crohn’s disease under any new or existing health scheme. However, a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, is 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 €100 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 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%.
Nursing Homes
Questions (154, 155)
Duncan Smith
Question:154. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the provision of a new facility (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6925/22]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:155. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the upgrade of a facility (details supplied) in County Kildare. [6926/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Question No. 155 answered with Question No. 154.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (156)
Denis Naughten
Question:156. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive correct documentation; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/22]
View answerWritten answers
A Digital COVID Certificate is issued following a medical event related to COVID-19 (vaccination, recovery or testing) in the EU Member State. Digital COVID Certificates are issued to persons by email or post to persons vaccinated in Ireland for both primary series and booster vaccinations.
Digital COVID Certificates, for which the required data and an email or a postal address is available, are now being issued. Data quality checks are being completed for any remaining certificates to ensure all relevant details are included in the vaccination system.
Any individual, vaccinated in Ireland, who have yet to receive a Digital COVID Certificate by email or post, should contact the DCC helpline 1800 807 008 (or +353 76 888 5513 when calling from abroad) for assistance.
Medicinal Products
Questions (157)
Marian Harkin
Question:157. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider updating the current regulations in order that painkillers containing addictive substances, such a codeine, would be regulated and not available for sale over the counter without a doctor’s prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6954/22]
View answerWritten answers
Codeine is a mild to moderate opioid (narcotic) analgesic which, due to its potential for misuse, is a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs legislation.
As an analgesic, codeine is most often used in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and is currently authorised in Ireland in such non-prescription products for pain relief. It is also available in single ingredient, non-prescription products, as a cough suppressant. These authorised products are available without a prescription through retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies) only.
The Pharmacy Act 2007 and the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 require that all medicines supplied through a pharmacy must be supplied by or under the personal supervision of a pharmacist and that all non-prescription medicines supplied must be the subject of appropriate counselling.
The pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), issued guidance to pharmacists in 2010 on the safe supply of non-prescription products containing codeine. This guidance was updated in 2015, 2017 and most recently in October 2019. The Guidance covers the requirements set out above and, in addition, contains further restrictions which apply to the supply of codeine-based products.
These restrictions include a requirement that codeine-based products are not available to the public for self-selection and should only be supplied when a pharmacist deems such a supply to be necessary and only when a non-opioid analgesic, e.g. paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, has not proven sufficient to relieve the patient’s symptoms. The guidance also states that codeine medicines should be used for the shortest time possible and for no longer than three days without medical supervision. Pharmacists must also ensure that patients are advised of the importance of adhering to the recommended dosage and duration of use, as well as the risks associated with overdose and/or prolonged use. Patients should also be counselled in respect of potential adverse reactions or side effects.
The full guidance document, along with information on current legislative requirements, is available on the PSI website: thepsi.ie/Libraries/Folder_Pharmacy_Practice_Guidance/01_3_Safe_supply_of_Codeine_to_patients.sflb.ashx.
Health Services
Questions (158)
Marian Harkin
Question:158. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the health budget for pain management and the treatment of pain; the details of pain management services in Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6955/22]
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.
Data Protection
Questions (159)
Róisín Shortall
Question:159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the practice of divulging a patient’s personal details with debt collection agencies in cases in which a patient has outstanding hospital inpatient charges complies with GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/22]
View answerWritten answers
Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
Out-patient charges;
In-patient charges; and
Long-term stay charges.
Certain cohorts of people may be exempt from some or all of these charges.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private in-patient charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
Disability Services
Questions (160)
Verona Murphy
Question:160. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the establishment of a children disability network team has been completed; the locations of these teams; if such a team is operational in CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6977/22]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (161)
Verona Murphy
Question:161. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current wait list for persons under 18 years of age awaiting orthodontal treatment in County Wexford; the number of persons waiting 24, 36 and 48 months and longer, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/22]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (162)
Verona Murphy
Question:162. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age waiting for speech and language therapy in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/22]
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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (163)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:163. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of elective inpatient surgeries that took place from 2016 to 2021, by hospital group and hospital. [6987/22]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (164)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:164. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of elective day case surgeries that took place from 2016 to 2021 by hospital group and hospital. [6988/22]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Service Executive
Questions (165)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:165. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the future plans proposed for the HSE dispensary, Quarry Road, Cabra: and if consideration can be given to relocate the local family resource centre to this building. [7082/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Irish Sign Language
Questions (166)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:166. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish Sign Language interpreters currently available to assist deaf or hard of hearing patients attending the Mater Hospital; the number of sign language interpreters that are employed in the Mater Hospital to assist deaf patients while attending the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7083/22]
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.
Health Services
Questions (167)
David Cullinane
Question:167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the CAR-T related expenditure by the HSE and public hospitals since 2015; the breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7085/22]
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.
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 132.