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Tuesday, 15 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 855-872

State Claims Agency

Questions (855, 856, 857)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

855. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of cases taken against the HSE relating to perinatal mental health issues; the number of cases settled in this area in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8223/22]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

856. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of cases taken against the HSE relating to mental health issues; the number of cases settled in this area in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8224/22]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

857. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of cases taken against the HSE relating to CAMHS services; the number of cases settled in this area in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8225/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 855 to 857, inclusive, together.

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the State Claims Agency to provide this, and I understand that it will be collated shortly. I will respond directly to the Deputy on receipt of this.

Question No. 856 answered with Question No. 855.
Question No. 857 answered with Question No. 855.

Mental Health Services

Questions (858)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

858. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for primary care psychology services per community healthcare organisation, CHO; the number waiting up to three months, between three and six months, between three and nine months, between nine and 12 months and over 12 months, respectively, in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8226/22]

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Written answers

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

Mental Health Services

Questions (859)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

859. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of adults on waiting lists for primary care psychology services per community healthcare organisation, CHO; the number waiting up to three months, between three and six months, between three and nine months, between nine and 12 months and over 12 months, respectively in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8227/22]

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Written 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 Staff

Questions (860)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

860. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the workforce plan for the health service; the areas that have the largest deficits; the steps being taken to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8228/22]

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Written 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.

Question No. 861 answered with Question No. 625.

Health Services

Questions (862)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

862. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of expanding each of the National Clinical Programmes relating to disciplines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8231/22]

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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.

Nursing Homes

Questions (863)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

863. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the medical and financial support services available, including nursing home support and fair deal scheme support, in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8246/22]

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Written answers

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost.

The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. An applicant to the scheme can choose any public, voluntary or approved private nursing home. The home must have availability and be able to cater for the applicant's particular needs.

Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held (3.75% in the case of a couple). Assets include cash assets and all forms of property whether situated in the State or not. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence (PPR) is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. Since October 2021, with the enactment of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, the three-year cap now also extends to the proceeds of sale of the PPR and, provided certain criteria are met, on contributions based on farm and business assets.

The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:

- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person

- Bed and board

- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living

- Laundry service

A person’s eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drug Payment Scheme, is unaffected by participation in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or residence in a nursing home.

Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers or hairdressing. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). An operator should not seek payment from residents for items which are covered by the NHSS, the medical card or any other existing scheme

Application forms and help completing the form can be obtained by contacting the Dublin South, Kildare and Wicklow Nursing Homes Support Scheme Office directly at: 045 920 000

The HSE Home Support Service aims to support older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Support Service provides support for everyday tasks including:

- getting in and out of bed

- dressing and undressing

- personal care such as showering and shaving

The support you will receive depends on your individual needs. These supports will be provided by the HSE or by an external provider, approved by the HSE. The Home Support Service is available to people aged 65 or over who may need support to continue living at home or to return home following a hospital stay. Sometimes exceptions are made for people younger than 65 who may need support.

The Kildare/West Wicklow Home Support Office can be contacted directly at 01 921 4718.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (864)

Niall Collins

Question:

864. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the Covid-19-related visiting restrictions that apply in hospitals (details supplied); if there is a standard rule; if each hospital can have its own guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8260/22]

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Written 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 (865)

Denis Naughten

Question:

865. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will include heart failure under the long-term illness scheme in view of the expenses associated with the medications for this chronic illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/22]

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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 to include heart failure 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%.

Health Strategies

Questions (866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

866. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of times the contraception implementation group has met since December 2021; the consultations that have taken place with relevant stakeholders on necessary legislative change, budgetary, eligibility, contract negotiations and other relevant matters relating to the introduction of the free contraception scheme announced in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8267/22]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

867. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the negotiations that have taken place with representative bodies regarding inclusion of contraception in relevant service contracts, regulations, and guidelines, following the announcement of the free contraception provision in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8268/22]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

868. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in terms of the design of information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll-out of the free contraception scheme announced in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8269/22]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

869. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the roll-out of free contraception for 17 to 25-year-olds will commence in August 2022 as announced following budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8270/22]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

870. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when the heads of the Bill to establish eligibility for free contraception for 17 to 25-year-olds as well as wider age cohorts will be brought to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8271/22]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

871. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason no long-acting reversible contraceptives certification programme is available for general practitioners; when a programme will open; the number of places that will be available; the initiatives that are in place or anticipated to certify nurse inserters for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8272/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 866 to 871, inclusive, together.

The Report of the Working Group on Access to Contraception, published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception, which include accessibility, information, workforce capacity and, for a significant number of women who may be just above the eligibility threshold for a full GMS (medical) card, cost.

In consideration of the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution (JOC8) and the findings of the Working Group on Contraception, the Programme for Government, 2020 commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort.

Work on this was temporarily delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the cross-disciplinary Contraception Implementation Group was set up in July 2021 to progress the introduction of this scheme.

The Contraception Implementation Group meets on a monthly basis, with meetings held in July, September, October, November and December 2021, and January 2022, with small sub-groups also meeting with counterparts in the HSE to ensure that steady progress is being made on implementation. Funding of approximately €9m has been allocated in Budget 2022 to enable commencement of the scheme, which is still scheduled for August 2022.

In terms of stakeholder consultations, it should be noted that the recommendations of the JOC8 took into consideration the deliberations of the Citizen’s Assembly on the matter. The Working Group on Contraception held a number of meetings with key stakeholders as part of its research, prior to publication of the Report.

More recently, my Department has held consultations and listening exercises with a large range of stakeholders, as part of the wider work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and, separately, as part of wider work to review the National Sexual Health Strategy. Clear stakeholder feedback with regard to access to contraception is duly taken into consideration in the development and progression of this scheme

The scheme will provide for:

1. The cost of prescription contraception;

2. The cost of two consultations per annum with GPs and other doctors to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;

3. The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;

4. The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;

5. Provision of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders through this scheme, to include contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.

For items such as the contraceptive pill, these are typically prescribed at 6 month intervals, so two consultations allows for full provision. For LARCs, (e.g. IUS, IUD, implants, injections, patches and rings), where the fittings/injections are carried out by healthcare professionals, fitting and removal appointments are also provided for separately, in addition to the two consultations.

Work on the legislative framework for the scheme is ongoing. Formal negotiations with medical and other relevant representative bodies with regard to service provision are due to commence in March 2022. The design of information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll out of the scheme will be finalised in the coming months.

With regard to the Deputy’s query about rolling out the scheme to wider age cohorts, the scheme for 17-25 year olds is being rolled out in line with the Programme for Government which stated the scheme would start with this age cohort. Expanding the scheme to further age cohorts can be considered once we have had a chance to monitor and evaluate the 17-25 year old scheme and ensure that it is working smoothly in terms of gauging and properly costing demand levels and ensuring sufficient numbers of medical practitioners are certified to fit and remove LARCs.

As part of the allocation of funding for the scheme that was provided for in Budget 2022, funds are being made available for additional training capacity with respect to certification of medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs. The HSE is currently working on preparing to roll out these additional training supports. As the planned LARC training is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 867 answered with Question No. 866.
Question No. 868 answered with Question No. 866.
Question No. 869 answered with Question No. 866.
Question No. 870 answered with Question No. 866.
Question No. 871 answered with Question No. 866.

Health Services Staff

Questions (872)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

872. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to proceed with statutory regulation for psychotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8277/22]

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Written answers

The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 provides for the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence through the statutory registration of health and social care professions designated under the Act.

Regulations to designate counsellors and psychotherapists under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and to establish the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board were made in 2018. Members were appointed to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board in February 2019 and they held their inaugural meeting in May 2019.

The work of a registration board includes consideration of the titles to be protected and the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and the qualifications that will be required for future graduates. The work of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board is significantly more challenging than it is for registration boards for some of the more established professions owing to the different and complex pathways into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers. This work is ongoing.

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