Written Answers Nos. 1541-1560
1542. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the steps that he will take to develop dedicated and resourced clinical pathways for the healthcare needs of intersex persons in Ireland; if he will develop a strategy in this regard through engagement with intersex persons and representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1543. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand awareness and supports for intersex persons; the steps that he has taken since becoming Minister; his plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20035/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1544. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 786 of 29 March 2022, the circa 20 systems identified in which the original vendor is not in business anymore and circa 40 systems which do not receive enhancements, in tabular form; the last year they were updated, upgraded or the vendor ceased to provide updates or ceased to provide any services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20040/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of ICT in the health service, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
1545. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the ability to register births at Civil Registration Service locations in Tralee and Listowel, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20083/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1546. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an estimate on the additional cost to the Exchequer of ensuring that those currently in receipt of disability allowance would retain their medical card upon entering employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20086/22]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.
In relation to the cost of providing a medical card in the manner sought, the data required to model this is not readily available and it is therefore not possible to provide an estimate of the cost of the proposal.
However, it should be noted that since December 2018, the medical card earnings disregard for persons in receipt of Disability Allowance was increased from €120 to €427 per week and applies to the assessment process for both single persons and to family assessments. This measure gave effect to one of the key recommendations of the Make Work Pay for Persons with Disabilities Report.
Furthermore, medical card holders who are unemployed and take up new employment or self-employment may continue to hold their medical card for a period of 3 years, provided they were in receipt of certain allowances or benefits at the full rate applicable to them, such as Disability Allowance, for a period of at least 12 months prior to commencing employment.
1548. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent staff assigned to the CAMHS unit located at Casino Park, Malahide Road, Dublin. [20088/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1549. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who signed up nationwide to accept medical cards patients in each of the years 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number who have left the scheme; the number who have joined the scheme over the same period of time, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20092/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1550. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); the supports available in such a situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20105/22]
View answerI would like thank the Deputy for raising these concerns. I would also like to assure your constituent and their daughter that I fully empathise with the difficulties they have faced. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an extraordinarily challenging time, causing untold difficulties for people across the country since its onset. While I am not in a position to comment on individual cases, I would like to wish your constituent and their daughter a full and speedy recovery. With respect to the care required going forward, the medical team currently involved in the case are best placed to advise on the most appropriate course of treatment.
Regarding the medical expenses regrettably incurred, the Department of Health is exploring the possibility of a broader vaccine compensation scheme, not specific to COVID-19. Unfortunately, there is still significant work required in this area.
With respect to vaccine safety, I can assure you that Health Products Regulation Authority (HPRA) maintains a very close watch on reported adverse reactions. In its most recent vaccine safety update (published 24th March) it noted that, whilst not experienced by everyone, all vaccines have some side effects, the vast majority of which are mild to moderate in nature. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the benefits in preventing COVID-19 illness. Overall, the national reporting experience continues to support the favourable assessment that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks. This, of course, does not detract from the adverse reaction your constituent experienced but I hope that it goes some way to assure you that the vaccine is safe and that we should continue to have confidence in it.
1551. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if those working for an organisation (details supplied) that is part-funded by the HSE, particularly those in a residential setting for adults with disabilities, are entitled to the Covid recognition payment. [20107/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 19th April the HSE published additional details including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply to eligible HSE and Section 38 Agency employees. This information is available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.
Separately, the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
- Agency roles working in the HSE;
- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
- Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
1552. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding certain pharmacies that are charging extra for blister packs over and above the prescription charges; if he is taking steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/22]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1553. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if discussions are expected to review the visiting rights in University Hospital Limerick for dementia patients and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20111/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1554. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who are needed to reach full staffing levels in each children’s disability network team in the CHO 3 and CHO 5 areas; the number of staff who are currently in place in each children’s disability network team in the CHO 3 and CHO 5 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20112/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1555. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the reimbursement of the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system for those with type 1 diabetes; if he has considered extending the availability to all persons over 21 years of age with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1556. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive recognition of their role within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20118/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1557. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number and the percentage of clinical psychologist students at PhD level who are sponsored by the HSE who continue to work in the public sector for at least five years following the completion of their studies; the terms associated with the HSE sponsorship of clinical psychologist students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20128/22]
View answerIn 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.
1558. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an urgent hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20131/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1559. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to the transfer of an asset under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform protocol from the HSE to the local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20137/22]
View answerAs 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.
1560. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the rate of HSE staff turnover in each of the years 2011 to 2021, by staff grade and category, in tabular form; the workforce level in January in each of the years 2011 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20138/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
