Written Answers Nos. 431-440
431. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health his views on whether persons in the mid-west who need neurology services should have to wait for a number of years for this service to be developed and the number of nurses increased as indicated by the CEO of University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33415/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/22]
View answer440. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans to boost supports for persons with long-Covid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33457/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 440 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
433. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the €1,000 HSE pandemic bonus payment. [33419/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
While my Department does not comment on individual cases, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 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 frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
434. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of needs appointment will be given to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33423/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
435. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider adding asthma to the long-term illness scheme to allow sufferers access to their inhalers which can cost up to €110 per month and other medication associated with their condition given that it is a life-long illness that must be managed by medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33426/22]
View answerThe 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 LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. 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 Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 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. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
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 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, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
436. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason that young people who do not receive a vaccine (details supplied) when offered are being prevented from getting it due to the enormous cost; his views on whether cost should be a barrier to accessing a lifesaving vaccine; if, this cost will be removed for those seeking the vaccine given the level of misinformation and scaremongering when the vaccine was rolled out which caused genuine concern to parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33427/22]
View answerThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage.
In October 2021, my Department asked the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
I can confirm that the NIAC recently submitted its advices in relation to the HPV Vaccination Programme to my Department. As part of its advices, the NIAC noted that HPV vaccination should be prioritised for unvaccinated second level students and females under the age of 25 years.
In line with that advice, I have asked the HSE to provide an opportunity for all boys and girls in secondary schools who were previously eligible to receive the HPV vaccine and who have not yet, for whatever reason, received it, to now be offered the vaccine.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
437. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to introduce regulations under section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; if the regulations in relation to labels will require them to carry a warning in both official languages of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33441/22]
View answerDraft regulations under section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act must be assessed by the European Commission as to whether they are in alignment with Single Market principles. Subject to the consequences of that assessment there will be a three-year lead-in time after the Regulations have been finalised so that businesses will have time to prepare for and certainty to make the necessary changes to comply with the new requirements.
Section 12(1) of the Act provides that labels on alcohol products must contain specified health information and does not provide that this information should be displayed in both the English and the Irish language. Sections 12(4) and 12(5) of the Act provide that this health information must also be displayed on notices in licensed premises and on websites that sell alcohol products and does provide that this information must be displayed in both the English and the Irish language.
438. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is a provision in Budget 2023 to fund multidisciplinary clinics in all counties to provide treatment and care for persons suffering with long-Covid. [33453/22]
View answerThe HSE's funding for 2023 has not yet been allocated, therefore the level of funding available for Long COVID in 2023 has not yet been determined. Proposals in relation to Long COVID and the associated funding requirements will fall to be considered by my Department as part of the annual Estimates process later this year.
439. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to reform trans healthcare in Ireland. [33454/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to create and implement a general health policy for Trans people, based on a best-practice model for care, in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) and deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and multidisciplinary teams for children and adults.
The HSE is committed to developing services for the transgender community in accordance with international best practice across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals and primary care. This includes a robust and agreed care pathway for young people with gender dysphoria, in line with international best practice.
I am advised that a model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model recommends a comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy by endocrinology services, and also outlines the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.
While there are definite challenges in responding to the needs of this population, there have been many positive developments: -
- embedded clinical services, with expertise, in certain parts of the country,
- constructive advocacy groups in place with both individual and family experience of this issue,
- funding for a number of posts exists, and
- development of a model of care.
The challenges mainly centre around operational and governance issues which reflect the fact that the health services are delivered by a range of voluntary and statutory services and have grown up along with demand and clinician-led responses.
I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centered health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
