Thursday, 30 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 261-280

Citizenship Applications

Questions (261, 262)

John Lahart

Question:

261. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice when decisions will be made in the case of citizenship applications for persons (details supplied) born in the State. [35138/22]

John Lahart

Question:

262. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice if a child in the care of the State (details supplied) who was born in the State and has applied for Irish citizenship will be granted a re-entry visa to facilitate their travel to France to represent Ireland in an international sporting tournament in August 2022; and if the process will be expedited in order that the opportunity to represent Ireland is not missed. [35139/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

The application for naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were acknowledged on 9 May 2022 by the Citizenship Division of my Department. They will now be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.

However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.

In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.

Re-entry visa requirements for children under the age of 16 have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. Full information has been published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/suspension-of-re-entry-visa-requirements-for-children-under-the-age-of-16-years/.

Non-EEA nationals under the age of 16 who wish to re-enter the State must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a legal permission to reside in the State. The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question. The child must have their own passport.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Question No. 262 answered with Question No. 261.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Questions (263)

Dara Calleary

Question:

263. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice if community safety partnership funding can be used to fund the maintenance and expansion of an existing community CCTV scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35157/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 263 of 30 June 2022 where you sought:

‘if community safety partnership funding can be used to fund the maintenance and expansion of an existing community CCTV scheme’

As you will recall, it was not possible to collate the information in the time available and I undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you may be aware, three Local Community Safety Partnerships are currently being piloted over 24 months in North Inner City Dublin, Waterford and Longford. These locations allow the proposed structure to be trialled in a high population density area, a medium population density area and a low population density area, with a regional distribution. The pilots are subject to independent evaluation, with learning outcomes taken into account in the drafting of the statutory framework for community safety and applied to the national roll out of similar partnerships in communities across the country.

Membership of these Local Community Safety Partnerships includes representatives from relevant public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána, local authorities and councillors as well as residents and community groups, representatives of youth, new communities and the voluntary, business and education sectors.

The pilots are each chaired by an independent chairperson and each pilot is also supported by a dedicated staff member - the local community safety coordinator - whose role is to support the Partnership, engage the residents in the community on safety issues and link them in with the work of the Partnership.

The three pilot LCSPs have received funding for the provision of administrative support to undertake their work by my Department through the Dormant Accounts Fund. In addition, in recognition of the scale and complexity of the work of the North Inner City Dublin Partnership, additional funding was made available from the North East Inner City (NEIC) initiative and from my Department.

Each Local Community Safety Partnership will develop a Local Community Safety Plan which will identify actions and the Department or Agency with responsibility for fulfilling these actions. Support to implement these actions will come from existing budget allocations.

Local Community Safety Partnerships may also apply for funding for additional community safety interventions through the new Community Safety Innovation Fund, the establishment of which is provided for in Budget 2022. It is intended that this fund will support investment in projects which will improve community safety. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, has an initial outlay in 2022 of €2m.

The call for applications for 2022 closed on 08 June. Officials within my Department are currently considering these applications against the funding call's criteria.

Under the criteria of the fund, the applications for capital funding costs will only be considered if they are integral to a proposal itself and appropriately apportioned. Applications for capital costs alone are not eligible. The maintenance and expansion of an existing community CCTV scheme would therefore not be eligible. However, my Department also administers a Community Based CCTV Grand Aid Scheme. The scheme is intended to support local communities wishing to install and maintain CCTV security systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and deterring illegal or anti-social behaviour.

More information can be found at: https://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Community_based_CCTV_grant_aid_scheme_Information_and_Documentation

Citizenship Applications

Questions (264)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

264. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the appropriate procedure for applying for Irish citizenship for those married to and living with an Irish citizen for more than seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35188/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.

Applicants are required to have five years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the reckonable residence in the State requirement is three years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to six weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family or holiday purposes.

Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (265)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in regard to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35233/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

There is no record of the person referred to in the Deputy's query having made an application for naturalisation.

For reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate.

The IPO may be contacted: by email to [e-mail]; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

The IPAT may be contacted either: by email to [e-mail]; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.

If a person's application is with the Ministerial Decisions Unit, that Unit operates a dedicated email service for responding to queries at: [e-mail].

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas mail facility ([e-mail]) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the parliamentary questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Immigration Status

Questions (266)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the precise procedures to be followed to facilitate each member of a family (details supplied), both those over and under 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35246/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The person referred to by the Deputy had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a further three year period, to 15 August 2022. This was communicated in writing by letter dated 21 August 2019.

Their family member aged 18 years also had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a further period, from 8 December 2019 to 15 August 2022. This was communicated in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 23 January 2020.

Both letters advised the persons concerned of the conditions attaching to their permission to remain and of the requirement to apply to their local immigration registration office for a further renewal of their permission to remain two weeks before their existing permission expires.

The family member who is aged 16 years currently holds a Stamp 3 immigration permission, which is valid to 15 August 2022. Prior to the expiry of this permission, they must apply for a renewal of temporary permission to remain in the State in their own right to:

The Acknowledgments Unit, Repatriation Division, Immigration Service, Department of Justice, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Based on the details provided by the Deputy, two of the dependent children of the person concerned would appear to be aged 14 years. Consequently, there is no requirement to register their permission at this time as they are under the age of 16 years. Once a non EEA national reaches 16 years of age while resident in the State, they are required to attend at their local immigration office to register their permission and to receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card in their own right.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Medical Cards

Questions (267)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

267. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a general practitioner visit card to members of the Defence Forces on discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35099/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Eligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card and is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances. 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.

  If an applicant’s income is over the limit for a medical card or GP visit card, they may still qualify for a discretionary card.  Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card/GP visit card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.

I can advise the Deputy that there are no plans at present to provide a general practitioner visit card to members of the Defence Forces on discharge.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (268)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

268. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if cleaners working in University Hospital Galway who are subcontracted through a company (details supplied) qualify for the pandemic recognition payment; and if the same eligibility applies to other cleaners in hospitals who are not directly employed by the hospital. [35150/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.   

As the deputy is aware, 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 . Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.

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. 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: 

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);   

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;   

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;   

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE; 

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;   

6. 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.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (269)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

269. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if caterers working in University Hospital Galway who are subcontracted through a company (details supplied) qualify for the pandemic recognition payment; and if the same eligibility applies to other caterers in hospitals who are not directly employed by the hospital. [35158/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.   

As the deputy is aware, 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 . Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.

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. 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:   

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);   

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;   

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;   

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;   

6. 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.    

Departmental Funding

Questions (270)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

270. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application (details supplied) for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34995/22]

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 Aids and Appliances

Questions (271)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

271. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a head rest for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34996/22]

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. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (272)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

272. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff in receipt of special leave with pay who are suffering from long-Covid; if it is intended to cease this payment for frontline staff who have contracted Covid while carrying out their duties; the supports he intends to offer such staff who continue to suffer long-term effects from Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35000/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of numbers of their staff currently on Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) re long Covid, and also in respect of occupational supports and long Covid clinics.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) introduced Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) re Covid for all Civil and Public sector employees at the start of the pandemic as a temporary measure to assist in the prevention of the onward spread of Covid in the work premises.

 The Department of Expenditure and Reform have announced a change to SLWP re Covid.  From 1st July 2022, SLWP will change for all cases.  SLWP will apply for the duration of the stated self-isolation period only (whatever duration is in place at the time of the absence - currently 7 calendar days).  From that date, any periods of Covid related illness which extends beyond the stated self-isolation period will be treated as ordinary sick leave.

Officials from my Department, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are actively engaging in respect of the impact of the 1st July 2022 change on public health sector employees who have remained absent on SLWP in respect of long Covid, and a scheme to provide for this specific cohort of public health sector workers.

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (273)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

273. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if any State or semi-State bodies that report to him are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Of the 19 state bodies under the aegis of my Department, two are registered as a charity. The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS). These bodies have charitable purposes in accordance with section 3 (1) of the Charities Act 2009.

A number of hospitals and other voluntary/not-for-profit organisations who provide services for or on behalf of the HSE are also registered charities. 

Bodies under the aegis of my Department are accountable in the first instance to their boards, and are required to comply with all applicable legislation. In the case of organisations who are registered as charities this includes the Charities Act 2009, which provides for regulation by the Charities Regulator.  

The HSE and IBTS, as with other bodies under the Aegis of my Department have governing legislation which provides for, inter alia, the appointment by the Minister  of  the  Board  and  the  Chairperson.  The  Chairperson  and  Board  are  ultimately  responsible  to  me as Minister for the operation and proper functioning of the State body. As set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, these bodies have Oversight Agreements in place which clearly define the terms of the relationship between these bodies and me/my Department. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (274)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

274. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the arrangements and timeline for the payment of the pandemic special recognition payment to front-line healthcare workers, including agency staff; the number of payments made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35019/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

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  

Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 24 June, over 60,000 eligible HSE and Section 38 staff have received payment around the country.

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:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;

6. 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.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (275)

Ged Nash

Question:

275. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will confirm that contract cleaning staff (details supplied) are eligible for the pandemic special recognition payment subject to the detailed terms of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35024/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period. 

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:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;

6. 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.

Mental Health Services

Questions (276)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

276. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the unacceptably long waiting lists for CAMHS services in County Wexford including child and adolescent psychology and occupational therapy; the plans he has to address this matter; if he will consider providing supports to families to obtain private treatment for children in urgent need under the treatment purchase scheme; if he will review the current waiting lists and instigate a waiting list initiative within CAMHS similar to the initiative which was run in the National Counselling Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35031/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Health Services

Questions (277)

Denis Naughten

Question:

277. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 26 May 2022, if he will list the sites set to provide a service to children; the sites providing long-Covid and post-acute clinics respectively on an interim basis to children; the current number of children awaiting an appointment at each clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35034/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.

Medical Cards

Questions (278)

Niall Collins

Question:

278. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to allow medical cards to be made available to cancer patients; if his attention has been drawn to need for same; if the matter is under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35037/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue 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.

The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.

However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services. 

Furthermore, the HSE also has a system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e. in circumstances where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or are receiving end of life care.  In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional.  Additionally, patients who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having  a prognosis of 24 months or less are also now eligible for a medical card without a means assessment.  

Finally, it should be noted that since 2015 medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer, for a period of five years.

Health Services Staff

Questions (279)

Mark Ward

Question:

279. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the number of public health nurses in Dublin mid-west in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35040/22]

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 (280)

Mark Ward

Question:

280. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the number of public health nurses per CHO area in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35041/22]

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.