Written Answers Nos. 603-619
603. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for a procedure under the NTPF in a Dublin-based hospital; the reason for the cancellation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61987/22]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
604. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if class 3 medical stockings for vascular edema will be included on the medical card for those with a prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61991/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on reimbursement under the General Medical Services scheme (GMS), I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
605. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment of needs appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61992/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
606. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of speech and language therapy and occupational therapy appointments for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61993/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
608. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 on 16 November 2022, to outline the staff vacancy rates for the two respite service providers in south Tipperary; the number of staff vacancies; the stage of the recruitment process; what incentives have been offered to increase attractiveness of the role for future employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62006/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
609. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that specific medicines for Addison’s disease used for hydrocortone and fludrocortisone be included and made available in the general medical scheme to people who require this and who have serious medical issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62010/22]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Reimbursement for medicines under the community drugs schemes is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact. HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics.
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 under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. 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.
610. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will take action to promote the expansion and accessibility of the heel-prick test, which is lifesaving for the most vulnerable newborns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62018/22]
View answerI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population. The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) Programme is a priority for me.
I am aware of how difficult it is for parents whose children have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them, their families and their children. Advances in technology and treatments for many of these rare but serious conditions are continually emerging, which is very welcome for the families and carers of these children.
Decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, such as the NBS Programme, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. In addition to the scientific and technological information required to make evidence-based decisions, there are ethical, legal and societal issues which arise when planning an enduring population-based screening programme of this nature. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
Significant progress has been made by the Committee which has recently published its work programme. The Committee works closely with the HSE, HIQA, clinicians and patient advocates in its approach to consideration of the expansion of population-based screening in Ireland. Most notably, the NBS Programme was expanded earlier this year and now screens for nine conditions following a recommendation from the NSAC to add ADA-SCID to the Programme.
A number of newborn conditions are undergoing active consideration by the NSAC., and a recommendation regarding further expansion of the NBS before the end of 2022 is expected. The final report from HIQA on its Health Technology Assessment (HTA) for the addition of a tenth condition (SCID), was presented to the NSAC at its December meeting.
I look forward to recommendations from the Committee shortly, and remain committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.
611. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists taking part in the dental treatment services scheme; the number who have discontinued in each of the past three years; his plans to increase participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62032/22]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019).Work has begun on this review and officials in my Department are engaging with stakeholders. I expect significant further progress to be made in 2023 and have made an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to support this work and enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year. This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the DTSS, the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE. On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.
These further measures come on top of a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022 to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors. The numbers of patients being seen, the numbers of treatments being provided and the number of claims being submitted under the DTSS have all increased in recent months.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy with the figures he is requesting.
612. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); if the results of the health technology assessment for evusheld have been circulated to the Covid-19 therapeutics advisory group, TAG; if TAG has reviewed the findings of the Health Technology Assessment, HTA, and made recommendations; if so, if he will publish these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62033/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
613. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if medical cards for people with terminal illness are available without a means test. [62077/22]
View answerUnder the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The HSE has however a compassionate system in place for the provision of medical cards when it is informed that a patient is receiving end of life treatment - that is when patients’ unfortunately have a prognosis of less than 12 months. The Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ contains a commitment to extend discretionary medical cards to those with a terminal illness. The Report of the Clinical Advisory Group, which was re-established by the HSE to carry out a review of eligibility for medical cards in cases of terminal illness, recommended inter alia, that legislative change would be necessary to underpin an extension to the current prognosis timeframe required for 'End of Life' medical cards. The legislative framework required to underpin the extension of eligibility for medical cards for terminally ill patients on a statutory basis is currently being developed.
Pending finalisation of this legislation, Government has already introduced an administrative arrangement that enables persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less to be awarded a medical card. These applications do not require a means assessment nor are they reassessed. I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that terminally ill patients have access to the services they need.
614. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funds generated from the sale of the now-vacated Dundrum hospital site will be reinvested in mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62083/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
615. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm when the long-promised community neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 6, to be based in Bray, County Wicklow will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62145/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
616. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay or difficulty in reimbursing a person (details supplied) for treatment that she had abroad, in full accordance with the rules of the treatment abroad scheme. [62147/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
617. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the actions, funding and resources provided by Government to tackle substance addiction; and if he will detail for each local health office area the funding provided for each in tabular form; the number of residential detox beds available in each; and the number of person's on waiting lists for detox beds. [62149/22]
View answerThe Governments response to addressing substance misuse in Ireland is set out in the National Drug Strategy ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health-led approach to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025'.
A mid-term review of strategic action plan for 2017 to 2022 was published in 2021. The report on the review is available here. The mid-term review shows significant progress in implementing the action plan for the period 2017 to 2020, with only a small number of the 50 actions outstanding. We have improved access and availability of drug services, especially services for women, people who are homeless and those with heroin addiction. There is a new clinical programme for dual diagnosis and the government is championing an alternative health-led approach for the possession of drugs for personal use. The full report is available here gov.ie - Mid term Review of the National Drug Strategy: Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery (www.gov.ie)
Following the mid-term review of the Strategy, six strategic priorities were identified for the remaining period of the strategy, 2022-2025, as follows:
1. Strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use and the associated harms among children and young people.
2. Enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community.
3. Develop integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users to achieve better health outcomes.
4. Address the social determinants and consequences of drug use in disadvantaged communities.
5. Promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences.
6. Strengthen evidence-informed and outcomes-focused practice, services, policies, and strategy implementation.
The Department of Health provides over €130 million to drug and alcohol services to support the strategy. gov.ie - Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025 (www.gov.ie)
In Budgets 2021 to 2023, a cumulative additional €24.4 million was provided to implement the NDS. Details of the specific measures in Budget 2023, which amounted to over €5m, along with €3.5m for maintain existing level of services, are attached.
I am committed to providing the resources necessary to implement the National Drug Strategy, in particular the six strategic priorities for the period 2022-2025.
As part of this question relates to detox beds and local health office funding which are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly on them, as soon as possible.
618. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 25 October 2022, the timeline for workers in non-HSE and non-section 39 organisations to receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62158/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
