Wednesday, 18 Jan 2023

Written Answers Nos. 1313-1332

Health Services

Questions (1313)

Robert Troy

Question:

1313. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a speech therapy appointment for a person (details supplied). [63701/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1314)

Robert Troy

Question:

1314. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate staff to speech therapy services in County Longford (details supplied). [63703/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Dental Services

Questions (1315)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1315. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of dentists and dental technicians in County Kildare who accept medical card patients in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63711/22]

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.

Dental Services

Questions (1316)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1316. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of dentists and dental technicians in County Offaly who accept medical card patients in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63712/22]

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 Cards

Questions (1317)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1317. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for applications for a medical card; the number of persons awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63714/22]

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. 

Care Services

Questions (1318)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1318. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of home care provision by the HSE in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63723/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (1319)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1319. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of dentists and dental technicians in County Laois who accept medical card patients in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63731/22]

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.

Care Services

Questions (1320)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

1320. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the application for home care supports for a person (details supplied) who has had a leg amputated and is in need of assistance in their home but has been told that they must be of 65 years to avail of HSE supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63733/22]

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 to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Promotion

Questions (1321)

Neale Richmond

Question:

1321. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there should be an awareness campaign to deter vaping in public spaces, such as in bars and nightclubs; the steps that he is taking to deter persons from doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63790/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Public health information campaigns, such as the ongoing HSE Quit smoking campaign are informed by a robust scientific evidence base. In October 2020, the Health Research Board carried out evidence reviews on the health harms and possible benefits of electronic cigarettes, on the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation and on whether e-cigarette use leads to subsequent smoking in adolescents. The reviews found that:

- Electronic cigarettes are not harmless to users, but there is evidence that they are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.

- Electronic cigarettes appear to be as effective as nicotine replacement therapies for assisting smoking cessation for an observed period of up to 6 months. Further study is required to determine their effectiveness over a longer period

- There appears to be an association between the use of electronic cigarettes and subsequent smoking among adolescents.

These findings align with previous international assessments of e-cigarettes, particularly in their primary conclusion that more research is needed to understand longer term public health effects. The findings also reinforce the need for the provisions contained in the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill which will prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes by or to anyone under 18 and provide for a licensing system for their retail sale. The Bill will also prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products from self-service vending machines, from temporary or mobile premises and at events for children. In addition, advertisements for nicotine inhaling products will be prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and near schools. Combined, these measures will reduce the visibility and availability of e-cigarettes to young people and allow for greater enforcement of the retail environment where they are sold. Drafting of the Bill is ongoing with the intention that the Bill will be introduced to the Oireachtas and enacted in 2023.

My Department will continue to monitor the emerging research and evidence in relation to the health harms of e-cigarettes.

Health Services

Questions (1322)

Joe Carey

Question:

1322. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to a query raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to supports for visually impaired people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63818/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances free of charge to eligible people following assessment by a relevant health professional.  

The Community Funded Schemes (CFS) is a collective name for the many aids and appliances that are provided through community services. Provision is based on an appropriate clinical assessment, the funding available within local budgets, and a determination of the most appropriate product that will meet the eligible person’s needs. 

The CFS provides aids and appliances and assistive technologies to a wide section of the community including older people, people with diverse chronic illnesses, and people with disabilities. The actual products and services provided are subject to ongoing assessment and change in line with developments in clinical practice, and as new products are developed and become available to the market.

In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE and 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. 

As this question also involves service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Substance Misuse

Questions (1323)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains focused on enabling rehabilitation and methadone treatments for those who have been adversely affected by drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63820/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery, strategy provides an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery.

Methadone prescribing for opioid dependence remains a key element of the harm reduction approach to opioid use set out in the National Drugs Strategy. Methadone is one of the medications used in opioid substitution treatment, along with suboxone.

Opioid substitution treatment supports patients to recover from drug dependence. HSE addiction services work within the national drugs rehabilitation framework to support progression pathways. The framework ensures that individuals affected by drug misuse are offered a range of integrated options tailored to meet their needs and to create rehabilitation pathways.

Over the last three years and in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the HSE has examined potential mechanisms to increase access to opioid substitution treatment in order to promote the safety of individuals who were opioid dependent and at potential risk of contracting SARS CoV 2 and suffering morbidity and mortality. A research paper on the HSE Addiction Services response during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the many adaptations to increase access and to reduce waiting lists.

As a result of these innovations and changes, the HSE Addiction services and community level 1 and level 2 GPs are providing Opioid Substitution/Agonist Treatment (OST/OAT), to an additional 1,000 individuals in October 2023, as compared with January 2020. The number of GPs prescribing buprenorphine-based products has increased from 37 to 61 in this period.

The majority of opioid users (73%) are aged between 35 and 65 years. This aging population is more susceptible to infection, overdose and suicide and present with higher rates of degenerative disorders, circulatory and respiratory problems, diabetes, hepatitis and liver cirrhosis than their drug using peers. This population therefore requires an accessible collaborative approach, within which GPs are ideally positioned to provide comprehensive care. The ultimate aim is to have an individual receiving OST/OAT as part of routine care delivered by their GP.

I believe that methadone treatment reflects the public health approach to drug and alcohol misuse set out in the National Drugs Strategy. Moreover, it is an important tool to reduce harm and to aid people to recover from drug use. I am committed to improving the availability of this treatment and to developing services to meet the needs of people on opioid substitution treatment.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1324)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

1324. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he plans to roll out Covid vaccines to children under five years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63827/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

Following the recommendation for the use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.

You can view the updated guidelines here:

www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf

The NIAC recently made recommendations on authorising mRNA vaccination for those aged 6 months to 4 years. These recommendations have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and myself.

The HSE is now in the process of operationalising these recommendations and it is expected that the rollout will commence in the coming weeks. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (1325)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

1325. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus will be paid to healthcare staff (details supplied) who have been waiting for almost a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63833/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1326)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1326. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63838/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Disability Services

Questions (1327)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1327. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered for disability services in Bantry, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63841/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. 

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1328, 1330)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

1328. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for North-East Doctor On Call, NEDOC, in Meath to attend to a patient in view of the fact that parents in south County Meath seeking a doctor-on-call service for ill children have been referred to as far away as Castleblaney, County Monaghan, 85 kilometres away, due to the lack of capacity in the NEDOC service in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63842/22]

Johnny Guirke

Question:

1330. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for North-East Doctor On Call, NEDOC, to see a patient in the various NEDOC hubs of counties Meath and Westmeath in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63845/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1328 and 1330 together.

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

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1329)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1329. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being taken to support Ukrainians currently in State-provided accommodation to get access to appropriate GP care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63843/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services. Ukrainian refugees will be able to access the equivalent health services as people who are already ordinarily living here, and are entitled to apply for a medical card.

The HSE has arranged a range of bespoke GP services for those accommodated in hotels and other settings. The exact model for each site varies, however all have access to GP Out-of-Hours services, while those staying in private accommodation can register with local GPs. Where a medical card applicant is availing of local GP services but does not gave a preferred GP, a GP can be assigned by the HSE to them and their family.

The importance of assisting health professionals from Ukraine to gain registration here is fully appreciated. However, it is important that this is done in a safe manner which recognises the differences in training and language between our systems of medical education and practise. Medical English language training is particularly required to assist many of the applicants to meet the standards necessary for registration.

In this regard, I recently approved a funding package for medical English language training to assist Ukrainian doctors and dentists in gaining registration here. The HSE are currently finalising the application and operational details. The medical language training as well as the creation of suitable roles in the health service will greatly assist those in meeting the standards for registration and it is expected that significant progress will be made this year.

Question No. 1330 answered with Question No. 1328.

Medicinal Products

Questions (1331)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

1331. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if steps are being taken to secure a supply of the drugs rivotrol and zarontin for the treatment of epilepsy-related seizures, given the current international shortage of these pharmaceuticals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63853/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Medicine shortages are increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade. The causes of such shortages are multi-factorial, including shortages of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties, increased demand, product recalls due to potential quality defects, and industry consolidations. Medicine shortages can originate at any point in the supply chain. They can involve and impact many stakeholders in different ways, as the supply models and clinical use of therapies can vary across national health systems.

The Department of Health, as advised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), is aware of a shortage of Rivotril 0.5mg tablets, which are supplied by Cheplapharm, due to manufacturing issues which have impacted supply to multiple countries. The company informed the HPRA that the shortage began on 17th October 2022, and supply is expected to resume in February 2023. Alternative products with the same active ingredient (clonazepam) are available. The HPRA has also expedited a controlled drug licence to assist the company in the accelerated import of Rivotril.

The only authorised presentation of Zarontin in Ireland is 250mg/5ml syrup. Essential Pharma, the company that markets the product, has confirmed that there are no shortages of this product and that there is stock in the wholesalers.

Management of medicines shortages necessitates a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health. To that end, at the request of the Department of Health, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has assumed a coordinating function in Ireland’s response to managing medicine shortages when they occur. The HPRA is generally informed of a medicine shortage by the relevant pharmaceutical company. Shortages can also be notified to the HPRA by other stakeholders across the health system. In each case, the HPRA will work with relevant stakeholders as necessary, including the HSE, to coordinate an effective approach to the management of a confirmed product shortage. The HPRA engages with stakeholders to coordinate actions and share information to prevent or mitigate the impact of medicine shortages when they occur.

The HPRA publishes a list of medicines currently in short supply on its website with the reason for the shortage and expected dates for the return of supply. The information is available to assist healthcare professionals in managing medicine shortages when they arise and reduce their impact on patients. The information relating to shortages on the HPRA website is dynamic and changes depending on the current information the HPRA has to hand, including removal from the list when a shortage has been resolved.

Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medicine shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare professional involved in their care.

Mental Health Services

Questions (1332)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1332. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the appropriate official within the mental health services can contact a person (details supplied) with respect to their views on the provision of mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63856/22]

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.