Wednesday, 18 Jan 2023

Health Services

Questions (1454)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1454. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be given for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1304/23]

View answer

Written answers

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.

Eating Disorders

Questions (1455)

Mark Ward

Question:

1455. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults who have presented to the HSE looking for treatment for eating disorders who received specialist inpatient treatment in a dedicated eating disorder service in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1315/23]

View answer

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.

Departmental Staff

Questions (1456)

Colm Burke

Question:

1456. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons, if any, working in his Department who have a qualification in the area of genomics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1323/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

3 members of staff in my Department have advised they have qualifications in the area of genomics and we also have access to additional expertise within the HSE.

Hospital Charges

Questions (1457)

Colm Burke

Question:

1457. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the publication of reimbursement levels, costs of procedures and hospital charges to enable patients to make informed decisions prior to seeking medical treatment abroad under the EU Cross-Border Directive on Healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1324/23]

View answer

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.

EU Directives

Questions (1458, 1459, 1460)

Colm Burke

Question:

1458. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the right to reimbursement under the EU Cross-Border Directive on Healthcare is based solely on the care and treatment received, regardless of where the patient receives such treatment within the EU/EEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1325/23]

View answer

Colm Burke

Question:

1459. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the treatment and care received in another EU/EEA country must be of the same or similar standard as that would be received in the home country under the EU Cross-Border Directive on Healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1326/23]

View answer

Colm Burke

Question:

1460. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the right to reimbursement for treatment and care received under the EU Cross-Border Directive on Healthcare is automatic and does not require further approval by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1327/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1458 to 1460, inclusive, together.

The EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. The HSE operates the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Under the terms of the CBD, patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the country they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser. Eligibility for reimbursement for an individual application made under the Cross Border Directive is assessed by the HSE. The HSE, in fulfilling it's role as the National Contact Point (NCP) in Ireland, provides information for patients on the operation of the CBD, including on its website. www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/cross-border-directive/

Minister for Health

As this PQ relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for answer.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (1466)

Duncan Smith

Question:

1466. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are put in place if a particular special school does not offer the HSE's vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1377/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this PQ relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for answer.

Health Strategies

Questions (1467)

Duncan Smith

Question:

1467. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the national breastfeeding guidance that is in place in non-maternity adult acute hospitals; the steps that he will take to ensure support to breastfeeding patients in non-maternity adult acute hospitals with regard to prescribing practices and nursing care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1379/23]

View answer

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.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (1468)

Brian Stanley

Question:

1468. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the date for the opening of the 12 step-down beds in Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois, for the use of patients who have been discharged from acute hospitals. [1384/23]

View answer

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.

Ambulance Service

Questions (1469)

Seán Canney

Question:

1469. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the National Ambulance Service to put a second ambulance in place in Tuam, County Galway, on a full 24/7 basis to deal with the demand in Tuam and the catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1387/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE's National Ambulance Service does not operate a station-based deployment system, but instead uses “dynamic deployment” on a national basis. Dynamic deployment allows staff in the HSE’s National Emergency Operations Centre to see all available resources and match them with service demand requirements in real time.

As this is an service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with any further information they may have, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1470)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1470. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the status of paramedics in the HSE who are categorised as support staff rather than having the same employment status and rights as health staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1388/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

Employees of the public health service fall into one of the following six staff categories:

- General Support

- Patient & Client Care

- Management/Administrative

- Medical/Dental

- Nursing

- Health & Social Care Professionals

While in the main, employees of the public health service have the same terms and conditions of employment, any different arrangements that apply to specific cohorts of staff can be found within the HSE's Terms and Conditions of Employment staff guide, which can be viewed online here: healthservice.hse.ie/staff/benefits-and-services/hr-forms/terms-and-conditions-of-employment/

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (1471)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1471. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on when staff in private and voluntary nursing homes will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1390/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (1472)

Seán Canney

Question:

1472. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will make equipment and medications for sleep apnoea available on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1392/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Long-Term Illness scheme (LTI) 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 medicines and medical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

While there are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI scheme at this time, the 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. It is not possible at this juncture to say what the outcome of this review will be.

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 Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), 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. The costs associated with the rental of a CPAP machine for individuals suffering from Sleep Apnoea are covered under the DPS.

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.

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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.

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 medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1473)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1473. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an orthopaedic appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; if they are on the urgent or routine list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1393/23]

View answer

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.