Written Answers Nos. 349-356
349. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees with the need to ensure that fibromyalgia, which affects one in 50 Irish people, is recognised in Ireland as a long-term illness, that causes disability (details supplied); if he will instruct his Department to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14462/23]
View answerFibromyalgia is a condition characterized by severe pain, fatigue and stiffness, among many other symptoms. Fibromyalgia can be a difficult condition to diagnose because there is no specific test and the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. Treatment often requires interventions from various medical specialists for management of symptoms as they arise.
The 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.
While there are no current plans to extend the list of illnesses covered, my Department is examining all of the issues around the scope of the Scheme. It is also important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
The significant investment in Budget 2023 will facilitate better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on everyone.
In 2023 this will include an expansion of GP care without charges to people earning no more than the median household income, and that all public inpatient hospital charges will be abolished. These measures will continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
In addition, 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.Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.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%.
350. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14464/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) have responsibility for the provision of aids and appliances, including wheelchairs, under the Community Funded Schemes, I have asked HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons who were in receipt of the nursing home fair deal who listed rental from their primary residence in the assessment in 2021, 2022 and subsequently since the new 40% assessment threshold was introduced in November 2022 by Minister of State at the Department of Health to encourage more recipients to rent out their primary residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14468/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
352. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if there is a policy in relation to shared care between children’s disability network teams, child and adolescent mental health services and primary care; if so, who oversees its implementation; if this body produces a report on the implementation of this policy for him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14482/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
353. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if, children’s disability network teams, child and adolescent mental health services and primary care are mandated to work together in relation to the shared care of children with issues pertaining across all these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14483/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
354. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to CORU in each of the past five years; the number of staff working in CORU in each of the past five years; the number of organisations being regulated by CORU in the corresponding timeframe, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14484/23]
View answerPlease find the requested information in tabular form below.
|
Year |
Number of Professions Regulated |
Total number of staff at year end |
Department of Health Funding - Vote 38 Subhead E1 |
Department of Health Funding - Vote 38 Subhead L (Capital) |
Total Funding |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
2022 |
11 |
79 |
5,000,000 |
98,993 |
5,098,993 |
|
2021 |
11 |
78 |
4,470,000 |
6,989 |
4,476,989 |
|
2020 |
10 |
62 |
3,250,000 |
189,990 |
3,439,990 |
|
2019 |
10 |
60 |
3,495,000 |
236,211 |
3,731,211 |
|
2018 |
9 |
48 |
3,205,000 |
1,134,890 |
4,339,890 |
|
19,420,000 |
1,667,073 |
21,087,073 |
As the Deputy may be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. Seventeen health and social care professions are designated for regulation by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. There are currently registers open for eleven professions. These professions include: Dietitians/Dieticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Physiotherapists/Physical Therapists, Podiatrists/Chiropodists, Radiographers and Radiation Therapists, Social Workers and Speech and Language Therapists/Speech Therapists.
CORU is continuing the substantial work required to open the registers for the remaining designated professions of Social Care Workers (register scheduled to open on 30th November, 2023); Counsellors and Psychotherapists; Psychologists; Clinical Biochemists and Orthoptists. The registration boards for both the psychology profession and counselling and psychotherapy professions have been established and significant ongoing work is being undertaken to progress the opening of the registers for these professions. The work for both these Registration Boards has proved both complex and challenging due to the diverse nature of the professions and the myriad educational paths to qualification. Intense work is ongoing on progressing these professions to statutory regulation.
355. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of surgeries carried out in an area (details supplied). [14487/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
356. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of the operations of an out-of-hours service (details supplied). [14490/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
