Written Answers Nos. 613-628
613. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the National Clinical Programme for ADHD in adults; how many ADHD clinics have been opened; when the Programme is set to be fully implemented; the length of the waiting lists in the operational clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14672/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
614. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of rental baby monitor units for deaf parents his Department owns; the cost of each unit; the make and models of the units; and if a cost-based analysis has been undertaken to examine if it would be more productive for his Department to buy the units as opposed to leasing them. [14677/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
615. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of retail outlets registered to sell tobacco on the National Register of Tobacco retailers in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14687/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
616. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €500 tobacco retailer licence fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14688/23]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will provide for the introduction of a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products. An annual licence will be required for each outlet where tobacco products are sold. The proposed annual fee is yet to be determined. It is not possible to estimate the number of retail outlets that would opt to sell or continue to sell tobacco products following the introduction of a requirement for an annual licence and fee.
617. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided for tobacco cessation services from 2011 to 2022, and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14689/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
618. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an alliance of organisations seeking an increase in the legal age of sale of all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years of age, commonly known as tobacco 21; if he is in favour of Ireland introducing tobacco 21 as a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14690/23]
View answerI am aware of the campaign to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. I welcome this engagement from civil society and I know that the strong alliance between civil society and Government is the reason that Ireland has been notably successful and has a global reputation as a pioneer in tobacco control.
I understand that at least eleven countries have already increased their legal age of sale of tobacco to 21 with the U.S. introducing it at a federal level in December 2019. I look forward to the evidence from those interventions. My Department continues to examine all policy options, including those relating to age of purchase, which would reduce the enormous, and entirely preventable, toll of disease and death from tobacco smoking in our country.
619. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €50 electronic cigarette retailer licence fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14692/23]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will provide for the introduction of a licensing system for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products such as electronic cigarettes. An annual licence will be required for each outlet where nicotine inhaling products are sold. The proposed annual fee is yet to be determined. The licensing system will, for the first time, provide information on the number of retailers currently selling electronic cigarettes across the country. It is not possible to estimate the number of retail outlets that would opt to sell or continue to sell nicotine inhaling products following the introduction of a requirement for an annual licence and fee.
620. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department have in place or intend to put in place regulations to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes from mobile phone shops including shops selling mobile phones second hand along with phone cases; if inspections are carried out on these premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14694/23]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will require that all retailers engaged in the sale of electronic cigarettes must obtain a licence for their retail sale. It will be an offence to sell these products without a licence. The Bill will prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes to and by persons under 18 years of age. It will also prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes from temporary or mobile units, at events intended for children and from self-service vending machines. The Environmental Health Service of the HSE are responsible for the enforcement of tobacco control legislation and will be responsible for enforcement of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill.
621. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of smoking to the State in terms of health spending; if his Department will be conducting an updated 2023 report assessing the economic cost of smoking, following on from the 2016 ICF international report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14696/23]
View answerThe most recent study conducted on behalf of my Department on the economic cost of smoking in Ireland, "A detailed assessment of the economic cost of smoking in Ireland" was carried out in 2016 by ICF International (UK) in association with DKM Economic Consultants (Ireland).
The study estimated public healthcare costs from smoking to be €506 million per year. This included hospital inpatient admissions, day cases, outpatient appointments, emergency department attendances, primary care and hospital transportation costs. It also included €40 million in State spending on formal domiciliary care.
The study estimated the total cost of smoking to be €10.6 billion per year, which included lost productivity, loss of welfare, fire and litter-related costs. There are no plans to conduct an updated report at this time.
622. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeframe on an application by a person (details supplied) for registration with the Irish Medical Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14699/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department made enquiries with the Medical Council recently in relation to this case. I understand that this application is currently being assessed and that the Council was proposing to contact the individual in relation to finalising the registration process.
It is acknowledged that there can be lengthy processing times for certain application routes following receipt of the required documentation. However, the Medical Council has advised that additional resources have been added to assist with such applications and it is envisaged that further improvements to assessment times will be seen shortly.
623. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the condition fibromyalgia has been recognised as a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14704/23]
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 currently 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%.
624. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of women waiting for an appointment for the endometriosis clinic in the Coombe Hospital; the average waiting time at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14706/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
625. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any differential in survival rates for cancer between persons who were diagnosed in a public versus private hospital or clinic; and if a breakdown can be provided based on cancer type and survival rates in years, in tabular form. [14708/23]
View answerSuccessive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. This Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. €20m new development funding was allocated to cancer services and €15m was allocated for new cancer drugs in both 2021 and 2022. This increased total funding for cancer services to €139m in 2022.
The model of care for hospital cancer treatment is centred on eight Designated Cancer Centres serving a defined population and geographic area. The centralisation of specialist services into Designated Cancer Centres aims to optimise patient outcomes, through case volume, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural supports.
The National Cancer Registry (NCRI) published a report in 2019, Cancer care and survival in relation to centralisation of Irish cancer services: an analysis of National Cancer Registry data 1994-2015 . This report provides comparisons of five-year cancer-specific survival between three categories of hospitals (designated centres, other public hospitals, and private hospitals), based on where patients were first treated or diagnosed. Comparisons are made for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, prostate, and brain/central nervous system.
The report found that cause-specific survival of patients improved over time, both nationally and within most hospital categories, for the majority of the cancers and other tumours analysed. There were differences in survival rates between designated centres and private hospitals, depending on the cancer or tumour-type involved.
A number of factors may influence and help explain differences seen in survival, such as stage differences and, to a lesser degree, deprivation status of the patient. The report notes that differences in the appropriateness or quality of treatment and unmeasured differences in general patient health affecting suitability for treatment may contribute to survival differences between hospital categories.
It should be noted that all comparisons are based on hospital category, not on patient status, i.e. whether the patient's care is publicly funded or privately insured. Therefore, figures for cancer centres, and to a lesser extent other public hospitals, include any private patients whose first treatment/diagnosis was in a public hospital.
A full copy of the report including a summary table detailing cause-specific survival of cancer patients diagnosed 2008-2014, by category of hospital where first treated or diagnosed, can be viewed and downloaded from the NCRI: www.ncri.ie/sites/ncri/files/pubs/CancerCentralisation_NCRI_Jan2019_fullreport_29012019_final.pdf
626. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the mother-and-baby inpatient perinatal mental health unit will be in place in Q4 of 2024, as outlined in Sharing the Vision; if a site has been chosen; when it is expected to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14709/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
627. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has made accommodation for the provision of a new 10-bed impatient adult eating disorder service; if a location has been found; when it will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14710/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
628. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on securing accommodation for the 3 priority areas of Limerick, Galway and Cork for perinatal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14711/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
