Written Answers Nos. 553-577
553. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1385 of 21 March 2023, when there was a full case conference in relation to the patient; if a patient advocate had been appointed on his behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19160/23]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter I have referred directly to the HSE for response.
554. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for the fair deal scheme in the case of a person (details supplied), given their spouse is currently paying €1,145 per week for their care; when funding is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19163/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
555. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that payments due under the PCRS to a medical practice (details supplied) will be paid; the reason for the long delay in making payments to this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19165/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
556. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health when front-line healthcare workers who were employed by an agency (details supplied) to give vaccinations in a hospital will be paid the Covid bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19167/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
557. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the recent report of the Ombudsman in relation to the treatment of some applicants under the treatment abroad scheme, he will request the HSE to review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19169/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
558. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a medication (details supplied) has been removed from the list of medication available for free under the medical card scheme; if this can be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19170/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
562. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the plans that the Government has committed to in relation to ensuring that terminally-ill patients have access to medical cards have been implemented in full. [19205/23]
View answerMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The HSE also has a compassionate system in place for the provision of medical cards where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or when a patient is receiving end of life treatment – that is when patients’ unfortunately have a prognosis of less than 12 months.
In addition, since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis. This measure delivered the Programme for Government commitment to extend eligibility for medical cards to persons with a terminal illness and work is continuing on developing a legislative framework to underpin this scheme.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
563. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the medical card application by a person (details supplied) who has been asked for documentation repeatedly even after submitting the requested information. [19206/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
564. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1496 of 21 March 2023, if he will now ensure that guidelines are put in place immediately by his Department regarding value for money and risks in relation to the potential purchase of and/or purchase of private nursing homes. [19207/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
565. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the new St. Conlon’s home in Nenagh will be completed and open to residents. [19213/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
566. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if kitchen staff in hospitals will receive the pandemic bonus of €1,000. [19214/23]
View answerLast year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.
While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
- Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
- Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
- Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
- Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible front-line workers faced, following careful consideration. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. As of February this year there is also a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.
567. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of in-patients in each acute hospital at present that have been admitted for more than one year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19226/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
568. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of in-patients in each acute hospital over the past ten years that have been admitted for more than one year, in tabular form [19227/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
569. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) [19228/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
570. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appeal against the refusal to pay out the pandemic special recognition payment for a group of front-line healthcare workers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/23]
View answerLast year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.
While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
- Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
- Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
- Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
- Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible front-line workers faced, following careful consideration. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. As of February this year there is also a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.
571. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of funding including all annual operational, clinical and one-off funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in partnership with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19299/23]
View answerAs individual allocations to Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation are a matter for the HSE, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the sale of larger boxes of cigarettes non-20-pack cigarettes constitutes promotional pricing; and if they are distorting demand for cigarettes upwards. [19309/23]
View answer573. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to a unit price per cigarette, or if the pricing of larger boxes will be set as a derivative of the price of a 20-pack of cigarettes to ensure against promotional pricing. [19310/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 573 together.
While pricing matters generally are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance, we continue to work together to ensure that public health impacts are central to considerations in relation to tobacco pricing.
In relation to the sale of cigarette packets containing more than 20 cigarettes, there is a lack of sufficient evidence that such packets impact on consumption or prevalence and therefore on public health. We will continue to monitor the emerging evidence and will take action if it becomes clear that it will have a public health benefit.
574. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant neurosurgeons attached to University Hospital Limerick in the years of 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [19343/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
575. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of funded paediatric ICU and HDU beds in each children's ward of major hospitals outside of Dublin as of 18 April 2023; and if he will provide the same figures as of 31 March 2021, in tabular form. [19344/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
576. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital works projects that were carried out at Nenagh Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; and the estimated costs of each project. [19351/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
577. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot get their appointment in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19364/23]
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.
