Written Answers Nos. 175-194
175. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if there are proposals to increase the illnesses covered on the long-term illness schemes in view of the fact that many illnesses requiring expensive medication are not covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21936/23]
View answerThe 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 currently no plans to extend the list of illnesses covered, It is 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.
In 2022, a range of measures were delivered including the abolition of public inpatient charges for children, reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, and the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17-25.
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 mean:
• an expansion of GP care without charges to people earning no more than the median household income.
• all public in-patient hospital charges abolished since 17 April 2023.
• an extension of free contraception to 26-year-old women since 1 Jan 2023, and further extension to 27-30 years old women from 1 September 2023.
These measures 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%.
176. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 325 of 09 March 2023, if the present special leave with pay scheme will be extended for eligible staff beyond 30 June 2023; if his Department examined all available options to support staff who are unable to return to work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21938/23]
View answerAs indicated in my response on 9th March this year, I am keenly aware of the challenges associated with the conclusion of the temporary Special Scheme of Paid Leave re Covid that is scheduled to end on 30th June. Officials from my Department at examining options in this regard however I am not in a position to provide an update as yet. The outcome of the review being undertaken by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the possible recognition of Covid as an occupational illness in the health sector is awaited also.
177. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if all implants used in spinal surgery for patients with spina bifida and spinal muscular atrophy across Temple Street and Crumlin Hospitals are appropriately licensed. [21947/23]
View answerIn 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.
178. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of a recommendation from external reviewers to place a senior spinal surgeon from Temple Street Children's University Hospital on leave; and if he is aware of the steps, if any, that were taken to implement that recommendation. [21948/23]
View answer179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the processes that have been put in place to consider and act upon the findings and recommendations of both internal and external reviews into spinal surgery at Temple Street Children's University Hospital. [21949/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
I am not in a position to comment, as the external review team has not yet concluded its work, after which it will report to Children’s Health Ireland.
180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the total number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of these patients, by county, who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21951/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
181. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, by county, treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21952/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
182. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under the age of 65 years by county treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21953/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
183. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in 2021 and 2022, by county, on persons under 65 years of age; the number of these patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21954/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
184. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21955/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients, by county, treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21956/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients undergoing full and partial lower limb amputations procedures, by county, on persons under 65 years of age in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of these patients who had diabetes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21957/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients, by county, on persons under 65 years of age; treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of those patients who had diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21958/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
188. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior podiatrists and WTE basic grade podiatrists employed by the Health Service Executive in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of those employed by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21959/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient podiatry appointments delivered, by hospital group, in the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of outpatient podiatry appointments delivered, by hospital group, to people with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21960/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
190. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of podiatry appointments delivered, by CHO area, in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; the number of podiatry appointments delivered, by CHO area, to people with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21961/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
191. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical podiatry specialists, WTE senior podiatrists, and WTE staff grade podiatrists that have been recruited to date to staff the HSE ECC specialist ambulatory care hubs across the 9 HSE CHOs; the number of each of these grade that have physically taken up posts; the number of each grade that are currently going through the HSE recruitment process; the number of posts that remained unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21962/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
192. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of the planned WTE clinical podiatry specialists and WTE senior podiatrists posts for HSE acute hospital diabetes services that have physically taken up posts; the number of each grade that are currently going through the HSE recruitment process; where these posts are based; the number of these planned posts that remain unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21963/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE diabetes clinical nursing posts, and WTE dietitians that have been recruited to date to staff the HSE ECC specialist ambulatory care hubs diabetes service across the 9 HSE CHOs; the number of each of these grades that have physically taken up post; the number of each grade that are currently going through the HSE recruitment process; the number of posts that remained unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21964/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
194. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a person living with type 2 diabetes who does not have a GMS card or a GP-visit card will be seen free of charge when referred by a GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21965/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
