Gino Kenny
Question:449. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if people with long-term and serious allergies would be considered for the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/23]
View answerDepartmental Schemes
Questions (449)
Written answers
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 plans to extend the list of illnesses covered by the LTI Scheme, it is important to remember that the 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 includes:
- 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%.
Health Services
Questions (450)
James Lawless
Question:450. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if an independent body that is separate from the HSE can be appointed in order to assess and grade claims made through the Cross Border Directive Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23776/23]
View answerWritten answers
The EU Cross-Border Directive (EU Directive 24/11) scheme was transposed into Irish legislation in June 2014. The HSE is responsible for the operation of the 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. The HSE through the National Contact Point (NCP) provides information for patients on the operation of the CBD. Under the governing legislation, the HSE is responsible for the operation of the CBD in Ireland, including the reimbursement of the cost of treatment and assessing individual applications for reimbursement under the provisions of the CBD.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (451)
James Lawless
Question:451. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if there are plans in place to address the current delays in the reimbursement of money through the Cross Border Directive Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23777/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (452)
Michael Ring
Question:452. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will assist a medical card holder (details supplied) to access dental services, given this matter was queried twice to the primary care section of the HSE and no reply has been forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (453)
Michael Ring
Question:453. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the dentists in County Mayo providing services to medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (454)
Michael Ring
Question:454. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists providing a service to medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme as of 1 January and 1 March, in each of the past five years, by county, in tabular form; the steps his Department will take to ensure that services will continue to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23780/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (455)
Róisín Shortall
Question:455. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he was aware of this issue with professional services witholding tax faced by GPs working for an organisation; the steps he is taking to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23804/23]
View answerWritten answers
GPs are private contractors, most of whom hold GMS contracts with the HSE for the provision of services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GMS contracts are held by individual GPs and payment for the related services is made by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service to the GP concerned.
In accordance with tax legislation, Professional Services Withholding Tax is required, by law, to be deducted from the payments made to specified persons for certain professional services. Taxation policy is determined by the Department of Finance, while issues that may arise from the employment of GPs by private organisations are a matter for the parties concerned.