James Lawless
Question:1243. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the lack of access to eye care services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28142/23]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (1243)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (1244)
Alan Dillon
Question:1244. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28150/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (1245)
Robert Troy
Question:1245. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the scheme whereby cancer patients can only avail of one wig per year. [28156/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Treatment Benefit Scheme, operated by the Department of Social Protection, for those with the qualifying PRSI contributions, provides funding up to a maximum of €500 towards the cost of hair replacement products where hair loss results from a disease or treatment of a disease such as cancer or alopecia.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) currently provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided by the HSE through community services known as Community Funded Schemes. This may include the provision of wigs and hairpieces, but the level of access varies across Community Health Organisations.
The HSE have established a Service Improvement Programme in respect of the Community Funded Schemes, and the work in connection with that Programme is progressing.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1246)
Robert Troy
Question:1246. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [28165/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Dental Services
Questions (1247)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:1247. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, currently being undertaken to reduce the HSE general anaesthesia waiting list for children, which is currently at 12 to 18 months within the Louth-Meath dental service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28166/23]
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.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1248)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1248. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of staff seconded to his Department from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the title and-or role they filled; and the duration of same. [28180/23]
View answerWritten answers
In the past 10 years to date, we had no staff seconded from the company (detail supplied).
Departmental Contracts
Questions (1249)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1249. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of instances in which his Department availed of services, consultancy and-or advices from a company, details supplied, in the past ten years to date; the costs of same; the number of contracts between the company and his Department; and the duration and costs of same. [28199/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's total expenditure for consultancy services availed of from PwC in the past ten years (2013 – 2023) is as per the table attached.
It is the policy in the Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
|
Supplier |
Date |
Value of Contract |
Duration of Contract |
Details of Contract |
|
PWC |
12/12/2022 |
€61,461.46 |
Maximum of 8 weeks |
Review of business case for Relocation NMH |
|
PWC |
30/11/2022 |
€98,338.50 |
1 year |
Non-consultant hospital doctor (NCHD) taskforce project management |
Cost of Living Issues
Questions (1250)
Frankie Feighan
Question:1250. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the increasing costs of infant formula and that amid the cost-of-living crisis, some parents are taking drastic measures to try to make ends meet, details supplied; if the Government, therefore, will consider a price cap on infant formula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/23]
View answerWritten answers
Article 10 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 sets out the requirements for promotional and commercial practices for infant formula. This does not make provision for free or low-priced products, samples or any other promotional gifts, to promote the use of infant formula. These measures are designed so that the marketing and distribution of infant formula does not interfere with the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority for the Department of Health. National health policy, including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy, emphasises the importance of supporting mothers who breastfeed, as well as taking action to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland and compliance with the EU and WHO code is a key action to reduce promotion of infant formula. Additional funding of €1.58m was announced by Stephen Donnelly in May 2021, to fund 24 additional HSE Lactation Consultants thereby providing support to every maternity unit in the country.
It is important that children get the best possible start in life, and this is something all Government partners have prioritised in the Programme for Government. Ireland has a culture of bottle feeding; in order to improve child and maternal health, as well as achieve reductions in childhood obesity and chronic diseases, it is necessary to improve breastfeeding rates. Breastfeeding also has the benefit of avoiding, either totally or in part, the costs associated with the use of breast milk substitutes.
The Department of Health are working with other departments to offer a range of supports to vulnerable families. As part of our work on obesity, food and nutrition, this Department is represented on a Food Poverty group which is led by the Department of Social Protection.
To date the Government has introduced measures to the value of €12 billion to help ease the burden of inflation being experienced by consumers and businesses. Household transfers, including electricity credits, account for around half of the overall fiscal response, with tax measures accounting for one-third and the remainder is composed of business and other expenditure supports.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (1251)
Colm Burke
Question:1251. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to altering the salary pay scale of radiation therapists, details supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28222/23]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the incredibly important role of Radiation Therapists in the provision of cancer services in this country.
A Radiation Therapist review commenced in December 2022 and is currently under way. This strategic review will consider issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning and recruitment and retention strategies.
Radiation Therapists are highly skilled professionals regulated by CORU. The Radiation Therapist review will support the objectives of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and help address the increasing and more complex demand for radiation oncology. Cancer cases are increasing in line with our ageing and growing population, and the NCCP estimates that up to 60% of patients will require radiation oncology for primary treatment and palliative care in coming years.
All outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health. Implementation of any recommendations from the review are subject to approval from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform in line with public service pay policy.
As part of Building Momentum – Public Service Agreement 2021-2022, Radiation Therapist grade received 3.73% pay increase effective from 1st February 2022. This grade also further received all general round adjustments applied since that date.
Please be advised that the HSE is focused on making all posts as attractive as possible. In the past number of years it has been developing its ability to attract and retain essential talent to meet the needs of our health service now and in the future.
Prison Service
Questions (1252)
Mark Ward
Question:1252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrists employed in each prison; the vacancy rates for psychiatry staff within prison services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28227/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Nursing Homes
Questions (1253)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1253. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the HSE sought to acquire any of the private nursing homes for use as HSE public community nursing homes prior to them being granted permission to transfer change of use for alternative accommodation other than for residential care of the elderly; if so, how many; if the HSE plans to acquire other private nursing homes which cease operating in the future for the purpose of elderly residential and nursing home care given the shortage of beds in the sector and the increasing ageing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28235/23]
View answerWritten answers
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Residential Institutions
Questions (1254)
Paul Murphy
Question:1254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will step in to ensure a person, details supplied, and the other residents of Beaumont residential care in Cork are not made homeless and are provided with the care that they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28237/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am really sorry to hear that Beaumont Residential Care has decided to withdraw from the Fair Deal scheme and I understand the level of stress and worry this must have caused residents and their families.
This is a commercial decision that has been made by the nursing home provider to withdraw from the Fair Deal scheme. The only mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents is Fair Deal and it is really important that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009. Across the country, approximately 425 private nursing homes negotiate with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) as part of the usual process. Anyone who has had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement this year with the NTPF has seen a significant uplift in the rates they receive.
The NTPF has statutory independence, and there is no role for Ministers or the Department of Health in negotiations with individual nursing homes.
Fair Deal was designed to protect and support vulnerable older people, to ensure equal access to nursing home care based on what they could afford. This gives certainty to people and families. Government funding for Fair Deal is to support vulnerable older people at a time in their lives where full time care is essential. I know that this is a very difficult decision for people and their families and it often takes place at a time of crisis.
Over €1.5 billion has been allocated for Fair Deal this year and I am conscious that it must support all Fair Deal residents for the full year.
I established a new €10 million scheme (TIPS) last year to support private and voluntary nursing homes with increases in energy costs, covering 75% of year-on-year cost increases up to a monthly cap of €5,250 per nursing home. This scheme is now extended for a second time up until the end of June 2023. All nursing homes continue to receive free PPE and oxygen on a weekly basis, costing approximately €75 million to date. In addition, since January 2022 over €5 million has been paid in additional payments to private nursing homes to support residents with very complex care needs and high levels of acuity.
It is really important that nursing homes manage potential cost pressures in line with their regulatory and contractual responsibilities, maintaining their quality of care so that residents’ lived experience and comfort is not affected.
In addition, should services close, residents must either be catered for within the existing system, with its reduced capacity, or, ultimately, the HSE will step in as the statutory provider of last resort.
The HSE will always step in where a resident’s needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for elsewhere in the community. The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver that kind of complex care through its Community Nursing Units.
In relation to the issue that you have raised with me, the HSE will support families in a situation where a private nursing home is no longer able or willing to provide care under Fair Deal to a loved one.
I would like to reiterate my understanding of how distressing this situation has been for residents, their families and the staff of the nursing home.
My understanding is that engagement continues between the nursing home provider and the NTPF, which is the only way to resolve this issue.
Hospital Charges
Questions (1255)
Colm Burke
Question:1255. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the management of hospitals to abolish car parking charges for patients attending hospital for cancer treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28239/23]
View answerWritten answers
Hospitals that charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses. Consequently, many hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge and reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship.
The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future makes a commitment to introduce a maximum daily car parking charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible, and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. This is a reflection of the Government’s appreciation of the financial challenge that can be faced by people in meeting these expenses, in particular where they are frequent users of hospital services.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1256)
Colm Burke
Question:1256. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence dedicated funding for the establishment of a treatment abroad fund to cover non-medical expenses incurred when travelling abroad for medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28240/23]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for people entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:
• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
• not available in Ireland;
• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;
• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;
• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations, does not include a provision for travel and subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments. However the HSE, subject to available funding, under the Treatment Abroad Scheme Travel Policy, may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for patients, and a travelling companion where appropriate or where the referring consultant identifies a necessity. The HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme National Travel Policy was implemented to standardise and provide equity to the provision of entitlements relating to travel expenses. It does not include provision for expenses other than air/sea fares.
However, patients who experience difficulty funding any additional costs may apply to the Department of Social Protection for assistance as an exceptional needs payment. It should be noted that, in general, patients do not incur subsistence costs when undergoing treatment abroad as such costs are included in the cost of the care that the patient is receiving.
Hospital Charges
Questions (1257)
Colm Burke
Question:1257. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure current parking concessions offered to cancer patients are highlighted through the HSE website and hospital websites and publications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28242/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1258)
Colm Burke
Question:1258. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence funding to expand the catch-up programme for HPV vaccination between the ages of 15 to 24 years, as recommended by the national immunisation advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/23]
View answerWritten answers
In October 2021, my Department asked the NIAC to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
• girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
• women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
The NIAC submitted advices in relation to the HPV Vaccination Programme to my Department which stated that HPV catch-up vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated females and males under the age of 25 years. Second level students and females under the age of 25 years should be prioritised.
In line with the NIAC's advice, I asked the HSE to facilitate and operationalise the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme. The Programme commenced on 8 December 2022 with the opening of the HSE’s online registration portal for the programme.
This programme offers free HPV vaccines to all boys and girls in second level education who were previously eligible to receive the HPV vaccine and who have not yet, for whatever reason, received it. In addition, young women, up to the age of 25, who have now left secondary school, and who did not receive the vaccine when at school, are eligible to receive the vaccine as part of the catch-up programme.
Eligible people can register on www.hpv.ie for an appointment for a free vaccine which will be administered through HSE vaccination clinics and schools.