Colm Burke
Question:1259. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will reduce the threshold of the drugs payment scheme to a maximum of €50 per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28245/23]
View answerMedicinal Products
Questions (1259)
Written answers
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The DPS threshold was reduced twice in 2022:
• From €114 to €100 per month on 1 January 2022.
• From €100 to €80 per month on 1 March 2022.
Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines. Considerations of further changes to the DPS threshold will be made in the context of current healthcare priorities and the budget available.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses. 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.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1260)
Colm Burke
Question:1260. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure greater take up of the HPV vaccine, including a review of the current information campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28247/23]
View answerWritten answers
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage.
The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme was launched on 8th December 2022. The 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.
Since the commencement of the catch-up programme an extensive information campaign has been underway utilizing both national and Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) specific communications strategies. In addition, the HSE undertake an information campaign every year for parents and guardians of those in first year of secondary school who are eligible for the routine HPV vaccination programme.
More information can be found at the following links:
www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/schoolprog/hpv/hpv-vaccination-programme/
www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/schoolprog/hpv/
Health Strategies
Questions (1261)
Colm Burke
Question:1261. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence funding to ensure that the provisions of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 are implemented, in light of the fact that it is the most common cancer in Ireland; if he will engage with the relevant authorities to launch a public information campaign regarding skin cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/23]
View answerWritten answers
Action 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan is "Develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours". This follows on from a similar action in the first Skin Cancer Prevention Plan.
The SunSmart campaign has run in 2021, 2022 and is currently running for 2023. This campaign is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. Healthy Ireland has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year, and will be providing €60,000 to co-fund the campaign in 2023.
Any increase in funding will be considered as part of the Estimates process later in the year.
As the implementation of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (1262)
Colm Burke
Question:1262. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that environmental health officers are adequately resourced to ensure that sun bed operators comply with current legislation, in light of the fact that it is the most common cancer in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/23]
View answerWritten answers
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Most cases of skin cancer are preventable. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main risk factor for skin cancer. UV radiation is emitted naturally from the sun and is also generated from artificial sources such as sunbeds. Exposure to UV radiation is considered a modifiable risk factor for skin cancer because we can limit our exposure by protecting our skin from the sun and refraining from sunbed use.
Cancer prevention is identified as a cornerstone of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, and the development of a national Skin Cancer Prevention Plan was identified as a priority deliverable. The Department of Health with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and key stakeholders developed the national Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2019-2022, which focused on primary prevention. A multi-stakeholder implementation group was formed to oversee and monitor the implementation of the Plan. A Skin Cancer Prevention Co-Ordinator was appointed in December 2020, to co-ordinate the implementation of the Plan. This position was funded through the Sláintecare Integration Fund.
The second national Skin Cancer Prevention Plan, 2023-2026, was launched by Minister Hildegarde Naughton on March 22nd, 2023. This Plan aims to build further on the work of the 2019-2022 Plan and includes continued collaboration with key partners and stakeholders to ensure a whole and complete approach to skin cancer prevention. The Plan has seven thematic areas which elaborate on specific actions to be undertaken to implement the Plan and how priority populations will be engaged. These priority populations include children (0-12 years), adolescents and young adults (13-24 years), outdoor workers, people involved in sports, recreation and tourism, and people who use sunbeds and other artificial UV sources. The Plan outlines actions which can be taken to reduce the risk of skin cancer such as following the SunSmart code and avoiding the use of sunbeds.
The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 was introduced to protect children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer and to regulate the use of sunbeds by those over 18 years of age so as to reduce their likelihood of developing skin cancer, premature aging, damage to their eyes and other health risks from exposure to UV radiation.
All HSE Environmental Health Service Officers are authorised to enforce the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 and do so as part of their routine work. This involves inspection of sunbed premises, test purchasing and mystery shopping exercises, and complaint investigation. The HSE Environmental Health Service takes action, as appropriate, when breaches of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 have been identified.
The resourcing of the HSE Environmental Health Service is a matter for the HSE through its annual service planning processes.
Health Strategies
Questions (1263)
Colm Burke
Question:1263. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence multi-year funding dedicated to implementing all outstanding recommendations from the National Cancer Strategy to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/23]
View answerWritten answers
Successive 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. The continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy remains a priority for Government. The total allocation for cancer services in Budget 2023 is €137 million, which represents a significant incremental increase since the publication of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.
Funding for current expenditure including cancer services is allocated on an annual (single-year) basis through the Estimates process with future levels of funding considered as part of the national estimates and budgetary process.
There is no multi-annual funding for current expenditure. However, I am aware that there has been a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure that highlights the benefits of introducing multi annual funding and discusses the possible future introduction of it for the Garda Síochána vote.
I acknowledge that there are potential benefits of introducing multi-annual funding to improve planning over a multi annual horizon on a more structured/sustainable timeframe than a single year. However, there currently exist a range of legislative barriers to the introduction of such a funding mechanism for current expenditure on health services.
The position is different in relation to capital expenditure where the National Development Plan sets out the longer-term investment plan over multiple years.
Health Promotion
Questions (1264)
Colm Burke
Question:1264. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the HSE and other relevant bodies to develop education and awareness campaigns on the dangers associated with e-cigarettes usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28251/23]
View answerWritten answers
Communicating the harms of e-cigarettes requires a multifaceted approach depending on the cohort of the population. This is already being implemented in a number of ways:
• In May 2023, in coordination with the Department of Education, the HSE issued a letter to all school principals for sharing with parents, guardians and staff on the risk of vaping to the health of young people and children. The letter outlined the health harms associated with vaping and provided information on supports available to protect children from those harms which can be found here: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/resources/e-cigarette-resources.html
• The HSE and the Department of Education have developed Junior Cycle Social and Personal Health Education modules on tobacco and e-cigarette use for Year 1 and Year 2 students.
• The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme for 2022-2025 includes developing an awareness training programme for youth workers on nicotine addiction, prevention of e-cigarette initiation and initiation of smoking.
• The HSE website contains clear information on the current evidence on e-cigarettes, with links to support for nicotine dependence.
My Department will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders on this matter.
Health Promotion
Questions (1265)
Colm Burke
Question:1265. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate more funding towards targeted QUIT campaigns and support initiatives tailored towards sectors of the population more likely to smoke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28252/23]
View answerWritten answers
The funding of the QUIT campaign and other initiatives is determined as part of a wider estimates process carried out with my Department and the Health Service Executive. With regard to the allocation of possible future funding, I cannot comment at this stage on the outcome of the estimates process, or matters which will be the subject of national service planning.
Health Strategies
Questions (1266)
Colm Burke
Question:1266. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will set aside funding to implement the National Cancer strategy 2017-2026 recommendations in relation to genetic services, by reducing genetic service wait times in order to optimise health benefit advancement in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28253/23]
View answerWritten answers
The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 is a Programme for Government commitment and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past six years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). The Strategy contains a number of recommendations relating to genetics in cancer services, including the provision of a national genetics service.
The National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland was published in December 2022. One of the key ambitions of this Strategy is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. The Strategy outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland.
A key step in building a strong genetics service is addressing our current staffing needs in this area and ensuring national genetic testing capacity is strategically delivered. These objectives will be achieved largely through the planned National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics. The HSE will begin developing this Directory by the 2023 year end. It will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland, provide a more transparent process to referrals, and provide a more comprehensive understanding of our future genetic staffing needs. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce waiting times.
The National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland also outlines a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. To start implementing the Strategy in 2023, I approved €2.7 million including the appointment of key staff. These appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.
Health Strategies
Questions (1267)
Colm Burke
Question:1267. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence funding for the implementation of the Genomic Strategy, to ensure that all child, adolescent and young adult (CAYA) patients aged between 16-25 years have access to genome sequencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28254/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. The Strategy outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. This evidence base will ensure the allocation of resources is targeted on areas of the most significant need and support patient access across the Health Regions in line with the Sláintecare vision. While there are currently no plans to ring-fence funding for CAYA patients, the evidence base that is currently in development will inform any future funding decisions.
In 2023, I allocated €2.7 million to support the Strategy’s initial implementation. This funding was focused on the recruitment of key front-line staff and National Office roles and the operationalisation of a multi-stakeholder implementation steering group.
Recruitment of Front-line Staff
The allocation of front-line staff will be determined by an operating model for genetics and genomics. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this. However, to address current demand, some front-line posts have been progressed ahead of the completion of this operating model. Recruitment for the following positions in currently underway:
• Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Galway University Hospital
• Genetic Counsellor at Galway University Hospital
• Genetic Counsellor at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin
• Genetic Counsellor at Beaumont Hospital
• Genetic Counsellor at St James/St Vincent’s
• 2 Genomic Resource Associates (Grave V) at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin
The operating model, once developed, will support equitable allocation of the remaining resources. Due to current demand, Children’s Health Ireland received 3 of the 7 roles initially appointed.
Implementation Steering Group
In April 2023, a Steering Group for the implementation of the Strategy was operationalised. Chaired by the Chief Clinical Officer, Colm Henry, this multi-stakeholder group is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the Strategy’s implementation. Representatives of this group include members of the National Office and Bioinformatics team, Department of Health representatives, clinicians, researchers, state agency representatives and patients. Improving the evidence based for future funding is a key priority for this group. Currently there are two significant developments underway that will support this work. The first is a national laboratory capacity review, which will inform future investment in laboratory capacity and the establishment of a National Bioinformatic Lab. Secondly, is the development of a National Testing Directory for Genetics and Genomics. This Directory will map current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals.
Nursing Homes
Questions (1268)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1268. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many private and public nursing homes beds are registered in the State for each of the past five years; how many nursing homes have opened and closed in each of the past five years; how many nursing homes places are needed in the State now and for each of the next seven years; the average cost of a nursing home bed in the public and private sector; how many former nursing homes have become accommodation for asylum seekers; and the projected number for the next three years. [28259/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Information and Quality Authority's older people's services inspection team is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for older people, such as nursing homes, in Ireland. Details in relation to the number of nursing homes and beds registered beds between 2019 and 8 June 2023 and the number of homes that have opened and closed during the same period has been collated by HIQA. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy in the coming days.
The 2018 Health Capacity Review set out a recommendation for an increase in both long-stay and short-stay residential care beds for older people to meet growing demographic need and taking account of reforms. The review identified the need to increase the quantum from 30,000 community beds in 2016 to 41,900 to 43,000 beds (lower and upper range) by 2031.
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
2031 |
|
|
Lower target |
35,556 |
36,349 |
37,142 |
37,935 |
38,728 |
39,521 |
40,314 |
41,107 |
41,900 |
|
Upper target |
36,064 |
36,931 |
37,798 |
38,665 |
39,532 |
40,399 |
41,266 |
42,133 |
43,000 |
The gross weekly average cost of public and private beds since 2018 is set out in tabular format below.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Gross weekly average cost of public bed |
1,576 |
1,619 |
1,656 |
1,681 |
1,703 |
|
Gross weekly average cost of private bed |
984 |
1,016 |
1,035 |
1,060 |
1,087 |
Source: NHSS Performance Reports December each year
The legislation relating to Government procurement of accommodation for refugees is a matter for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1269)
Pa Daly
Question:1269. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health where a person (details supplied) with a medical card and history of oral cancer can expect to get an urgent appointment with a dentist in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/23]
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.
Question No. 1270 answered with Question No. 1212.
Nursing Homes
Questions (1271)
Pauline Tully
Question:1271. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if an application has been made by a nursing home (details supplied) for a pandemic special recognition payment for a staff member; if this payment has been processed and paid to the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28266/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
Housing Policy
Questions (1272)
Claire Kerrane
Question:1272. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to develop housing for older persons where they can live independently but in a safe community, given that older people want to downsize and offering housing suitable for them; if he has engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28271/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s population is ageing rapidly, and for the most part, our older population clearly indicates their preference to age in place, in their own homes, for as long as possible. The Department of Health’s strategic policy goal is to deliver a new model of integrated, older persons health and social care services, across the care continuum, supporting older people to remain living independently in their own homes and communities for longer, in line with the Sláintecare vision for receiving the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.
COVID-19 has also highlighted the important need to move to new models of care for older people. This will involve short and long-term reform across Government in order to provide new housing models and new ‘home-first’ care models.
The Department of Health is committed to delivering the vision of the 2019 policy statement on 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population', jointly published with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. The central aim of the policy statement is to increase the housing options available to older people and to facilitate the integration of supports in a more coherent way, particularly between the housing and health sectors, with a view to facilitating people to live at home with dignity and independence for longer.
The final report of the group, published in June last year, details the significant progress that has been made to date and the plans for taking the strategic goals of the policy statement onwards. The remaining actions will be taken forward within the framework of Housing for All which aims to increase housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place, in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and deliver an appropriate range of housing and related support services, in an integrated and sustainable manner.
Building on the co-operative momentum established under Housing Options for our Ageing Population, a new framework to continue the joint co-operative policy making and implementation between the Department of Housing and the Department of Health is being developed. Under this framework, both departments will consider a range of housing options for older people and how these might be delivered collaboratively.
At present, the Department of Health, alongside the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is supporting a Housing with Supports ‘demonstrator project’ in Inchicore in Dublin which is now under construction. Housing with Support is defined as purpose-built, non-institutional accommodation, where older people have their own front door and where support or care services are available. Housing with Support is a specialised housing option primarily for older people that falls between living independently in the community at one end of the spectrum and living in a nursing home or other form of long-term care at the other end.
This Housing with Support project in Inchicore is a collaborative, cross-sectoral, and cross-departmental project that recognises the need for a joined-up approach to addressing the critical issue of creating housing choice for our ageing population, one that requires housing, social, and care supports to be incorporated into a single model. It is the hope that this project will act as a pathfinder project for future mainstreaming of this form of housing.
It is important that there is a cross-governmental and multi-stakeholder approach to address the barriers older people face to remain in their homes and communities as they age. The Department of Health is committed to addressing these challenges and supporting older people to age in place in Ireland while also continuing to deliver an appropriate range of housing and related support services for our older population.
Nursing Homes
Questions (1273)
Alan Kelly
Question:1273. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health how many private nursing homes the State has purchased or taken over; the locations of these nursing homes; and the costs associated with purchasing/taking over each one, if applicable, from the year 2000 to date, in tabular form. [28272/23]
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.
Health Service Executive
Questions (1274)
Alan Kelly
Question:1274. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of all capital acquisition circulars/regulations/capital appraisal/capital value for money rules/capital acquisition due diligence rules, and so on, that the HSE uses. [28273/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.