Michael Ring
Question:250. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if the specialist referral of a child (details supplied) can be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34508/23]
View answerHealth Services Waiting Lists
Questions (250)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (251)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:251. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase capacity in HSE audiology clinics; if consideration is being given to offering adult medical card holders the option to be assessed and treated by community audiologists under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) offer hearing assessments to adult medical card holders, including advice on the use of assistive listening devices and the provision, fitting and repairs of appropriate hearing aids.
In addition to this entitlement, the Treatment Benefit Scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection, provides a grant towards the purchase of hearing aids for those who have the necessary PRSI contributions to qualify. A dependant spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a qualified person may also be entitled to assistance.
The HSE continues to consider viable options to increase capacity and to reduce its community audiology waiting lists.
Health Services
Questions (252)
Michael Ring
Question:252. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason no specific service (details supplied) is being provided in an area; what plans are there to address this situation; if an advertisement has been placed to recruit the position; if so, the outcome of the recruitment campaign; how many children are currently waiting for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34517/23]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (253)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:253. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health is he aware that there has been no processing of medical card authorisations by the optical department in Kilkenny (details supplied) for approximately four weeks; which is leading to a huge leap in the waiting lists in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34531/23]
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.
Health Service Executive
Questions (254)
Frankie Feighan
Question:254. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is not progressing the sale of a property (details supplied) in County Leitrim to provide for a new health resource for the town in question; and if he will intervene in the matter with the HSE. [34555/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Health Services
Questions (255)
Paul Kehoe
Question:255. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health whether a person (details supplied) can apply for the cross-border treatment scheme if they travel overseas for a procedure without a referral when the waiting list for a referral is several years long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34564/23]
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 Funding
Questions (256)
Denis Naughten
Question:256. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason emergency respite funding was withdrawn from an organisation (details supplied) overnight recently; if he will reverse this decision in light on the hardship being caused due to the lack of respite availability since Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34571/23]
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 Services
Questions (257)
Denis Naughten
Question:257. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds available for older people by CHO in 2019 and in 2023; when respite beds withdrawn during Covid will be reinstated in light of the hardship being caused to carers and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34572/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (258)
Denis Naughten
Question:258. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide specific financial assistance to patients with home dialysis machines in light of the additional cost of their operation due to rising electricity prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34573/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care.
The Department of Social Protection administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme and the Fuel Allowance, which may assist individuals in meeting the costs associated with operating medical devices. Further information on these can be found, respectively, at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/ .
www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/ .
In addition, energy suppliers are required to establish, maintain and regularly update a register of vulnerable customers. Vulnerable customers include:
• Those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or
• Those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.
There are a range of additional protection measures in place for registered vulnerable customers. Energy suppliers are required to provide customers with a free and easy way to register as a vulnerable customer. Further information regarding this can be found at:
www.cru.ie/need-assistance/vulnerable-customers/ .
As announced in Budget 2023, every household in Ireland has received three €200 energy credits, totalling €600. These payments were made between November 2022 and April 2023.
There are also a range of Health Service Executive (HSE) administered schemes that assist individuals in meeting their medical costs.
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.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines who are not eligible for a medical card. The DPS provides reimbursement support for the costs associated with the rental of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for individuals suffering from sleep apnoea.
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%.
Medical Cards
Questions (259, 260)
Róisín Shortall
Question:259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the median income figure being used in relation to the expansion of GP visit card income limits; the reason the thresholds provided in his statement on 4 July 2023 are significantly less than the median income (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34574/23]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:260. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the recently announced expansion of income limits for GP visit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34575/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
As announced in Budget 2023, the Government will make available access to GP care without charges to those earning no more than the median income. Following the recent agreement with the IMO, the Government has confirmed that the first phase of this expansion in access to care will commence on 11 September, and the second and final phase will commence on 13 November.
The median income is determined by the CSO in its Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) survey. The income thresholds for access to GP visit cards are being increased to the levels indicated in that survey as being in the range for median household equivalised disposable income by household type. Disposable income is income after taxes and social transfers. Equivalised income allows comparison between individuals with varying family and household circumstances. The final thresholds recently published represent approximately a 37.5% increase on current basic rates for people aged under 65.
For a single person living alone who is under the age of 65, the income threshold for access to a GP Visit Card is currently €304. This will increase to €361 in the first phase, and to €418 in the second phase. For a single person living with family, the income threshold is currently €271. It will increase to €322 in the first phase and to €373 in the second phase. For single people, the weekly median equivalised real disposable income is €317 to €570.
For single parents, couples and families the current basic rate is €441. The basic rate will increase to €524 in the first phase and €607 in the second phase (with no changes to dependent rates). The weekly median equivalised real disposable income is €373 to €613 for households likely to fall within this categorisation.
The new income thresholds are based on considerations of the total size of the population modelled to become eligible for GP visit cards under the expansion (using the ESRI SWITCH model), the distribution of that population, equivalised and non-equivalised household income bands by household composition, and average household costs such as rent, mortgage, and childcare payments.
An individual’s qualifying financial threshold for a GP visit card is calculated by adding together three factors:
• a basic rate - an amount of money based on your age and household, as set out above;
• an amount allocated for each dependant; and
• an amount allocated for allowable expenses (for example, rent, mortgage payments, childcare costs, etc.).
The published income thresholds are the thresholds which apply before the allowable amounts for dependents and allowable expenses are factored in.
Question No. 260 answered with Question No. 259.
Hospital Services
Questions (261)
Cathal Crowe
Question:261. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to lymphoedema, there are plans to address deficiencies in funding for Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34584/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Questions (262)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:262. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total budget allocation to section 38 organisation in 2023; the share of allocation used for pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34585/23]
View answerWritten answers
This PQ relates to the HSE funding relationship with S38 agencies and therefore they are best placed to answer
Departmental Funding
Questions (263)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:263. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total budget allocation to section 39 organisation in 2023; the share of allocation used for pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34586/23]
View answerWritten answers
It relates to the HSE funding relationship with S39 agencies and therefore they are best placed to answer. Can we request for DoH to be copied on the response, please.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (264)
Claire Kerrane
Question:264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is provided by the HSE to a young person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34597/23]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (265)
Claire Kerrane
Question:265. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on visiting times at Roscommon Psychiatric Hospital; if he will provide an update on average waiting times at the hospital; if he will advise on staffing levels in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34605/23]
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.
Health Services
Questions (266)
Carol Nolan
Question:266. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the funding he has provided specifically to support patients with a diagnosis of multiple system atrophy in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34606/23]
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.
Medical Records
Questions (267)
Thomas Gould
Question:267. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of requests for medical records from CUMH in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [34609/23]
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.
Ambulance Service
Questions (268)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:268. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether an application for planning permission has been lodged with Galway County Council by the HSE for the conversion of the disused health centre in Recess into an ambulance base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34621/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (269)
Michael McNamara
Question:269. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an ultrasound appointment at UL Hospitals Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/23]
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.
Emergency Departments
Questions (270)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health given the lack of hospital consultants in the midland region, the safety research that has been done by the HSE on the ambulance and patient bypass of Navan emergency department towards Mullingar hospital [34650/23]
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.