Kathleen Funchion
Question:1714. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the current level of mental health supports available for persons with eating disorders in County Carlow. [38142/23]
View answerEating Disorders
Questions (1714)
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 Staff
Questions (1715)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:1715. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of stroke units, by location, that are operating below the recommended nurse or staffing levels; and the estimated cost of putting the recommended staff levels in place. [38143/23]
View answerWritten answers
This has been referred out to the HSE as it relates to a service matter.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1716)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:1716. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE theatre nurses attached to each hospital that is part of Ireland East Hospital Group in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38144/23]
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.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (1717)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1717. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of parental rights for same-sex couples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38146/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 represented a significant change in family law, reforming it in a way that is inclusive of, and sensitive to, the reality of contemporary family life in Ireland, and better reflecting this reality by meeting the needs of children living in diverse family types.
Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 commenced on 4 May 2020 and for the first time provided a legal framework for registering the births of children who are born as a result of assisted human reproduction involving donated gametes, while also including provisions to ensure protection of donor conceived children’s right to identity.
These provisions allow both parents in a same sex female couple to be included on the birth certificate of a child born through donor assisted human reproduction where the procedure takes place in a clinical setting in Ireland and the child is born in Ireland. The legislation also allows for a retrospective declaration of parentage for children born in Ireland as a result of a donor assisted human reproduction DAHR procedure where the procedure took place before the legislation commenced.
Officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are currently working on possible amendments to the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022, as published, for consideration by the Oireachtas, including possible amendments to other relevant pieces of legislation, such as the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
The inclusion of any such amendments in the final legislation will ultimately be a matter for the Oireachtas.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1718)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1718. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38149/23]
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.
Medical Inquiries
Questions (1719)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1719. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the systemic reviews or investigations that have been undertaken for each of the following: people who have died of adverse incidents in the health service; people who have been disabled by adverse incidents in the health service; and people who have had significant injury as a result of an adverse incident in the HSE. [38156/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Questions (1720)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1720. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether there should be a 24-hour pharmacy at St. Vincent's hospital accident and emergency department in order that patients leaving late at night can access the medicine they have been prescribed immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38175/23]
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 Cards
Questions (1721)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:1721. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to give consideration to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38183/23]
View answerWritten answers
Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
As provided for in Budget 2023, eligibility for GP visit cards has been extended to all children aged 6 & 7 and will be extended to people who earn up to the median household income. Approximately 500,000 additional persons, who otherwise would have attended their GP on a private basis, are expected to become eligible for free GP care under this expansion. The extension of GP visit cards to children aged 6 & 7 commenced on 11 August. The extension of cards to those who earn the median household income or less will commence on 11 September and will be completed in two phases with the second phase commencing on 13 November.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (1722)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1722. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in the HSE working on procurement services providing support to contracting authorities and their respective grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38193/23]
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.
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (1723)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1723. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of times the HSE procurement service has been contacted by contracting authorities for guidance on the inclusion of social and environmental criteria in procurement contracts; if the HSE procurement service monitors the level of use of social and environmental criteria in procurement by contracting authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38194/23]
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.
Abortion Services
Questions (1724)
Carol Nolan
Question:1724. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide a copy of the map produced by Tailte Éireann in collaboration with the Department of Health covering healthcare facilities, acute hospitals and all GP clinics where prospective safe access zones would apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38209/23]
View answerWritten answers
While officials from my Department have engaged with Tailte Éireann and other relevant stakeholders in relation to the safe access legislation, no document such as that referenced by the Deputy has been developed.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (1725)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:1725. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason GPs are refusing to do blood tests requested for individuals supported by CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38216/23]
View answerWritten answers
GPs undertake diagnostic testing, including blood testing, in accordance with the clinical requirements of their patients.
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for blood tests.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
Fees charged by GPs outside the terms of the GMS contracts are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and their patients. The HSE does not have any role in relation to such fees.
The Department and the HSE are not aware of any complaints in relation to GPs refusing to carry out blood testing for individuals supported by CAMHS. As this is a service issue, I have referred this question to the Health Service Executive for their attention.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1726)
Alan Dillon
Question:1726. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed update on the construction of the Ballyhaunis primary care centre; when works will recommence and the expected completion time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38221/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1727)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1727. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital bed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38232/23]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1728)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1728. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be paid the pandemic payment bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38233/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Questions (1729)
Pauline Tully
Question:1729. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of times the adult diabetes clinic takes place in the RCSI Hospitals Group; and the number of speciality diabetes clinics, such as young adult diabetes clinics, type 1 adult clinics, type 2 clinics and diabetes podiatry clinics that take place in the RCSI Hospitals Group, in tabular form. [38244/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1730)
Pauline Tully
Question:1730. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in paediatric intensive care at CHI Temple Street in each of the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38245/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1731)
Pauline Tully
Question:1731. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE midwives working in the maternity department of Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if this number will be further increased; and, if so, when. [38246/23]
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.
Hospital Admissions
Questions (1732)
Pauline Tully
Question:1732. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the average patient experience time from admission to discharge in July 2023, by location, in tabular form. [38247/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly with the requested information.
Dental Services
Questions (1733)
Verona Murphy
Question:1733. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) waiting for orthodontic treatment since assessment on 8 June 2018 will be removed from the treatment waiting list and placed into care with a private provider through the Waiting List Action Plan 2023, given his current wait time of five years-plus and his priority status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38250/23]
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.