Written Answers Nos. 1755-1775
1755. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an urgent appointment with the urology department of Tallaght Hospital is likely to be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38392/23]
View answerUnder 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.
1756. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a new wheelchair will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38394/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1757. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the provisions of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 to prohibit marketing of zero-alcohol products that share the same branding, logos and colours as their parent alcoholic counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38396/23]
View answerI have no current plans to amend the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. In June this year the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) set out that it is examining whether it will issue additional rules or guidance to address such advertisements. Dealing with this issue through non-statutory means will be faster and more cost-effective than developing new law and would be in line with principles of better regulation. I will continue to give consideration to how best to address this issue while awaiting the outcome of the ASAI process.
1758. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when the special recognition pandemic payment will issue to a person in County Mayo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38399/23]
View answerAs 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.
1759. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to indicate the availability of suitable and appropriate mental health treatment in the case of the daughter of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38400/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1760. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when the special recognition pandemic payment will issue to a person in County Mayo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38403/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1761. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for routine and urgent appointments, respectively, referred to the breast clinic at Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital in Navan. [38432/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1762. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time senior physiotherapists in neonatology at the National Maternity Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38433/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1763. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for a new walk-in warfarin clinic in County Meath. [38434/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1764. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the difference between a model 2 and model 2S hospital; and the measures required to upgrade a standard model 2 to a model 2S hospital. [38435/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1765. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 678 of 25 October 2022, when the review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges and including the long-term illness scheme, will be carried out; whether this review intends to make recommendations for change; whether these recommendations will be actioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38442/23]
View answerThe 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 currently no plans to extend the list of illnesses covered, it is important to remember that the LTI 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 also facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, including an expansion of GP care without charges to children aged under 8 and to people earning no more than the median household income, the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for adults, and the extension of the free contraception scheme to include women aged 26-30. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
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 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. 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%.
1766. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown on the allocation of €330,000 of funding within CHO 2 for each community and voluntary organisations in counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon to maintain existing level of service for drugs and inclusion health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38453/23]
View answer1788. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether recently announced €3.5 million funding for drug and alcohol services is annual reoccurring funding or a once-off payment. [38591/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1766 and 1788 together.
I recently announced €3.5 million in annual funding to maintain existing level of drugs and inclusion health services provided by community and voluntary organisations. The funding is recurring.
The funding recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in providing drugs and inclusion health services, and acknowledges the increased costs of providing these essential services.
I am allocating between €330,000 and €445,000 per annum to CHOs to support existing services to meet the health needs of socially excluded groups, such as people who use drugs and people who are homeless.
A strategic approach will be adopted in the use of this funding, to ensure tangible and quantifiable health benefits for service users and to support sustainable improvements in service provision. Priority will be given to services which are experiencing increased demand and have not received additional funding in recent years, in order to ensure maximum positive impact.
It is envisaged that the funding will be distributed in Q3 2023. For further information, it is suggested that services contact their local CHO.
1767. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on progress with the new emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38454/23]
View answerAs 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.
1768. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38472/23]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
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.
1769. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if it is a condition that charitable voluntary groups must first be in compliance with the company law requirements to file annual audited accounts before they receive funding from the HSE. [38480/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter we have forwarded to the HSE for a response.
1770. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults currently on the HSE dental and orthodontic waiting list, in CHOs 3 and 5. [38481/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1771. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the hospitals located outside Dublin that currently have eye clinic liaison officer positions in ophthalmology clinics, in tabular form. [38482/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1772. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the availability of STI testing kits in CHOs 3 and 5. [38483/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1773. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of pharmacies operating in Dublin on a 24-hour basis, extended hours and standard hours, in tabular form; if pharmacies providing a service outside of standard hours receive a subsidy from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38488/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1774. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for his advice on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38500/23]
View answerBudget 2023 saw over €40 million in additional funding for Fair Deal which is providing for an uplift in the maximum prices chargeable by private and voluntary nursing homes, as negotiated. Overall, nearly €1.5 billion of the total Health Budget for 2023 is allocated to support people under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal).
The Government has also seen the provision of free PPE and oxygen to private nursing homes continues, as of May 2023, this has cost approximately €77 million.
I recently held a roundtable discussion with private nursing home provider representative groups where the issue of continued support for the sector was on the agenda and I will continue to engage with them going forward. Discussions on next year’s Estimates and Budget 2024 are ongoing and a wide range of initiatives are under consideration.
It should also be noted that the Department of Health and I have regular interaction with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and have met them to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed. Any nursing home which has had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement with the NTPF this year has seen a significant uplift. These new contracts have seen an average baseline increase in price per bed of between 6% and 7%. The Government is also cognisant of private and voluntary nursing homes that are not scheduled to renegotiate their Deed of Agreement in 2023. One of the options under consideration is for nursing home providers to agree to a shorter contract duration with the NTPF.
The NTPF are the body designated, under Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, to negotiate with persons carrying on the business of a nursing home, for the purposes of reaching an agreement on the maximum prices to be charged for nursing home care. There is no role for Ministers in the negotiation process which is conducted and agreed between individual nursing home providers and the NTPF.
There is no other mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents outside the Nursing Home Support Scheme. It is imperative that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. A short-term extension to the Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme (TIPS), introduced last year to help with increased energy costs due to inflation, is currently under review.
1775. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a building (details supplied); if it will be sold to the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38513/23]
View answerAs 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.
