Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1857. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an explanation regarding the lack of GP services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38916/23]
View answerGeneral Practitioner Services
Questions (1857)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (1858)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1858. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant mothers who have used a scan in Cavan General Hospital, per month, since its introduction to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38926/23]
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 (1859)
Mark Ward
Question:1859. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the funding provided for section 38 and 39 organisations; the funding provided for these organisations, by year, from 2020 to date; if this funding will increase in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38929/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, it has been forwarded to the HSE for a response. Funding allocations will be considered as part of Estimates 2024.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1860)
Gino Kenny
Question:1860. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a person (details supplied) has still not been paid the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38931/23]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1861)
Barry Cowen
Question:1861. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. [38935/23]
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 (1862)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1862. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38938/23]
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 (1863)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1863. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmic surgeons attached to each hospital of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38952/23]
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 (1864)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1864. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional resources and personnel that will be provided to Naas General Hospital as part of the 2023-2024 Winter Plan. [38953/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1865)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1865. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE paediatric ENT registrars working in CHI Tallaght in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38954/23]
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 (1866)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1866. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE clinical nurse specialists in endocrinology at Beaumont Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38955/23]
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 (1867)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1867. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychiatrists allocated to CAMHS in CHO 7 in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38958/23]
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
Medicinal Products
Questions (1868)
Colm Burke
Question:1868. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health since the establishment of the rare diseases technology review committee (RDTRC) in 2018, the specific drugs that have been considered by the RDTRC and their recommendations, in tabular form; whether these drugs are now available to Irish patients; the timelines for each from EMA licence to availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39003/23]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (1869)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:1869. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there is a specific adult ADHD clinic available to adults living in CHO 9; if not, the reason; and if he will commit to establishing an adult ADHD clinic in CHO9. [39005/23]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (1870)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:1870. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting 18 months for an occupational therapist appointment and has yet to receive an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39013/23]
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.
Cost of Living Issues
Questions (1871)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:1871. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to increase the supports available to persons who have coeliac disease in purchasing food in the context of the current cost-of-living crisis; and if he has any plans to reform the system to make it easier to make a claim for purchases. [39018/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the formal Reimbursement list. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
Gluten-free products were removed from the list of reimbursable items under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, with several other products, in September 2012. The marketplace has evolved whereby such products are widely available in supermarkets at a more reasonable price than was historically costed to the State when they were available in pharmacies through the statutory schemes, and without incurring the further extra costs of a dispensing fee. There are currently no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
However, possession of a medical card may assist with other medical services. 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. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
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.
A person can claim tax relief for certain food products if they have specific dietary requirements due to a medical condition. This applies to persons with coeliac disease where they require gluten free foods specifically manufactured to be gluten free. Details of this scheme are available at:www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/additional-diet-expenses-for-coeliacs-and-diabetics.aspx
While preparations in respect of Budget 2024 are ongoing, any health measures introduced will be in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Government and the funding available to progress healthcare priorities.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1872)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1872. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the average size by square metre of floor space of primary care centres. [39035/23]
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.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1873)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1873. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if the Ballyhaunis and Erris primary care centres currently in development will be HSE, PPP or privately owned under current plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39036/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, I have asked the HSE to reply to the deputy as soon as possible.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1874)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1874. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the annual public private partnership payment cost associated with primary care centres since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39037/23]
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
Primary Care Centres
Questions (1875)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1875. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres currently in development and the number that are planned to be developed privately, under PPP agreement and under HSE ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39038/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, I have asked the HSE to reply to the deputy as soon as possible.
Mortality Rates
Questions (1876)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1876. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the level of excess deaths for each of the past 12 months; the research he and his Department have undertaken into the cause of these excess deaths; the cause of these excess deaths; and the measures he is taking to prevent excess deaths. [39060/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health does not produce estimates of excess mortality. However, the Department works closely with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and other stakeholders to monitor estimates of excess mortality. Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths from all causes during a period of time above and beyond what we would have normally expected to see.
A number of different methodologies have been developed by organisations and academics internationally to try to estimate levels of excess mortality. It is important to note that estimation methods vary, for example in the years used to estimate a baseline, in how they estimate the level of expected deaths, the data source used for ‘actual’ deaths and whether statistical significance tests are applied before reporting deaths as excess. There is therefore no single source of data on estimated excess mortality.
Internationally work is currently underway to improve methods to estimate excess mortality including moving the baseline years used to calculate expected deaths forward from pre-pandemic years. The gap between the current period and the baseline period is relatively wide and growing. The gap is greater than would have been normal practice previously, which impacts on comparability between the current period and the period used to estimate ‘expected’ deaths.
In addition, most estimation methods, including Eurostat and EuroMOMO, do not currently take account of demographic changes such as population change or ageing which may have occurred since the baseline period and which can have a large impact on mortality. EuroMOMO has received four-year funding to further develop their model, including the incorporation of demographic change.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has monitored excess mortality in Ireland since 2009, using registered deaths data reported to HPSC on a daily basis from the General Register Office (GRO). HPSC participates in EuroMOMO for Ireland, a European mortality monitoring activity, aiming to detect and measure excess deaths related to seasonal influenza, pandemics and other public health threats. EuroMOMO publish a weekly update of estimates of excess mortality for all participating European countries at www.euromomo.eu/graphs-and-maps. This is the primary indicator of excess mortality used in Ireland.
The latest HPSC excess mortality analysis of all registered deaths in Ireland for the 2022/2023 winter period, using the standardised European EuroMOMO algorithm, has shown:
• Excess all-cause mortality over five consecutive weeks (week 51 2022 – week 3 2023), reaching moderate levels of excess during weeks 51 and 52 2022 and week 2 2023 (see link)
• All-cause, all ages mortality has been below the baseline and within the normal range since week 3 2023.
• EuroMOMO estimates that over the past 12 months, Ireland has experienced excess mortality during five weeks.
EuroMOMO excess mortality estimates (weekly z-scores) for all ages, Ireland, Week 37 2017 – Week 35 2023
|
Country |
Group |
Week |
z-score |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-36 |
-0.81 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-37 |
-1.29 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-38 |
-0.95 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-39 |
0.52 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-40 |
-0.66 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-41 |
0.68 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-42 |
-0.05 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-43 |
0.59 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-44 |
-0.07 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-45 |
0.03 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-46 |
-0.17 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-47 |
-0.1 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-48 |
0.37 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-49 |
0.8 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-50 |
2.38 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-51 |
5 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2022-52 |
6.3 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-01 |
4.05 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-02 |
4.11 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-03 |
1.36 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-04 |
0.39 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-05 |
-1.67 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-06 |
-1.35 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-07 |
-1.28 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-08 |
-1.45 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-09 |
-2.11 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-10 |
0.12 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-11 |
0.25 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-12 |
-1.17 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-13 |
-1.88 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-14 |
-0.7 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-15 |
-1.12 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-16 |
-0.57 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-17 |
-0.45 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-18 |
-1.01 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-19 |
-0.26 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-20 |
-0.89 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-21 |
-0.95 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-22 |
-0.76 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-23 |
-1.18 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-24 |
-0.36 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-25 |
-0.78 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-26 |
-1.02 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-27 |
-0.91 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-28 |
-1.31 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-29 |
-1.51 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-30 |
-1.64 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-31 |
-1.72 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-32 |
-2.04 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-33 |
-2.27 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-34 |
-2.52 |
|
Ireland |
Total |
2023-35 |
-2.25 |
These data are provisional due to the time lag with death registration in Ireland. A country-specific adjustment function was applied to correct for the typical lag in registrations of deaths in Ireland (the legal period for death registration in Ireland is three months). Nonetheless, estimates of excess mortality for the most recent weeks are reported with some uncertainty and should be interpreted with caution.
It is important to note that excess mortality has been observed during previous periods when influenza viruses circulated at high levels in Ireland, for example in winter 2017/2018 which has previously been characterised as a severe flu season, and during certain periods of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 and January 2021).
As Ireland experienced a winter of high levels of influenza cases and hospitalisations, it would not be unexpected to see excess mortality. Influenza activity was at very high levels in Ireland during December 2022 and early/mid-January 2023, with a high number of influenza hospitalisations reported (see www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/influenza/seasonalinfluenza/surveillance/influenzasurveillancereports/20222023season/). Other important factors that may impact excess mortality include the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, circulation of other respiratory viruses, impacts of cold weather, and an ageing population.
Excess mortality was also observed in other European countries over the course of winter 2022/2023. In Europe, the overall pooled EuroMOMO estimates of all-cause excess mortality in all age groups for the participating European countries have shown elevated mortality in all age groups for late 2022/early 2023.
Separately, Eurostat publishes monthly estimates of excess mortality for EU (and some non-EU) countries. This data only incudes excess mortality estimates from January 2020 onwards. Eurostat use the following methodology, ‘The excess mortality indicator simply takes the number of people who died from any cause, in a given period, and compares it with a historical baseline from previous years in a period which was not affected by the pandemic. In this case, the baseline consists of the average number of deaths that occurred in each month during the period 2016-2019’.
The methodology does not require a statistically significant difference to report excess deaths. As noted above, it also does not take account of factors such as demographic change. The recent Census 2022 summary results have shown that the number of persons in Ireland aged 65 years and over increased by 22% between 2016 and 2022. Within this category, the highest increases were among those aged 75-84 years (28%) and 85 years and over (25%). Over the same period, the total population only increased by 8.1% with declines in some younger age.
The 22% increase in the population aged 65 years and older in Ireland between 2016 and 2022, was more than double the 10% increase which occurred for the EU27 over the same period. For the 75-84 years age category the difference was greater, with a 3% increase across the EU27 compared with a 28% increase in Ireland. The extent of the demographic changes in Ireland between the baseline period (2016-2019) and the current year (2023) reduces the value of comparing current deaths with deaths in 2016-2019.
In relation to Ireland, it is also important to note that data from 2020 onwards is based on data provided by the CSO based on a web-scraped series from rip.ie. The comparison baseline (2016-2019) is built using official data on registered deaths. Caution is required in interpreting this indicator.
The latest data published by Eurostat (published 9 August 2023 (ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Excess_mortality_-_statistics), refers to deaths in June 2023. Based on the Eurostat methodology, it is estimated that Ireland experienced 13.6% additional deaths in June and has experienced additional deaths every month for the past 12 months (see link). This means the number of deaths in each month was higher than the average number of deaths in that same month during the years 2016-2019. It does not account for population growth, ageing or other factors impacting on long-term mortality trends.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes official statistics on mortality in Ireland and publishes quarterly and yearly statistics on registered deaths through their Vital Statistics publications. The latest published data is for deaths registered in Quarter 1 2023 and data is provisional. Data on deaths in each quarter from Quarter 2 2022 to Quarter 1 2023 by cause of death are set out in the link.
The Department of Health is actively monitoring and reviewing all available data on mortality as it becomes available to gain a better insight on the underlying mortality trends and factors influencing these. The Department supports the clear national commitment to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular with a view to ensuring the State’s preparedness for future public health threats.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1877)
Alan Dillon
Question:1877. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when the appointment of six shift leads will be made to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39072/23]
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.