Written Answers Nos. 536-550
536. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health what measures and guidance his Department and the HSE will put in place for people returning home from Paris and France to ensure Ireland does not face an outbreak or pandemic of bed bugs due to the outbreak seen in France in the past few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46239/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
537. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with St. Vincent's Hospital Dublin, hepatology department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46244/23]
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.
538. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health what benefit accrued to a person (details supplied) having paid into two pensions since 2017, as they retired on a full pension in 2017, and has since returned to work on a part-time basis; if no benefit is accruing to them or can accrue to them, if the pension contributions can be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46246/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an administrative issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
539. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); the current waiting times to have cataracts removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46253/23]
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.
541. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health how many additional homes came into the system for rent, since the assessment of rent of private dwelling houses for the fair deal consideration, reduced from 80% to 40%; if the review of the scheme has concluded; and is there any further change planned. [46257/23]
View answerEffective from 1 November 2022, the amount of rental income that nursing home residents can retain under the Fair Deal from renting their principle private residence increased from 20% to 60%.
Prior to this change being implemented, participants in the Fair Deal scheme were able to rent out their homes or other assets, however rental income was subject to assessment at 80% like all other income (such as pension income).
Recognising that this may act as a disincentive against renting out a property, the Government approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, “Fair Deal”, to remove a disincentive for applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental income from a principal residence is reduced from 80% to 40%. This means that for someone renting out their principal residence, they retain 60% of the income accrued from that rental and 40% is assessed under Fair Deal.
Data from the HSE indicates that as of the end of May 2023, 24 additional properties were made available to rent under the revised policy.
This policy change is currently under review, examining any unintended consequences and potential safeguarding issues, with the intention for amendment if necessary. This review process is ongoing and publication date has yet to be finalised.
It should be noted that, following a decision on whether to implement further changes to the scheme, there will of necessity be a further period before those changes can be implemented, in order to allow for administrative and operational updates, as well as any other necessary arrangements, to be put in place.
It should also be noted that rental income accrued from property that is not a principal private residence will continue to be assessed at 80%.
This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. The change was made through a Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022 which is in operation as of 1 November.
542. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a referred appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46288/23]
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.
543. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to dental treatment available for children in Tallaght, Dublin 24, if the HSE Old County Road clinic only deals with dental emergencies now; if so, where children living in Tallaght can get their dental check-ups (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46289/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
544. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Crumlin Children's Hospital currently only has two modern ultrasound machines, when it needs four in the radiography, radiology and ultrasound department; if he is aware that there is a lack of trophan machines in the hospital; when the necessary funding will be provided for this equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46293/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
545. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of eating disorder teams currently in place in each CHO; the number of staff currently assigned to each team; the number of vacancies; the plans to recruit the required staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46312/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
546. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the average response time of ambulances in west County Cork; the number of ambulances ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46313/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
547. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot avail of light therapy treatment for a skin condition at Letterkenny University Hospital. [46315/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
548. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if the premises for the promised new CHO 5 North Wexford CAMHS centre has been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46316/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
549. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health for a progress report regarding the recruitment of positions for consultant psychiatrist, clinical nurse specialists, senior psychologist and administration staff for the new CAMHS team promised for ##CHO 5 in north Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46317/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
550. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health when the new promised CAMHS team for CHO 5 in north Wexford will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46318/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
