Written Answers Nos. 328-337
328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate staffing has or is being achieved at all levels throughout the health services, with a view to ensuring maximum operational levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49246/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational 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.
329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the various changes and requirements needed to fully introduce Sláintecare are being pursued at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49248/23]
View answerThe Government remains fully committed to the Sláintecare vision of a universal single-tier health and social care system. The shared vision of Sláintecare is to introduce a universal health and social care system where everyone has equitable access to services based on need, and not ability to pay. Sláintecare is introducing a joined-up health system designed around the needs of people. Healthcare delivery is moving away from the hospital-centric system to one where more care is provided in community health centres, or at home. This needed reform is transforming our health system, is improving service quality, and will meet the needs of our ageing population.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023 is in the final year of delivery. Significant progress has been made across all key areas, including implementation of health regions, expansion of eligibility (abolition of acute in-patient charges, extension of free GP cards to children aged 6-7 and expansion of GP visit cards to those earning under the median income, free contraception for women agreed 17-10 and reduction in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold from €138 to €80), progress in developing elective hospitals, enhancing care in the community through community intervention and community specialist teams and significant increases in the health and social care workforce. Progress on implementation of reforms can be monitored through the minutes of the Sláintecare Programme Board which are published as a matter of course (www.gov.ie/en/publication/fbc36-slaintecare-programme-board/).
The next multi-annual strategic framework is currently being developed and be submitted in due course to Government for consideration.
330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which access to various medicines remains equally available to those in this jurisdiction, as compared with the rest of the single market in Europe, and at a similar price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49249/23]
View answerIn Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority. In line with the 2013 Act, and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must first submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Two new Framework Agreements on Pricing and Supply of Medicines 2021-2025 were signed in December 2021. These Agreements provide stability to the medicines reimbursement market for the State and for Industry, thus facilitating sustainable and affordable access to medicines for patients in Ireland over the next 4 years.
Negotiations towards these new Agreements with industry began in May 2021, against a backdrop of a growing annual drugs budget, up from €1.95bn in 2016 to almost €2.25bn by 2020.
The multiannual agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and Medicines for Ireland (MFI) represent an important step in facilitating access to innovative new medicines for patients. The IPHA represent the originator and on-patent biopharmaceutical industry; MFI represent the non-originator, and off-patent biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland.
There are a number of clauses set out in both agreements in detail, which provide clear pricing rules for applicant companies, that have been agreed between the State and main Pharmaceutical Industry representative groups in Ireland as appropriate and intended to provide a predictable environment for Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) to supply their products. These are grossly summarised as:
1. The pricing application form for new medicines is based on a basket of 14 countries (13 EU Member States and the UK). Pricing is permitted to be no more than the average price based on the pricing in these 14 countries.
2. The pricing of non-patented medicines (i.e., generic, biosimilar or hybrid medicine marketed in Ireland) is based on the originator medicine at a specific time point.
Under the terms of the agreement, there is scope for the Department of Health, the HSE, and industry to continue to maintain their engagement throughout the lifetime of the agreement on all matters pertaining to the agreement.
331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent of the network of primary care centres throughout County Kildare in existence, proposed or at planning stage; the extent to which replacement of previous facilities is anticipated; if new centres will reflect the population increases in such a way as to ensure that a modern efficient network is available in County Kildare and throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49250/23]
View answerAs 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.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on any plans that may be under way to ensure adequate support is provided to home dialysis-patients in the context of the current energy and cost-of-living crisis to ensure that they continue to receive their lifesaving and sustaining treatment at home and can afford same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49251/23]
View answerThe 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/consumer-information/your-rights/vulnerable-customers/
In Budget 2023, every household in Ireland received three €200 energy credits, totalling €600. These payments were made between November 2022 and April 2023.
Budget 2024 announced that three further energy credits of €150 each will be paid to households over the coming months.
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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
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.
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%.
333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if adequate emergency beds can be provided wherever required but particularly in accident and emergency hospitals on call where ambulances are queuing up while awaiting the admission of a patient; if he will identify the precise steps required to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49252/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I referred this question to the HSE for answer. Additionally, the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
334. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of FETAC Therapy Assistant Grade Programmes that were offered in 2022 and 2023; the number of FETAC Therapy Assistant Grade Programme places that were filled by students in 2022 and 2023; and the number of FETAC Therapy Assistant Grade graduates in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [49101/23]
View answerMy officials are engaging with SOLAS in relation to compiling the information sought regarding Therapy Assistant Grade provision in 2022 and 2023. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy upon completion.
335. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received any plans to establish a library in an area (details supplied); and if she will detail the costs of same that she has received. [49104/23]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in the area identified is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.
However, my department has been informed by Cork City Council that a potential site has been identified in principle for a library on the grounds of Nagle Community College, on the Avenue De Rennes. I understand that discussions regarding this site are ongoing between the local authority and Cork Education and Training Board. Both parties have committed to signing a Memorandum Of Understanding this month for the project, which will incorporate a youth services element.
Cork City Council have been advised of the requirement to progress the project through my department's four stage Capital Management Process. I understand that the City Council plan to submit a Stage 1 Application for Approval in Principle for the project to my Department in Quarter 1 2024. This requirement is to ensure that the project complies with the Public Library Standards and Benchmarks, which is the practice for all new public library projects. Costs for this project are currently unknown, due to the it being in the early stages of planning, but cost estimates will be contained in the Stage 1 Application when it is submitted.
336. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will clarify if the funding for local community staff that is part of the community services programme, managed by Pobal, will be increased for 2024 to match the increase in the minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49125/23]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model.
The CSP contribution per full-time equivalent position is not aligned with the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. It is an annual contribution that must be co-funded by the organisations concerned from other sources, for example, from income generated from the use of facilities and services provided.
Following the independent review of the CSP programme in 2020 by Indecon International Economic Consultants, as part of the restructuring process, a needs-based, differentiated funding allocation model was designed for the programme, as an alternative to the previous flat rate payment model. While the CSP funding allocation is not aligned to the minimum wage level, the new funding rate allocation model which came into effect on 1st January 2023, was designed to support those organisations most in need, providing a higher rate of funding to supported organisations that are identified as operating in areas of high disadvantage, employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups and with evidence of limited earning potential. Organisations categorised as having a high or medium funding need benefited from increases of €4,000 and €2,000 respectively per Full Time Equivalent and Manager. No change was introduced for the small number of organisations in the low funding category - these are organisations identified with the strongest earning potential and operating in less disadvantaged areas.
In addition to these revised allocations, a reduction in full time hours from 39 to 37.5 hours was approved under the redesigned CSP programme, to narrow the co-funding gap for CSP supported employees even further.
My department is currently reviewing the impact of the increase of €1.40 per hour to the minimum wage level from 1st January 2024, which was announced as part of the recent budget statements. It is expected that the outcome of the review will be made known in the coming weeks.
337. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of the application made by a group (details supplied) under the Pobal community services programme; and if so, if she will provide an update on the status of this application. [49139/23]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
A Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services issued on March 6th this year and interested organisations were requested to submit a concept note as the first step in the application process. The concept note was for potential applicants to express an interest in making a full application for entry to the Community Services Programme.
Pobal, who manage and administer the Programme on behalf of my Department, received a huge volume of concept notes and as a result the CSP call was hugely over-subscribed and not all organisations who submitted a concept note were invited to formally submit an application.
Pobal have confirmed that they received and assessed a concept note from the named organisation and informed them they were eligible under this Open Call. The organisation was subsequently invited to submit an application under stage 2 which was duly received. All applications have been assessed by Pobal and their recommendations are currently being reviewed by my Department. It is expected that the first tranche of organisations approved following their stage 2 application will be notified by the end of November with the remaining organisations notified in early 2024.
