Brendan Griffin
Question:576. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53561/23]
View answerMedical Aids and Appliances
Questions (576)
Written answers
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.
The DPS also provides reimbursement support for the costs associated with the rental of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for individuals suffering from sleep apnoea.
Further information can be found at:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/drugs-payment-scheme/drugs-payment-scheme/.
Mental Health Services
Questions (577)
Colm Burke
Question:577. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that people living with epidermolysis bullosa have access to mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53563/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (578)
Colm Burke
Question:578. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that people living with epidermolysis bullosa have access to dental care, given that those affected by the condition may require to travel long distances to receive care in specialist treatment centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53564/23]
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.As 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.
Health Services
Questions (579)
Colm Burke
Question:579. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that people living with epidermolysis bullosa have access to additional services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the community, given that it can be difficult for those affected with EB to access these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53565/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (580)
Colm Burke
Question:580. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the inclusion of epidermolysis bullosa in the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53566/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 conditions 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 conditions 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.
In 2023, a further range of measures facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. These include an expansion of GP care without charges to children aged 6 and 7, 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.
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card under the GMS Scheme 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.
Under the 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%.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (581)
Colm Burke
Question:581. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of funding for an epidermolysis bullosa specific bandaging and dressing scheme, given that those effected by EB incur a significant financial burden annually in the purchasing of bandaging and dressing materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53567/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Mental Health Policy
Questions (582)
Colm Burke
Question:582. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of additional funding to help appoint a clinical psychologist dedicated to supporting adults living with epidermolysis bullosa, given that those affected by EB exhibit higher than average frequencies of psychiatric symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53568/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Care Services
Questions (583)
Colm Burke
Question:583. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of additional funding for regular and reliable home nursing care for those living with more severe epidermolysis bullosa, to ensure a greater quality of life for those living with EB in Ireland and those who care for someone with EB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53569/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Medical Research and Training
Questions (584)
Colm Burke
Question:584. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if greater research will be undertaken by his Department into the quality of life of people living with epidermolysis bullosa in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53570/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Questions (585)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:585. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the drug phesgo can be administered by general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53579/23]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (586)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:586. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if the 182 additional beds, and 28 additional critical care beds committed to in the urgent and emergency care plan have been delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53602/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (587)
Carol Nolan
Question:587. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is still waiting to be reimbursed under the cross-Border health scheme. [53633/23]
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 Communications
Questions (588)
Carol Nolan
Question:588. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department operates an X account (formerly Twitter) or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53657/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health social media channels allow us to connect with the public in a timely and efficient manner; to share news and information easily and quickly; and deliver on our commitment to transparency. The Department currently manages accounts on X (formally known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
The Department does not pay a subscription for verification on any of its social media accounts.
The Department of Health's full social media strategy can be viewed on our website (health.gov.ie). For ease, I have attached an extract of the text of the page below, which is correct as of 29 November 2023.
Department of Health Social Media Policy
From Department of Health
Published on 14 January 2020
Last updated on 29 November 2023
Overview
The Department of Health social media channels enable the sharing of news, updates, and health information to the public. This policy outlines the social media platforms that the Department of Health currently uses, what you can expect on each of them, and how the Department of Health interacts with members of the public on these platforms.
The Department of Health social media channels allow us to connect with followers in a timely and efficient manner; to share news and information easily and quickly; and deliver on its commitment of transparency.
Use of social media platforms is not a means of contacting the Department of Health, Minister for Health, Ministers of State, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) directly or of submitting press queries.
Contact details for the Department of Health Press Office are here - press_office@health.gov.ie
At the time of writing, the Department of Health manages X (formally known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube accounts.
What to expect on Department of Health social media platforms
The Department of Health social media accounts are managed by Department of Health staff who are part of the Press and Communications Unit. Posts will only be published by staff of the Department of Health.
When following our social media accounts, you can expect information covering some or all of the following:
• Press releases and speeches relating to the activities of the Department of Health, Minister for Health, Ministers of State, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).
• Communications around Department of Health public health information campaigns.
• Event information and occasional live tweeting of events including text, photography, and video.
• Emergency communications – for example, public health warnings and updates and advice around same.
• Live streams of press conferences and events.
Who We Follow
We follow other Government Departments and Agencies, Ministers and Ministers of State, International Governmental organisations, news organisations and other bodies relevant to our function.
Following us on social media platforms will not automatically result in us following you back.
Availability
Social media platforms may occasionally be unavailable, and we accept no responsibility for lack of service due to such downtime.
We update and monitor our social media accounts during normal office hours Monday to Friday. We may also update and monitor the accounts outside of these hours at our own discretion.
How We Interact
It is not possible for us to reply individually to messages we receive via our social media accounts.
The best means of communicating a media query is via the Department of Health Press Office email: press_office@health.gov.ie
Please do not include personal/private information in your comments, posts, tweets or messages to us.
Abusive/Spam Tweets/Posts Moderation
Abusive or spam tweets or comments may result in followers being blocked and reported directly to the platform complaints section.
While we welcome comments and participation on our social media channels, we do not accept responsibility for the content of any comment and reserve the right to remove comments that:
• Contain abusive, obscene, indecent, or offensive language, or link to obscene or offensive material.
• Are completely irrelevant to the item originally posted.
• Constitute spam or promote or advertise products.
• Are designed to cause nuisance to the page administrator or other users.
For serious and/or persistent breaches of the moderation policy, we reserve the right to prevent users from posting further comments.
Comments are generally disabled on the Department of Health YouTube page. We reserve the right, however, to allow comments on occasion. Comments posted on videos are the views of individuals and do not represent the views of the Department of Health. We do not accept responsibility for the content of any comment and reserve the right to remove comments that:
• Contain abusive, obscene, indecent, or offensive language, or link to obscene or offensive material.
• Are completely irrelevant to the item originally posted.
• Constitute spam or promote or advertise products.
• Are designed to cause nuisance to the page administrator or other users.
Follows/RTs/Shares Endorsement
From our social media channels, we frequently retweet/like/share the content of other Government Departments and Government Agencies as well as content from the accounts of the Taoiseach, other Cabinet members, and the CMO and CNO.
Likes, retweets or shares are not an endorsement.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (589)
Robert Troy
Question:589. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive revision surgery. [53668/23]
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.
As 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.