Written Answers Nos. 488-514
488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children currently in fosterage; the number in protective residential care; the extent of the ongoing demand arising from the need to ensure the welfare and well-being of all such children, the availability of the required personnel and resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56258/23]
View answerAs of the end of September 2023, there were 5,558 children in care. Approximately 90% (5,003) were in foster care, 7% (397) in residential care and 3% (158) in other care placements.
Tusla has recently experienced increased challenges in its delivery of services, which have arisen due to a number of factors, including but not limited to a reduction in the number of foster carers over time, increasing complexity of children being referred to Tusla, and difficulties in Tusla securing staff. In addition, Ireland is now accommodating over 100,000 persons fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and International Protection applicants, resulting in significant pressure on State services. In addressing these challenges, there are a number of actions being progressed both by Tusla and by my Department.
In respect of foster care, it was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers. Improving supports for foster carers will play a key role in meeting the increased demands faced by Tusla and the alternative care system.
As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.
These increases mean that foster carers will receive over €1,700 additional funding per child over the course of 2024, amounting to an extra €300 per month by the end of 2024 for each child placed with them, when compared with the current allowance. The changes in Budget 2024 will bring the annual rate of the foster care allowance to an amount of €20,800 for a child under 12 and €22,100 for a child over 12. I can also give my assurance that I will continue to prioritise the foster care allowance in future budgets.
Further, Tusla have also operated public awareness campaigns in order to promote the recruitment of foster carers, and have developed and published a Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025, which contains a number of recommendations aimed at improving the supports available to foster carers.
In addition, Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025 outlines the Agency’s aim to increase public residential capacity within the alternative care system.
I will continue to engage closely with relevant stakeholders, including Tusla, Government colleagues, and representative organisations, in order to meet the increased challenges which I have outlined, and to support the delivery of high quality care to children and young people.
489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his department can provide for adequate funding for youth services and youth development services country-wide, with particular reference to areas of social and economic deprivation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56259/23]
View answerMy Department is making a significant investment in youth services in 2024, building on the increases in recent years and securing the achievements into the future.
The full package of current funding for youth services and programmes in my Department is €77.95 million, an increase of €5 million, or 6.8%, on the 2023 budget.
€74.45m is being provided for youth services funded under the existing funding schemes. In addition, €1million is being provided to establish a new Youth Employability Scheme which aims to help young people to participate in the workforce, education, or training.
€2.5 million is being provided to support the expansion of universal youth services, which are provided by volunteer led youth organisations around the country. This funding will enable more groups to support young people and will create more places in youth groups.
From 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.789 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase overall.
Of this funding, over €47 million is being provided next year for my Departments UBU Your Place Your Space scheme which targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services that will secure good outcomes. UBU Your Place Your Space provides funding to over 260 targeted youth services across 16 Education and Training Boards.
A key tenet of the UBU scheme is the production of evidence of local need. In allocating funding under the scheme, each ETB carries out an Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement process. This approach ensures that DCEDIY can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidenced need.
490. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent the efforts in hand to urgently address the delay in accessing vital services for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56260/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent, if any, to which the provision of appropriate services for children continues to be a major priority; the specific areas in question identified for improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56261/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Tusla’s response to concerns about the welfare and protection of children is guided by the principles of Children First; the overall aim in all dealings with children and their families is to intervene proportionately to support families to keep their children safe from harm. Tusla's approach to practice is to build on the family’s strengths utilising their own naturally connected family and community supports with the professional supports and services Tusla offer, which include family support services including parenting supports, mental health, therapeutic supports and other supports for children and families.
492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which, in conjunction with the Minister for Education, efforts are in hand to provide an integrated childcare system under the National Childcare Scheme on site in every primary school around the country; whether any future plans are anticipated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56262/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to increase the range of after-school services in schools or community hubs to offer a range of education and family-focused measures.
First 5, the whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families also recognises the potential for the use of school facilities for early learning childcare.
Data captured through the Annual Early Years Sector Profile reveals that approximately 15% of early learning and childcare services are located on school sites.
The scope for wider use to be made of school buildings is a matter for the Department of Education and the various patrons that govern schools across the country. The Department of Education’s policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and childcare.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools published Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in 2017.
In line with commitments in First 5, in 2023, the Department of Education conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school buildings to facilitate early learning and childcare services. The results of this survey were used to review the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. The revised Guidelines are due to be published by end 2023.
493. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is expected that all waiting lists for children with special needs/disabilities are likely to be satisfactorily dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56263/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
494. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for a progress update on the commitment in the Programme for Government to support genetic services in Our Lady's Children's Hospital. [55903/23]
View answer495. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide adequate resources for genetic testing services in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, in line with that of other comparable countries where the turn-around time is 12 weeks (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55906/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together.
The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of this Strategy. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of frontline staff. To ensure frontline staff posts are allocated in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing an equitable national service, these initial appointments have been allocated across the HSE Health Regions in areas of immediate need.
2023 Allocation of Frontline Staff
This year, the following genetics/genomics posts have been allocated to deliver services in CHI, Crumlin:
• 2 genomic resource associates
• 1 genetic counsellor
In addition to these CHI Crumlin allocations, the following posts have been allocated:
• 1 genetic counsellor to each of the following locations:
• HSE Dublin and North-East - Beaumont Hospital
• HSE West and North-West - Galway University Hospital
• HSE Dublin and Midlands and HSE Dublin and South-East - St. James Hospital / St. Vincent’s University Hospital
• HSE South-West – via post allocated to CHI to deliver clinical services in Cork
• HSE Mid-West – via post allocated to CHI to deliver clinical services in Limerick
• 1 Consultant Clinical Geneticist to each of the following locations:
• HSE West and North-West - Galway University Hospital
• HSE Mid-West – via post allocated to CHI
The recruitment of genomic resource associate and genetic counsellor posts have been subject to the recent embargo on recruitment as directed by the HSE.
2024 Allocations
One of the key outputs for the National Genetics and Genomics Office is the development of an operating model for genetics and genomics. The operating model will determine where additional posts are required and outline a plan for recruitment. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this work package.
Training and Development for Genetics and Genomics
As part of the implementation of the National Strategy, there is a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. A plan will be developed by the National Genetics and Genomics Office to increase training and development opportunities in genetics and genomics to help support workforce demand. A series of educational webinars and masterclasses have been developed by the National Genetics and Genomics Office in partnership with the RSCI and the RCPI to improve knowledge around genetic and genomic medicine for healthcare professionals.
496. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update in respect of an application (details supplied); when a decision will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55936/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
497. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in relation to difficulties in seeking publicly-funded IVF. [55940/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that correspondence has been received by my Department from the person concerned and that it has been redirected to the HSE for direct reply.
Regarding the reference to publicly-funded IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), as the Deputy may be aware, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government.
The Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility-related issues at this level of intervention. Patients are referred by their GPs to their local Regional Fertility Hub, which provides a range of treatments and interventions. All six Regional Fertility Hubs are currently operational.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care relates to the introduction of AHR treatment, including IVF, provided through the public health system at tertiary level. In particular, the first steps have been taken towards achieving the ultimate objective of Government, which is a wholly publicly-provided fertility service.
As an interim measure, funding has been made available to support access to AHR treatment via private providers from September 2023. As well as IVF and ICSI, this allocation is also being used to provide, initially through private clinics, IUI (intrauterine insemination), which can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive treatment.
Referrals for AHR treatment by private providers commenced on September 25th 2023 after details of how the new initiative would be initially rolled out – including regarding the set of criteria which prospective patients should meet in order to access fully-funded AHR services and the specific services to be initially funded – were agreed by the Department and NWIHP and then brought to Cabinet in July 2023. The criteria were agreed following consultation with experts in the field of reproductive medicine and include limits in respect of the age of the intending birth mother, body mass index (BMI) and the number of children a couple already have. They are very much in keeping with those applied in other jurisdictions, even though in most European countries, for instance, such treatments are only partially funded and require often significant out-of-pocket payments by patients. More details on public fertility services generally, including information on the new publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative, are available from the HSE at: www2.hse.ie/conditions/fertility-problems-treatments/fertility-treatment/
My Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader new AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
498. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there will be an extension of existing arrangements to keep a health service operational (details supplied) until their new premises is ready. [55942/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
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.
499. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a recent report (details supplied) which found that women in Ireland struggle with breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55771/23]
View answerThe Department of Health welcomes the publication of the first World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) Assessment Report for Ireland and, would like to acknowledge the work of the Core Group in producing this report and the contributions made by many stakeholders.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed is a priority, both for the Department and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The WBTi Assessment Report provides a comprehensive overview of a number of policy achievements promoting breastfeeding in Ireland; including the Healthy Ireland Framework, the National Maternity Strategy, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, and the National Cancer Strategy.
Since 2016, through the Health Service Breastfeeding Action Plan (Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland), progress has been realised through supports available for breastfeeding in Ireland. Access to education and training for all healthcare staff has improved to provide evidence-based care to expecting and new parents. In 2021, Minister Donnelly announced additional funding to the HSE of €1.58 million to fund 24 additional lactation consultants to support more new mothers in maternity and primary care settings to breastfeed their infants.
The WBTi report sets out clear objectives for further development which can be used to benchmark future breastfeeding initiatives. The Government remains committed to improving the breastfeeding rates in Ireland and it will remain a priority for new policy development.
500. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56000/23]
View answerTá an Roinn Sláinte ag obair lena chinntiú go gcaitear 5% de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge.
Tá an Roinn Sláinte tiomanta go hiomlán dár ndualgais reachtúla faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, a cuireadh i bhfeidhm ar an 10 Deireadh Fómhair 2022, a chomhlíonadh.
De réir riachtanas an Achta, comhlánóidh an Roinn tuairisceán comhlíontachta don bhliain 2023 leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga faoin 10 Márta 2024. Beidh sé seo mar bhunús ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga a dheimhniú go bhfuil an Roinn ag cloí le riachtanais fhógraíochta, cumarsáid ghinearálta agus cumarsáid tráchtála a bhíonn ag plé leis an bpobal i nGaeilge le linn 2023.
Beidh gá le heolas a bhailiú ó sholáthróirí éagsúla agus chainéil chumarsáide, a bhaineann le réimse feachtas, faoi obair a cuireadh i gcrích agus atá ar siúl i mbliana, chun an tuairisceán comhlíontachta a chomhlánú go cumasach, chomh maith le ceist an Teachta a fhreagairt go cruinn. Ní fhéadfaí freagra ar cheist an Teachta a chur le chéile laistigh den am a tugadh. Baileoidh m'oifigigh an t-eolas seo agus déanfar é a roinnt leis an Teachta nuair atá sé réitithe don bhliain 2023.
501. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56018/23]
View answerToisc go mbaineann an cheist seo go díreach le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, d'iarr mé orthu freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta, chomh luath agus is féidir.
Baineann faisnéis ar na comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth mo Roinne le cúrsaí oibríochtúla na gcomhlachtaí atá i gceist agus mholfainn go dtéann an Teachta go díreach i dteagmháil leis an Stiúrthóir/bPríomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin/gCláraitheoir cuí.
502. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56036/23]
View answerTá oifigigh mo Roinne ag obair lena chinntiú go bhfuil 20% de fhógraí, chumarsáid ghinearálta agus chumarsáid tráchtála a phléann leis an bpobal i nGaeilge sa bhliain 2023.
Tá an Roinn Sláinte tiomanta go hiomlán dár ndualgais reachtúla faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, a cuireadh i bhfeidhm ar an 10 Deireadh Fómhair 2022, a chomhlíonadh.
De réir riachtanas an Achta, comhlánóidh an Roinn tuairisceán comhlíontachta don bhliain 2023 leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga faoin 10 Márta 2024. Beidh sé seo mar bhunús ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga a dheimhniú go bhfuil an Roinn ag cloí le riachtanais fhógraíochta, cumarsáid ghinearálta agus cumarsáid tráchtála a bhíonn ag plé leis an bpobal i nGaeilge le linn 2023.
Beidh gá le heolas a bhailiú ó sholáthróirí éagsúla agus chainéil chumarsáide, a bhaineann le réimse feachtas, faoi obair a cuireadh i gcrích agus atá ar siúl i mbliana, chun an tuairisceán comhlíontachta a chomhlánú go cumasach, chomh maith le ceist an Teachta a fhreagairt go cruinn. Ní fhéadfaí freagra ar cheist an Teachta a chur le chéile laistigh den am a tugadh. Baileoidh m'oifigigh an t-eolas seo agus déanfar é a roinnt leis an Teachta nuair atá sé réitithe don bhliain 2023.
503. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56054/23]
View answerToisc go mbaineann an cheist seo go díreach le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, d'iarr mé orthu freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta, chomh luath agus is féidir.
Baineann faisnéis ar na comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth mo Roinne le cúrsaí oibríochtúla na gcomhlachtaí atá i gceist agus mholfainn go dtéann an Teachta go díreach i dteagmháil leis an Stiúrthóir/bPríomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin/gCláraitheoir cuí.
504. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56112/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.
505. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to be transferred from Letterkenny University Hospital to Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56127/23]
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.
506. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to research into energy hardship experienced by cancer patients with life-limiting diagnoses (details supplied); the steps he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56153/23]
View answerSuccessive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. This Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. Over 2021 and 2022, €70 million in additional funding to cancer services. This included €40 million new development funding and €30 million for new cancer drugs. This investment has had a real impact on access to cancer diagnostics, treatment and supports.
Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines.
The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The HSE also has a compassionate system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e., where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or when a patient is receiving end of life treatment. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional.
In addition, since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis. This measure delivered the Programme for Government commitment to extend eligibility for medical cards to persons with a terminal illness and work is continuing to develop a legislative framework to underpin this administrative scheme. Medical cards awarded on end of life grounds are never re-assessed by the HSE thereby providing reassurance and comfort to patients and their families.
Separately, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website (www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/)
To ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, the Department of Health keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
In-patient charges have been abolished in all public hospitals since April 2023. The removal of these charges, was an important step towards reducing the healthcare costs of patients and families, and can save individuals up to €800 per year.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The DPS threshold was reduced twice in 2022:
• From €114 to €100 per month on 1 January 2022.
• From €100 to €80 per month on 1 March 2022.
Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
The estimated minimum cost of reducing the DPS threshold to €72 per month is €13.2 m per annum. There are currently no plans to further reduce the threshold for the Drugs Payment Scheme.
With respect to the social welfare aspects of the Deputy's question, I note that the Deputy has asked the same question of the Minister for Social Protection who will answer on this.
507. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s Fiscal Assessment Report and their analysis of the Health allocation for 2024 (details supplied); his views on their analysis of the health allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56156/23]
View answerMy Department is aware of and has reviewed the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s latest Fiscal Assessment Report, including its analysis in relation to Health budget. While IFAC's report is produced independently of the Department of Health, its findings in relation to the demands on health expenditure, in particular in relation to demographic pressures and increased demand for health services, broadly align with my Department's own data and analysis.
As IFAC's report was published in December 2023, after discussions on Budget 2024 between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform had been concluded, the report did not form part of the engagement between the two Departments. However, the analysis provided by my Department to DPENDR as part of Budget 2024 discussions would have reflected a similar perspective to that expressed in the IFAC report.
508. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total value of procurement overseen by his Department and HSE as a central purchasing body; the percentage of compliant and non-compliant procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56171/23]
View answerMy Department liaises closely with the Office of Government Procurement on all matters related to public procurement and monitors all areas of expenditure on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.
Under Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department makes annual returns to the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of contracts above a €25,000 threshold which are awarded without a competitive process. Contracts awarded without a competitive process are not necessarily non-compliant with procurement guidelines.
In 2022, my Department provided details of nineteen (19) non-competitive contracts with a total value of €8.6 million in the annual return in respect of circular 40/02.
My Department complied with guidelines and notified payments totalling €130,520 in respect of three contracts above the €25,000 threshold held without a competitive process. These contracts are listed in the annual return in respect of Circular 40/02 and are published in the 2022 Appropriation Account, which is available from the Comptroller and Auditor General here : www.audit.gov.ie/en/find-report/publications/2023/vote-38-health.pdf
Details of any non-compliant procurements identified in 2023 will be published in the Appropriation Account in 2024.
The Department publishes details of all procurements on a quarterly basis on its website at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/b90bf2-health-policy-on-procurement/
Quarter 4, 2023 will be published on the website shortly.
In relation to contracts awarded by the HSE, as this is an operational matter, I have forwarded your query to the HSE and asked that they respond directly to you on this.
509. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information regarding the talks between his Department and the Revenue Commissioners to rectify the problematic issues caused by proposed changes to tax laws for GP group practices; (details supplied); if he will outline the outcome of these talks; if GPs concerns will be allayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56189/23]
View answerWhile the collection of taxes and issues relating to the interpretation of tax law are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, I am aware of the concerns around the new guidance on the tax treatment of GPs' GMS income that has now been issued by the Revenue Commissions.
The guidelines illustrate how GPs’ GMS income should be treated for the purposes of tax under current tax law. To allow GPs and GP practices time to make any necessary adjustments to their arrangements to ensure compliance with applicable tax policy and legislation, Revenue have implemented transitional arrangements up to the end of 2023.
Following engagement between my Department and the HSE with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance, the Minister for Finance has brought forward an amendment to the Finance (No.2) Bill 2023 to provide that where individual General Practitioners (GPs) enter into contracts with the HSE to provide certain medical professional services, and provide those services in the conduct of a partnership profession with other individual GPs, the income from those professional services can be treated for income tax purposes as income of the partnership. This legislation is expected to come into force on 1 January next.
My Department and the HSE continue to engage with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance, as well as with the IMO, on this matter.
The current contractual arrangements for the GMS, as well as other issues, will be examined under the Strategic Review of General Practice, which will propose measures necessary to modernise the contract.
510. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway can expect to receive an appointment from Cappagh Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56205/23]
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.
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, there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a reply from the HSE.
511. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of vacancies of medical professionals in Mayo University Hospital; the length of time each position has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56213/23]
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.
512. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the emergency department development in Mayo University Hospital. [56214/23]
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.
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.
513. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of patients presenting at the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital but leaving prior to being seen each month to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56215/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
514. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on lists as both inpatients and outpatients for Mayo University Hospital; the average wait time; the number waiting more than one, two, three and four years, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56216/23]
View answer515. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for elective surgery in Mayo in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [56217/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.
It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care.
The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan builds on the foundational work done in the 2021 and 2022 plans, both of which reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists.
For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to reduce hospital waiting lists by implementing longer term reforms and providing additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.
With the funding from Budget 2024 (€407 million), we are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving the vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.
In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, for PQ 56216 the attached document provided to my Department by the NTPF shows the number of patients on OPD and IPDC waiting lists at Mayo University Hospital at the end of November and the requested time bands. The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided.
For PQ 56217, according to the NTPF the number of patients on the IPDC waiting list by area of residence (AOR) for County Mayo at the end of November 2023 was 3,640. Detail in respect of 2022 was provide to you in PQ 35021/23.
