Paul Kehoe
Question:496. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health for an update on the number of neurological nurses that have been recruited into the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3620/24]
View answerHealth Services Staff
Questions (496)
Written answers
As 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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (497, 498)
Colm Burke
Question:497. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that funding will be provided to allow for the continuation of the two-year programme now in place which facilitates the training of qualified doctors from non-EU countries to qualify as general practitioners and work in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3644/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:498. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that additional funding will be provided in 2024 to enable the two-year programme which is currently in place for the training of non-EU doctors as general medical practitioners so to enable the number of trainees to increase from 100 per annum to 150 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3645/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 together.
GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint HSE and ICGP non-EU GP Training Programme. 112 non-EU GPs were recruited last year under the training programme with 75 having started in GP practice at year end.
Under the programme, doctors work in general practice for a 2-year period following which they can take up an Irish GMS contract (the normal training period is four years). The programme targets the placement of GPs to rural areas and areas with lower levels of services provision. This will further increase capacity in general practice and access to services in these areas.
Following the programme’s success in 2023, funding has been made available for the planned recruitment of up to 250 more non-EU GPs this year.
Question No. 498 answered with Question No. 497.
Hospital Services
Questions (499)
Duncan Smith
Question:499. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of open beds in each HSE and voluntary hospital on 15 January in each of the years 2023 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3655/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service 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.
Health Services
Questions (500)
James Lawless
Question:500. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health for an update on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3704/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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, 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.
Health Services
Questions (501)
Bernard Durkan
Question:501. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if it can be arranged for a person (details supplied) to attend day care centre in Maynooth, who has been told it would be instrumental in this objective to keep them at home for as long as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3719/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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, 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 (502)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:502. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is referred to either St. James’s or St. Vincent's Hospital. [3726/24]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (503)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:503. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health what if any transport support schemes are available to disabled patients such as a person (details supplied) who attend the National Rehabilitation centre in Dun Laoghaire for rehabilitation. [3729/24]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (504)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:504. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for orthodontic treatment; the reason an available appointment has been so delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/24]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (505)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:505. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health to confirm the closure of the endoscopy unit in a hospital (details supplied) for the month of January under the Winter Initiative; the reason for the decision to close the department; what impact assessments were carried out in advance of the closure; if the closure will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3736/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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
Hospital Services
Questions (506)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:506. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if the bowel screening programme in a hospital (details supplied) is impacted as a consequence of the closure of the endoscopy unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3737/24]
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.
Health Services
Questions (507)
Colm Burke
Question:507. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of recent reports of the increased use of snus or nicotine pouches among young people in Ireland; if his Department will investigate the matter; if his Department intends to regulate or prohibit these products, as the Netherlands and Belgium have done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3742/24]
View answerWritten answers
Nicotine pouches are currently not covered by domestic or EU tobacco control legislation, with some Member States classifying them as either a foodstuff or medicine. The regulation of nicotine pouches is being discussed at EU level, both in terms of how these products are categorised and in the context of the review of the Tobacco Products Directive. An EU public consultation was carried out in 2023 to gain views on further regulation of novel products such as nicotine pouches, and a proposal from the EU Commission is expected this year.
It is understood that prevalence of nicotine pouch use remains extremely low in the adult population across the EU. Data on adolescent use of nicotine pouches in Ireland will be collected as part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) in 2024.
The sale of snus is illegal in Ireland. It is prohibited under the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016
My Department continues to monitor any emerging evidence regarding these products.
Medical Cards
Questions (508)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:508. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to including the condition CANVAS to the list of conditions recognised for medical card purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3758/24]
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.
While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, 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 in-patient 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, further measures have facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, including 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.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependents may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. 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. 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.
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.
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%.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (509)
Catherine Murphy
Question:509. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has availed of services and or consultancy from a list of related companies (details supplied) in the past five years to date; if so, if he will provide a schedule of costs and the purpose for which the company was engaged; and if he continued to use services provided by it. [3783/24]
View answerWritten answers
In response to your question, the details requested are set out per the table attached. All of the services listed were contracted with Grant Thornton in Ireland.
It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.