Written Answers Nos. 637-657
637. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is limited availability of the medicine betnesol; if access to the medication is possible for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10026/24]
View answerRPH Pharmaceuticals AB, the company that places Betnesol Eye, Ear and Nasal Drops and Betnesol-N Eye, Ear and Nasal Drops on the market has advised of a recent shortages of the products due to a manufacturing delay. The company has confirmed that supply of both products in Ireland will resume during the week beginning 18th March 2024. Multiple countries, not just Ireland is affected by this shortage.
Unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide which have been exacerbated by recent worldwide events. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; sudden unexpected increase in demand; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
Ireland has a multistakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and to manage medicine shortages when they occur. The Department of Health maintains regular contact with the HPRA regarding medicines shortages.
Patients who have any concerns about availability of their medication are encouraged to speak to their GP or pharmacist, as in many cases, alternative medications may be available.
638. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to legislate to bring greater legal clarity in respect of health CBD products [10048/24]
View answerThe law on CBD is clear in relation to it as a cannabinoid and in relation to claims of CBD being a foodstuff or healthfood as demonstrated below.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract of Cannabis. It is non-psychotropic and pure CBD is not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017.
Extracts of Cannabis sativa L. containing cannabinoids as well as synthetically obtained cannabinoids are considered novel foods as a history of significant consumption within the EU has not been demonstrated. This applies to both the products themselves and any foods to which they are added as an ingredient.
In the EU, the Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 is a consumer protection safeguard to ensure that new innovative foods are only placed on the market if they are safe. Novel foods are foods which do not have a history of significant consumption within the EU before May 15, 1997, this is the date that Novel Food Regulations came into effect. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carries out the safety assessments on novel foods based on information submitted by applicants.
There are a number of applications for the authorisation of synthetic CBD and hemp-derived products that have been submitted to the EU Commission and are currently with EFSA for assessment, however due to a lack of sufficient safety data these assessments are currently on hold. To date no synthetic CBD or hemp derived products have been authorised as novel foods.
A health claim on food is any statement about a relationship between food and health. In the EU, health claims on food can only be made if authorised as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. The EU authorises different health claims provided they are based on scientific evidence and can be easily understood by consumers. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is responsible for evaluating the scientific evidence supporting health claims. There are currently no food health claims authorised for CBD.
639. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the Department intends putting in place a vaccination programme for older adults to protect them from RSV; if same will be included in the National Immunisation Programme for the period September 2024 to March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10055/24]
View answerNIAC has submitted advice to my Department which advises that RSV vaccines, which have recently received EMA authorisation, for infants and persons over 65yrs, are safe and effective and should be considered for use in Ireland. In its advice NIAC also noted that further analysis of cost effectiveness and programmatic considerations is required to determine the most appropriate use of RSV vaccination in Ireland.
Following consideration of NIAC's advice, my Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to determine firstly, whether infant or adult vaccination would provide the greatest benefit in reducing healthcare utilisation due to RSV infection, and secondly, what the most cost-effective RSV immunisation strategy for Ireland would be.
The request was revised in light of the recent RSV season and in December, my Department requested that HIQA initially undertake a rapid HTA of infant immunisation against RSV in Ireland. This will be followed by a full HTA on immunisation against RSV in Ireland, which will include infant and older adults.
By prioritising the HTA for infants my Department wishes to ensure that there is an evidence base for the implementation of a programme for the group where the burden of disease is most significant. The outcome of the full HTA will inform the development of any RSV immunisation programme, including what, if any, age groups should be offered a vaccine.
640. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a lung rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by South/Southwest Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10061/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
641. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Dublin Midlands Hospital Group within 10 working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10062/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by RCSI Hospital Group within 10 working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10063/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
643. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Saolta Hospital Group within 10 working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10064/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
644. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by RCSI Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10067/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
645. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Saolta Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10068/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by University of Limerick Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10069/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
647. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Ireland East Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10070/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
648. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a prostate rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by South/Southwest Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10071/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
649. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health what support and assistance will be given to public health service employees on the conclusion of a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10072/24]
View answerIn the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. This Special Scheme has been extended a number of times, however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and no further extensions will be granted. Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme will receive an individual notification of this from their employer this week.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
650. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a lung rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Dublin Midlands Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10083/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
651. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a lung rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by RCSI Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10084/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
652. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a lung rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Saolta Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10085/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
653. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a lung rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by University of Limerick Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10086/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
654. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people who attended a lung rapid access clinic and the number who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Ireland East Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral from the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [10087/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
655. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason the special leave with pay scheme for public health service employees with long-Covid is ceasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10088/24]
View answerIn the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. This Special Scheme has been extended a number of times, however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and no further extensions will be granted. Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme will receive an individual notification of this from their employer this week.
While the EU Committee on Health and Welfare at work recommended the recognition of Covid as an occupational illness, disease or accident in the workplace, Member States vary greatly on their application of this, however I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection does not intend on adopting the EU recommendation in respect of social supports from her Department.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
656. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently in receipt of special leave with pay (details supplied) providing details per CHO and grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10089/24]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on the matter.
657. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of hours companies that deliver care in the home to the elderly that are reimbursed to the HSE annually (details supplied); how the hours are calculated, invoiced and paid for in advance of the knowledge of missed hours being informed to the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10098/24]
View answerAs 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 recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
