Sorca Clarke
Question:631. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric diabetes services that closed to new pump patients in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [16002/24]
View answerDisease Management
Questions (631)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (632)
Seán Haughey
Question:632. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if amputees can be added to the long-term illness scheme to enable them to obtain prostheses as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16003/24]
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.
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 dependants 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%.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (633)
Matt Carthy
Question:633. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with trade unions regarding extending the temporary scheme of paid leave for public health service employees unfit for work post-Covid-19 infection; the supports available to front-line workers unable to work due to the impact of having contracted Covid-19, and particularly long-Covid, should the scheme not be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16010/24]
View answerWritten answers
In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was put in place for 12 months in July 2022 to support eligible staff who were impacted by Long COVID-19. At the request of the Department of Health this Special Scheme was extended several times, most recently in October 2023, when the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) granted a final extension, permitting the Special Scheme to run until 31 March 2024. DPENDPR have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted, and the Special Scheme concluded on 31 March 2024.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell, 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.
There has been extensive engagement between the parties in recent months regarding the conclusion of the temporary Special Scheme following a recommendation from the Labour Court. However, the matter has been referred back to the Workplace Relations Commission by the staff representative bodies, where the parties will engage further.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (634, 635, 636)
Róisín Shortall
Question:634. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated in each of the long-Covid and post-acute clinics, by clinic and year, in tabular form. [16012/24]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:635. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently being treated in each of the long-Covid and post-acute clinics, in tabular form. [16013/24]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:636. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients discharged from each of the long-Covid and post-acute clinics, by clinic and year, in tabular form; the number who self-discharged; the number who were discharged due to a failure to show up for an initial appointment; and the number who were discharged due to a failure to show up for a follow-up appointment. [16014/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 to 636, inclusive, together.
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.
Question No. 635 answered with Question No. 634.
Question No. 636 answered with Question No. 634.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (637)
Barry Cowen
Question:637. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment with the orthopaedic department, Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [16016/24]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (638)
Bernard Durkan
Question:638. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if eligibility for a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/24]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (639)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:639. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Louth will get an orthopaedic appointment in Temple Street for crucial urgent surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16055/24]
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 Staff
Questions (640)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:640. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health how many public health nurses there are in the CHO6 area and the extent to which they provide care in the community as opposed to private healthcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16064/24]
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.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (641, 643)
Matt Carthy
Question:641. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost involved to deliver a MRI scanner at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16066/24]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:643. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the need for CT and MRI scanners at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16068/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 643 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (642)
Matt Carthy
Question:642. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost involved to deliver a CT scanner at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/24]
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.
Question No. 643 answered with Question No. 641.
Care Services
Questions (644)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:644. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for long term residential care by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16075/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (645)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:645. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health what financial supports are available for amputees who do not qualify for a medical card, who are required to pay extremely high costs upwards of €6,000 every few years for necessary prosthetics; the measures he will take to address this gap in supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16077/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, including prosthetics, free of charge to eligible persons (such as medical card holders and people on the Long-Term Illness scheme) following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided through community services known as Community Funded Schemes and play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning, and to remain living in their homes and local community.
Amputees, whose amputation arose from either a traumatic or elective event, usually have their primary prosthesis fitted at the hospital where the surgery was undertaken. Subsequent prostheses are provided to eligible clients through the Community Funded Schemes. Rehabilitation services are provided by the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) primarily at their site in Dun Laoghaire and augmented by a number of satellite clinics that they operate throughout the country. There are also a number of smaller services operated at regional level that provide assessment and fitting clinics along with prostheses at a local level.
A HSE Service Improvement Programme (SIP) has the aim of improving the equity of access, value for money, and functional processes of the Community Funded Schemes through the establishment of national guidelines for the provision of medical and surgical aids and appliances.
The HSE advise that currently funding of prosthetics is undertaken through the Community Funded Schemes based on an individual's clinical needs and their eligibility status. A priority for the HSE SIP in 2024 is a review of the existing provision of limb prosthetic services.
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (646)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:646. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if, following the recent publicity surrounding the provision of bras, prosthetics, and swimwear for post-mastectomy clients, he will clarify what are the entitlements; to provide a list of the companies that provide these products nationally and which of the entitlements they supply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16079/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case. The Community Funded Schemes (CFS) is the collective name for the provision of these products and services.
The Community Funded Scheme service improvement programme recently published two new national procedures for the provision of an allowance for cancer treatment in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products. The HSE advise that the intention of the new procedures was to standardise provision across the country.
I instructed the HSE to ensure that no patient, either currently availing of the scheme or accessing it in the future, should be at any financial loss as a result of the proposed changes.
The HSE has since communicated to each CHO advising them to revert to the pre-existing level of contributions to patients in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products until such time as the new procedures can be reviewed in terms of the proposed allowances to be provided. CHOs were also instructed to contact any member of the public who received an email/communication advising them of the new procedure to inform them it has been withdrawn. This communication also reiterated that no person should be disadvantaged in any way in the intervening period.
I want to reiterate that progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services over the last few years. I want to ensure that the necessary supports are put in place so that every woman has the same level of access to appropriate healthcare no matter where they live in Ireland.
As this question also relates to operational service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (647)
Michael McNamara
Question:647. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the healthcare facilities in which the 20 community healthcare beds, announced on 4 April 2024, to be provided next winter, will be located and the impact the new beds will have on care provided in the said facilities last winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16082/24]
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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (648)
Duncan Smith
Question:648. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of revenue generated through parking charges within the public car park at CHI Crumlin in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [16083/24]
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.