Written Answers Nos. 1521-1544
1521. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE rapid response vehicles available on a 24-7 basis in Limerick as of 6 January 2025; if this number will be further increased during 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1223/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1522. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health the locations within CHO3 where rapid access stabilisation units are located; the opening hours of each of these units, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1224/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1523. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1237/25]
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.
1524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1238/25]
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.
1525. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health how many dentists are currently part of the dental treatment service scheme in Cork north central, and in Mallow, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1526. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the current weight management services in operation across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1252/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1527. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the number of staff working in weight management services broken down, by location and service, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1253/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1528. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the number of current staff vacancies in weight management services broken down, by location and service, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1254/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1529. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the details of the plans that are in place to fill current vacancies in weight management clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1255/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1530. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of people on waiting lists, detailing times, area, and service, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1256/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1531. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if patients on current waiting lists for weight management services can avail of the NTPF to secure treatment in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1257/25]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that it does not currently procure any Outpatient consultations or Inpatient/Daycase procedures relating to weight management.
At any time the NTPFs ability to provide a service is subject to capacity in the private and public sectors. A new NTPF framework agreement will be procured in 2025 and consultation will be undertaken at that stage to understand capacity with every successful framework member.
1532. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for brain surgery in Beaumont Hospital to remove a tumour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1261/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1533. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to give urgent attention to an ongoing issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1272/25]
View answerThe Government recognises the essential work carried out by staff in community and voluntary health and social care organisations, and their contribution to delivery of essential publicly funded supports and services to many citizens. This is why we are committed to achieving a positive outcome in discussions with the relevant unions in the Workplace Relations Commission.
1534. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health what percentage of medical card reassessments are successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1535. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he can reinstate the position whereby gluten-free products are reimbursable items under the general medical services (scheme) as the additional cost of gluten-free products is placing a strain on many families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1283/25]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the formal Reimbursement list. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
Gluten-free products were removed from the list of reimbursable items under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, with several other products, in September 2012. The marketplace has evolved whereby such products are widely available in supermarkets at a more reasonable price than was historically costed to the State when they were available in pharmacies through the statutory schemes, and without incurring the further extra costs of a dispensing fee. There are currently no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
However, possession of a medical card may assist with other medical services. 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. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
Under the Drugs 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.
A person can claim tax relief for certain food products if they have specific dietary requirements due to a medical condition. This applies to persons with coeliac disease where they require gluten free foods specifically manufactured to be gluten free.
1536. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if polycystic ovary syndrome will be recognised under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1305/25]
View answerThe 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, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. 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.
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 Drugs 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%.
1537. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to covering medications like Ozempic under the drug payment scheme for polycystic ovary syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1306/25]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1538. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on a recruitment campaign for HSE home care workers in the Sligo-Leitrim area; how many home care workers have been recruited since January 2024 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1317/25]
View answerThe HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
1539. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently eligible for BreastCheck screening who are waiting for their first mammogram in the Dublin northwest HSE area of Dublin 7, 11, and 15; the number of individuals currently awaiting follow-up appointments in the same area; the length of time they have been waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1320/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1540. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the details of the current operational status of the BreastCheck mobile unit located at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre; if there have been changes in its operation; the number of women screened on a monthly basis since it opened; the number of women currently awaiting breast screening appointments at this mobile unit; the average waiting time for an appointment at this mobile unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1321/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1541. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the Government provides postmortem services for babies who have died just before birth or after they have been born; if so, the location; and if he will make these services available to citizens in the north of Ireland. [1323/25]
View answerOn the matter of the location and management of postmortem services, as the Health Service Executive's National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
I am committed to continuing close and productive cooperation with Northern Ireland in relation to health services. My Department is working with partners in Northern Ireland to improve cooperation in health and social care where there are clear benefits for both jurisdictions and for patients across the island, including within the context of the North South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Work Programme.
Perinatal and paediatric pathology services are a challenging and complex area, currently facing recruitment challenges on a global scale. I have asked the HSE to work on the design of perinatal and paediatric pathology services capable of serving both jurisdictions in collaboration with partners in Northern Ireland so that a common agreement can be reached on what is needed.
1542. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that a treatment (details supplied) is available for prostate cancer patients in Ireland for whom it is deemed medically suitable, given that the treatment can significantly extend the life of certain patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1329/25]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1543. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list time for the complex menopause clinic in Galway University Hospital; if there are plans to expand this clinic and reduce waiting lists given that many patients have complex and urgent medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1342/25]
View answerThere are currently six specialist clinics nationwide, one in each maternity network, for women who require complex, specialist care. All six clinics are operational.
As part of the Women’s Health Action Plan, additional funding for the existing menopause clinics is being provided this year to extend their opening hours. This funding will provide an additional 2.8 WTEs spread across the NMH, Rotunda, Cork and Galway, with a projected additional capacity of 2,000 new appointments.
With regard to the current waiting list times for Galway’s menopause clinic, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1544. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the dental services available to persons with disabilities in County Monaghan; the reason such dental services are no longer available in Monaghan Hospital; if there are plans to re-introduce this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1366/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
