Written Answers Nos. 593-610
593. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if vacancies remain at a facility (details supplied); if so, if he will provide a list of such vacancies; the services that remain unavailable at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
594. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that medical card holders can avail of dental treatment under the dental treatment services scheme; if he will take into consideration the fact that many persons are finding it increasingly difficult to register with dentists under the dental treatment service scheme and are required to pay for dental treatments privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3153/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTTS), which dates from the 1990s is available to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The dental care is provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the scheme. The Scheme covers a dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, prescriptions, denture repairs and extractions as necessary. Other more complex treatments such as the provision of dentures require the approval of the HSE before the dentist can proceed and in this case the dentist applies directly to the HSE.
There is a need to align the DTSS with best international evidence and practice, and legislation, as outlined in Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy. Regretfully, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the roll-out of the Policy to be delayed and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred.
It is regrettable that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the DTSS that provides care for medical card patients during the pandemic, which has led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country. In such circumstances, I have been assured that the HSE Public Dental Service is seeking to provide emergency cover for any medical card patients who are experiencing such problems.
I have given a commitment to a substantive review of the DTSS, which will include fees paid to dentists. I have also acknowledged the immediate issues of concern with current arrangements under the Scheme.
My officials met with the Irish Dental Association in December to address both of these issues. It is the intention of my officials to hold further talks in Q1 of this year.
I would also wish to point out that I secured additional funding of €10 million in Budget 2022 to address immediate issues with the DTSS, which is on top of the annual allocation of €56 million for 2022.
595. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health when the inquiry into the historic use of sodium valproate announced in October 2020 will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
596. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an increase in homecare via homecare package can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3169/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
597. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the way in which those who did not provide an email address at the time of their Covid-19 booster will receive their vaccination certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3170/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the rollout of the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Ireland, and the successful COVID Booster Vaccination Programme, updated Digital COVID Certificates are now issuing to those who have received an additional vaccine dose.
Individuals who have been boosted and have no email associated with their data have received a text from the HSE inviting them to apply to have their new Digital COVID Certificate sent by email or issued via post.
599. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the hours during which the critical care retrieval service for children is currently available; the reason this does not operate on a 24/7 basis; the alternatives that are in place when this service is not available; if there are plans to extend this to a 24/7 service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
600. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) is being refused a Covid recovery certificate after testing positive for Covid-19. [3174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope and details to be included in each Digital COVID Certificate has been agreed at EU level and is standardized across the EU to allow for complete interoperability.
Certificates of Recovery can be issued upon request through the online portal following a positive COVID-19 test (RT-PCR or ‘NAAT’) taken more than 11 days ago in Ireland. The certificate will remain valid for 180 days after the day of the positive test result.
601. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 6 October 2021, when the dental treatment services scheme which was cut back significantly during the financial crisis will be restored given a restoration schedule for funding for general practice has been agreed by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3177/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have given a commitment to a substantive review of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme, which will include fees paid to dentists. I have also acknowledged the immediate issues of concern with current arrangements under the Scheme.
My officials met with the Irish Dental Association in December to address both of these issues. It is the intention of my officials to hold further talks shortly with a view to implementing changes which would make the Scheme more viable and sustainable.
I secured additional funding of €10 million in Budget 2022 for that purpose, which is on top of the annual allocation of €56 million for 2022.
602. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin. [3178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
603. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will consider lowering the age for bowel cancer screening to 30 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe BowelScreen cancer screening programme aims to detect signs of bowel cancer at an early stage and currently invites people (men and women) aged 60 to 69 for a screening test every two years.
It is noted in the Programme for Government and the National Cancer Strategy 2017 - 2026 that BowelScreen will be expanded to all aged 55 to 74.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Screening Service (NSS) have a challenge in managing their current age cohort within capacity constraints. However, the NSS are working with their host hospitals to maximise available capacity for screened patients, and looking at ways to extend capacity into the longer-term, and to progress implementation planning to begin to increase the age range.
Future decisions about further changes to the age range in BowelScreen, beyond that already committed to, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers the evidence for changes in a robust and transparent manner. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly. This ensures policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence and advice. The NSAC also recently held its first 'Annual Call' for submissions from the public on new screening programmes, or proposed changes to existing programmes.
I encourage everyone who receives an invite from BowelScreen to take the screening test. Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, with around 2,800 people diagnosed with this cancer every year. As with any cancer screening programme, BowelScreen is for healthy people without symptoms. It is vital that anyone who has symptoms they are concerned about contacts their GP for follow-up care.
If bowel cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and there's a better chance of recovery. There is lots of useful information on the HSE website, including about healthy lifestyle advice which can reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
604. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason PCR sites in Mallow and Youghal, County Cork have been removed from the online option; and if a commitment will be made to providing local PCR testing in County Cork. [3208/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
607. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to establish palliative care beds in St. Anthony’s Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
608. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken by his Department to ensure that staff employed at MyOptions are trained in providing practical information to women on positive alternatives to abortion to ensure the counsellors are fulfilling the promise of providing informed consent in view of a recent research investigation carried out by a group (details supplied). [3266/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
609. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the review of child mental health services in County Kerry will be examined and reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3271/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
610. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the full cost of the investigation and report by a company (details supplied) into the cyber-attack on the HSE; if the procurement guidelines were followed in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3272/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
