Written Answers Nos. 637-658
637. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when the general practitioner card for children under eight years of age as announced in budget 2022 will be brought into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and the HSE are engaged in preparatory work for the commencement of the initial stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are currently under way with the intention of introducing this service this year.
638. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of public hospitals that issue both public and private outpatient appointments for ultrasound, MRI and CT scans; the corresponding number of patients awaiting an outpatient procedure; the average wait under each category in each hospital for both public and private appointments, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will publish its annual report 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24148/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE Executive, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 2004 (as amended), shall not later than the 30th April in each year prepare and adopt a report on its performance in the preceding year. The Executive shall then submit a copy of this annual report to me not later than 21 days after its adoption. It should be noted that the HSE Annual Reports and Financial Statements do not require my approval.
The legislation further provides that I will ensure that copies of this annual report are laid before each House of the Oireachtas within 21 days after receipt and that the HSE will subsequently ensure that the annual report is published as soon as practicable afterwards.
I am currently awaiting formal submission by the HSE of their 2021 Annual Report.
640. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total revenue and net revenue generated by each hospital car park for each hospital in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24149/22]
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.
641. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 755 of 1 March 2022, the specific locations in County Wexford in which the HSE public dental service is providing emergency cover for medical card patients who are unable to access a service from their local dentist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24151/22]
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.
642. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 755 of 1 March 2022, if he will report on the most recent engagements and discussions that have taken place between his Department and an organisation (details supplied) on matters relating to the provision of services for medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consultation with the Irish Dental Association, I gave approval on the 13th of April, for the implementation of new measures to provide for both expanded dental health care for medical card holders and increased fees for dental contractors in the hope that more dentists will see more medical card patients.
The changes to the Scheme came into effect from the beginning of May 2022.
643. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons under 18 years of age who are currently waiting to commence orthodontic treatment in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24154/22]
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.
644. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the total number of current vacancies within the HSE orthodontic services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24155/22]
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.
645. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason that front-line homeless services staff will not receive the special Covid-19 payment; and if he will reconsider their inclusion in the scheme. [24159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers. Eligibility guidelines for this payment, as applies in HSE and Section 38 organisations, were published by the HSE on 19th April and are available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
Separately, the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
- Agency roles working in the HSE;
- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
- Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE in Covid-19 exposed front-line settings;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage
I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above front-line workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
646. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the current list of notified and compliant nicotine inhaling products, that is, e-cigarettes and refill containers, as held by the Health Service Executive in accordance with Regulation 26 of the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (as amended). [24161/22]
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.
647. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to make public and regularly update the publicly available version of the list of notified and compliant nicotine inhaling products that is, e-cigarettes and refill containers as held by the Executive in accordance with Regulation 26 of the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (as amended). [24162/22]
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.
648. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he intends to develop a genomics strategy for Ireland; and if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24163/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenomics has transformed our understanding of disease and our ability to deliver care in a way that is more specific and personal to each individual patient. By establishing the sequence of an individual’s genetic material, it is possible to identify sequences or mutations, which are specific to that person. Not only can these sequences identify the cause or stage of a disease, they can identify the risk of future disease and also help predict the likely benefits or side effects of a particular medication. Genomics has the potential to reshape clinical practice and to fundamentally change the way we prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor illness, providing the opportunity to have more precise and tailored treatments for patients.
Ireland is well placed to utilise genomic data. Currently, there are a number of relevant genomic initiatives being developed in both the clinical and research arenas, and by public and private enterprise. These initiatives need to be co-ordinated within a broader strategic approach to the use of genomic medicine in Ireland. It is for this reason that a National Genetics and Genomics Strategy needs to be developed.
The Department of Health is currently working with the HSE on the Steering Group tasked with the delivery a National Genetics and Genomic Strategy. The Strategy will help shape the future of genetics and genomics in Ireland. The Minister looks forward to introducing the Strategy once it is developed.
649. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person with serious medical needs can gift their home to the HSE in return for the State paying for their medical needs for the remainder of their life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24165/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithout knowing the specifics of the case referred to by the Deputy I can respond as follows in relation to nursing home care and the financial contributions to the scheme by a participant.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term residential care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
One of the key principles of the scheme is that nobody will pay more than the actual cost of their care, and a participant will only pay for the amount of time they actually spend in care.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income, such as their pension, and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held, such as their principal private residence or cash assets. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three-year cap, which is intended to protect the value of a principal private residence, along with the other safeguards built into the Financial Assessment which ensure that:
- Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care;
- A participant will keep a personal allowance of 20% of their income or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater, and;
- If a participant has a spouse or partner remaining at home, they will be left with 50% of the couple’s income or the maximum rate of the State Pension (Non-Contributory), whichever is the greater
Please note that an asset will be exempt from financial assessment only if it has been transferred more than five years prior to the date the person enters long term care.
NHSS participants who own property/land-based assets in the State also have access to Ancillary State Support, or the Nursing Home Loan, an optional feature of the Fair Deal Scheme. It is a loan advanced by the HSE to help people meet the portion of their contribution to the cost of care that is based on property/land-based assets, most typically against the personal residence. If an individual secures ancillary state support, they will not need to contribute against the value of the relevant property during their time on the scheme, unless the property is sold during that time.
Ancillary State Support becomes repayable following the occurrence of a relevant event, most commonly after the death of the client. If the loan is repaid in a timely fashion (in the event of the death of the scheme participant, this is 12 months), no interest is applied. In certain conditions - for example, where a partner or child continues to reside in the property - a further deferral to the repayment of the loan can be granted.
Additional information about the application process can be accessed online by following this link:
www2.hse.ie/services/fair-deal-scheme/about-the-fair-deal-scheme.html
650. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to make Kaftrio available to children with cystic fibrosis who have only one delta F508 mutation and as such have no other suitable modulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra683. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation of 35 children with cystic fibrosis (details supplied) who are being denied access to the life-changing drug kaftrio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 683 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
651. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the difficulties in recruiting occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
653. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the criteria which are applied to the long-term illness scheme; if Addison’s disease will be included in the scheme; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 illnesses 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 scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are currently no plans to extend the list of illnesses covered by the scheme. However, a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, is to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
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. 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.
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.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
654. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of the fair deal scheme. [24191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
655. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the five-year waiting time for out-patient care at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24193/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
The plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly.
This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. The Task Force will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
656. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who has been on the waiting list since 2018 will be given an outpatient appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24194/22]
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.
657. 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. [24202/22]
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.
658. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the community response plan that is in place by county or other geographic breakdown in each of the years from 2010 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24228/22]
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.
