Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 641-662

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (641)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

641. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if she plans to include heart failure in the medical card and the long-term illness schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26233/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 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 LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. The LTI scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, 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, 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.

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. 

Persons 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%.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (642)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

642. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the costs of reimbursing international normalised-ratio test strips and warfarin therapy machines for those who require warfarin for long-term oral anticoagulant therapy; if his Department will fund these machines and test strips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26234/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Investigations

Ceisteanna (643)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

643. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the completion of the investigation into the cremation of the remains of babies at Cork University Maternity Hospital. [26238/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (644)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

644. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the exact location of the new property proposed for purchase by the HSE in east County Cork to be used as a mental health facility; the cost of the property; the planning permission status of the property; the number of residents who will be accommodated; the level of service provision it will involve; if the service will be staffed on a 24-hour basis; the reason that the purchase is being pursued without consultation with the residents of a centre (details supplied) and their families regarding its location; the staff members in the HSE who decided on this purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26239/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (645)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

645. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the exact staffing allocations per discipline and per population of the HSE home-based treatment over the combined east Cork HSE catchment of Midleton, Youghal and Cobh, Glenville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26240/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (646)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

646. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the exact staffing allocations per discipline of the HSE psychology of later life service over the combined east Cork HSE catchment of Midleton, Youghal and Cobh, Glenville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26241/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (647)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

647. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the HSE mental health residential services from which residents were moved as an infection control measure during the Covid-19 emergency; the duration of the interim placement in each case; the cumulative additional costs incurred by these placements per CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26242/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (648)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

648. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reason that fire risks in a centre (details supplied) are not being adequately addressed and therefore constitute the main basis cited by the Minister for Mental Health and Older Adults for proceeding with the closure of the service; the staff members who determined that this fire risk was unresolvable; if he will provide details of the precise building survey that was carried out in arriving at this conclusion; and the way that the fire risk in the centre compares to fire risk in one of the main alternative facilities. [26243/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (649)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

649. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the planning status of Garnish House, Cork for use as a mental health facility by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26244/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (650)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

650. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if plans are underway to remove or downgrade the cardiac angiogram service in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26246/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Saolta University Health Care Group has advised that they are working with the hospital manager on contingency measures in relation to the cessation of the mobile Cath Lab Service at Letterkenny University Hospital. 

The National Cardiac Services Review is in the final stages and is due to be published shortly.  This review will set out the roadmap for future delivery for cardiac services nationally. In the interim, University Hospital Galway will continue to support Letterkenny University Hospital in the delivery of acute cardiac services. 

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (651)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

651. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the rationale for not paying the Covid recognition payment to healthcare assistants or agency healthcare workers who worked with elderly and vulnerable persons throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26257/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Firstly 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 frontline 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 frontline 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 frontline 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. 

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (652)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

652. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further an to Parliamentary Question No. 355 of 24 February 2022, if he will seek an update on the recommendations by the National Clinical Programme for Neurology for an additional 16 neurological clinical nurse specialists and advanced nurse practitioners in 2022; if these posts have been filled; if there are other plans for further provision in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (653)

Pat Buckley

Ceist:

653. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the serious shortage of general practitioner places in east Cork which is leading many locals (details supplied) to go without GP care; and the efforts he will make to resolve same. [26288/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.

Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Certain groups, including those under 6 years of age and those over 70 years of age, are automatically entitled to a GP visit card. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the 1st of May 2022, there are no GMS GP vacancies in County Cork.  

Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list. Likewise, a parent on behalf of a child GMS patient who experiences difficulty in finding a GP that will accept their child as a patient can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit also.

People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Information on the capacity of GP practices to accept private patients is not collected by the HSE.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.

The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reform and service development will see the Government increase annual investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements.  In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with an intake of 258 planned for this year.

These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (654)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

654. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE reviews of the disposal of perinatal organs which were due to be received by his Department in November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26289/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department has been advised by the HSE that the External Review Team are currently seeking  legal opinion.  Communication has issued to the families advising them of the further delay.

The Department is continuing to engage with the HSE in relation to progress on this matter.

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

National Maternity Hospital

Ceisteanna (655)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

655. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if staff at the new National Maternity Hospital will be guaranteed freedom of conscience and conscientious objection in relation to operations that end the lives of living human beings. [26295/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Ceisteanna (656)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

656. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the full complement of the 24 additional lactation consultant posts created under the 2022 National Service Plan will be filled; the number of posts that have been filled to date; the timeline for a person to be appointed to all of these posts created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26304/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (657)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

657. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to private dental practices that will no longer offer services to medical card holders; and if there are plans for this service to be resumed in the near future. [26305/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) is the national dental scheme for medical card holders over the age of 16. Services are provided by private dentists who hold a contract with the HSE. Following 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.

These changes to the Scheme are interim measures designed to secure services for medical card holders pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. Work on that longer-term project has already commenced.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (658)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

658. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will provide all reports that he has received in the past six months on the issue of long-Covid and its impact upon persons with the condition. [26307/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

COVID-19 is a new disease so information on it, its features, incidence and its course are still emerging. The natural history, clinical course and consequences of COVID19 are still not completely understood. It is recognised that most patients with COVID-19 return to baseline after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, but a proportion report ongoing health issues. Patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. Those who are concerned about Long COVID, should engage with their GP in the first instance for advice and referral, if needed. The HSE has established a model of care for Long COVID and is currently rolling out services including Long COVID and post-acute COVID clinics nationally. 

The number of people that are affected with longer term sequelae after acute COVID-19 remains unknown, but multiple national and internationally published research studies are underway to learn more about the illness. Some publicly available research publications indicate that approximately 10– 20% of COVID-19 patients experience lingering symptoms for weeks to months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.  Both papers and regular verbal updates on all aspects of COVID, including Long COVID, were presented to the NPHET for consideration. Published reports and papers that were considered by NPHET can be found in the COVID-19 resources section of the HSE Health Library which can be viewed at hselibrary.ie/covid-resources/#gsc.tab=0 with some further documents also due to be published. On an ongoing basis, my Department, and the HSE, continue to review new evidence, research and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, as it emerges, internationally and nationally, to ensure care is in place for all who need it.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (659)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

659. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will review a submission by a group (details supplied) in respect of microbiology medical scientists; and if he will re-engage with stakeholders and the HSE in order to provide parity with microbiology medical scientist equivalents in related and or similar roles. [26312/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.

I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.

The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11th  to consider this matter.  They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.

While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC, they have not agreed to lift their strike action which is a breach of Building Momentum.  This engagement between the parties took place on May 17th but, unfortunately, no resolution was reached.

While the Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA, and that disruptions have been caused across the health service as a result of the day of strike action held on 18 May, Health Management remain open to engagement with the MLSA.

As this is an ongoing IR matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (660)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

660. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will review the extension of kaftrio drug therapy to all children with cystic fibrosis aged 6 to11 years as in the case of a child (details supplied). [26327/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (661)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

661. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive appropriate occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy given that they were diagnosed with autism in 2019 and that these supports have not yet been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26328/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue. it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (662)

Emer Higgins

Ceist:

662. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when the expansion of general practitioner care without charges to children aged six and seven years of age is expected to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26329/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My 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 underway with the intention of introducing this service this year.

Barr
Roinn