Written Answers Nos. 1503-1529
1503. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the consultant psychiatrists – recruitment and retention plan, drafted by the College of Psychiatrists and the National Doctors Training and Planning, will be published; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29472/22]
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.
1504. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds currently operational in Galway city and county; the locations of same; when respite services in Galway city and county will be fully restored to pre-pandemic levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29480/22]
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.
1505. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds currently operational in each county in Ireland in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29481/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this ia a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1506. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on waiting lists for respite in Galway city and county; the number of these who have been waiting 0 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 18 and 18 to 24 months, 2 to 3 years and more than 4 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29482/22]
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.
1507. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there is a registry of individuals with Addison’s disease; if not, if he plans to develop one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29486/22]
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.
1508. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to add Addison’s disease to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29487/22]
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 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 no current plans to extend the list of illnesses covered, the LTI scheme will be included in 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. It is not possible to say at this juncture what the results of this review will be.
In the meantime, for those who are not deemed 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. 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.
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%
1509. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to take any measures to increase awareness of Addison’s disease among medical and nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29488/22]
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.
1510. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the pathway to diagnosis for Addison’s disease. [29489/22]
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.
1511. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there are consultant endocrinologists who are specialised in dealing with patients with Addison’s disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29490/22]
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.
1512. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when funding for urgent and appropriate treatment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29492/22]
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.
1513. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time from submission of business case to approval by the HSE for an adult residential placement. [29499/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1514. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 639 of 29 March 2022, if a marketing company (details supplied) has submitted a pricing and reimbursement application; and if it will be made available to medical card holders if medically indicated by a doctor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
1515. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for surgery; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29525/22]
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.
1516. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will be processed; if any further outstanding documentation is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29527/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1517. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on the full reimbursement of nivolumab for the treatment of oesophageal cancer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29535/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
1518. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will issue to a person (details supplied). [29538/22]
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.
1519. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will address an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied). [29557/22]
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.
1520. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will review the entitlements of a certain category of pensioners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1528. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when the income eligibility cut-off point for medical cards was last reviewed; when the next review will take place; if the current rate of inflation has been factored into medical card income eligibility cut-off point (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29626/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1520 and 1528 together.
In general, the criteria for the various secondary benefits schemes administered by my Department are designed to ensure that these benefits go to those who need them the most.
Any decision to expand the qualifying criteria for these schemes would have wider budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
Having said that, I am very aware that, mainly due to external factors, the recent increase in consumer prices, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices, has exceeded even the highest forecasts.
In response, the Government acted early to address these challenges. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government announced a package of measures in February, which will have a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country. These measures, while including social protection measures, also included a wide range of initiatives covering tax, energy credits, excise and transport measures.
These measures are in addition to others introduced as part of Budget 2022 - which was the largest social welfare budget package in 14 years - and are more expansive than measures introduced in most other countries.
All of these measures will be kept under review, together with trends in prices to inform preparations for the budget later this year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1521. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason that the cold capping machine at the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore has not been made available to patients since pre-Covid; and if he will ensure that this treatment is again offered to suitable patients as a matter of urgency. [29597/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has advised, in conjunction with Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT), that the cold capping machine has not been available to patients in the hospital as a result of the reconfiguration of the patient environment within the Oncology Day Unit. This was required to limit the risk of Covid-19 infection amongst this cohort of immunocompromised patients.
The MRHT has further advised that it is continuing to review this therapy as a treatment option in line with infection prevention and control guidance and the ongoing management of Covid-19, with a view to the potential return of this therapy in Q4 2022.
1522. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will liaise with the HSE in urgently examining a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29614/22]
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.
1523. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if an insulin pump upgrade will be processed in 2022 in Cork University Hospital for a child with type one diabetes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1524. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason that women who are experiencing pregnancy loss and are asked to attend Letterkenny University Hospital are being made to sit in the accident and emergency department and be triaged along with other patient rather than being sent directly to the gynaecology service (details supplied). [29619/22]
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.
1525. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards issued in Sligo, town and county for the years 2018 to 2021 inclusive in tabular form; the number of medical cards issued nationally for 2018 to 2021; and the total number of medical card disqualifications in Sligo, town and county and nationally for the same timeframe. [29623/22]
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.
1526. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the metric that is used to calculate and decide the income cut-off point for medical card qualification (details supplied). [29624/22]
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.
1527. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards issued to persons aged 65 to 69 years of age for each of the years 2019 to 2021, inclusive in tabular form. [29625/22]
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.
1529. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address the matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the provision of mammogram service in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29627/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
