Written Answers Nos. 542-552
542. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a full complement of staff will be recruited for a children’s disability team including physiotherapists and speech therapists; the reason that they were not recruited to date; the reason that the services are deficient as a result as in the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31713/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra543. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when comprehensive supports, including speech therapy and physiotherapy will be provided by the children’s disability network team for a child (details supplied) in view of the fact that it is proven that high quality early intervention has a profound positive effect on outcomes for children with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31714/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
544. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the amount that was paid to a professional body (details supplied) from 29 December 2020 which was the commencement of the Covid vaccination programme to 30 April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31717/22]
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.
545. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the practice by the HSE in relation to the hiring of couriers and taxis to transport abortion pills to a woman through telemedicine given the claim made by a person (details supplied). [31721/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
546. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason that an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry does not receive State funding from his Department; if this matter will be reviewed in view of the crucial role that this organisation plays in the provision of ancillary health services for patients in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding of voluntary organisations is administered by the HSE through Section 39 funding. As such, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
547. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to provide public Lyme disease diagnosis processes in each CHO. [31733/22]
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.
548. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking in response to issues raised concerning access to prosthetics by an organisation (details supplied) including the cost that persons have to pay. [31734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The HSE provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, including prosthetics, free of charge to eligible persons (such as medical card holders and people on the Long-Term Illness scheme) following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided through community services known as Community Funded Schemes and play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning, and to remain living in their homes and local community.
Applications for such appliances made within Community Health Organisations (CHOs) are assessed by the local Resource Allocation Group and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available. At times, due to the demand for resources exceeding the available capacity, waiting lists may apply for some categories of items but CHOs undertake a range of initiatives to ensure optimum use of resources.
Amputees, whose amputation arose from either a traumatic or elective event, usually have their primary prosthesis fitted at the hospital where the surgery was undertaken. Subsequent prostheses are provided to eligible clients through the Community Funded Schemes. Rehabilitation services are provided by the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) primarily at their site in Dun Laoghaire and augmented by a number of satellite clinics that they operate throughout the country. There are also a number of smaller services operated at regional level that provide assessment and fitting clinics along with prostheses at a local level.
A HSE Primary Care led National Service Improvement Programme has the aim of improving the equity of access, value for money, and functional processes of the Community Funded Schemes through the establishment of national guidelines for the provision of medical and surgical aids and appliances. While this work was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Programme has recommenced. A review of the current prosthetics service is underway and is due to be completed by early 2023.
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.
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. 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.
549. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of Lyme disease which have been diagnosed in the country annually since 1 January 2015. [31735/22]
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.
550. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that operate in direct contact with members of the public have policies in place for members of the public to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur on the property of his Department or each public body and agency under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31745/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not operate in direct contact with members of the public.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy. Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly .
551. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur involving other employees or members of the public or on the property of his Department or each public body and agency that operate under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service Dignity at Work Policy applies to the staff of the Department of Health. In line with the policy, every member of staff has been made aware that all forms of bullying and sexual harassment are unacceptable and that every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectful manner. The policy is provided to each new member of staff upon joining and is readily available on the Department’s intranet, as well as externally on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy. Information regarding other agencies under the aegis of my Department is being collated and will be provided directly to the Deputy once available.
552. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the car and driver expenses in his Department that were claimed by junior and senior Ministers in 2021, in tabular form. [31392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinisters may claim mileage rates in line with relevant circulars, for the period requested the value of mileage claimed by myself was €16,405.20. I have two civilian drivers for the period sought, who work alternating weeks.
Minister of State Martin Heydon for the period requested claimed €11,491.62. One driver x 12 months and one driver x 10 and a half months.
Minister of State Hackett claimed €2,085.00 for the period sought. Minister Hackett also has two drivers but these driver only started with the Minister of State in February 2021 and August 2021 respectively.
