Written Answers Nos. 1491-1510
1491. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of waiting lists and the length of waiting lists, by age, for children of all ages on waiting lists for dental care in County Waterford, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41979/22]
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.
1492. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of waiting lists and the length of waiting lists, by age, for children of all ages on waiting lists for dental care in Waterford city, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41980/22]
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.
1493. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will approve additional mobile units for BreastCheck in County Kerry given the peripherality of the county and the difficulties for many travelling long distances for their appointment. [41991/22]
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.
1494. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the uptake of BreastCheck appointments by county in 2019, to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41992/22]
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.
1495. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that was provided by the Government under the GMS medical card scheme (details supplied); and the amount that was given to each practitioner and provider, in tabular form, per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41993/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Treatment Benefit Scheme is operated by the Department of Social Protection. Matters in relation to it should be addressed to that Department.
As this PQ also seeks data in relation to the provision of audiological services by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1496. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed disability support breakdown as part of the Budget 2023 announcement; and if he will ensure that information is provided on existing and new residential supports, day places and respite supports in Budget 2023. [41999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe arrangements for announcements and communications pertaining to Budget 2023 are the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. However, the breakdown of allocation and areas of spending is outlined and available through the Health Service Executive (HSE) both on an ongoing basis and in the highlighting of new provisions through the budget process.
1497. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of the publication of the Action Plan for Disability Capacity Review; if details of the action plan will be included in the forthcoming plan for Budget 2023; and his views on whether immediate action on this plan is required in order to meet the essential needs of service users. [42002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised and is informing relevant engagement in the estimates process.
1498. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an urgent surgery appointment for a child (details supplied); if a hospital appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42003/22]
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.
1499. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the way that any parent of a child who is failed by the State in the provision of needed services for their wellbeing may make a complaint or seek any redress under the Disability Act 2005; the way that parents should proceed in making such complaints or in seeking remedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Disability Appeals Officer provides a service for persons who wish to appeal:
- Against a finding or recommendation of a Complaints Officer of the Health Service Executive (HSE) made under the Disability Act 2005 (“The Act”) or
- Against the failure of the HSE or an Educational Service Provider (ESP) to implement a recommendation of a complaints officer.On receipt of an appeal the Disability Appeals Officer must determine that the appeal is valid and meets the statutory timeframes laid out in the Act. The Disability Appeals Officer must also consider and determine requests for an extension of time frames as provided for in the Act. Following this the Disability Appeals Officer must confirm the validity or otherwise of the appeal.Once an appeal is deemed valid, the Disability Appeals Officer then commences an investigation into the appeal. This will consist of writing to the relevant disability manager in any of the Community Healthcare Organisations and requesting whatever information is deemed necessary to consider the appeal. The Disability Appeals Officer is required to set specific timelines for the receipt of information.An appeal can also be dealt with by way of mediation if this is deemed appropriate.The Act also provides for the holding of an oral hearing in appropriate cases. The Disability Appeals Officer presides over such hearings.Once the Disability Appeals Officer has received the information and any relevant evidence and allowed all parties to respond to any information received a written determination is then issued to all parties. Determinations must be consistent with the provisions of the Act.The determinations of the Disability Appeals Officer can be appealed to the High Court on a point of law.
1500. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the procedures that are available to the parents of children who are unable to access services in a timely fashion to make complaints or to seek that the HSE ensures that the development of children is not adversely affected by delays in accessing services in relation to waiting times for access to speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42008/22]
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.
1501. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the free medical card to those over 80 years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1786. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the need to index the means test for the medical card or to make other improvements to assist access-to-need care and appliances for those currently not eligible but who are significantly affected by the rising cost of living. [43024/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra2049. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase medical card limits for persons over the age of 70 years or to make it easier for such persons to qualify for medical appliances needed in older age. [44210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1501, 1786 and 2049 together.
On 1 November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card. Also on that date, prescription charges under the GMS scheme were reduced for persons over 70. The charges were reduced to €1 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €10 per person or family per month.
In addition, the Deputy may be aware, that from August 2015, all persons aged 70 or over qualify for a GP visit card, regardless of income.
I can advise the Deputy that it is vitally important that the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. In that regard, my Department keeps medical card issues, including existing thresholds under review and any changes that may be required are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.
Some older persons may be eligible for the Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme where patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
The HSE provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, 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 aids and appliances are provided by the HSE through community services known as Community Funded Schemes. These allow people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and communities. Each Community Health Organisation (CHO) operates processes for the allocation of funding for medical and surgical aids and appliances. Each application within a CHO is assessed by the local Resource Allocation Group and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and funding availability within local budgets.
There are a wide range of services provided for older people including home supports, meals on wheels, day care and residential care, through direct service provision and through voluntary and private providers.
Home Support Services are delivered either directly by HSE employed staff, or on its behalf by a combination of private and Section 39 organisations (i.e. voluntary/not-for-profit) providers who operate under service agreements with the HSE. In 2021 some 20.4 million hours had been provided to over 55,000 people. The overall target set out in the NSP for 2022 is to provide 24.2 million hours of home support.
Access to day care can make an important contribution by providing invaluable support, advice and social interaction for older people, who may, for any number of reasons be experiencing isolation and loneliness and respite care is provided in a number of different ways and settings across the health system. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, 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.
Another scheme that assists people in avoiding excessive medical costs is the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS). The DPS provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS threshold was reduced to €80 per month on 1 March 2022. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
1502. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will issue an urgent appointment for a person (details supplied). [42034/22]
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.
1503. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will issue for a person (details supplied). [42035/22]
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.
1504. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are on the waiting list in County Kerry for psychology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42043/22]
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 Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their pandemic bonus payment. [42044/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
While my Department does not comment on individual cases, I can advise that on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 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:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
1506. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42047/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the specific matter raised by the Deputy in the details supplied with his question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly, as soon as possible.
1507. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) remains waiting for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42048/22]
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.
1508. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce new legislation requiring the displaying of calorie information on the container of alcoholic drinks. [42050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 relates to alcohol labelling. It mandates that specified information, including calorie content, be included on the container of an alcohol product.
Draft regulations under Section 12 of the Act have been developed and are currently being assessed by the European Commission as required under the Technical Standards Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/1535) and related law.
1509. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce legislation requiring all restaurants to display calorie information on their menus. [42051/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWork that had already begun on the development of legislation for mandatory calorie posting on menus was suspended in early 2020 when the personnel involved were redeployed to COVID-19 related matters.
This work has not restarted as yet however the public health legislation priorities of my Department are kept under continuous review.
1510. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be rescheduled for a person (details supplied). [42056/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
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.
Under 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.
