Written Answers Nos. 258-270
258. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of babies born suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47791/22]
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.
259. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total cost of the cyberattack experienced by the HSE during the Covid-19 pandemic; the estimated total cost of repairing the damage done by the attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47793/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of ICT in the health service, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
260. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will give detailed consideration to the pre-budget 2023 submission by an organisation (details supplied), particularly its call for fair pricing for prescription charges and increased support for community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to reiterate my recognition of the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the very significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public in responding to their health needs during the course of the pandemic. I acknowledge the vital role that community pharmacy will play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare.
The Submission referred to in your question has been received by my Department and the content will be given due consideration in the context of wider health priorities during the current budget discussions. Notwithstanding this however certain of the matters raised have been previously drawn to my attention and work is ongoing on examining particular issues.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the Health Service Executive established a Community Pharmacy Contingency Planning working group with relevant stakeholders, including the IPU and the PSI, to support the implementation of all COVID-19 support measures in the context of pharmacy services and the contribution this sector could make. This group – now called the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum – had examined the operational and clinical challenges confronting community pharmacists during the COVID-19 emergency and played a key role in resolving them to the benefit of the people of Ireland. The work of the Forum has now transitioned to discussing the strategic direction of the community pharmacy profession. This will prove invaluable in the context of future contractual reform. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
In the interest of clarity, I would also point out that the regulations governing the pharmacy fee structure that were made under section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009 expired at the end of 2019. Under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, these regulations had to be replaced by 1 January 2020 in order to maintain a statutory basis for contractor payments and to prescribe the fees payable from that date. The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (Payments to Community Pharmacy Contractors) Regulations 2019 – S.I. No. 639 of 2019 – gave effect to the current pharmacy fees. Any future changes to the pharmacy fee structure will need to be made by regulations under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017.
I was delighted to announce the commencement of the free contraception scheme for women aged 17–25, which is a big milestone in the delivery of our commitments, under the Women’s Health Action Plan 2022 – 2023 to improve all areas of women healthcare. Pharmacies who sign up to provide services under the scheme, are now further empowered to support women’s health with the provision of prescription contraception free to 17–25-year-olds.
Finally, the continued gathering of and analysis of up-to-date, robust and relevant data, will be a basis for recommendations that can be proposed to address Ireland’s needs as our integrated healthcare system evolves, and in the context of Sláintecare implementation.
I will engage as necessary with government colleagues in addressing relevant issues as they arise.
261. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate a matter (details supplied) as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47800/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the specific challenges faced by the nursing homes sector related to price inflation and increased energy costs. It is imperative that nursing homes manage potential cost pressures in line with their regulatory and contractual responsibilities, maintaining their quality of care so that residents’ lived experience and comfort is not affected.
The Government has provided substantial supports to the nursing homes sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €144 million has been claimed by nursing homes under the Temporary Assistance Payments Scheme (TAPS) since spring 2020. TAPS continues in effect and the Government has now agreed to extend the scheme to the end of the year. The scheme will be refocused on addressing this year's inflationary pressures related to energy and heating. Details are being finalised and these will be communicated in the coming days.
Substantial additional supports have been provided by the HSE in terms of serial testing, PPE, the deployment of specialist teams and other services. Many of these supports continue.
Funding to support people to access services in the sector continues to be provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual Nursing Homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include:
- Costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home
- Local market prices
- Historic prices
- Overall budgetary capacity
The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009 and there is no role for Ministers or the Department in these negotiations. It should also be noted that the department continues to work with the NTPF to take forward the recommended actions that emerged from the review of the NTPF pricing system published in June 2021.
In addition, the Department is also taking forward the nine recommendations of the Value for Money Review on Nursing Home costs published last December.
262. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the supports the HSE is putting in place to assist general practitioner practices in County Donegal with supporting Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services. Ukrainian refugees will be able to access the equivalent health services as people who are already ordinarily living here.
There is a simplified and streamlined medical card application process for Ukrainians granted temporary protection status. For those placed in temporary accommodation, the HSE and local healthcare workers are providing GP and primary care services and connections to more specialist services as needed.
As the provision of GP services to Ukrainian refugees in County Donegal is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
263. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure day care transport is recommenced for a person (details supplied). [47806/22]
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.
264. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact many private nursing home staff are experiencing substantial financial difficulty as a result of the cost-of-living crisis and are relying on the pandemic payment of €1,000 to help them in the coming months; if he will give a definitive date for when they will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47808/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention and it is expected that timeframes will become clearer in due course.
265. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health when the Covid payment will be made to the staff of a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
At this point, the Department is not in a position to assess or comment on individual cases. Please be assured that work on rolling out payment to non-HSE/Section 38 organisations is being prioritised.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
266. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the provision of support on the medical card for patients whose treatment requires an expensive diet. [47814/22]
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.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the formal Reimbursement list. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
Gluten-free products were removed from the list of reimbursable items under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, with several other products, in September 2012. The marketplace has evolved whereby such products are widely available in supermarkets at a more reasonable price than was historically costed to the State when they were available in pharmacies through the statutory schemes, and without incurring the further extra costs of a dispensing fee. There are currently no plans to reinstate these products on the list of reimbursable items under the GMS and other community drug schemes.
A person can claim tax relief for certain food products if they have specific dietary requirements due to a medical condition. Details of this scheme are available at www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/additional-diet-expenses-for-coeliacs-and-diabetics.aspx.
267. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a direction will be issued to local authorities authorising the payment of the Covid-19 recognition payment to fire brigade personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47832/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
With regard to eligible staff in cohorts 5 and 6, the Department of Health is engaging with the Department of Defence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to progress payments to these cohorts as soon as possible.
268. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47836/22]
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.
269. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting ten months for an appointment with Croom Orthopaedic Hospital Limerick following a referral from the Fraser rheumatology clinic in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47837/22]
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.
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a deferral for the time being will be offered in respect of a debt (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47860/22]
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.
