Written Answers Nos. 332-341
332. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the application by a person (details supplied) under the drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48916/22]
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.
333. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 317 and 318 of 22 September 2022, if he will list the disability representative organisations that his Department has engaged with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 317 and 318 of 22 September 2022, if he will list the disabled persons’ organisations that his Department has engaged with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 317 and 318 of 22 September 2022, if his Department includes disability service-providers in its definition of disabled persons’ organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 333, 334 and 335 together.
There is continuous engagement by my Department with disability representatives on policy matters. The Department of Health’s Disability Consultative Committee meets generally three to four times a year. The Health Service Executive holds regular meetings with disability representatives through its Disability Consultative Forum. These meetings are an opportunity to hear from disability representatives on their priorities for services.
These fora are an integral part of a wider consultative process with disability stakeholders which oversees and monitors the implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, including the Department of Health’s commitments under that strategy.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee, comprising disability representatives from the Disability Stakeholder group and departmental officials meet around three times a year. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy in turn was developed following three separate phases of consultation with disability stakeholders.
Direct submissions were also sought from disability representative organisations during the consultation on the Disability Action Plan. Overall, 15 detailed submissions were received, many from disability representative organisations.
The Department also engages with a variety of advocacy, umbrella and representative organisations as appropriate through meetings, conferences and other fora. It would not be possible to provide an exhaustive list of organisations with whom the Department and HSE engages, as formal and informal consultation is ongoing.
Disability Service providers are engaged with on a continuous basis by both the Department and the HSE largely pertaining to matters related to service provision and operations.
The Government welcomes the widespread engagement of disability representative organisations in ongoing discussion of policy and resource matters through channels including those listed above, which ensure the voice of people with disabilities is heard in matters affecting them.
336. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a matter concerning a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on their appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48928/22]
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.
337. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an indicative timeline for a scan that is urgently needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48934/22]
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.
338. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason that the medication ozempic is not available through the medical card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48938/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed.
Medicines can only be reimbursed by the HSE when prescribed for HSE-approved indications. Ozempic (Semalgutide) is licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic was approved by the HSE for addition to the Reimbursement List for the treatment of diabetes in 2018. Diabetes is one of the Long Term Illness (LTI) conditions for which eligible LTI persons can access their medicines to treat their diabetes free of charge.
Controls are in place within the Primary Care Reimbursement Service scheme management systems (and are put in place and updated as required) on claiming processes to ensure that only HSE approved indications are reimbursed across a range of medicines. Controls are currently in place for Ozempic to restrict reimbursement support to the HSE approved indication of diabetes.
I would refer the Deputy to The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website which has recently published communication to prescribers in Ireland with regard to the licencing and reimbursement of Ozempic: http://www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/Shortages-Docs/novo-nordisk---glp-1-product-range.pdf?sfvrsn=2
339. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48941/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme “Fair Deal”, to incentivise applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental properties will be reduced from 80% to 40% for income from all principal residences. This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing for All Action 19.8.
The change was made through Committee-Stage amendment to the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022. The Bill was approved by the Oireachtas on 30th June and signed into law by President Higgins in July. The necessary administrative and operational changes are currently being made. Once these are in place, the amendments will be commenced imminently.
340. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48943/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of these cases have now been processed and relevant cases submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in line with the Incremental Credit Framework, for consideration and final determination. That determination is expected shortly.
341. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he intends to initiate an independent review into radiation therapy services; and if so, the timeline for this review. [48950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
