Thursday, 17 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 273-293

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (274)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a stamp 4 will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57235/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Children under 16 are deemed to hold the same immigration permission as their parent or legal guardian, unless otherwise provided for. Once a child reaches 16 years of age while resident in the State, they are required to attend at their local immigration office to register their permission and to receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card in their own right.

As the Deputy will be aware, registrations for people living outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.

It is open to the persons concerned to contact their local Immigration Office in order to register their permission.

Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (275)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

275. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the Finglas primary health care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57238/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (276)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

276. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on staffing shortages at the Ballymun primary health care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57239/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (277)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

277. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when private nursing home staff will receive their Covid recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57039/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (278)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

278. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their Covid recognition payment. [57040/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Care Services

Ceisteanna (279)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

279. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the list of approved home support providers supplied is incomplete (details supplied); if he will provide an up to date list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57046/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Cost of Living Issues

Ceisteanna (280)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

280. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to financially assist persons who have coeliac disease in purchasing food in the context of the current cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57047/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The 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. 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.

However, possession of a medical card may assist with other medical services. 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. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

A person can claim tax relief for certain food products if they have specific dietary requirements due to a medical condition. This applies to persons with coeliac disease where they require gluten free foods specifically manufactured to be gluten free. 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.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (281)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

281. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the caseload and number of staff attached to the Clonmel community disability network team; the number of children awaiting intervention with the Clonmel community disability network team in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57055/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (282)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the caseload and number of staff attached to the Cashel community disability network team; the number of children awaiting intervention with the Cashel community disability network team in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57056/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (283)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on Budget 2023, which announced that free GP visit cards would be extended to children aged six and seven years of age by the end of 2022; if GP visit cards will be extended to this cohort of children by the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57065/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As announced, Budget 2023 will increase the eligibility of people for General Practice (GP) access cards.

My officials and the HSE have made preparations for the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 and engagements with the IMO, representing GPs, are ongoing with the intention of introducing the service this year.

Furthermore, from 1 April 2023, eligibility will be extended to people who earn the median household income of €46,000 or less. It will be adjusted for people living alone and for those with children; further operational details will be made available prior to the commencement of the income-based expansion. It is envisaged that these measures will be supported by a significant package of additional capacity supports to GP practices.

Hospital Procedures

Ceisteanna (284)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

284. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if Children's Health Ireland has contacted Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital regarding the cessation of funding for paediatric procedures relating to rehabilitation care; if he will provide a copy of the relevant correspondence relating to paediatric orthopaedics, rehabilitative care and similar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57068/22]

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (285)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

285. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the provisions that his Department is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of Wexford Disability Service Windmill Therapeutic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56997/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (286)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

286. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the engagement that he has had with a representative body (details supplied) with a view to ensuring that medical card or GP visit card holders will not be charged for phlebotomy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57069/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.

The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services (blood tests) is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should be taken to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition are made by the GP concerned. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for such blood tests. In addition, blood tests undertaken in the context of services provided under the GP Chronic Disease Management programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care.

The issue has been raised previously with the relevant GP representative body, the Irish Medical Organisation. However, it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances.

Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, or has been charged for a blood test provided under the Chronic Disease Management programme, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (287)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason that infusion clinics are being cancelled in Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal; if it is planned to retain or to move the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57088/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (288)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

288. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if telemedicine consultations will continue or be curtailed for persons seeking access to medical termination of pregnancy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57094/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) worked together in 2020 to put arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.

For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it became possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e., before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.

There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise. However, as restrictions began to ease, it became timely to revisit the Model of Care to review its operation and consider whether remote consultation as part of a blended approach to termination of pregnancy care should be continued post the COVID-19 public health emergency period.

At the request of the Department, the HSE conducted a review of the Revised Model of Care for Termination of Pregnancy.

The review of the Model of Care for the Termination of Pregnancy Service found that the majority of providers within primary care feel that a blend of remote and in-person care is optimal.

In-person consultations allow provision of personalised care and allow potential problems to be identified and mitigated, while remote provision improves access for many women and addresses geographical and logistical barriers. It also alleviates some of the difficulty associated with the mandatory 3-day waiting period.

The review found that the provision of a remote consultation as part of the termination of pregnancy service is safe, effective and acceptable to both service users and providers.

The findings of this review are currently being examined as part of a deliberative process. The consideration of appropriate next steps will form part of this process.

Hospital Procedures

Ceisteanna (289)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

289. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57099/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (290)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

290. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the number of complaints that have been made to HSE local health offices regarding charges for phlebotomy services by local health office, in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number of complaints that were upheld; the number of complaints that were dismissed; the number of complaints that are pending investigation; the number of refunds issued; the total value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57101/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (291)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

291. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the other options that are available to a person (details supplied) to obtain much needed hearing aids. [57112/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to ensuring that those suffering from hearing loss have access to the services they require, including access to affordable hearing aids.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides hearing aids and associated maintenance free of charge to children under the age of 18 and to adults with 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. 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.

Individuals who do not possess a medical card or who are not eligible for the Treatment Benefit Scheme would have to purchase hearing aids privately from a commercial provider. If the individual has private health insurance, it may cover hearing aid costs. Hearing aids are exempt from VAT and people may also be entitled to claim tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) on their purchase of hearing aids where prescribed by a practitioner.

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (292)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

292. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if the provision of telemedicine consultation for abortion services is not being withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57120/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of Covid-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together in 2020 to put arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely. For the duration of the Covid-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it became possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e., before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.

There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise. However, with restrictions eased, the Department is currently reviewing whether remote consultation as part of a blended approach to termination of pregnancy care should be continued post the COVID-19 public health emergency period.

At the request of the Department, the HSE conducted a review of the Revised Model of Care for Termination of Pregnancy. The findings of this review are currently being examined as part of a deliberative process. The consideration of appropriate next steps will form part of this process.

It is important to reflect that COVID-19 is still with us and Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance on Managing Risk of Transmission of Respiratory Viruses including COVID-19, continues to advise, amongst other things, to limit footfall in General Practice settings and support telephone consultations where care that meets the needs of the patient can be delivered - this helps to eliminate the risk of transmission of viral infection. As such the arrangements for remote access to this service in the context of COVID-19 remain in place.

Ambulance Service

Ceisteanna (293, 294, 295, 296)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

293. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the organisation or body that is in charge of decommissioning ambulances; the details of the policy in place as regards the decommissioning of ambulances; the process whereby a person or organisation can apply to become a vendor to look after the decommissioning of ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57122/22]

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

294. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the point in the life-cycle of an ambulance at which it must be decommissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57123/22]

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

295. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency ambulances, intermediate care ambulances and rapid response vehicles decommissioned by the HSE National Ambulance Service in 2020, 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57124/22]

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

296. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of new emergency ambulances, intermediate care ambulances and rapid response vehicles acquired by the HSE National Ambulance Service in 2020, 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form; the number currently in use; the number awaiting entry into service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57125/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 294, 295 and 296 together.

As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.