Written Answers Nos. 525-545
525. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds available in counties Monaghan and Cavan for children with disabilities; the proposals to increase these numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60203/22]
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.
526. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of his proposals that will provide respite care facilities for children with disabilities in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60204/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra527. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the criteria outlined in the statement of purpose for children to be approved for respite care in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60205/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra528. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the criteria outlined in the statement of purpose for children to be approved for respite care in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra529. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the criteria outlined in the statement of purpose for children to be approved for respite care in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 to 529, inclusive, together.
As the issues raised are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
530. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the criteria outlined in the statement of purpose for children to be approved for respite care in counties Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60210/22]
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.
531. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of respite care places for children with disabilities in each county or for the lowest available geographic unit; the number on waiting lists for same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60211/22]
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.
532. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a child (details supplied) who following presentation at University Hospital Limerick was referred to Temple Street Hospital and has yet to receive correspondence from the hospital regarding an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60212/22]
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.
533. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the location of the existing community neuro-rehabilitation teams; the staffing complement of each team; the timeline for establishing a community neuro-rehabilitation team in each community healthcare organisation, CHO, by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60216/22]
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.
534. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the way that children of same-sex couples who were conceived outside a donor assisted human reproduction facility can gain a full legal relationship with both of their parents; if the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 will amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 to extend its application to donor-conceived children who have been conceived outside of a donor assisted human reproduction facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraParts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provide a legal framework for donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR), including the legal parentage of children born in the State as a result of DAHR procedures. Parts 2 and 3 came into operation on 4 May 2020.
For DAHR procedures which take place after 4 May 2020, the provisions of the Act require consent to be signed by the intending parent or parents and the donor or donors prior to a DAHR procedure taking place in a clinical setting in the State. These consent forms concern parentage of any child born through a DAHR procedure in the State and further ensure that information on the identity of the donor(s) is recorded in the National Donor Conceived Person Register. This enables the State to vindicate the rights of donor-conceived persons to information about their genetic identity.
The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 does not cover DAHR procedures that take place abroad or in a non-clinical setting as it is not possible to ensure that such DAHR procedures have adhered to the requirements of the Act, particularly in relation to donor conceived children's right to know their genetic heritage.
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 was published and passed second Stage in the Dáil in March 2022. Following the publication of the Final Report of the Special Oireachtas Joint Committee on International Surrogacy, a working Inter-Departmental Group was established to review the Report’s recommendations, along with other relevant matters, with the aim of determining an agreed policy position and suitable next steps, in the form of a unified Policy Paper and legislative proposals. Issues which arise from the recommendations of that group will be further examined in the context of both existing legislation and the ongoing progression of the AHR Bill through the Oireachtas, as required.
535. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason that long-term illnesses such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are not included in the long-term illness scheme; if he will review this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
While there are no current plans to extend the list of illnesses covered, the LTI scheme will be included in a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. It is not possible to say at this juncture what the results of this review will be.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
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.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
536. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the status of a wage enhancement claim lodged by a pharmacist (details supplied) working at UL's Nenagh Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
537. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason that support workers at University Hospital Limerick who are designated as cleaners and laundry workers were not included in a staff evaluation process and were refused a salary raise that was subsequently granted to other HSE support staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
538. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will re-open the Mater Private Hospital to HSE patients given the backlog of critical cancer surgeries (details supplied). [60242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has allocated significantly increased funding to cancer services in recent years, which was used to maintain services during Covid-19 and to drive improvements. In 2021 the Government allocated an additional €57 to cancer services: €20 million in new development funding, €12 million for measures against Covid-19, €15 million for new cancer drugs, and €10 m for cancer screening. In 2022 the Government allocated €35 million extra funding: €20 million for new development funding, €15 million for new cancer drugs.
Services resumption following the Covid pandemic is evident, with treatments across surgery, medical oncology and radiotherapy making a strong recovery after the first months of the pandemic with total activity levels for the year at 80-90% of 2019 figures.
This recovery has continued through 2021 and 2022, with the longest waiting times for rapid access clinics for the four main cancer types improved compared to the previous 11 months; Urgent breast cancer down 36%, non-urgent breast cancer down 44%; lung cancer down 60% and prostate cancer down 59%.
For medical oncology, 88% of patients are receiving treatment within 15 days of a treatment plan being finalised across the 26 Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT, which includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy) hospitals, and the KPI in this area is 85%. 26 acute oncology nurses are in place to help cancer patients manage their care and avoid ED attendance.
In relation to the particular query raised, Private health care providers such as the Mater Private Network, are independent organisations and the range of services available, and the criteria for access to those services does not fall under the remit of the Department of Health.
539. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of access to community neuro-rehabilitation teams in CHO 8, which impacts those living with neurological conditions within the Louth and east Meath constituency (details supplied); his plans, if any, for a community neuro-rehabilitation team to be set up in CHO 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60243/22]
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.
540. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children under the age of 18 years with an intellectual, physical or sensory disability, currently referred and waiting to be seen by the HSE who are yet to receive an initial contact; and the length of time that they have been waiting for the initial contact according to each CHO, in tabular form [60246/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
541. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the status of a plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60248/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has advised that this question refers to the Disability Action Plan, so I will provide an answer in this respect.
The 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 and it is intended to address the capacity deficits in a phased approach over this period. This reflects the obligation under the UNCRPD for progressive implementation of social, cultural and economic rights.
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. This group has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan, which will be an implantation plan for the first phase, is currently being finalised for approval.
In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services. This year, the overall Budget for disability services in 2023 will be €2.4 billion, including a significant level of funding for specialist disability services. Building on the previous year, this is an unprecedented level of funding for Disability services. It follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
542. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for a public menopause clinic, by wait time and clinic, in tabular form. [60268/22]
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.
543. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if homecare support can be provided in the case of the daughter of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60279/22]
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.
544. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline any plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO7; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only 15% of persons have access to community neuro-rehabilitation teams and that despite the promise of a team for each CHO area, only two have been delivered; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these teams reduce the average length of stay in hospital, which could result in saving over 42,000 bed days each year; when CHO7 will have a team in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60301/22]
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 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently in prison, who have been referred for treatment to the Central Mental Hospital, Portrane; the longest length of time that a person has been on the list waiting for a transfer; the reason for the delay in these transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60302/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
