Joe O'Brien
Ceist:609. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned establishment of a community neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60548/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Services
Ceisteanna (609)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Tobacco Control Measures
Ceisteanna (610, 675, 676)
Colm Burke
Ceist:610. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an alliance of organisations (details supplied) seeking an increase in the legal age of sale of all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years, commonly known as Tobacco 21; if he is in favour of Ireland introducing Tobacco 21 as a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60549/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Burke
Ceist:675. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a group (details supplied) calling on the Government to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21, in support of the Government's stated objective of reducing the smoking rate in Ireland to 5% by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60847/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Burke
Ceist:676. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if it would be permissible under the current EU tobacco products directive to raise the smoking age in Ireland from 18 to 21 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60848/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 610, 675 and 676 together.
The EU Tobacco Products Directive does not legislate for age of sale therefore it would be possible for Ireland to increase its minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products through domestic law.
I am aware of the campaign to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. I welcome this engagement from civil society and I know that the strong alliance between civil society and Government is the reason that Ireland has been notably successful and has a global reputation as a pioneer in tobacco control.
I understand that at least eleven countries have already increased their legal age of sale of tobacco to 21 with the U.S. introducing it at a federal level in December 2019. I look forward to the evidence from those interventions. My Department continues to examine all policy option, including those relating to age of purchase, which would reduce the enormous, and entirely preventable, toll of disease and death from tobacco smoking in our country.
Tobacco Control Measures
Ceisteanna (611)
Colm Burke
Ceist:611. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned over the rise of disposable e-cigarette use among adolescents; if his Department has a plan to counter this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60550/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The most recent data on the use of electronic cigarettes among young people is from the European Schools Project on Alcohol and other Drugs 2019 report. Almost 2,000 Irish students aged 15 and 16 years completed the survey in 2019 and it found that 39% of students reported having ever used an e-cigarette with 16% of these reporting using one in the last 30 days.
The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill which is currently being drafted will prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products including disposable e-cigarettes to, and by, persons under 18 years of age. It will also require that any retailer of e-cigarettes must have a licence which must be renewed annually. Furthermore, on the 22nd November the Government approved the inclusion of additional measures to this Bill. The sale of nicotine inhaling products will now be prohibited from self-service vending machines, from temporary or mobile premises and at places or events for children under the Bill. In addition, advertisements for e-cigarettes will be prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and near schools.
These measures together are aimed at reducing the availability of e-cigarettes to young people and their usage by young people.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (612)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:612. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a care plan will be implemented for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60552/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (613)
Michael Creed
Ceist:613. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to reimbursement for the costs incurred from a private medical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Protected Disclosures
Ceisteanna (614)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:614. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the protected disclosures reported to the HSE regarding concerns raised about the individualised services provide by an organisation (details supplied) in Mayo; his plan of action to investigate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60591/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE does not share Protected Disclosures with the Department. Therefore, I am referring this to the HSE.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (615)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:615. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if only eight individualised services are in HIQA designated centres and 42 are unregulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60592/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Western Care Association is funded by the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act, 2004. The provision of services is managed through an annually reviewed Service Arrangement.
It provides services to over 700 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, in the catchment area of Co. Mayo. These services include day and rehabilitation training, residential, respite, home support (PA) and community facilitation.
To date, Western Care Association has 35 Designated Centres for people with disabilities registered with HIQA, with 19 inspections completed by the Authority this year.
Under the Health Act 2007, the requirement for registration with HIQA applies only to residential disability services (including residential respite).
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (616)
Colm Burke
Ceist:616. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the creation of a national medicines reserve facility in Ireland specifically to help during a public health emergency, in particular taking into account the current risk of medicine shortages and supply disruptions and the way this negatively impacts on patient health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60596/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish medicine supply chain has a different wholesaling model to other jurisdictions and additional stocks of medicines are routinely built into the model of pharmaceutical procurement in Ireland. The benefits of this model have been realised both during the response to Covid-19 and in preparations for Brexit and provides for supply chain resilience during periods of logistics disruption.
Unfortunately, medicine shortages can occur as they are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues. Medicines shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicines shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (617)
Colm Burke
Ceist:617. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage with the largest group of suppliers of medicines to the HSE and patients directly (details supplied) to review pricing and procurement policies in order to protect patient access to high-quality affordable treatment and help to mitigate the risk of medicine shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60597/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Two new Framework Agreements on Pricing and Supply of Medicines 2021-2025 were signed in December 2021. These Agreements provide stability to the medicines reimbursement market for the State and for Industry, thus facilitating sustainable and affordable access to medicines for patients in Ireland over the next 4 years.
Negotiations towards these new Agreements with industry began in May 2021, against a backdrop of a growing annual drugs budget, up from €1.95bn in 2016 to almost €2.25bn by 2020.
The multiannual agreements with Medicines for Ireland (MFI) and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), represent an important step in reducing the cost of medicines and facilitating access to innovative new medicines for patients. Medicines for Ireland represent the non-originator, and off-patent biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland.
Specifically, the new deals will deliver:
- Improved access for patients to new and innovative medicines
- Reductions in the cost of existing medicines
- An easing of financial pressure on the health services into the future
Under the terms of the agreement, there is scope for the Department of Health, the HSE, and industry to continue to maintain their engagement throughout the lifetime of the agreement on all matters pertaining to the agreement.
On the question of medicine shortages, unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
Medicine shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicine shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (618)
Colm Burke
Ceist:618. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the putting in place of a mechanism within the framework agreements on Pricing and Supply of Medicines 2021-2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60598/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Two new Framework Agreements on Pricing and Supply of Medicines 2021-2025 were signed in December 2021. These Agreements provide stability to the medicines reimbursement market for the State and for Industry, thus facilitating sustainable and affordable access to medicines for patients in Ireland over the next 4 years.
Negotiations towards these new Agreements with industry began in May 2021, against a backdrop of a growing annual drugs budget, up from €1.95bn in 2016 to almost €2.25bn by 2020.
The multiannual agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and Medicines for Ireland (MFI) represent an important step in reducing the cost of medicines and facilitating access to innovative new medicines for patients. The IPHA represent the originator and on-patent biopharmaceutical industry; MFI represent the non-originator, and off-patent biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland.
Specifically, the new deals will deliver:
- Improved access for patients to new and innovative medicines
- Reductions in the cost of existing medicines
- An easing of financial pressure on the health services into the future
Under the terms of the agreement, there is scope for the Department of Health, the HSE, and industry to continue to maintain their engagement throughout the lifetime of the agreement on all matters pertaining to the agreement.
On the question of medicine shortages, unfortunately, medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
Medicine shortages can therefore originate at any point in the supply chain and can involve and impact on many different stakeholders. Accordingly, medicine shortages require a multi-faceted, multi-stakeholder response to ensure patient safety, continuity of care and protection of public health.
Ireland has a multi-stakeholder medicine shortage framework in place, coordinated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), to prevent, wherever possible, and manage medicine shortages when they occur.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (619)
Colm Burke
Ceist:619. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the extension of the 0% VAT rate that currently applies to certain oral medicines to non-oral medicines, including injections, infusions, liniments, ointments and transdermal patches, which would be in line with the programme for Government commitment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60599/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Tax Strategy Group Paper on Value Added Tax (VAT) published in July 2022 noted that Ireland could extend the zero VAT rate that currently applies to certain oral medicines to non-oral medicines also. Non-oral medicines include injections, infusions, liniments, ointments, and transdermal patches. The estimated cost of extending the zero VAT rate to all forms of non-oral medicines would be approximately €145 million per annum.
As announced in Budget 2023, the VAT rate for non-oral forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and non-oral forms of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) will be reduced to zero from 1 January 2023. This will reduce the cost of non-oral forms of HRT and NRT medicines for all those who need them.
The proposal to extend the zero VAT rate to all forms of non-oral medicines, or to additional sub-categories of non-oral medicines beyond those announced in Budget 2023, must be considered in the context of other competing health priorities and the available budget.
It is also important to note that the chief consideration for the Department of Health in making any such requests to the Minister for Finance is the benefit to public health.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (620)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:620. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact only 15% of patients have access to community neuro-rehabilitation teams (details supplied); if steps will be taken in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60600/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (621, 622, 623)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:621. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the need for Cariban to be initially prescribed by a consultant obstetrician for hyperemesis gravidarum sufferers in order for them to be able to avail of the drug reimbursement scheme, as committed to in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60638/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJennifer Whitmore
Ceist:622. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if consultant obstetricians were consulted before the decision to make them the initial prescribers for Cariban was made; if any concerns were raised as to the impact this decision would have on waiting lists to see consultant obstetricians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraJennifer Whitmore
Ceist:623. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the HSE intends to provide for a system to ensure hyperemesis gravidarum sufferers who are less than 12 weeks pregnant have access to a consultant obstetrician before the traditional 14-week first appointment with a consultant obstetrician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60640/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 621 to 623, inclusive, together.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 622 answered with Question No. 621.
Question No. 623 answered with Question No. 621.
Homeless Accommodation
Ceisteanna (624)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:624. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the number of women and babies who have been discharged into the care of homeless services from maternity hospitals in the past three months; the number discharged from hospital in need of emergency accommodation but with no accommodation to go to; and the number of requests received from social workers in maternity hospitals asking for emergency accommodation support for mothers and babies. [60641/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (625)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:625. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if there are figures from the maternity hospitals on the number of additional nights it was necessary for women and newborn children to stay in maternity hospitals due to the mother and child having no accommodation to go to. [60642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (626)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:626. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to Mayo University Hospital under the winter plan; the way this compares to other hospitals in the West/North West Hospitals Group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60643/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (627)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:627. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to a hospital (details supplied) for the CT scanner replacement project; the status of the CT installation process outlining; and when the new CT scanner will be operational. [60644/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (628)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:628. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason HIQA has not inspected a nursing unit (details supplied) following a request to do so by the provider, which requires additional bed capacity to meet growing demands in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60645/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 2007 established the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. In doing so, it also provides for a scheme of registration and inspection of residential services for older persons (nursing homes), persons with disabilities and children in need of care and protection. HIQA's functions include the setting of standards on safety and quality in respect of these residential services and the Chief Inspector of Social Services monitors compliance with standards and regulations.
HIQA has advised my Department that the designated centre referred to by the Deputy was inspected in January, May and August of this year, and HIQA have engaged extensively with the registered provider including in relation to their intention to register additional beds. Much of that engagement focused on the issues identified via the inspection process, and the requirement to submit the outstanding paperwork that was necessary to register new beds in this centre.
Following the most recent inspection in August, the registered provider was advised that the renewal of registration of this centre (including the registration of new beds) could not progress until new bedroom accommodation was ready and the outstanding paperwork, as well as information pertaining to fire safety and regulatory compliance in the centre was submitted. Delayed submission of the required information meant that the notice of the proposed decision to renew registration was not issued until 27 October 2022. Following a representation that the provider made on 4 November 2022 to this notice, a further inspection is now required to assess the actions taken by the registered provider to address the regulatory non-compliances identified during the inspection process in August.
Inspections are prioritised on the basis of risk, the ability to put new beds into the system, date of receipt of applications and available resources.