Written Answers Nos. 237-256
237. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the action that he will take to ensure that the pandemic bonus payment is paid to employees of private companies who have refused to complete the paperwork to ensure that their staff can get the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62607/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
238. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62360/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder; the way families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62364/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62366/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder; the way families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62368/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62370/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on any discussions between the HSE and his Department on improving access to services for those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62371/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra248. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder; the way families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62385/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if any update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62408/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62435/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62492/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra270. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62529/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to persons diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; to outline the pathways whereby persons can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; the details of the engagement between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services for persons with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62531/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62597/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62616/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the ways in which families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; if he will provide an update on discussions that have taken place between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62831/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 238 to 243, inclusive, 248, 254, 255, 258, 263, 265, 270, 271, 275, 279 and 305 together.
As these questions relate to operational matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly.
244. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify that the cost of cariban, the treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum, can only be reimbursed if prescribed by a consultant; if reimbursement can also be given if prescribed by the person’s GP; if this is not the case, if it can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62378/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra249. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason that only consultant prescriptions for cariban for patients with hyperemesis gravidarium are reimbursable; and if this will be reviewed given that most pregnant persons present to their GP with symptoms in advance of appointments with their maternity consultants. [62395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 249 together.
As part of Budget 2023, I announced €32.2 million in funding for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023, to include dedicated funding for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine). Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product i.e. not licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in Ireland. Following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, this product will be made available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria under Community Drug Schemes (GMS, DPS) from January 2023 where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.
Under Community Drug Schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated. However, whilst the original prescriber is a Consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription further to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.
245. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health whether he is considering fast-tracking the HTA process to enable access to Kaftrio for the 35 excluded children with Cystic Fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62381/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on when the cystic fibrosis drug kaftrio will be available for all children, with specific regard to the 35 children in Ireland who are waiting on the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62444/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations in respect of a therapy (details supplied) for 35 children living with cystic fibrosis who are excluded from the 2017 agreement; the steps that are being taken to progress this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on access to the drug kaftrio for children with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62551/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in providing kaftrio to the 35 children suffering from cystic fibrous who are currently excluded from accessing it due to a dispute between the manufacturers and the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62614/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 245, 262, 266, 272 and 278 together.
Kaftrio has been a life changing drug for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and I want to see it made available to everyone who needs it. This Government wants to ensure greater access to new and innovative medicines and has allocated significant additional funding for new medicines in recent Budgets. Since the beginning of 2021, 99 new medicines, or expanded uses of existing medicines, have been funded. This has included 27 for the treatment of rare diseases, including Cystic Fibrosis.
The 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.
I am grateful to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) for meeting with me recently, and outlining the concerns of the Cystic Fibrosis community. We discussed the recent statement from the Consultants providing care for these children, with all parties aligning in the view that the approach taken by the manufacturer, Vertex, is unfair to these children. I reassured CFI of the urgency with which the Government and the HSE are approaching the current situation.
I have been advised by the HSE that engagement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals is ongoing, which I hope can be quickly brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone.
246. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate any schemes funded by his Department to assist community voluntary and Section 39 organisations towards the replacement of transport fleets for senior citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA once-off fund of €100m for 2022 has been allocated from Budget 2023 to support community-based health and social care service providers for cost increases. This funding includes the €10m Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme for private nursing homes and a larger fund for voluntary community-based providers, which is being made available in recognition of the challenges being faced in delivering and maintaining key health and social care services against a backdrop of increased inflationary pressures affecting energy, heating and related costs. These organisations are funded through the HSE to deliver a range of health and social care services on behalf of the HSE to communities around Ireland. This includes residential, day and ancillary services for people with a disability, older people, mental health services, palliative care services, addiction services and other health and social care services provided in the community.
The details of the plan are being finalised. It is proposed that the inflation support fund will be administered by the HSE utilising the mechanisms in place for funding eligible organisations in receipt of Service Level Arrangements and Grant Aid Agreements. These arrangements are already in place with organisations that provide key health and social care services for people in Ireland. It is proposed that payments will be made to eligible organisations in the final quarter of 2022 to meet the pressures of this Winter.
247. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if she has received an application from a Section 39 organisation (details supplied) regarding the possibility of additional funding for specific services; when these additional monies will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
250. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the reason that carers and nurses who work in a healthcare setting (details supplied) are not being considered for the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; if he will review this decision in light of the fact that these nurses and carers cared for the elderly residents throughout the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62396/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
251. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) in County Donegal had a number of dates for a procedure cancelled in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; when a new date will be confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62397/22]
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.
252. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to allow those who hold a medical card as a result of getting a social security pension from the United Kingdom or working and paying social insurance in the UK to access treatment under the cross-Border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62398/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the social security provisions of the EU UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA), a person for whom the UK is competent is, if they move to live in Ireland, entitled to a non-means tested medical card if they meet any of the following requirements:
- ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland and,
- insured under the social security legislation of another EU/EEA member state, Switzerland or UK; i.e. receiving a social security pension from that state or working and paying social insurance in that state
- not subject to Irish social security legislation. A person is subject to Irish social security legislation if they are receiving a contributory Irish social welfare payment or are subject to PRSI in the Irish State.
Prior to the 1st January 2021, UK pensioners residing in Ireland who had accessed healthcare under the EU Cross Border Directive were required to have their healthcare costs reimbursed by the UK as this was a requirement of the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive. As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the provisions of the EU Cross Border Directive no longer apply to the UK.
Separately, the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme has been in effective operation since 1 January 2021. This Scheme was introduced to mitigate the loss of access to care from private providers in Northern Ireland under the EU Cross Border Directive, which ceased to apply as a result of Brexit. The Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme enables persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for private healthcare in Northern Ireland by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland.
253. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason those who hold a medical card as a result of getting a social security pension from the United Kingdom or working and paying social insurance in the UK have not been informed that they no longer have access to treatment under the cross-Border directive; the options open to those who believed they would have access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62399/22]
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.
256. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all fines, including the amounts, that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department, have paid since the start of the 33rd Dáil term to the European Commission relating to cases for infringements of European Union law or failure to transpose EU law in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62423/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither my Department nor agencies under its remit have been subject to EU fines in relation to cases for infringements of European Union law or failure to transpose EU law since the start of the 33rd Dáil term.
