Written Answers Nos. 313-324
313. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including supplements and over-the-counter medicine that are prescribed by a doctor, on the drug medical schemes in view of the cost-of-living crisis and the cost of over-the-counter medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the Community Drug Schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 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 reimbursement list. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
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. 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). The Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
The Government is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable and has introduced several reductions in the cost of healthcare.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. As a measure to address the rising cost of living, the DPS threshold was reduced to €80 per month from 1 March 2022. It was announced in Budget 2023 that the DPS threshold would remain at €80 in 2023. The DPS 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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
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%.
314. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied). [62883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
315. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the proportion of the €2.2 million allocated for the development of long-Covid services in 2022 that was spent exclusively on long-Covid services; the allocation drawn down by each clinic to date in 2022; the respective period of operation of each clinic; the number of new patients and recurring patients treated to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62886/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 15 September 2022, the number of full-time posts allocated to post-acute and long-Covid clinics by clinic and speciality; if the position has been filled; if an offer has been made, if a recruitment competition is ongoing and or if the HSE recruitment process has commenced in light of emerging evidence on long-Covid. [62887/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 15 September 2022, the number of full-time posts allocated to post-acute and long-Covid clinics, by clinic and speciality; if the position has been filled; if an offer has been made; if a recruitment competition is ongoing; if the HSE recruitment process has commenced in view of the emerging evidence on long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62952/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 812 of 18 October 2022, if he will outline the metrics at each clinic in 2022 including the number of new patients seen and the number waiting at the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62963/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 316, 330 and 331 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
318. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason that the payments for thousands of front-line workers (details supplied) which have been approved and all steps have been taken by staff to provide their details, are not being processed as a matter of urgency; the person or body that this personal information given by staff is provided to in order to process the payments; if it is a third party and or the HSE directly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62898/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
319. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if he can provide a date when all the front-line workers waiting on the pandemic payment of €1,000 can expect to receive the payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62902/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
320. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no paediatric neurologist in UHL; when it is likely that a neurologist will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62903/22]
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.
321. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue 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. [62904/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; the way that these services can be accessed within communities following a diagnosis; the discussions that his Department is having with the HSE to improve these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Seán Canney 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; the 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. [63062/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321, 329 and 364 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.
322. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to the response of An Taoiseach to questions on promised legislation on 30 November 2022 regarding the long-Covid clinic at the Mater Hospital, the current status of the clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62911/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
323. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the percentage of staff working in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, who have received their Covid recognition payment; and when the remaining eligible staff will receive this payment. [62932/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
324. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of the work of the infectious diseases clinical programme; the status of the establishment of a network of infectious diseases clinics; the number of such clinics established and operational to date; and the locations of all infectious diseases' clinics, operational or planned. [62933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the HSE, I have referred the question to the HSE for a direct reply.
