Written Answers Nos. 259-279
259. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide a list, in tabular form, of details of meetings between his Department and the Irish Family Planning Association which included reference to abortion or termination of pregnancy issues in their minutes between May 2018 to date. [6214/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the information requested by the Deputy an examination of the Department’s available records indicates that the following meetings took place with the Irish Family Planning Association for the specified time period;
|
Date |
Organisation |
Attending from Department |
|
2nd October 2018 |
Irish Family Planning Association |
Minister Harris and Officials |
|
12th November 2018 |
Irish Family Planning Association |
Minister Harris and Officials |
|
10th December 2018 |
Irish Family Planning Association |
Minister Harris and Officials |
|
13th February 2019 |
Irish Family Planning Association |
Officials as part of a wider group |
|
10th March 2022 |
Irish Family Planning Association |
Visit to clinic with Minister Feighan - abortion referenced in events template |
260. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he received advice from organisations on the appointment of the chairperson of the abortion review in January 2022; and to name such organisations. [6215/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
Given the expertise required for the position of independent chair of the review, a small number of candidates, identified as having suitable experience, were contacted and invited to tender for the role. This is in line with European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. No meeting with the appointed Chair took place prior to the selection process, nor were there recommendations made by any organisation.
261. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for patients (details supplied) awaiting orthodontic maxillofacial surgery for open bite, with current wait times of six to eight years and the prospect of losing teeth due to the unacceptable wait times for this surgery; to outline the way he proposes to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6242/23]
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.
262. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when the income limits for medical card eligibility will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6244/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account, i.e. mortgage payments, which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues, including the current medical card income thresholds under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
263. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of Hyperemesis Ireland regarding the current reimbursement policy in respect of medication to treat this condition; if he proposes to meet the group to discuss its concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6253/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, funding of €32.2 million was announced for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023.
This included dedicated funding for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine) to help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, during pregnancy. Hyperemesis gravidarum is expected to affect about 1% of the pregnant population.
The Health Service Executive (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 Good s) Act 2013. Only licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) can be added to the formal reimbursement list.
Cariban® is an Exempt Medicinal Product (EMP), i.e., it is not licensed in Ireland and, therefore, cannot be added to the formal reimbursement list.
However, following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, and to address the unmet need of those patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, reimbursement support for Cariban® has now been made available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria and where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.
The relevant HSE circular regarding the exceptional arrangement for Cariban® is available at: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-001-23-cariban.pdf.
Under the community drug schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated.
However, whilst the original prescriber of Cariban® must be a Consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription subsequent to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients. Reimbursement support is offered on the basis of the patient’s eligibility under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS). This arrangement has been put in place to ensure that those patients suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum have access to Cariban®.
There are three other products containing doxylamine/pyridoxine, which are licensed in Ireland:
- Xonvea® gastro-resistant tablets.
- Navalem® modified-release hard capsules.
- Exeltis® gastro-resistant tablets.
The market authorisation holder of Xonvea® has not progressed the pricing and reimbursement application further with the HSE at this stage. The market authorisation holders for Exeltis® and Navalem® have not submitted pricing and reimbursement applications to the HSE.
The HSE therefore encourages clinicians, along with the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Clinical Programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and other healthcare professionals to encourage the market authorisation holders of the licensed medicinal products (Xonvea®, Exeltis® and Navalem®) to progress with the formal pricing and reimbursement process in Ireland.
264. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the Governmental or European funding initiatives that are available for digital healthcare companies that provide personalised solutions for the intervention of chronic health conditions, and for management of chronic disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6266/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment and European funding available for digital healthcare companies is not typically organised specifically for personalised care for intervention of chronic conditions.
For instance, in Ireland the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), through Enterprise Ireland (EI), provides a range of Research, Development and Innovation supports and grants, such as Innovation Vouchers, Innovation Partnerships and R&D Grants, which are open to application from companies, including digital healthcare companies that provide personalised solutions for the intervention of chronic health conditions, and for management of chronic disease.
The EI Commercialisation Fund supports post-graduate researchers within the Irish research system to commercialise their research by developing their technology whilst in parallel validating the commercial opportunity. The Commercialisation Fund grant can range from €200,000 to €600,000 over a one- or two-year period, depending on the development stage of a project.
In addition, the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) drives collaboration between Ireland’s world-class research base and industry as well as facilitating enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies. The fund is open to enterprises or research organisations that are involved in cutting-edge disruptive innovation including in the Life Sciences and MedTech sectors.
Finally, the Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) which is supported by my Department, drives collaboration between the health services, innovators and industry, to accelerate the delivery of new healthcare technologies, products and services. As part of its work programme , the HIHI runs an Open Call to select the best market-ready products or services to pilot in an Irish healthcare setting. In 2022 11 winning companies were selected. While there is no monetary grant involved, HIHI facilitates access to the health system for execution of the pilot project along with other supports to the winning companies.
Further details of all available funding and supports can be found on the Enterprise Ireland website at www.enterprise-ireland.com
265. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been taken to remove the lanriotide chemotherapy drug from the drugs refund scheme; if so, the reason for this; and the notice that is being given to users in order that they can explore other options which would be covered. [6267/23]
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 Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
266. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update with regard to the payment of the pandemic recognition to staff administering vaccines in SouthDoc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6279/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
267. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the 2006 Labour Court ruling that pensions should be paid to section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific LRC ruling could not be identified. If the Deputy could submit a fresh request PQ with the information sought, it will be responded to.
268. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1396 of 14 June 2022, if Cork will be considered as a location for the provision of gallium scans as currently the only scans available are in the Dublin region and waiting lists are significant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6284/23]
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.
269. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the current timeframe for a person (details supplied) to receive the 7.5 hours per week home support they were approved for in October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6287/23]
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.
270. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of outstanding cases, both active and dormant, which were not otherwise resolved by settlement or withdrawal and relate to long-stay charges litigation; the date of the earliest outstanding case; and the date of the latest outstanding case. [6290/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated by the Attorney General in his report to the Government on this and other matters published on 7 February 2023:
- A total of 516 long stay and related legal cases were initiated over the period 2005 to 2013.
- 289 were in respect of private nursing home care with a further 37 in respect of a mix of public and private care.
- Although a number of the private cases have been settled, most of these cases have not been settled.
- The balance were in respect of public nursing home care but as the majority of these were instituted before the commencement of the Health Repayment Scheme they have since been resolved under the rubric of that scheme and the majority of the remainder have been settled.
- The remaining cases have been largely dormant.
Dáil statements relevant to the issues raised are scheduled for 9 February 2023.
The Department does not comment on individual litigation cases.
271. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of outstanding cases, both active and dormant, which were not otherwise resolved by settlement or withdrawal, in relation to DPMA litigation; the date of the earliest outstanding case; and the date of the latest outstanding case. [6291/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no outstanding active or dormant cases in my Department in relation to this matter.
272. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that older people are being charged significant sums of money by GPs to carry out certification of fitness to drive check-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 HSE reimburses GPs for services provided under the GMS contract to medical and GP visit card holders. The contract stipulates that fees in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences" are not covered by the contract . Any fees charged by GPs for services provided outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patient.
The requirements for the submission of a medical report from a registered medical practitioner with driving licence applications for certain categories of persons, including those aged 75 and over, is governed by the National Driver Licence Service and the Department of Transport.
273. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults transferred to inpatient mental health facilities in Britain and Northern Ireland from 2014 to date in 2023, in tabular form; the number and location of such facilities; and the amount that has been spent on this care for each facility. [6295/23]
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.
274. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults who have been transferred to inpatient mental health facilities in other countries due to a lack of capacity in the State from 2014 to date in 2023, in tabular form; the number and location of such facilities; and the amount which has been spent on this care for each facility. [6296/23]
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.
275. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the reason that healthcare assistants currently employed by a company (details supplied) have received the pandemic special recognition payment, while healthcare assistants previously employed by this company during all of the Covid-19 period have not yet received their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6302/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
276. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current total number of speech and language therapist posts across all healthcare services in County Wexford, including primary care services, mental health, disability and services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6309/23]
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.
277. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current total number of occupational therapy posts across all healthcare services in County Wexford, including primary care services, mental health, disability and services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6310/23]
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.
278. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current total number of physiotherapy posts across all healthcare services in County Wexford, including primary care services, mental health, disability and services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6311/23]
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.
279. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current total number of psychologist posts across all healthcare services in County Wexford, including primary care services, mental health, disability and services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/23]
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.
