Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:568. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (568)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (569)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:569. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 361 of 1 December 2022 and 355 of 19 January 2023, the total cost of security on Millfield House from the commencement of a contract for the facility in 2019 until 28 February 2023, with the cost for each year set out; if any tendering process was applied to the granting of contracts associated with these security costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11015/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (570)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:570. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 484 of 16 November 2021, 1715 of 19 January 2022, 169 of 9 February 2022, 186 of 23 March 2022, 720 of 17 May 2022, 1903 of 14 June 2022, 565 of 13 December 2022 and 19 January 2023, if the clinical directors of the west Cork, north Cork and south Lee HSE mental health catchment areas have agreed with CHO 4 HSE senior management to accept out-of-area respite or long-stay referrals from east Cork into community residences under their clinical governance in the event that the Owenacurra Centre is closed; if so, if he will provide the dates for when any such agreements may have been made; the context in which such agreements were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11016/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (571)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:571. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of the HSE's use of Garnish House, Cork as a mental health facility; the projected timeframe for its continued use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11017/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (572)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:572. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a complaint being made on behalf of persons (details supplied). [11022/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (573)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:573. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when an ophthalmology appointment will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Cork where a referral has been made. [11025/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (574)
Michael Ring
Ceist:574. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will assist a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to secure a vital service in view of their current medical situation and their need for same. [11027/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services, such as the GMS contract for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or a GP visit card access GP services on a private basis in which the Minister has no role and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GPs' maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.
The number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022, with a further significant increase planned for this year. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Furthermore, a strategic review of GP services is to commence shortly and will be completed this year. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (575)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:575. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he plans to roll out a free inoculation programme to vaccinate infants and children against chicken pox; if so, when such a programme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11028/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. NIAC continue to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge.Varicella (chickenpox) is an acute infectious disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Primary infection with varicella results in varicella (chickenpox). Recurrent infection results in herpes zoster (shingles). The Varicella vaccine is not currently included as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule. HIQA are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and, on completion, the outcome of the HTA will form the basis of decision making in relation to the inclusion or otherwise of the varicella vaccine in the National Immunisation programme. It is expected that the HTA will be completed in the coming months.
In Ireland, all vaccines administered through the National Immunisation programme are provided free of charge.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (576)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11031/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the issues raised in this request are service related, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (577)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:577. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the MCAP review; who is carrying out the review; if he will confirm whether patient advocacy groups are involved in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11034/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
When the evidence based synthesis is completed by the Health Research Board, a clinical review group will evaluate the evidence to see if there evidence to support the addition of any other clinical indications to the MCAP programme. The review will be carried out solely by the Health Research Board and clinical review group.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (578)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:578. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of the MCAP restrictive access by broadening it to cover patients suffering from chronic pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11035/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The three stated conditions currently being treated under the MCAP were based on the recommendations of the 2017 HPRA publication "Cannabis for Medical Use- A Scientific Review" which found that if cannabis products that are not capable of being authorised as medicines are made available through an access programme, patients and healthcare professionals must recognise the limitations of the programme in assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness, as compared with what would be expected for an authorised medicine. The publication advised that a programme should recognise patient need, but be evidence based.
An evidence based synthesis and clinical review of the MCAP is being carried out by the Health Research Board for the Department of Health following which a clinical review group will complete an assessment to see if there is evidence to support the recommendation of the addition of any other clinical indications to the MCAP programme.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (579)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:579. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health what consideration he has given to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice recommendation to expand the MCAP to those for whom conventional pain management has proven ineffective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11036/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An evidence based synthesis and clinical review of the MCAP is being carried out by the Health Research Board for the Department of Health following which a clinical review group will complete an assessment to see if there is evidence to support the recommendation of the addition of any other clinical indications to the MCAP programme. As any recommendation(s) made by the clinical review group will be evidence-based they are the only recommendations that will be considered.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (580)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:580. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that patients approved for medicinal cannabis through Ministerial licence are not eligible for any financial assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11037/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Irish-registered medical practitioners may apply to the Minister for Health for a licence to access cannabis for medical use for a named patient under their care. Applications for this Ministerial licence can only be accepted from:
- An individual patient’s medical consultant, where evidence of an established doctor-patient relationship exists, or
- From the individual patient’s GP where the application is also accompanied by a written endorsement for the cannabis treatment from the patient’s medical consultant.
The Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) allows medical consultants to prescribe specified cannabis-based products for patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available medical treatment options. Those medical conditions are:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy
Patients treated under Ministerial licence may have one of these conditions or they may have a different condition. The HSE will only reimburse eligible patients who access a cannabis product under the Ministerial licensing route if prescribed for one of the three medical conditions included in the MCAP.
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (581)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:581. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health based on the HSE flow chart (details supplied), where in North Kildare the community can access treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11042/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (582)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health where a person (details supplied) is placed on the list for a bed in Kenmare Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11052/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (583)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:583. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if a drug (details supplied) can be added to GMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11059/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). In line with the 2013 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.
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). I, as Minister for Health, have no role in these decisions.
Semaglutide, which is marketed as Ozempic®, was approved by the HSE in 2018 for addition to the Reimbursement List for the treatment of Diabetes. Semaglutide has not been approved for reimbursement for any other indication. Controls are currently in place in relation to Semaglutide (Ozempic®) to restrict reimbursement support to the HSE approved indication of Diabetes. The HSE advise that reimbursement for Semaglutide (Ozempic®) is confined to those with eligibility under the General Medical Services Scheme (GMS) or the Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme. This medicine is not available on the Drugs Payment Scheme.
I would refer the Deputy to The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website which has recently published communication to prescribers in Ireland with regard to the licensing and reimbursement of Ozempic: www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/Shortages-Docs/novo-nordisk---glp-1-product-range.pdf?sfvrsn=2
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (584)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:584. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health where the processing team in the medical card section obtains information on applicants' previous employments and self-employments records (details supplied); the reason requests for historic employment are being made of applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11071/23]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (585)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:585. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the staff of a nursing home (details supplied) will be awarded the pandemic bonus payment given they were frontline workers during the Covid pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11074/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (586)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:586. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to ensure that a person (details supplied) who worked for a company in a position that qualified them to receive the pandemic special recognition payment during the applicable time period was not paid, and had their claim rejected by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11076/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (587)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:587. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to ensure physical assault support schemes are equitable across all grades; if there are differences in the support scheme available for support staff compared to other grades; if so, the reason this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11078/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ensuring the safety of employees and service users is a priority concern for government and for the HSE. It is intolerable and completely unacceptable that the staff of the health service have to endure assaults while endeavouring to deliver care.
The HSE is committed to creating a safe environment within which to work and they continue to place an emphasis on the management of work-related aggression and violence in 2023 to support their strategy and policy.
HSE employees who are absent from work as a result of a serious physical assault by a patient/client incurred in the course of their duties are covered by the Serious Physical Assault Scheme (Long Term Absence Benefit Scheme Guidelines (2012).
The Serious Physical Assault at Work Scheme provides for full pay (including allowances and premium earnings) for a period of up to 6 months for officer grades; up to 3 months for support employees grades; and special extensions to the scheme are possible for nurses at 3 months at basic pay plus allowances and premium pay and 3 months at basic pay only.
The provisions of the Scheme are the subject of an outstanding claim by SIPTU trade union which calls for equal access to the Serious Physical Assault Scheme for all relevant healthcare workers and support staff.
The claim is currently under consideration by the HSE and the Department of Health.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (588)
James O'Connor
Ceist:588. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when a response will issue to a medical card appeal by a person (details supplied) sent in September 2022. [11088/23]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (589)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:589. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason some eligible non-HSE Section 38 healthcare employees (details supplied) covered by the Government decision have still not received the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment ; the reason this is the case; and when these workers will receive payment. [11094/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (590)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:590. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the rollout and processing of the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment to eligible non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees (details supplied) covered by the Government; the number of payments that have been made by HSE and a company to date; and the number awaiting processing for payment. [11095/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (591)
Michael Collins
Ceist:591. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of abortions carried out in the State under the 2018 Act in a non-hospital and non-GP settings from 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11101/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under section 20 (1) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, a notification of each termination of pregnancy carried out under the legislation must be notified to the Minister for Health within 28 days of it being carried out.
The notifications are recorded on the form entitled “Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (Notifications) Regulations 2018” (Statutory Instrument No. 597 of 2018). The following information is included in the form:
- Medical Council registration number of the medical practitioner who carried out the termination of pregnancy;
- The section of the Act under which the termination was carried out, i.e., section 9, 10, 11 or 12;
- Medical Council registration number(s) of the medical practitioner(s) who made the certification concerned;
- The county of residence, or place of residence (where the woman resides outside of the State) of the woman concerned;
- The date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out. No other information, including the location in which the termination of pregnancy was carried out or patient details, is notified to the Minister.
All of the information permitted to be published under the Act on terminations of pregnancy carried out in 2019, 2020 and 2021 were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published on the Department of Health website. The 2019, 2020 and 2021 reports are available on the Department of Health website at:
gov.ie - Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 - Annual Report on Notifications 2019 (www.gov.ie)
gov.ie - Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 - Annual Report on Notifications 2020 (www.gov.ie)
gov.ie - Notifications in accordance with Section 20 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018: Annual Report 2021 (www.gov.ie)
As the notifications sent to the Department of Health do not capture the type of healthcare facility in which the termination of pregnancy was carried out, I have referred your question to the HSE for further information.