Written Answers Nos. 608-626
608. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can urgently be admitted to Beaumont Hospital, who is currently in Blanchardstown Connolly Hospital since 12 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7980/24]
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.
609. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps, in conjunction with the relevant officials in hospital groups across Ireland, to ensure that there is a dedicated room and facility in each maternity hospital for those experiencing pregnancy loss (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7982/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this important question about the treatment of women experiencing pregnancy loss.
Significant progress has been made in implementing the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death since their publication in 2016. Specialist Bereavement Teams have been established in all 19 maternity hospitals and units, each with a Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement.
Changes have been made across maternity hospitals and units to ensure quiet and dignified spaces are available for women and families in distressing circumstances. All 19 maternity units and hospitals now have dedicated quiet rooms and spaces for women and families receiving bad news. In line with the National Standards, this provides for compassionate care in an appropriate setting for families experiencing pregnancy loss.
In University Maternity Hospital Limerick, there is a recently refurbished waiting area - the Rose Room - for parents who are experiencing pregnancy loss, or are receiving bad news. This room was designed in accordance with the Irish Hospice Foundation Design and Dignity Guidelines for compassionate spaces. Further spaces like this are being developed in Limerick to provide a more calming and supportive environment during times of uncertainty and grief.
I am advised by the HSE that maternity hospitals and units make every effort to run clinics at different times for women experiencing pregnancy loss. However, due to the size of some units this is unfortunately not always feasible.
610. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will give priority to the completion and implementation of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services taking into account the growth in the population and in particular the increase in numbers of people over 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7984/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services, chaired by Prof Philip Nolan, commenced in 2018. A Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing, and patient representatives contributed to the Review.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend a configuration for national adult cardiac services to achieve optimal patient outcomes at the population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults and seeks to enhance and optimise service delivery across a region.
The Review faced considerable disruption during the pandemic and completed its work in 2023. The report is finalised. I have reviewed it, and a memo for the Government is being prepared. The recommendations of the review have been designed to inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
611. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health for an update on a vacancy (details supplied); how long the position has been vacant; what efforts are being made by HSE to fill this position; when the position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7986/24]
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.
612. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Department’s position to provide funding for a full pay restoration for all section 39 organisations and return to their alignment with HSE pay scales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7987/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CEO of the HSE has Instructed a process be put in place a process to make an interim payment in respect of the S39 pay agreement to all Voluntary/Not for Profit S39 agencies funded via both DCEDIY and the Department of Health.
Provision had been made in the Revised Estimates in DoH for 2024 to include the retrospection due for 2023 and for the increased funding for 2024.
613. 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. [7989/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
614. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of delays some cancer patients are facing when getting a medical card; what measures he is taking to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7776/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued within 24 hours to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
• Medical cards issued to patients who are terminally ill with a prognosis of 24 months or less do not require subsequent means assessment and are never reviewed.
Separately, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer.
The HSE has confirmed to my Department that fully completed new Medical Card applications are processed within a 15 working day turnaround. People who are subject to an eligibility review continue to hold eligibility until the application assessment is finalised.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.
615. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be brought forward for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
616. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) can expect to receive a replacement hearing aid from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7998/24]
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.
617. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for ophthalmic assistance via medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/24]
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.
618. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to establish an independent commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8007/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn furtherance of the commitment in the Programme for Government, on 3 October 2023 the Government approved the proposal from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and I for the establishment of a Commission on Care for Older People. Subsequently in Budget 2024 €1.24 million was allocated to support this important initiative.
The Commission will examine the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and make recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports. Accordingly, it is envisaged that consideration of matters such as whether there is a need to establish an independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People will fall within the Commission’s remit.
The Commission will be an independent commission, the members of which will be appointed by Minister Donnelly and I. On 14 December 2023 Minister Donnelly and I announced the appointment of Professor Alan Barrett, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Institute, as Chairperson of the Commission. The other members of the Commission are currently being appointed.
619. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he has any future plans to make improvements to implementation of policy commitments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8012/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to supporting positive ageing across the life course as well as to ensuring that older people can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This commitment is enshrined in the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which provides a blueprint for promoting older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural and community life and for fostering inter-generational solidarity. Recognising the need for a whole-of-society approach to supporting positive ageing, the Strategy’s implementation is a whole-of-government endeavour. This has been advanced through a wide range of initiatives developed and delivered in partnership with the community and voluntary sector.
We recognise the challenges we will face in a range of areas in the coming years as our population ages. It is within this context that we are currently in the process of establishing an independent Commission on Care for Older People.
The Commission will examine the provision of health and social care services and supports for older persons and make recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. It will be cognisant of the national policy landscape within which they are being delivered and developed. Accordingly, there will be recognition that there are already a range of initiatives in train which promise to have a significant impact on the status quo in respect of the provision of care to the older age cohort. These include the development of the statutory home support scheme; the national roll-out of community specialist teams for older persons and for chronic disease management; the introduction of a standardised care needs assessment across the continuum of care; the regulatory reform of long-term residential care; the development of policies in the areas of palliative care and adult safeguarding; the Housing Options for our Ageing Population joint policy statement and more broadly the implementation of the recommendations of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the Report of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Healthcare Assistants.
Subsequently a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports. Stakeholder engagement will be a central component of the work of the Commission. The Commission will be an independent commission, the members of which will be appointed by Minister Donnelly and I. On 14 December 2023 Minister Donnelly and I announced the appointment of Professor Alan Barrett, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Institute, as Chairperson of the Commission. The other members of the Commission are currently being appointed.
620. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if St. John of God's Hospital received the Covid payment for front-line staff who worked through the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8016/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
621. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is provided home care supports again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8017/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra622. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his Department could examine the circumstances surrounding the removal of home care support for persons (details supplied); if he will provide the details behind why these supports were stopped;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8018/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 621 and 622 together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
623. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review the cost of the shingles vaccine at present; if he is aware that this vaccine currently costs over €900 in Ireland and €440 in the United Kingdom (details supplied). [8019/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
NIAC continues 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.
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Further information is available here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/shingles/
It is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.
I understand that the cost of a one-dose shingles vaccination service in GP and Pharmacies ranges from approximately €200 to €230 and the cost of a two-dose shingles vaccination service in GPs and Pharmacies is approximately €486.
The Minister for Health has no role in relation to prices set by private providers for vaccinations outside of the National Immunisation Programme.
It may be of interest to note that the Health Information and Quality Authority are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.
624. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if GMS dental patients who cannot access dentists in Ireland can travel to Northern Ireland (details supplied) to have procedures done and if not, can the HSE refund or part refund the costs. [8020/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
625. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied); if he can provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8026/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her question and her interest in this important matter. The Deputy will be aware of my own support of the call from OACS Ireland for an inquiry, and it is my intention to ensure the establishment of the inquiry is progressed.
Work is actively ongoing in my Department in relation to sourcing an appropriate person to Chair the inquiry, and the Deputy will appreciate that this is a sensitive matter. The Chair is an essential role that needs careful consideration. The role requires an experienced person who will run a fair and independent process, and who can give the inquiry the time and attention it deserves.
Over recent months, my Department has worked to identify and to approach candidates deemed suitable, on the basis of criteria discussed with OACS and Epilepsy Ireland, but this has not succeeded to date. The next step in progressing this is the publication of an expression of interest communication which is scheduled to be advertised via the www.publicjobs.ie portal in the immediate weeks ahead. This campaign aims to attract interested and suitably qualified candidates; from which cohort an interview process is planned to determine the most appropriate candidate from any applications received.
I will be glad to provide an update on this matter once this work is finalised.
626. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposal to appoint an independent commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8027/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn furtherance of the commitment in the Programme for Government, on 3 October 2023 the Government approved the proposal from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and I for the establishment of a Commission on Care for Older People. Subsequently, in Budget 2024 €1.24 million was allocated to support this important initiative.
The Commission will examine the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and make recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the lifecourse are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports. Accordingly, it is envisaged that consideration of matters such as whether there is a need to establish an independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People will fall within the Commission’s remit.
The Commission will be an independent commission, the members of which will be appointed by Minister Donnelly and I. On 14 December 2023 Minister Donnelly and I announced the appointment of Professor Alan Barrett, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Institute, as Chairperson of the Commission. The other members of the Commission are currently being appointed.
