Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025

Written Answers Nos. 702-721

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (702, 795, 801)

Shane Moynihan

Ceist:

702. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the introduction on the provision of free hormone replacement therapy. [5565/25]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

795. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) scheme, originally scheduled for rollout in January 2025, will be implemented; the reason for the delay; the steps being taken to resolve the lack of clarity between her Department and a union (details supplied) to ensure pharmacists can dispense HRT products free of charge as planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6059/25]

Barry Ward

Ceist:

801. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll out of State-funded hormone replacement therapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6133/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 702, 795 and 801 together.

Menopause is an important health and wellbeing issue which has been prioritised as part of the Government’s commitment to improved women’s health outcomes. Much important work has been done in this area, driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.

The new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future continues to emphasise this important commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and experiences.

Budget 2025 announced the intention to fund the cost of HRT products prescribed to a woman to help manage the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause. This new HRT measure represents another step to widen access to menopause related treatments and services and follows on from all the other developments that have taken place over several years.

On 5th November 2024 the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Bill 2024 passed all stages in the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law.

This legislation means that where a woman has been prescribed a HRT product by her healthcare provider to alleviate the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products will be met by the State. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means, in relation to a woman, the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause.

This measure will cover any HRT medications and products which are reimbursable by the HSE, which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause. The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.

The Department of Health has engaged with both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union in relation to the practical rollout of this measure and is working to introduce this measure as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (703)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

703. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when services will resume in University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5598/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (704)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

704. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a device. [5606/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (705)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

705. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Dublin Midlands Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5621/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (706)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

706. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by RCSI Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5622/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (707)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

707. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Saolta Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5623/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (708)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

708. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by University of Limerick Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5624/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (709)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

709. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Ireland East Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5625/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (710)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

710. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by South/Southwest Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5626/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (711)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

711. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic, and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Dublin Midlands Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5628/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (712)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

712. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic, and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by RCSI Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5629/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (713)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

713. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic, and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Saolta Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5630/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (714)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

714. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic, and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by University of Limerick Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5631/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (715)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

715. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic, and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by Ireland East Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5632/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (716)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

716. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic, and the proportion who were offered an appointment in each of the relevant hospitals managed by South/Southwest Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [5633/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Weather Events

Ceisteanna (717)

Cathy Bennett

Ceist:

717. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health to outline the public health response/contingency planning regarding significant adverse weather events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5635/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (718)

Cathy Bennett

Ceist:

718. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the basis upon which healthcare students on a placement or internship will be granted or refused payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5636/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Practice education placements are essential to support clinical skills development and the application of theory to patient care and attainment of regulatory required standards of proficiency where applicable. It is acknowledged that building and growing the student pipeline is dependent on having an appropriate practice education placement infrastructure, including physical accommodation and the appropriate staffing.

Across health and social care disciplines, there are many students on placement in hospital and healthcare settings, approximately a third of which are final year students. The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. These students are not employees, therefore not paid, and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity.

In general, there are no allowances or payments for HSCP students while completing placement hours in the health service. Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Dietetics and Radiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent on clinical placements as part of their training.

Uniquely for student nurses and midwives there is, in the final year, a paid salary when they are specifically employed on an internship placement. Student nurses and midwives’ final year internship placement consists of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as the student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 WTE of the workforce. In addition, Intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.

There are a number of student grants and other financial supports available to students in further and higher education. Budget 2025 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost-of-living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students who are eligible for Free Fees.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science provides Student Grants to eligible applicants attending approved full time Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses. Grants include Maintenance Grants, Fee Grants and Student Contribution Grants. Budget 2024 increased the value of all Maintenance Grants and for the 2024/2025 values range between €612 - €7,586. Students who are not eligible for a maintenance grant may still be eligible for a student contribution grant which can cover your full student contribution charge, 50% of the charge or provide a €500 grant towards same. The income thresholds to qualify for a grant were increased in Budget 2025 and the higher thresholds will come into effect in September 2025. In addition, students experiencing exceptional financial need, may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the Government’s cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Applications for support can be made in confidence to the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. This Fund can be used to meet costs such as childcare, rent, transport costs, books/class materials etc.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (719)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

719. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5651/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department have not received funding support for projects from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (720, 782)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

720. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a product being sold as a legal alternative to cannabis hexahydrocannabinol (details supplied) and which is banned in many EU countries; the action he will take to ensure it is not on sale to teenagers under 18 years in vape shops across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5671/25]

Erin McGreehan

Ceist:

782. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken to ban hexahydrocannabinol from being legally sold in Irish high street shops. [5957/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 720 and 782 together.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a synthetic cannabinoid that is being used by people for recreational purposes. It is not currently a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework. I am informed by Department officials that the required legislation to make HHC a Schedule 1 controlled drug, subject to the tightest legal control, has been drafted with the assistance of the Attorney General's Office and is expected to go to Government soon.

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (721)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

721. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if service in the Defence Forces can be used for pay purposes in terms of HSE personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5687/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Incremental credit arrangements for employees of the HSE are set out the HSE's Terms and Conditions of Employment staff guide which is available to view publicly online here: assets.hse.ie/media/documents/ncr/20240930_HSE_Guidelines_on_Terms_and_Conditions_of_Employment.pdf

Section 3, which starts on Page 101 sets out both the general principals and all special arrangements in respect of incremental credit that are in place for a selection of specific grades.