Written Answers Nos. 800-816
800. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Health if she will address the matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to interim funding for SOSAD Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6129/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the important contribution SOSAD make to counselling service in north-east Leinster. SOSAD’s financial situation was brought to my attention last Autumn, and I arranged to meet them along with my officials from the Department of Health in November 2024.
Funding to organisations such as SOSAD is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, and following the meeting I requested that HSE Louth/Meath make contact with SOSAD to outline the steps to be taken for any potential funding application.
HSE Louth/Meath have been in direct contact with SOSAD for approximately 2 months now and I receive regular updates on their engagements. As per any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, clinical and corporate governance arrangements, and board of management details are required, so that HSE can undertake due diligence as part of consideration of any potential funding arrangements. The HSE met with SOSAD in January to provide guidance on the specific information required and I understand that SOSAD are now working to provide all of this relevant information to the HSE.
802. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics working in the HSE National Ambulance Service; the number of vacant posts in the service currently; the plans in place to continue staffing the service into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6177/25]
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.
803. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the current process arrangements on applying for a primary medical certificate; the specific criteria required for these applications; if consideration is being given by her Department on reforming this process and criteria into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6180/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners, falls under the remit of the Minister for Finance. To qualify for the scheme Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, an applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
Those wishing to apply for a Primary Medical Certificate can apply through their Local Health Office (HSE) for an assessment with a Community Medical Doctor. It is important to note that the extent of the involvement of health personnel in the scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant satisfies the medical criteria set out in the Department of Finance regulations. A successful applicant is provided with a Primary Medical Certificate. An unsuccessful applicant can appeal the decision to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which is under the auspices of the Minister for Finance. The role of the Minister for Health under the legislation is to nominate to the Minister for Finance members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA). However, the Department of Health and the HSE have no role in setting or amending the criteria for the scheme.
804. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) receives an urgent procedure at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6185/25]
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.
805. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a qualification to be recognised in Ireland through the CORU system. [6207/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall average time for a recognition decision to be reached once a complete file had been submitted to CORU averaged 62.2 days in 2024 for all professions. This has reduced from 81.8 days in 2023, despite the volume of applications rising from 1,275 completed applications in 2023 to 1,693 in 2024.
|
Profession |
Average 2023 |
Average 2024 |
|
Dietitian |
61.1 |
55.4 |
|
Dispensing Optician |
62.1 |
25.2 |
|
Medical Scientist |
102.5 |
113.2 |
|
Occupational Therapist |
58 |
32.4 |
|
Optometrist |
71.4 |
83.4 |
|
Physiotherapist |
78.3 |
65.5 |
|
Podiatrist |
59.9 |
36.8 |
|
Radiographer |
53.3 |
52.7 |
|
Radiation Therapist |
85.6 |
40.6 |
|
Social Worker |
94.5 |
71.8 |
|
Speech & Language Therapist |
63.1 |
78.3 |
|
Total |
81.8 |
62.2 |
806. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of the applications for recognition by CORU received in 2024 waiting three to six months, six to nine months, and more than 12 months. [6208/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for recognition of overseas qualifications are verified within a one month period. Once verified, there may be a waiting period where information which has not been provided by the applicant in their initial application is sought, subsequently verified and a complete application acknowledged. Once a file is deemed complete and sent to the assessors for consideration of equivalence with the relevant Irish qualification, a decision needs be made within four months under relevant legislation.
In 2024, 2,348 applications for recognition were received by CORU. The table below sets out the number of applications for recognition which were received in 2024 and which received a decision within the timelines requested by the Deputy.
Number of applications for recognition received by CORU in 2024 and for which a decision was made within the timeframes requested
|
0-3 months |
3-6 months |
6-9 months |
9-12 months |
over 12 months |
|
360 |
354 |
159 |
32 |
0 |
The number of applications received in 2024 without a decision is 1,443. These are applications where the applicants have not provided the required information and are therefore not considered "file complete". Once all the required information has been submitted by the applicant, their application will be considered "file complete" and will go for assessment, where the assessors will make a recommendation to the registration board.
In 2025, CORU has provided additional resources to support applicants who are waiting for their applications to progress, and provided clarity on the further information that is often required and omitted in initial applications. It is expected that the introduction of the new registrant application system at the end of 2024, and the increased resources, will assist in improving timelines.
807. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if CORU evaluates on a weekly basis new applications or if it is dealing with applications in bulk. [6209/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for both recognition of international qualifications and applications to join a register are dealt with on a case-by-case basis in order of date of receipt and not in bulk. Applications which require a decision from the relevant professional registration board (rather than the registrar) are evaluated at the next scheduled board meeting. Applications where the registration board have delegated authority to the registrar to make decisions are evaluated on a weekly basis. Once an application for recognition of international qualifications is received by CORU under legislation the application must be reviewed and verified within 30 days of receipt. The recognition department review new applications received daily and commence the verification on the application. If an applicant has not provided all the required information as part of the application, they will be notified and requested to provide the missing information in order to progress their application.
808. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the frequency with which the CORU qualification recognition board meets throughout the year to evaluate decisions. [6210/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCORU has a registration board for each of the professions making decisions on applications for recognition of international qualification and applications for registration. These boards meet on a frequency of 4-6 weeks (please see number of meetings per board in 2024 in the attached word document). Boards with higher volumes of applications have more frequent meetings to manage the volume and ensure decision-making in as timely a manner as possible. Given the voluntary nature of registration board membership, attendance at all meetings can be difficult for members, and on rare occasions a meeting may not meet quorum and will be delayed. In 2024, CORU worked with registration boards to implement new policy approaches such as the ‘Frequently Seen Qualifications’ process and increased delegations to the registrar to allow some application types progress more efficiently to decision making.
Registration Board Meetings of Year 2024
|
Board |
Scheduled |
Additional |
Did Not Proceed |
Total |
|
Dietitians RB |
8 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
|
Medical Scientists RB |
11 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
|
Occupational Therapists RB |
8 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
Physiotherapists RB |
9 |
4 |
0 |
13 |
|
Podiatrists RB |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
Psychologists RB |
6 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
|
Radiographers RB |
9 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Social Care Workers RB |
11 |
3 |
1 |
13 |
|
Social Workers RB |
8 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
|
Speech & Language Therapists RB |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Optical RB |
7 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
|
Counsellors & Psychotherapists RB |
6 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
809. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if enquiries will be made in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) whose operation was cancelled due to the fact that they were placed on the wrong list and will now have to wait a further nine months for the procedure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6223/25]
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.
810. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the empty buildings, by county, in her Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain empty; and the physical status of each building, in tabular form. [6233/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health does not have a property portfolio and therefore holds no empty buildings. The Department of Health occupies one building, Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50 - 58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, D02, as a tenant of OPW.
811. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide details of undeveloped sites, by county, in her Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain undeveloped; and the reason for the lack of development, in tabular form. [6251/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health does not have a property portfolio and therefore holds no undeveloped sites. The Department of Health occupies one building, Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50 - 58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, D02, as a tenant of OPW.
812. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if she will review the chronic illnesses that provide people with a medical card and a GP visit card to include those suffering from chronic heart failure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6265/25]
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 feasible, desirable, nor 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 and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
The HSE also has a compassionate system in place for the efficient provision of medical cards in response to emergency situations i.e., where persons are in need of urgent ongoing medical care or when a patient is receiving end of life treatment. In these cases, a medical card is issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required patient details and completed medical report by a healthcare professional. In addition, since March 2021, persons who have been certified by their treating Consultant as having a prognosis of 24 months or less are now also awarded a medical card on an administrative basis.
Separately, I can advise the Deputy that, 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. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website at Emergency medical cards - HSE.ie.
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 and other issues which may be relevant.
813. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if she will review the means test limits for a full medical card for those under 70 years and for those over 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6266/25]
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 under 70 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. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees.
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 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 not reviewed.
Where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, even where this is more than the current means threshold, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
I can assure you Deputy that my Department keeps medical card issues under review in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. Over the course of 2025, we will review the existing eligibility framework to clearly assess what is working well and to inform policy proposals to enhance eligibility and access to services based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.
814. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant vascular surgeons based in Cork University Hospital in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [6279/25]
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.
815. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of dual diagnosis teams across CHO3; the number of staff in those teams. [6280/25]
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.
816. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the chiropody services available in the public health service, including to those with a medical card. [6281/25]
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.
