Written Answers Nos. 338-357
338. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason a person in County Cavan (details supplied) has been refused the medical card in view of their serious diagnosis and the very negative impact that the lack of a medical card is having on this person; can this decision be looked at in view of the circumstances of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43255/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
339. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to ensure that people (details supplied) receive dental care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43258/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
340. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether he or his Department received any communication from the Taoiseach or the Department of the Taoiseach regarding the high complication rate at Temple Street hospital and the allegations that unlicensed implants had been used in children with spina bifida after the Taoiseach made a statement in Dáil Éireann (details supplied); and to outline the nature of that communication. [43303/23]
View answerAs the Deputy was advised, by letter from my Department on the 14 August, I was informed that the matter of the external clinical review of complex spinal surgeries carried out in Temple Street between October 2019 and October 2022 on a specific group of children with spina bifida was raised with the Taoiseach in the Dáil on the 5th of July.
341. 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. [43304/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
342. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for occupational therapy in order for them to have a report completed outlining required changes to their property to ensure they can live independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43332/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
343. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant radiologists attached to Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [43360/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
344. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023; and when this Bill will move to the next stage. [43361/23]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will introduce a suite of measures which aim to reduce the appeal and availability of nicotine inhaling products such as electronic cigarettes to young people. Measures contained in the Bill include:
• A prohibition on the sale of nicotine inhaling products to those aged under 18.
• The creation of a licencing system for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products. Retailers will need to apply for a licence, renew it annually, and pay a fee.
• A prohibition on the sale of nicotine inhaling products from self-service vending machines, temporary or moveable premises, and events aimed at children.
• A prohibition on the advertising of nicotine inhaling products near schools, in cinemas, or on public transport.
• The introduction of new penalties for retailers who commit offences related to nicotine inhaling products.
The Bill completed Second Stage on 15 June and will begin Committee Stage on 12 October.
345. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current number of ICU beds in place; how many beds are funded; the all-in costs for a new ICU bed, support services and staffing; and the projected cost for 20 additional ICU beds. [43362/23]
View answerThe Strategic Plan for Critical Care was noted by Government in 2020. Very significant funding of €78.2m has been provided in 2021, 2022 and 2023 to allow for the implementation of Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan for Critical Care.
To date, this has delivered an additional 65 critical care beds, bringing the current total to 323, an increase of 25%.
Regarding costs for new and additional beds, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
346. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing the HPV vaccine free to adults who have not received it yet but want to access it through their GP. [43363/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
347. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the free flu vaccination programme to include school staff, including teachers, given the current teacher shortage crisis; and if he can provide a rationale for their continued exclusion. [43364/23]
View answerThe National Immunisation Programme in Ireland, which includes the influenza immunisation programme, 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 make recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health.
The National Influenza Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza have access to the flu vaccine, free of charge. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require admission to hospital should they contract influenza, the programme aims to prevent, as far as possible, the need for influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of influenza in the community.For the 2023/2024 flu season, the flu vaccine will be available free of charge to adults over 65 years, individuals in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 12 years. This approach ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to the flu vaccination without a charge.
348. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health what the charges at hospitals will be from the start of 2024 for accident and emergency attendance, outpatient attendance, blood tests or diagnostic tests, inpatient care and private beds from the start of 2024. [43373/23]
View answerIf you attend the outpatients department or emergency department (A+E) of a public hospital without being referred by your GP or family doctor, you may be charged a standard fee. There is no charge if you are referred by your GP. You must show the referral letter from your GP when you attend the outpatients department or emergency department (A+E).
Since January 1 2009, this charge is €100.
This charge is not applicable if you are in one of the following groups:
• Medical card holders
• People admitted to hospital after attending the emergency department
• People receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases - including coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Children, in respect of the following diseases and disabilities: “mental handicap, mental illness, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, haemophilia and cerebral palsy”
• People who are entitled to hospital services because of EU Regulations
Note that in select cases where people have difficulty paying, the HSE may provide the service free of charge. You should also note that return visits in relation to each episode of care will not be subject to any additional charge.
If you are referred by your GP to outpatients for specialist assessment by a Consultant or his or her team for diagnostic assessments such as x-rays, laboratory tests or physiotherapy, there is no charge if you attend as a public patient.
It is longstanding Government policy that private patients in the public hospital system should pay for the costs of providing acute in-patient services that are provided to them.
The charge for private care in a public hospital covers the costs of providing the service, including accommodation, non-consultant hospital doctors, nursing staff, medicines, blood, medical and surgical supplies, radiology, diagnostics, operating theatres, laboratories, administration and support staff.. Patients opting to be treated privately must also pay the consultant fees associated with their treatment if the treating doctor has private practice rights in a public hospitals.
The private patient charging provision is Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 and the charges are set out in Schedule 4 of that Act (see table below). These charges were introduced with effect from 1 January 2014 and have not been revised in the interim.
|
Hospital Category |
Daily Charge - Single Occupancy Room |
Daily Charge - Multiple Occupancy Room |
Daily Day Case Charge |
|
HSE Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
€1,000 |
€813 |
€407 |
|
HSE County Hospitals, Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
€800 |
€659 |
€329 |
349. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the review of cardiac services will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43378/23]
View answerThe National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend configuration for a national adult cardiac service to achieve optimal patient outcomes at 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.
The Review is finalised and has been presented to my office, where I am now giving it my full consideration. The recommendations of the review will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
350. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to improve the mental health services in areas like counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43403/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for free dental treatment on foot of a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43417/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that regular and programmed carer service continues to be available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43425/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
353. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the support options available to a person (details supplied) to assist them to remain in further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43331/23]
View answerI would strongly encourage the student to make an application to SUSI. The student should make an application as soon as possible or by the closing date of 5 November 2023 at www.susi.ie.
354. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding provided by the Higher Education Authority towards the cost of installation of electric vehicle charging points at Irish universities in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [43365/23]
View answerThe installation costs of electric vehicle charging points at Irish Universities are eligible for HEA funded expenditure under for example, the Devolved Capital Grant and through various Capital Investment Programmes.
However, it is not possible to isolate these costs, particularly in the case of general building projects as many Universities would include them as part of the enabling works packages for capital projects, either for future proofing for EVs by way of installation of ducting, or for the installation of electric charging points themselves.
355. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost if the student contribution charge were reduced by €650 for the 2024-2025 academic year. [43366/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the State determines the rate of student contribution applicable to free fees eligible students. A flat rate reduction in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible students would require increased State funding, on a recurring basis, to compensate higher education institutions for the loss of income associated with FFI tuition fee places.
During August, in advance of Budget 2024, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. www.gov.ie/en/publication/907cb-funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education/.
The various options set out in this paper will inform the deliberations regarding cost of education measures in Budget 2024 and includes projected costs associated with a flat reduction of the student contribution in 2023/24.
Ultimately, the additional cost to the State of operating the FFI, should a flat rate reduction be applied, would be dependent on the number of FFI and SUSI eligible students in any given academic year.
At this time costings for 2024/25 are not available, however based on the methodology applied in the aforementioned cost of education paper it is estimated that a €650 reduction in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible students would be €59.7m in 2023/24. Based on overall projected demographic growth, the costs could increase by c1.5% to 2% in 2024/25.
356. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will indicate his latest estimate of recipients of post-graduation student support from SUSI; if he will indicate their distribution between adjacent colleges and distance colleges, and within these categories at the special maintenance rate, at standard maintenance, at partial maintenance and at contribution reduction only support. [43379/23]
View answerThe table below outlines the number of post graduate students awarded who have received a maintenance payment, and the number of students awarded with their first maintenance payment pending at the 2nd October 2023.
The table below also includes the total awards in all categories including fee awards. 169 students have been awarded a special rate of maintenance grant and their first maintenance payment is currently pending. Further details such as confirmation of registration and bank account details are outstanding for the remainder. To ensure students receive their first payment as soon as possible, SUSI makes weekly payments from the first scheduled payment of the 14th September 2023 and will continue to do so throughout the academic year. As SUSI is still accepting and processing applications for the 2023/24 academic year, all figures may change.
|
Table 1 - Awards re Postgraduate Courses |
|
||
|
Award Rates |
Awarded and received a maintenance payment |
Awarded and pending maintenance payment |
Total Awards in this category |
|
Special Rate of Maintenance Non-Adjacent (over 30km) & Postgraduate Fee Contribution (to a maximum €6,270) |
393 |
99 |
492 |
|
Special Rate of Maintenance Adjacent (under 30km) & Postgraduate Fee Contribution (to a maximum €6,270) |
220 |
70 |
290 |
|
Postgraduate Special Rate Fee Contribution Only (to a maximum €6,270) |
N/A |
N/A |
38 |
|
Postgraduate Fee Contribution Only (€4,000) |
N/A |
N/A |
1,957 |
|
Total |
613 |
169 |
2,777 |
357. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will implement to address the issues identified in the Funding The Future policy document of May 2022; if he will have the correspondence from an association (details supplied) given detailed consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/23]
View answerIn May 2022, I launched Funding the Future, a landmark funding and reform framework for higher education. Funding the Future confirmed that a mixed funding model would be adopted to ensure the sustainable funding of higher education into the future. This comprises a mix of Exchequer investment, employer contributions through the National Training Fund and student contributions.
Under Funding the Future, a figure of €307 million was identified as representing the quantum of increase in core funding to the higher education sector which is required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes.
Budget 2023 delivered €40m additional funding, aligned to Funding the Future, as an initial step with the intention that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance.
Detailed engagements and consideration of proposals, including those referred to by the Deputy, are ongoing in relation to Budget 2024.
