Colm Burke
Question:502. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) will be seen by a public ophthalmologist sooner than 2026/2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43626/23]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (502)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (503)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:503. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if medical cards are being issued on discretionary grounds due to urgent medical need; if a person may be granted a medical card based on medical need (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43628/23]
View answerWritten answers
Medical 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.
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.
It should be noted that 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.
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.
As the administration of the medical card scheme is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, a copy of the Deputy's question has been forwarded to the HSE with a request to reply directly to the Deputy.
Cancer Services
Questions (504)
Pauline Tully
Question:504. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the capital funding that has been awarded to each community cancer support centre in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the current funding that has been awarded to each community cancer support centre in the corresponding timeframe to cover staffing costs; and the current funding that has been awarded to each community cancer support centre in each of the past five years to cover operating costs. [43629/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (505)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:505. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [43636/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (506)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:506. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres available in each hospital part of Ireland East Hospital Group, in tabular form. [43637/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (507)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:507. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior house officers in neurodisability at CHI Temple Street Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [43638/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Emergency Departments
Questions (508)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:508. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the accident and emergency departments that currently have a general practitioner on site; and the hours of the week when each of the GPs are based in each of the accident and emergency departments, in tabular form. [43639/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (509)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:509. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant psychiatrists based at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [43640/23]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (510)
John Paul Phelan
Question:510. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of hepatitis C tests carried out each year from 2018-2023; how this compares to the goals under Roadmap to Zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43653/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (511)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:511. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the correct salary will be reinstated for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43660/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
Defibrillators Provision
Questions (512)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:512. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding to ensure that defibrillators are available in public places, such as community centres and schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43663/23]
View answerWritten answers
Dear Deputy, automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) are available in many locations across society under the management of various organisations. AEDs are among the various items eligible for funding under the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The SCEP is operated by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and provides grants to assist in the development of refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, NGBs, and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs), and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.
In addition, funding is also available through the HSE’s national lottery grants schemes and other community grants schemes. At a local level, the network of local sports partnerships throughout the country delivers education and training opportunities across a broad range of areas to local sports clubs and community groups. This includes first aid workshops, which typically cover CPR and-or defibrillator training as part of the content.
From the 1st of January 2023, my Department through the Department of Finance removed VAT from AEDs to make the cost more feasible for groups, organisations or individuals looking to purchase an AED.
Abortion Services
Questions (513)
Carol Nolan
Question:513. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health how much territory, in metres, in Táilte Éireann or any other relevant body which has informed the Government's introduction of exclusion zone legislation, it is estimated will be covered by prospective abortion exclusion zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43678/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services.
Officials from my Department have worked with the Office of the Attorney General and other relevant stakeholders to develop the Health(Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023.
This Bill designates Safe Access Zones of 100 meters from an entrance or exit to the land and buildings that form part of the premises where obstetricians/gynaecologists and general practitioners provide services. The Zones will also apply to hospitals that provide acute inpatient services within the meaning of Section 51 of the Health Act 1970.
The distance of 100 metres, is in line with or less restrictive than in other jurisdictions where zoning measures are used. Typical zoning distances in Canada and Australia range between 50 metres and 150 metres, while in Northern Ireland it ranges from 100 metres to 250 metres.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (514)
Michael Lowry
Question:514. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 528 and 532 of 13 December 2022, if he will review correspondence from the chairperson of an organisation (details supplied) concerning an increase in the number of proposed palliative care beds in Clonmel at the new development in St. Anthony's unit on the grounds of Tipperary University Hospital; if he will agree to review the current complement of palliative care beds in the Clonmel region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43683/23]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the attached correspondence on palliative care beds in St Anthony’s, this has been referred to the HSE as it is a service matter. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Pharmacy Services
Questions (515)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:515. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure hospital pharmacy technicians are subject to a statutory professional regulatory regime and that their qualification is standardised across the various providers of pharmacy technician education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43709/23]
View answerWritten answers
I thank the Deputy for their question. As this matter falls directly under the jurisdiction of the PSI, I have asked them for their views, which are as follows:
"As the pharmacy regulator in Ireland, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), is responsible for protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public by regulating pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland and assuring public trust in the quality of pharmacy services through effective regulation.
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, there is no statutory requirement for the PSI to oversee, approve or accredit the education and training of pharmacy technicians. A 'Pharmacy Technician' is not a restricted title in law in Ireland and pharmacy technicians are not subject to a statutory professional regulatory regime.
Notwithstanding the above, the PSI recognises that pharmacy technicians are employed and play an important role in many pharmacies, including hospital pharmacies, supporting the operation of the pharmacy and the work of pharmacists, and make a valuable contribution to pharmacy service delivery.
On 25 September 2023, the PSI launched a Workforce Intelligence Report which examined the current challenges to the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in community and hospital settings and provides, for the first time, baseline data on this matter. The recommendations in this report have been developed following extensive consultation and engagement and from triangulation of evidence from a literature review, workforce survey and focus groups.
A key recommendation of this report is to “develop a national strategy for the future role of pharmacy technicians within the health system, examining topics such as scope of practice, the need for the regulation of the role, standardisation of the qualification and workforce planning”. The Department of Health has been identified in the report as the key stakeholder to progress this action, with involvement from PSI and other stakeholders.
We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders as we progress the recommendations and actions outlined in this report."
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (516)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:516. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificate applications received in each CHO in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43714/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (517)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:517. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificates approved and awarded in each CHO in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43715/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (518)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:518. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificate applications that have been deemed ineligible and subsequently refused in each CHO in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43716/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (519)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:519. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificate applications that are currently in hand awaiting processing in each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43717/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (520)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:520. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of primary medical certificate applications that are currently in hand which have been deemed ineligible and cannot access an appeal process in each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43718/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (521)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:521. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on appointments to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; and when appeal hearings will recommence for persons who have had a primary medical certificate deemed ineligible. [43719/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Finance.