Written Answers Nos. 1357-1380
1357. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of grievance and dignity at work cases currently under consideration by management within the South West Regional Health Area; and the duration of time between submission of each case by the complainant, the arrangement of hearings and the issuing of decisions. [14289/24]
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.
1358. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are consistent scheduling issues at St. Vincent's Hospital where patient appointments are being delayed for significant lengths of time due to a lack of interdepartmental co-ordination leading to scheduling overlaps and delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14291/24]
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.
1359. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of children, per county, who are waiting on scoliosis treatment; and if he will provide a breakdown of the time spent on the waiting lists, per county. [14292/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1360. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the Secretary General of his Department met with an alcohol industry representative body (details supplied); the discussions that took place at this meeting; the reason this was not disclosed in an FOI request; the reason no minutes were kept; to provide any available records of this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14299/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Secretary General met informally with a Director of IBEC on September 21st last at their request to discuss issues of concern to his members. Given that the meeting was informal no minute of the meeting was kept.
Subsequent to the meeting, the representative wrote to the Secretary General seeking an ongoing process for engagement with the Department of Health. The Secretary General noted the correspondence. The correspondence was forwarded internally to the relevant unit and no further action was taken by the Secretary General or Department officials. The IBEC representative also sent a follow up email seeking an update on the letter which was forwarded to the unit. No action was taken by the unit or any other official of the Department.
All FOI requests in relation to this meeting have been answered accurately and in accordance with the act.
1361. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he plans to amend section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, to extend the long-term illness scheme to encompass sufferers of mitochondria disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14308/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework. This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
In 2022, a range of measures were delivered including the abolition of public in-patient charges for children, reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, and the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17-25.
In 2023, further measures have facilitated better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, including an expansion of GP care without charges to children aged 6 and 7, and to people earning no more than the median household income, the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for adults, and the extension of the free contraception scheme to include women aged 26-30. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
1362. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health how many positions have been offered to individuals in the HSE that cannot be taken up as a result of the recruitment freeze; the breakdown of same, by CHO area; when the recruitment freeze will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14313/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1363. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will review a situation (details supplied) regarding a contracted bed provided by the HSE as part of the nursing home subvention scheme; if the new rental income change to the fair deal scheme of 1 February 2024 will apply in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14315/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1364. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive a date for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14322/24]
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.
1365. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied), particularly concerns regarding financial stability when the current scheme concludes on 31 March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14328/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Special Scheme in respect of Long Covid will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024.
Any employee remaining unwell after the Special Scheme concludes, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, and employees have received personal notification of this from their employer.
The supports available under the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme include:
Full pay sick leave for three months.
Followed by half pay sick leave for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration, which if granted, provides up to a 547 days of paid sick leave.
The Critical Illness Protocol may also provide further supports if granted. It should be noted that my Department have specifically advised the health service that impacted staff may apply for CIP in respect of long Covid. Each application will be reviewed against the already existing criteria for CIP which is set out in the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme circular (attached for information).
1366. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the number of people, within the past five years, that have been discharged from nursing homes who are recipients of fair deal support (details supplied); and the reasons for these discharges. [14332/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1367. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health when a review (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14337/24]
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.
1368. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1369 of 18 April 2023, for an update on plans to address the issue of carcinogenic substances present in oranges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14345/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated in the previous response, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) requested the Pesticide Controls Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), to take targeted samples of oranges and juices from the juicing machines for analysis as part of the 2023 National Control Plan for Pesticides (NCPP).
The FSAI has advised that 34 samples of oranges and 16 samples of orange juice (including juice from the machines mentioned) were analysed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2023 for residues of over 500 pesticides including imazalil, pyrimethanil and thiabendazole. None of these samples were found to be in breach of the maximum residue levels (MRLs) laid down in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin.
In addition to the above analysis, 53 consignments of oranges, with a net total consignments weight of 2,132,245 kg were sampled at the Border Control Posts as part of official controls. One consignment was found to breach the legal MRL established pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and was subsequently refused entry to the country and destroyed.
I am further advised that the Pesticide Controls Division of DAFM plans to include samples of oranges and juice from such machines in 2024.
1369. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a hard copy of the breakdown of a means assessment as part of a medical card application can be provided to a person (details supplied) as they did not receive one following multiple requests; if they will be granted a time extension to request a review and an appeal as they await the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14346/24]
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.
1370. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will guarantee that the financial supports for women with breast cancer, proposed to be cut with the proposals now reversed, will in fact remain without further threat to funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14348/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case. The Community Funded Schemes (CFS) is the collective name for the provision of these products and services.
The Community Funded Scheme service improvement programme recently published two new national procedures for the provision of an allowance for cancer treatment in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products. The HSE advise that the intention of the new procedures was to standardize provision across the country.
I instructed the HSE to ensure that no patient, either currently availing of the scheme or accessing it in the future, should be at any financial loss as a result of the proposed changes.
The HSE has since communicated to each CHO advising them to revert to the pre-existing level of contributions to patients in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products until such time as the new procedures can be reviewed in terms of the proposed allowances to be provided. CHOs were also instructed to contact any member of the public who received an email/communication advising them of the new procedure to inform them it has been withdrawn. This communication also reiterated that no person should be disadvantaged in any way in the intervening period.
I want to reiterate that progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services over the last few years. I want to ensure that the necessary supports are put in place so that every woman has the same level of access to appropriate healthcare no matter where they live in Ireland.
1371. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on proposals for an enhanced community care facility in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14349/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1372. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a surgery appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [14389/24]
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.
1373. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be paid the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14392/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
1374. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive a medical appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14397/24]
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.
1375. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on a report (details supplied) about dying, death and bereavement during Covid-19; his plans in respect of the four recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14405/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recommendations of the Time to Reflect report are a valuable contribution to the research on death, dying and bereavement during Covid-19. As Minister for Health, I am committed to better end of life care, palliative care and bereavement supports.
National End of Life Survey
The forthcoming National End of Life Survey is part of the National Care Experience Programme, a joint initiative by the Health Information and Quality Authority, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Health.
This survey asked people who have been bereaved about the end-of-life care provided to their loved ones in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and in the home, in the last months and days of their life. The aim of the survey is to learn from people’s experiences of end-of-life care in order to improve the services provided both to people who are dying, and to their loved ones.
The National End of Life Survey will be published in April 2024 along with the HSE’s Quality Improvement Plans.
The survey results will provide valuable information on the standard of care provided at end of life, acknowledging what is working well and identifying areas where improvements are needed. The information gathered will inform the development of policy in relation to end-of-life care.
Bereavement Supports
The HSE provide a range of bereavement supports while also working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector. Support is provided in line with the Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid which highlights four levels of support that people may require following a bereavement. Levels of support range from Level 1 (community support, self-help resources) to Level 4 (specialist counselling). For adults requiring Level 3 and 4 supports, the HSE provides bereavement counselling through Counselling in Primary Care across the country.
Responsibility for bereavement counselling and associated services lies across a variety of services areas. The HSE National Counselling Service (NCS) is an essential part of HSE mental health provision and provides a professional, confidential, counselling and psychotherapy service. The service is available in all HSE Community Health areas and operates from over 240 locations throughout Ireland.
The Irish Hospice Foundation in partnership with the HSE provide a bereavement support line which was established in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is available to the general public. It provides a confidential safe space for individuals who have lost a loved one, friend or colleague, to talk about their loss and grief.
National Palliative Care Policy
A new national palliative care policy is expected to be published shortly. The new policy will reflect the many changes in end-of-life care and best practice over the last twenty years. Palliative care provides care for people who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness from the time of diagnosis through bereavement and death. This policy considers both the needs of the person with a serious illness and that of their carer. The new policy is focused on improving services and supports for patients, families, and carers. A population-based and needs-based approach to service provision is to be adopted. Services providing different levels of bereavement support should work in collaboration across defined catchment areas. The ongoing development of bereavement services will be supported. Bereavement support will be available in all settings where specialist palliative care is provided.
Budget
There has been a sustained Government commitment to palliative care. The total palliative care budget increased to a total National Service Plan (NSP) allocation in 2024 of €155.5 million.
In 2023, €3.7 million was allocated for new measures in palliative care. The initiatives implemented included the support and development of bereavement support services for parents and families who have experienced the death of a child.
Hospices
I am pleased to announce that all adult hospices are now state funded, as of January 31 2024.
Redesignation of four voluntary hospice providers (Marymount Care Centre, Milford Care Centre, Galway Hospice and St. Francis Hospice) from section 39 to section 38 status has now been completed. This ensures a sustainable and equitable model of funding for specialist palliative care nationally.
€17.6m was allocated for redesignation in National Service Plan (NSP) 2024.
1376. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment with the orthopaedic department in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14411/24]
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.
1377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a full medical card will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) who has eight dependent children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14416/24]
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.
1378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when provision can be made for a person (details supplied); if adequate facilities remain available to meet such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14427/24]
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.
1379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14431/24]
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.
1380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14432/24]
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.
