Written Answers Nos. 576-596
576. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 292 of 2 May 2024, if he will ensure that a child (details supplied) will be offered treatment to urgently complete their orthodontal treatment at another hospital in the event that an urgent appointment cannot be provided in the orthodontal clinic in Louth County Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22459/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
577. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment in Temple Street Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22461/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
578. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the current situation at the child and adolescent mental health services at Nenagh Health an Centre, County Tipperary, where there is currently no occupational therapist is in place (details supplied); the status of the recruitment process for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22462/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
579. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number of people (details supplied) who were actively using the health service, by county between 1 February and 1 April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22494/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
580. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the data which will be reported through the health performance visualisation platform, in tabular form; the relevant metrics and indicators which will be measured and monitored; and the regularity of reporting. [22499/24]
View answerAs this is more appropriate to the Health Service Executive I have asked them to respond to the Deputy directly.
581. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when students will be called for an appointment with the school dentist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22511/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly
582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an urgent request for a person (details supplied); when additional home help will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
583. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for cataract eye surgery as they are visually impaired and the issue is impacting on their quality of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22520/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
584. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on a matter concerning provision of CAMHS psychotherapists in Tralee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22521/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
585. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1542 of 9 April 2024, when a full HSE reply will be issued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22546/24]
View answer586. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22557/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
587. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 712 of 30 April 2024, if, in circumstances where a private/charitable service provider believes that it is in the best interests of a child to receive psychological support, where the private/charitable service provider has a policy that the consent of one parent/guardian is sufficient, one parent/guardian legally can bring their child to avail of psychological support if the other parent / guardian opposes this. [22579/24]
View answerIt is a matter for each private/charitable service provider to satisfy itself that its consent policy is in accordance with the law. Where a service provider has legal concerns about the appropriateness of providing services to a given service user, it may be appropriate to seek legal advice.
Section 4.1 of the HSE National Consent Policy sets out its position in relation to parental consent from one parent/guardian and may be useful to other service providers:
Where both parents, or all legal guardians, have indicated a wish to be involved in the consent process and there is a dispute between parents or the legal guardians as to the appropriate course of action, then unless the matter is urgent, the intervention should be deferred and an attempt should be made to reach a consensus decision. At all times, the primacy of the best interests of the child should be recognised. If a consensus between the child’s parents or legal guardians cannot be reached, the healthcare worker should notify the parents or legal guardians that the healthcare worker intends to proceed with the course of action which the healthcare worker considers to be in the best interests of the child on the basis of the consent of one parent. The healthcare worker should inform the parent or legal guardian who has a contrary view that they may make an application to the Court for a direction to prevent this. In such circumstances, the healthcare worker should seek legal advice as to whether an application to Court should be made by the service provider particularly in cases where the intervention is high risk or has potentially serious consequences.
The HSE's National Consent Policy can be found here: assets.hse.ie/media/documents/ncr/HSE_Consent_Policy_2022_v1.2_-_Jan_2024.pdf
588. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 712 of 30 April 2024, if her Department has considered issuing a guideline similar to the NHS (details supplied) that the consent of only one parent is necessary to allow a child to avail of psychological support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22580/24]
View answerThe HSE has published a National Consent Policy that sets out the HSE's policy in relation to consent to treatment for adults and for children, including circumstances where parental consent is necessary and what to do where one parent or guardian consents.
The HSE's National Consent Policy can be found here: assets.hse.ie/media/documents/ncr/HSE_Consent_Policy_2022_v1.2_-_Jan_2024.pdf
589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there is a dietitian service in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22584/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
590. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to become a signatory to the proposed WHO Pandemic Treaty, a legally binding treaty which would grant significant powers to a UN agency; if he is satisfied that this proposed treaty will comply with the Constitution; if he will commit to putting this matter to the people in a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22585/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his query in relation to the ongoing process of negotiating the WHO Pandemic Agreement (WHO CA+).
The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not adequate and requires revision. As the spread of pandemic-related infectious diseases cannot be contained by national borders, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to strengthening global health security, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a central leadership role.
On 1 December 2021, the members of the WH|O reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, commonly referred to as the Pandemic Agreement. Ireland supports the WHO Member State-led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response, the aim of which is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established and met for the first time on 24th February 2022. The INB has met nine times to date, with the latest meeting taking place in May to progress work on the drafting of this agreement. It is anticipated that the instrument will be presented for adoption at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) at the end of May 2024.
Officials in my Department continue to lead on Ireland’s position with respect to the negotiations of the Pandemic Agreement, acting at all times in the interest of the Irish people to enhance future prevention, protection against and public health response to emerging pandemics.
In relation to the Deputy’s query, as the negotiation of the proposed instrument is still ongoing, it is not currently possible to determine the precise legal ramifications of this instrument, or what form the final instrument shall take. As such, I cannot confirm at this time whether Ireland will be a signatory to the proposed instrument.
As provided for in the Constitution, the conclusion of an international agreement is an exercise of the executive power of the State in connection with its external relations and is therefore concluded by or on the authority of the Government. In practice this means that Government approval will be sought for the signature, ratification, or approval of the Pandemic Agreement.
On granting significant powers to a UN agency, I would note that sovereignty stands as one of the key guiding principles of the Pandemic Agreement. Following the decision to ratify, States Parties to the Agreement will retain their sovereign right to adopt, legislate, and implement legislation within their national jurisdictions, and in alignment with domestic health policies. To be clear, I can assure you that any decision to ratify the Pandemic Agreement will not result in the transference of powers to the WHO or WHO Director-General relating to domestic health policy decisions such as imposing a lockdown, mandating vaccination, or dictating the opening or closing of borders. The Pandemic Agreement contains no such enforcement mechanisms.
In relation to the Deputy’s query on whether the proposed Agreement is in compliance with the Constitution of Ireland and whether its ratification will require a referendum, I would emphasise that the requirements of the Constitution of Ireland have, of course, been respected in Ireland’s position throughout this negotiation process. My Department will continue to engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in regard.
I trust that the above information is of assistance to you.
591. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will address the difficulties experienced by families in Dundalk, in accessing orthodontist services since February 2024 (details supplied); the plans that are in place to resume orthodontist services in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22586/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
592. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the healthcare needed is provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22598/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for response.
593. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a report has been published (details supplied); if not, if he will provide a copy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/24]
View answerThe HSE's 'Report on Recommendations to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses in Community Nursing Services' recently provided to the Department makes findings in relation to a broad range of issues impacting on PHN recruitment and retention.
As previously notified to the Deputy, my Department is currently examining the report and its findings and is engaging with the HSE to ensure that the recommendations will support the improvements required in the recruitment and retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses in Community Nursing Services and are aligned with policy.
My priority, as Minister, continues to be centred on supporting the development of an appropriate community nursing model that is aligned with the Framework for safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix policy and the objectives of Sláintecare.
As the publication of the report is a matter for the HSE, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
594. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a service user (details supplied) has been discharged from mental health services locally following a request to bring forward their next visit as they felt they urgently required it. [22603/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
595. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when an urgent patient transfer will take place for a person (details supplied) in Letterkenny University Hospital to Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22606/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
596. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22621/24]
View answerPeople 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 Health Service Executive (HSE).
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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
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.
An online application for a medical card can be made at the following link:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/apply/
The 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.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
Under the Drugs 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 those who are not eligible for a medical card but incur ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Applications for a DPS card can be made at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/drugs-payment-scheme/card/
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%.
It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process. In addition, 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.
