Written Answers Nos. 771-793
771. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the level of fees paid by his Department to optometrists for eye tests for medical card holders; when this fee was established; when it was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/24]
View answerThe Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.
Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.
The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) Regulations 2013 (SI 274 of 2013) sets the fees for optometrists and dispensing opticians under the Community Optometric Services, Community Spectacle Dispensing Services and Health Amendment Act Card Schemes.
Increasing the fee payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the COSS (to ensure parity with that payable for the same exam under the Department of Social Protection’s Treatment Benefit Scheme) is a priority for my Department, and work with stakeholders is ongoing in this regard.
The Department has also been meeting with Optometry Ireland to discuss the contribution that optometrists provide to our healthcare service and how this contribution could be further expanded.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community optometrists, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded ophthalmic service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs and improve access to public health services while ensuring value for money.
772. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the length of time that a service provider (details supplied) has been providing online mental health supports in Ireland; to detail the services they provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25078/24]
View answer773. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the total annual cost to the exchequer for the provision of services by a provider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25079/24]
View answer774. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to detail the procurement process involved in the appointment of a provider (details supplied) for the provision of online mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25080/24]
View answer775. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to outline the skills requirements for those working for a provider (details supplied) who provide online mental health services to the public; if the HSE undertakes vetting of these providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25081/24]
View answer776. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of people referred to a provider (details supplied) since it began providing online mental health supports to-date in 2024; the number of people who have engaged with the platform; the number of hours of service provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25082/24]
View answer777. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to provide the business case on which the decision was taken to provide online mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25083/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 772, 773, 774, 775, 776 and 777 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
778. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if this number will be further increased this year. [25087/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
779. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the refurbishment works that were carried out at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25088/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
780. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE urology registrars at the Mater Hospital in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25089/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
781. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE opticians working in Naas General Hospital in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25090/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
782. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the facilities that are in place for diabetes patients for the safe disposal of used needles. [25091/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
783. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE paediatric ophthalmologist registrars at CHI Temple Street in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25092/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
784. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for hearing aids will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25111/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
785. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of significant concerns over lack of appropriate consultation and dialogue with doctors and their representative organisations over major changes in the ethics guidelines of the Medical Council which were not signalled to the profession and public in the launch and highlights document of the 9th edition of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25113/24]
View answerIn the Medical Council’s preparation for the drafting of the 9th Edition of the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Medical Practitioners (‘the Guide’), a comprehensive public consultation took place. I am advised that there were 568 survey responses and 72% of these responses were from doctors. A roundtable targeted consultation with representative stakeholders was organised and informed by this feedback. These consultations generated significant feedback and this was utilised by the Ethics Committee to inform the drafting of the 9th edition of the Guide.
I understand that the review of the Guide was undertaken utilising legal advices and based on agreed methodology by the Committee. When drafting, in addition to the consultation feedback, the Committee also considered existing and newly enacted legislation and policy and how it applies to the protection of the public from medical regulatory and legal perspectives. Furthermore, Committee decisions were informed by international comparisons, extensive research and discussions.
786. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment with a gastroenterologist at St. James's Hospital, Dublin for a person (details supplied) and make a comprehensive statement on the case. [25117/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
787. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that essential radiology scans for cancer care patients on maintenance treatments, which must happen at three-month intervals for optimum outcomes, have been delayed by up to seven months, as is the case with a person (details supplied); and that this delay means that consultants cannot ascertain the best course of action, which can be the difference between life or death for the patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25128/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
788. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if Turas, a mental health course delivered by the National Learning Network, can be made available in Athlone to all residents, given that Athlone is split into two separate CHO regions and, at present, this course is only available to residents in one of these regions. [25130/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond Directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
789. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current projected final cost of the National Children’s Hospital; if he is satisfied that the projected final cost is accurate; if any extension of time has been granted to the contractor and, if so, for how long; the quantum of claims and variations issued by the contractor to date; the amount of money certified to date and the quantum of claims and variations certified to date; if the contractor has an entitlement to seek increased costs in light of the inflation experienced in 2022, 2023 and 2024; if any liquidated or other damages have been sought from the contractor, and the quantum of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25131/24]
View answerOn 13 February 2024, Government approved enhanced capital and current budget sanctions for the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) project and programme, bringing the total approved budget to €2.24billion.
Included in this is the capital budget of €1.88 billion for designing, building and equipping the NCH and the two satellite centres. A separate €362 million budget is in place for the programme of integration and transition of services to the NCH, including commissioning, ICT, and the Electronic Health Record system.
This approved increase in the capital budget will address risk areas identified in the 2019 PwC report, which had the potential to place further cost pressure on the approved capital budget, including the impact of construction inflation greater than 4% and the contractor’s right to claim for additional true costs in line with public works contract provisions
The Government considers that the project now has sufficient funding to address identified risks and see the hospital completed and opened.
In line with the provisions of the public works contract, a contractor is entitled to submit claims for additional true costs on the project or extensions of time on the contractual completion date. The original contractual completion date for substantial completion was 29 August 2022 and the current adjusted contractual substantial completion date is 25 November 2022, following extensions of time granted by the Employer’s Representative for Covid-19 and certain successful contractor claims.
The contractor has submitted 2,182 substantiated claims at a claimed value of approximately €785 million. The reported value of claims is that attributed by the contractor and is not indicative of outcome of claims process or as a liability on the project. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is entitled to defend claims it considers to be without merit and has been very active in doing so on to protect taxpayers' money. All claims will be dealt with in line with the contract and will not delay the opening of the hospital.
Approximately 1,890 of those claims (with a claimed value of approximately €653 million) have been determined by the Employer’s Representative (ER) - the independent third party responsible for enforcing the contract - with the net result being approximately €22.8 million (excluding inflation) determined in favour of the contractor. This represents just 3.5% of the claimed value.
The net change in the contract to date as a result of claims is just €27.2 million (including the €22.8m determined by the ER and the value of other claims resolved through the dispute resolution process or adjudication). This represents a change of less than 3% on the overall contract value of €910 million.
The construction contract between the NPHDB and the NCH main contractor contains a tender inflation recovery clause, where construction tender inflation above 4% is recoverable by the contractor. This came into effect from August 2019. This mechanism for allowing for adjustments as a result of construction inflation has since been incorporated into all public works contracts.
The cost associated with the tender inflation recovery clause was not included within the original 2018 budget and was noted as an embedded risk in the 2019 PwC Report. The 2024 Budget sanction addressed this and included provisions for tender inflation over 4%. To date, approximately €55 million has been paid out for inflation including VAT/RCT.
The tender inflation recovery payment only applies until the contractual substantial completion date (which includes any extensions of time determined by the ER). The contractor is not entitled to any inflation payment after the contractual substantial completion date . Therefore, there is no inflation payment for 2023 or 2024 due.
In line with the public works contract, there are provisions for the NPHDB to seek liquidated and ascertained damages from the contractor for delays beyond the contractual completion date. These liquidated damages can only be pursued when there’s certainty on the substantial and contractual completion dates.
The NPHDB is using all levers available to it under the contract to secure substantial completion of the NCH. Once substantial completion is achieved the hospital will be handed over to Children’s Health Ireland for operational commissioning.
790. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reviewing the Health Act 1970 with a view to replacing the outdated terminology of mental handicap with more appropriate language. [25136/24]
View answerThe terminology referred to by the Deputy is not used in the Health Act 1970, nor in mental health legislation.
There are references to 'mental handicap' in S.I. No. 277/1971 - Health Services (Amendment) Regulations, 1971 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1971/si/277/made/en/print ). These Regulations prescribe diseases and disabilities in respect of the Long-Term Illness Scheme, the provision of inpatient services, and the provision of outpatient services.
Applications to receive an LTI Scheme card are made to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE application forms notes that one of the 16 conditions eligible under the LTI Scheme is “Intellectual Disability”, and then notes in parentheses (and in smaller print) how this condition is described in the respective legislation. As such the HSE is working to use appropriate language to describe the condition while also referencing the 1971 legislation/regulation upon which its rests.
791. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25140/24]
View answerUnder 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.
792. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Ireland continues to have poor outcomes for respiratory illnesses like COPD according to OECD statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25142/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
793. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health to explain why lidocaine patches when prescribed by a pain medicine consultant are not reimbursed on the DPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25143/24]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
