Darren O'Rourke
Question:723. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year costs to recruit 70 additional WTE dentists to work in the public dental service. [36502/24]
View answerDental Services
Questions (723)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Staff
Questions (724)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE specialist gerontologists employed by the HSE working in CHO 8 in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36503/24]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (725)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:725. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year costs to recruit 40 additional WTE specialist orthodontists for public dental service. [36504/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Staff
Questions (726)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:726. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased by end of 2024. [36505/24]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (727)
Leo Varadkar
Question:727. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health when the e-learning module to enable GPs to prescribe PrEP privately through their surgeries was last available; when it will be available; and the number of doctors waiting to do the training. [36508/24]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (728)
Róisín Shortall
Question:728. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason an elderly medical card holder with a prescription from their GP for pain reduction patches (details supplied) is not entitled to this prescription free of charge, and instead must pay for it out of limited means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36509/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medical products under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE advise that the following pain relief patches are currently available on the reimbursement list:
• Durogesic DTrans Transdermal patches.
• Fental Matrix Transdermal patches.
• Matrifen Transdermal patches.
• Fentadur Transdermal patches.
• Butrans Transdermal patches.
• Versatis plasters (subject to a managed access system, indicated for post-herpetic neuralgia).
Patients prescribed Versatis plasters are reviewed by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP) for reimbursement approval, on foot of an application by the patient’s clinician, through the HSE online system.
In exceptional circumstances, Versatis plasters may be approved for supply for unlicensed uses. If an application is refused, the clinician may make an appeal to the MMP by email, making a clear clinical case for the patient. This process ensures that post-shingles patients, and other patients as clinically appropriate, can continue to have this specific treatment.
Hospital Staff
Questions (729)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:729. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric neurologist attached to University Hospital Waterford in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36550/24]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (730)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:730. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on CAMHS waiting lists in Carlow and Kilkenny as of 9 September 2024; if he will provide same figures as of 9 September 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36551/24]
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 Procedures
Questions (731)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:731. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the types of plastic surgery procedures that were performed at Beaumont Hospital in of 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36552/24]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (732)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:732. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for the recruitment of additional WTE senior special care dental surgeon for the Carlow-Kilkenny and South Tipperary area of CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36553/24]
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.
Pension Provisions
Questions (733)
Michael Ring
Question:733. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason a former employee (details suppled) has not been paid their pension which they believed was due to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an administrative matter, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Questions (734)
Denis Naughten
Question:734. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the inclusion of long-Covid under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36575/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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. This includes reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. 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.
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%.
Hospital Services
Questions (735)
Sorca Clarke
Question:735. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the orthoptic services in St Joseph’s, Longford will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36586/24]
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 (736)
Sorca Clarke
Question:736. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is currently looking to fill the vacant post of an orthoptist in St Joseph’s, Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36587/24]
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 (737)
Sorca Clarke
Question:737. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason the orthoptic service in St Joseph’s, Longford has been reduced from two posts to now having no orthoptist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36588/24]
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 Staff
Questions (738)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:738. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the average cost to the HSE for one hour of work from an agency nurse within the health service. [36594/24]
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 Staff
Questions (739)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:739. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses working in the HSE for a recruitment agency at present. [36595/24]
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.
Home Care Packages
Questions (740)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:740. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount paid, on average, to home care agencies by the HSE for one hour of care to a patient. [36596/24]
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 Staff
Questions (741)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:741. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons recruited to work in the HSE via recruitment agencies in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36597/24]
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 Staff
Questions (742)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:742. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by the HSE for agency workers in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36598/24]
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.