Wednesday, 23 Oct 2024

Insurance Coverage

Questions (197)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

197. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of private health insurance, by age group (details supplied). [43416/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The number of persons availing of inpatient private health insurance from an open market undertaking, excluding those serving initial waiting periods, as at 1 January 2024 are as follows.

Age Group	01-Jan-24
0-17	529,157
18-29	299,075
30-39	310,309
40-49	376,437
50-59	325,833
60-69	268,243
70-79	195,763
80+	92,304
Total	2,397,121

Hospital Staff

Questions (198)

Robert Troy

Question:

198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when various vacancies will be filled in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar (details supplied). [43427/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Defibrillators Provision

Questions (199)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

199. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the way in which a business can access funding for a defibrillator (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43460/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many locations across society under the management of various organisations. AEDs are among the various items eligible for funding under the Community Sport Facilities Fund.

The Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme) is operated by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, National Governing Bodies of Sport, and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.

The programme funds the purchase of AEDs for the above-mentioned groups and many of these are also available to the wider community.

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.

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) are not aware of any funding schemes that can be applied for by private companies, however large industrial estates may have access to a public AED. Public AEDs are very often funded by local charity initiatives or by local businesses. Once a defibrillator has been made publicly accessible, it can be added to the NAS database and the location can made visible to our NAS Emergency Call Takers. In the event of a 112/999 call being made to NAS for a person who may require a defibrillator, if there is a defibrillator available in the vicinity of the incident, the emergency call taker will be able to direct the caller to the defibrillator location so that it can brought to the patient. More information on NAS defibrillator locations can be found here:

www.nationalambulanceservice.ie/community/

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (200)

Martin Browne

Question:

200. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the amount of money spent on the initial design process for the community nursing unit in Cashel; the overall spend incurred in professional fees involved in site appraisal and other measures to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43463/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (201)

Denis Naughten

Question:

201. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 627 of 27 February 2024 and 1904 of 9 September 2024, the current status of the HSE survey to measure the prevalence of long Covid in the community; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43468/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (202)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

202. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have undergone spinal surgeries abroad since an agreement was reached with facilities in other jurisdictions; the number of children’s spinal surgeries currently scheduled to take place in these facilities, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43474/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Parental Leave

Questions (203)

Robert Troy

Question:

203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a claim for parental leave for a person (details supplied), and ensure suitable leave is approved as a necessity in this case. [43476/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

My role as Minister for Health is primarily to deal with legislation, policy, overall budgetary allocation, and corporate governance. The HSE is a separate entity to the Department of Health and as such, the HSE has responsibility for matters relating to the staff within their employ in locations such as the Midlands Regional Hospital, such as those that you are raising on behalf of your constituent.

It is not possible for me to intervene in individual employment matters such as this, however I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Your constituent will need to engage directly with her own HR Manager where she is employed in respect of her applications for parental leave. The information available in respect of Parental Leave on the HSE's website may be of some assistance: healthservice.hse.ie/staff/leave/parental-leave/

Healthcare Policy

Questions (204)

Ged Nash

Question:

204. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing the long-term illness scheme to cover all patients with a stoma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43482/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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%.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (205)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

205. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health having been made aware that the HSE is installing incorrect flooring and fittings in a day care centre (details supplied), and additionally faults with the exterior back yard surfacing, which is a trip hazard, all of which issues must now be rectified and replaced, if he will clarify who signed off on the flooring, fittings and surfacing concerned; if the funding expended on these mistakes will be reimbursed to the centre’s allocated funds; if not, the reason why not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43491/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (206)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

206. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health regarding the funding expended on the erroneous flooring, fittings and yard surfacing by the HSE in a building (details supplied), when these funds will be reimbursed to the centre's allocated funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43492/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (207)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide with certainty an official date for the opening of a day care centre (details supplied). [43493/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (208)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

208. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the funding allocated in 2025, if any, for the completion of a day care centre (details supplied),in the event that the centre is not fully completed and open before the end of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43494/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (209)

Richard Bruton

Question:

209. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has visited the accident and emergency facilities in Beaumont Hospital; if he recognises the urgency of progressing the building project to improve the service and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43505/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

As Minister for Health I have visited the accident and emergency facilities at Beaumont Hospital and I wish to acknowledge the continued and tireless work of staff at the Hospital and in the Emergency Department. The project for the provision of a New Emergency Department at Beaumont Hospital is now at Project Review 3 (Approval of Scheme Design).

A Design Stage 2A (scheme design) report has been received for review. The Stage 2A report notes cost increases, which are currently being assessed.

Health Services Staff

Questions (210)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 19 September 2024, if section 39 organisations that tender to the HSE will be included in the Workplace Relations Commission agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43549/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

As this is a matter for the HSE, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.