Written Answers Nos. 386-405
387. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action being taken by her Department to ensure patients with a lung cancer diagnosis are awarded a medical card in a timely manner and that they have the necessary support post diagnosis and post operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72779/25]
View answer388. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if due consideration will be given to reviewing the current eligibility criteria for medical cards to allow cancer patients to be automatically awarded medical cards when diagnosed and to ensure they have the necessary support post diagnosis and post operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72780/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.
Medical card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn per week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
People under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after deduction of tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/. People aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs. Details are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/over-70s/
The issue of granting medical cards on the basis of illness or a disability was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
Separately, I can advise the Deputy that, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. Further information can be found on the HSE’s website at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/emergency-medical-cards/
The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support centres was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated. The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres & Services.
Ireland’s Programme for Government 2025 makes a commitment to increase supports for cancer survivors and continue to invest in community cancer support services. To support this commitment, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres has been allocated €5.5m in funding for 2025, an increase from €3m in 2024.
Maximising the quality of life of those living with and beyond cancer is one of the four pillars of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Recommendations in the current Strategy aim to further survivorship supports and services in cancer care in Ireland. This includes the establishment of psycho-oncology services, provision of treatment summary and care plans, and the development of survivorship programmes. In tandem with these developments, in line with recommendation 41 of the Strategy, The National Cancer Survivorship Needs Assessment was carried out and published in 2019. Findings from this assessment have informed the development of survivorship supports. The National Cancer Strategy recognises the significant contribution of the voluntary and community sector in providing services to cancer patients, their families, and carers. It emphasises the importance of psychosocial support and integrated care.
389. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if she will give consideration to providing additional specific funding to hospitals to allow for the abolition of parking charges for cancer patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72781/25]
View answerHospitals that charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses. As a result, many hospitals have introduced reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship, and all hospitals that charge for parking have a fixed maximum daily rate. The majority of hospitals have some form of exemption or allowances in place such as the option of flexible day passes or multi-trip entry passes for regular hospital attenders, and various concessions based on the type of inpatient.
The National Cancer Control Programme also funds the Travel2Care Scheme, which is administered by the Irish Cancer Society and offers financial supports towards travelling for cancer treatment. The Travel2Care Scheme is a limited transportation assistance fund. It is available to patients travelling long distances to designated cancer centres, approved centres, or an approved children’s hospital and covers part of the associated costs, including parking charges, for said travel.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, makes a commitment to “explore further ways to reduce hospital car parking charges.” This is a reflection of the Government’s appreciation of the financial challenge that can be faced by people in meeting these expenses, in particular where they are frequent users of hospital services. Accordingly, in line with this commitment, the HSE continues to keep all fees and concessions under review, in order to progress any opportunities that will ease the burden for those most affected.
392. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an urgent appointment for an ultrasound at University Hospital Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72798/25]
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. The Minister for Health is prohibited 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.
393. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to a facility under the HSE (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72803/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
394. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE advanced nurse practitioner posts that were filled at Dundalk minor injuries unit in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72834/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
395. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants in emergency medicine that were on duty at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for each day of the week commencing 1 December 2025 between the hours of 8pm and 8am; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72835/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
396. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if there are any plans to extend the scheme or move people to a different payment [72853/25]
View answerAfter a hearing in the Labor Court in June, it was recommended that a final extension of the current Special Scheme to the 31st of December 2025, at which point anyone remaining on the scheme should transition to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme. Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support. Employees who did not qualify for the Special Scheme but are also impacted by Long-Covid may also utilise the supports of the sick leave scheme. The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
397. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to address the concerning issues regarding the provision of Oxygen to patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72859/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
399. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when the north Kerry lookback review will be published; if it will be pushed before the end of 2025; the reason for delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72903/25]
View answerBoth I, and the Department of Health, await submission by the HSE of the Final Report by Dr. Halpin in relation to the North Kerry Lookback Review.
I am closely monitoring developments on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in North Kerry, including the timeline for the completion of the Lookback Review. The HSE has indicated that the Review will be made available as soon as possible, acknowledging that necessary due diligence and related processes must be adhered to in the finalisation of the Review. The HSE has confirmed that it will expedite this as much as possible.
I understand that all file reviews have now been completed, and all children, young people and their families have been communicated with directly in relation to the outcome of their file review. My main concern throughout this process has been to ensure that children, young people and their families are communicated with directly in advance of the publication of the Lookback Review.
I will continue to work closely with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health National Office to drive reform of CAMHS nationally, to ensure that this key specialist service which benefits so many young people and their families each year is safe, accessible, child-centered, and delivered to the highest of standards.
400. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health for a list of all consultants that have been engaged as part of the North Kerry CAMHS lookback review; the dates of their engagement; the nature of their work; any reports produced and the cost associated with their services. [72904/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
401. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health for a list of all consultant reports commissioned as part of the north Kerry CAMHS lookback review; the objective of each report; the actions that arose from each report; the progress to date on said actions; and the costs associated with each report. [72905/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
402. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health for a list of all consultant reports commissioned as part of the south Kerry CAMHS lookback review; the objective of each report, and any actions that arose from each report; the progress to date on said actions; and the costs associated with each report. [72906/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
403. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health for a list of all consultants that have been engaged as part of the south Kerry CAMHS lookback review; the dates of their engagement; the nature of their work; any reports produced; and the cost associated with their services. [72907/25]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible
404. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies within University Hospital Kerry, by specific role and department, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72944/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
405. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CAMHS waiting lists in Kerry, by area and by length of time, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72945/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
