Written Answers Nos. 443-463
445. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether consideration will be given to issuing clear and nationally consistent guidance to pharmacies and non-pharmacy retailers regarding the sale of paracetamol and other commonly available medicines to children and adolescents. [67824/26]
View answerA range of legislative and regulatory measures are currently in place governing the sale and supply of paracetamol and other non-prescription medicines, including safeguards designed to promote safe use and reduce the risk of misuse.
The sale of medicines is governed by the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended. These regulations place specific restrictions on the sale of paracetamol-containing products, including limits on pack sizes and quantities that may be supplied. In pharmacies and non-pharmacy retailers, only one pack of a paracetamol medicine may be supplied per sales transaction.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), as the statutory regulator of pharmacists and pharmacies, has responsibility for regulating retail pharmacy businesses. Under the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008, pharmacists must be satisfied, before the sale or supply of a non-prescription medicine, that the purchaser is aware of its appropriate use and that, insofar as the pharmacist is aware, the product is not intended for abuse or misuse.
To support compliance with these requirements, the PSI has issued guidance for pharmacists on the safe sale and supply of non-prescription medicines. Pharmacies are also required to comply with the legislative controls that apply to the supply of paracetamol and other medicines.
In relation to non-pharmacy retailers, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for determining whether a medicine is suitable for supply without prescription and, where appropriate, for sale through general retail outlets. The HPRA is also responsible for oversight of the relevant medicines legislation. Retailers selling paracetamol products are required to comply with the statutory restrictions that apply to their sale.
Under Connecting for Life, Ireland's national suicide prevention strategy, a multidisciplinary Working Group on Preventing Paracetamol-Related Intentional Drug Overdose has been established to support measures aimed at reducing access to medicines commonly used in intentional overdose. The Working Group includes representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, the HPRA, the PSI, the Irish Pharmacy Union, the National Suicide Research Foundation and retail representative bodies. Its work includes promoting awareness of, and adherence to, the existing legislative requirements governing the sale of paracetamol.
Through this work, a number of communications and awareness initiatives have already been undertaken for pharmacy and retail staff to promote the safe sale of paracetamol. The Department will continue to work with the HPRA, PSI and other stakeholders to keep these measures under review and to consider whether any further guidance or awareness measures may be required.
446. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether her Department will examine the introduction of a statutory minimum age for the purchase of over the counter paracetamol products, having regard to safeguarding concerns relating to children and adolescents. [67823/26]
View answerThere is currently no statutory minimum age for the purchase of paracetamol-containing products in Ireland. The sale and supply of paracetamol is regulated under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended, which place specific restrictions on the pack sizes and quantities of paracetamol that may be supplied without prescription.
The Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and is responsible for determining the method of sale and supply of a medicine. The HPRA may determine the classification of a medicine as suitable for supply without prescription having regard to the maximum single dose of the product concerned, the maximum daily dose; the strength of the product; its pharmaceutical form; its packaging; or any other circumstances relating to its use as the HPRA may consider appropriate, for example, for a particular indication only. In determining if a product should be classified as available on general sale in non-pharmacy outlets, the HPRA must have regard to the nature and purpose of the product and must be satisfied that the product concerned can, with reasonable safety, be sold other than under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The legislation already limits the quantity of paracetamol that may be supplied in a single transaction and places strict controls on the pack sizes that may be sold in pharmacies and non-pharmacy outlets. In non-pharmacy outlets, only one pack of a paracetamol-containing medicine may be supplied per sales transaction.
The Department of Health recognises the importance of safeguarding children and young people and of reducing access to medicines that may be used in intentional overdose. This objective is reflected in Connecting for Life, Ireland's national strategy for suicide prevention, which includes measures aimed at limiting access to commonly used means of self-harm, including medicines such as paracetamol.
The Minister has no current plans to introduce a statutory minimum age for the purchase of over-the-counter paracetamol products. However, the Department and the HPRA keep medicines legislation and patient safety measures under ongoing review. Any concerns regarding the sale of paracetamol products can be raised with the HPRA, which has responsibility for oversight and enforcement of the relevant regulatory requirements.
447. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to clarify the current legal position regarding the sale of over the counter paracetamol products to persons under 18 years-of-age; and whether any statutory minimum age currently applies in pharmacies or non-pharmacy retail outlets. [67822/26]
View answerThere is no prohibition, on age grounds, as regards the retail sale of paracetamol-containing products. The sale of medicines is governed by the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended, with specific provisions which apply exclusively to the sale of medicines that consist of, or contain, paracetamol. These regulations provide that paracetamol may only be supplied, without prescription, from pharmacies and non-pharmacy outlets, subject to certain restrictions on presentation and quantities that may be supplied.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and is responsible for determining the method of sale and supply of a medicine. The HPRA may determine the classification of a medicine as suitable for supply without prescription having regard to the maximum single dose of the product concerned, the maximum daily dose; the strength of the product; its pharmaceutical form; its packaging; or any other circumstances relating to its use as the HPRA may consider appropriate, for example, for a particular indication only.
In determining if a product should be classified as available on general sale in non-pharmacy outlets, the HPRA must have regard to the nature and purpose of the product and must be satisfied that the product concerned can, with reasonable safety, be sold other than under the supervision of a pharmacist.
In non-pharmacy outlets the pack sizes available are restricted under the legislation to:
- 12 or fewer dosage units, each of which contains more than 120mg of paracetamol but not more than 500mg of paracetamol
- 10 or fewer dosage units, each of which contains more than 500mg of paracetamol but not more than 600mg of paracetamol
In the case of a medicine intended for use in children under 6 years of age:
- Packs must contain 12 or fewer dosage units, each of which contains no more than 120mg of paracetamol
- Pack size of liquid forms should contain 60ml or less with no more than 120mg of paracetamol contained in 5ml
In addition to these requirements, a non-pharmacy retailer may only supply one pack of a paracetamol medicine per sales transaction.
In 2015, a national strategy, Connecting for Life, was launched by the Department of Health aimed at reducing suicide. One of its key goals is to limit access to medicines that are commonly used in intentional overdoses, such as paracetamol.
As a result, retailers must be especially careful when selling any product containing paracetamol. There are specific legal requirements to follow, and all staff must be aware of the restrictions.
Any specific concerns about the sale of paracetamol products can be raised directly with the HPRA via reportacase@hpra.ie.
448. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the entirety of funding for a person (details supplied) to attend an adult disability day placement will urgently be made available due to the needs of the person. [67820/26]
View answerThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality as the matters raised fall under their remit.
449. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the outcome if a home subject to the fair deal scheme was not insured and damaged by fire; and the way in which the contribution to the fair deal scheme will be settled. [67816/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
450. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if her Department has plans to raise the mileage rate for HSE workers, especially those working caring for patients in more rural areas and who have to travel longer distances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67829/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
451. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will seek an update from her officials. [67819/26]
View answerAs the issue raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
454. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a family will receive an offer of primary care psychology intervention (details supplied). [67737/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
456. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the printing of physical medical cards; and if there is an update on when the issues will be addressed. [67923/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
457. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for an ambulance in the County Meath region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67727/26]
View answer458. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance personnel employed to serve the County Meath region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67726/26]
View answer459. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance vehicles dedicated to County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67725/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 458 and 459 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
460. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a payment in respect of the Cross Border Directive will be paid to a person (details supplied). [67723/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
462. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to the Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67920/26]
View answerDrug and alcohol task forces play a key role in implementing the national drugs strategy at the local level. They assess the extent and nature of the drug problem and initiate appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance use in local communities and local communities are consulted in the design and delivery of services.
The Department of Health and HSE provides €28m in funding to approximately 280 projects under the remit of the 24 drug and alcohol task forces that operate throughout the country in defined geographical areas. The Department engages with key stakeholders in the network of drug and alcohol task forces and takes input on the level of need in local communities, from those service providers working in the community. This in turn informs decision-making relating to the allocation of funding and provision of services.
The funding paid to projects under the remit of Cork Drug and Alcohol Taskforce by the Department of Health is laid out in the below table.
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (includes backpay) |
2025 |
2026 |
|
€57,588.00 |
€57,588.00 |
€57,588.00 |
€62,452.00 |
€61,856.00 |
€61,856.00 |
NB: Additional core funding and back pay was allocated in 2024 in the context of the October 2023 Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) pay agreement. 2025 and 2026 allocations reflect the increase in core funding arising from the WRC pay agreement.
The HSE funding provided to Drug and Alcohol Taskforces and projects is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
463. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of residential addiction treatment beds available to residents of the Cork/Kerry region in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67918/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
