Niall Collins
Ceist:200. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a submission (details supplied) regarding ambulance cover in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27498/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAmbulance Service
Ceisteanna (200)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (201)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the continued funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27499/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister is fully committed to ensuring and supporting patients' central role in working with the public health service to develop health policy and in designing and reforming health services. Patient representatives participate on a number of committees and working groups across the Department of Health, the HSE and health agencies and make a significant contribution to the strategic decision-making work of those committees and groups.
The Minister provided additional Grant Funding to the 221+ Cervical Check Patient Support Group for three-years (to 31st December 2024). This funding is to support the Group's work in assisting patients and next of kin of those directly affected by the CervicalCheck issues through the provision of information, advice, and support. The Department is currently engaging with 221+ Cervical Check Patient Support Group around funding arrangements for next year. However, decisions on funding are taken as part of the Budget/Estimates process, and any relevant funding requests will be considered as part of that process.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (202)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to improve the medical card application procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27501/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
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.
• Medical cards issued to patients who are terminally ill with a prognosis of 24 months or less do not require subsequent means assessment and are not reviewed.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department keeps medical card issues under review in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. Over the course of 2024 and 2025, we will review the existing eligibility framework to clearly assess what is working well and to inform policy proposals to enhance eligibility and access to services based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (203)
Robert Troy
Ceist:203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure all public sector pay increases are awarded to members of the National Ambulance Service without further delay. [27502/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has today issued a pay circular and associated Consolidated Salary Scales which provides for retrospective application of the pay adjustments due from 1st June 2024 to all public health sector employees, including those encompassed by the National Ambulance Service.
As the application of these pay adjustments is now a matter for the HSE as the employer, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in respect of the timeline for these adjustments to be applied.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (204)
Robert Troy
Ceist:204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to examine anomalies within the HSE with regard to access to further training and professional development (details supplied). [27504/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (205)
Robert Troy
Ceist:205. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the operation of the regional ambulance response system within the midlands region; if this system is still under review; and if his attention has been drawn to the number of “out of region” responses undertaken by the ambulance service, effectively leaving the region without cover for a period of time. [27508/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (206)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:206. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with type 1 diabetes attending Letterkenny University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, and Galway University Hospital; the number of those patients in each hospital awaiting an annual OPD diabetes review appointment for less than 6, 6-12, 12-24, and over 24 months; the longest patient waiting time for an appointment to see an endocrinologist in each hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27509/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (207)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:207. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with type 1 diabetes attending Letterkenny University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital who have received an appointment for an annual OPD diabetes review in 2024 by hospital; the number who have already had their appointment in 2024, by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27510/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (208)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:208. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with type 1 diabetes attending Letterkenny University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital who had an annual OPD diabetes review in 2023, by hospital; the number who had no appointment in 2023, by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27511/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (209)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:209. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that provide virtual OPD appointments to patients attending their adult diabetes service; the number of virtual appointments were provided in each hospital in 2023 and 2024; if this service will be extended to all hospitals with an adult type 1 diabetes service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27512/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (210, 211)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:210. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the current number of advanced nurse practitioners working in the area of paediatric diabetes services; where they are based by hospital; if there are plans to increase numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27513/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:211. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the current number of advanced nurse practitioners working in the area of adult type 1 diabetes services; where they are based by individual hospital; if there are plans to increase numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27514/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 210.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (212)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:212. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of clients referred to the north Lee, south Lee, west Cork and north Cork child and adolescent mental health psychology services for each of the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form. [27530/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (213)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:213. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using Medtronic insulin pumps in each county in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27542/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (214)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:214. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using Tandem t:slim insulin pumps in each county in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27543/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (215)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:215. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using insulin pumps (details supplied) in each county in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27544/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (216)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:216. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using YpsoPump insulin pumps in each county in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27545/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (217)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:217. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of people using Omnipod insulin pumps in each county in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27546/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (218)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:218. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts done in each of the hospitals within the CHI Hospitals Group (CHI Crumlin, CHI Temple Street, CHI Connolly in Blanchardstown and CHI Tallaght) in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27547/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (219, 220, 223, 224)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:219. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts initiated in each of the hospitals within the RCSI Hospital Group; and the number of those who are aged 0-18 years and greater than 18 years, for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27548/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:220. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts done in each of the hospitals within Dublin Midlands Hospitals Group (Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Naas General Hospital, Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Tallaght University Hospital and St. James’s Hospital); and the number of those who are aged 0-18 years and greater than 18 years, for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27549/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:223. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts done in each of the hospitals within hospitals (details supplied); and the number of those who are aged 0-18 years and greater than 18 years, for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27552/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCathal Crowe
Ceist:224. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts done in each of the hospitals within UL Hospitals Group in University Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital and St. John's Hospital; and the number of those who are aged 0-18 years and greater than 18 years, for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27553/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 220, 223 and 224 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 220 answered with Question No. 219.