Written Answers Nos. 1816-1831
1816. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthodontists and specialist orthodontists working within HSE dental services in County Kildare for both adults and children, by location from 2020 to date in 2024, in tabular form. [35168/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1817. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation bays in the accident and emergency department in the Mater Hospital. [35169/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1818. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of menopause services; the number of clinics available throughout the public health service; the contact details for each menopause clinic; and the waiting times for a first appointment at each menopause clinic, in tabular form. [35170/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1819. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric urologist and paediatric urologist registrars based at CHI Temple Street in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [35171/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1820. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation bays in the accident and emergency department in St. James's Hospital. [35172/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1821. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the total complement of orthodontic dentists in the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35190/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1822. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant orthodontic dental positions in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35191/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1823. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE orthopaedic registrars based in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased before end of the year. [35194/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1824. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE HSE environmental health officers based in CHO 7 in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased before end of the year. [35195/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1825. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE emergency medicine registrars based at the minor injuries clinic at Smithfield in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [35196/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
1826. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontic dental positions open and being recruited. [35207/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1827. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the number of juvenile patients on the orthodontic dental waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35208/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1828. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35210/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1829. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE will recognise myalgic encephalomyelitis under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35216/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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%.
1830. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an explanation will be provided for a scheme (details supplied); the way a person who is already in fair deal can avail of this scheme; when it was first introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35217/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1831. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to address the concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of reports on the lack of vital chemotherapy drugs and cancelled treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35230/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of an issue with the supply of systemic anti-cancer therapy treatments from Baxter Healthcare, due to a temporary disruption at the company’s Sandyford facility.
This issue is under active examination by Baxter Healthcare and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, with the aim of returning the facility to operation as soon as possible, and some production has re-commenced at the Sandyford facility on a phased basis.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and the HSE has contacted all hospitals that provide these treatments and contingency plans are in place at the affected hospitals to ensure continuity of treatment for patients.
The NCCP has confirmed that patients are being prioritised according to clinical need, and where a patient’s treatment is being rescheduled they will be notified by their treatment team.
Ensuring patients receive timely and quality treatment for their cancer remains a priority for the HSE and my Department. My Department is working closely with the NCCP to improve compounding capacity across all chemotherapy-providing hospitals, to improve resilience in treatment provision for the benefit of cancer patients.
