Thomas Byrne
Ceist:119. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of needs will take place for a child (details supplied). [45325/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (120)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:120. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of needs will take place for a child (details supplied). [45326/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (121)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:121. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of needs will take place for a child (details supplied). [45327/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service/operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (122)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:122. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of needs will take place for a child (details supplied). [45330/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (123)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:123. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of needs will take place for a child (details supplied). [45331/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (124)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an autism assessment will be provided to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45345/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service/operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (125)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:125. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline all capital investments, if any made by his Department in the constituency of Louth East Meath since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45394/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This information is not immediately available. My Department is preparing a response and will contact the Deputy as soon as possible.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (126)
David Cullinane
Ceist:126. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that a child (details supplied) is supported to avail of the two years of early childhood care and education; if he will grant an overage exemption; if he can stand over the exclusion of this child from the scheme given their physical condition which did not permit the use of the scheme in the normal way; and the way he squares exclusion of children with disabilities from reasonable accommodations in the scheme on health grounds with his remit as the Minister responsible for equality and disability. [45476/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, funded by my Department, provides universal, free pre-school to children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months.
In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an exemption to the upper age limit of 5 years 6 months where a child has special/additional needs. An exemption has already been granted for the child named and there is no provision for granting a second overage exemption.
The child named is now of school going age. In the review of the overage exemption process which was carried out by the National Disability Authority (NDA) for my Department and the Department of Education in 2018 the NDA concluded in their published report that it is in the best interest of children with additional needs to transition to primary school with their age cohort.
Supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education, to support children in the primary school setting. I would urge the child’s parents to contact her local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance at NCSE.ie .
I am acutely aware that the transition to primary school can be an anxious time for parents however the ECCE programme should not delay a child’s entry to primary school.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was introduced in 2016 to ensure that children with a disability can access and participate in the ECCE programme. AIM was designed and tailored to support ECCE-age children and as such AIM is directly linked with ECCE participation. The model achieves this by providing universal supports to pre-school settings, and targeted supports, which focus on the needs of the individual child, without requiring a diagnosis of disability.
Amongst other things AIM can provide for advice and supports, equipment to children within the ECCE-age range and can also allow for an additional educator to support children with higher levels of need.
Since its introduction in 2016, 32,000 children have availed of targeted supports along with many more children who have benefitted from universal measures enhancing inclusion in the service generally.
Public Sector Pensions
Ceisteanna (127)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of ongoing talks with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the proposed application of DPER Circular 24/2022 retrospectively to December 2022; to provide an update on these talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45333/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the incredibly important role of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurses in the provision of mental health services in our country.
As you are aware, pension abatement has been a long-established principal of civil and public service pension schemes. The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 extended the principle of pension abatement to apply to retired public and civil servants who return to work in any public or civil service body. Abatement as per the 2012 Act has been in operation since 01 November 2012.
On 21 December 2022, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform issued Circular 24/2022, as referenced by the Deputy. This Circular provides guidance on the correct application of pension abatement in respect of all public and civil servants.
Talks are ongoing with the PNA in relation to the implementation of Circular 24/2022. As this is an Industrial Relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this point.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (128, 140)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:128. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the free fertility treatment as recently announced can be considered on a case-by-case basis, rather than as one matrix; his plans to do so; if the case of persons (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45319/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:140. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if an exemption for women with polycystic ovary syndrome could be introduced in relation to the BMI requirements for publicly funded IVF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45415/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 140 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government.
The Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., the six Regional Fertility Hubs located across the country) and then, where necessary, AHR (assisted human reproduction) treatment (e.g., IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of six Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks covering the entire country, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility-related issues at this level of intervention. Patients are referred by their GPs to their local Regional Fertility Hub, which provides a range of treatments and interventions.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care relates to the introduction of AHR treatment, including IVF, provided through the public health system at tertiary level.
Appropriate funding has been made available to support access to AHR treatment via HSE-approved private providers. As well as IVF and ICSI, this allocation is also being used to provide, initially through private clinics, IUI (intrauterine insemination), which can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive form of treatment.
Referrals for AHR treatment by private providers commenced in September 2023. Criteria prospective patients should meet in order to access fully-funded AHR services and the services to be initially funded were agreed by the Department and the HSE and subsequently approved by Government in July 2023. More details on public fertility services, including information on the publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative, are available from the HSE at: www2.hse.ie/conditions/fertility-problems-treatments/fertility-treatment/ .
The access criteria were developed by a multi-disciplinary group, with reproductive medicine expertise and followed consultation with experts in the field and a review of the international evidence. The clinical parameters of the access criteria include an assessment of such areas as age, body mass index (BMI) and other health and well-being elements.
Specifically in relation to the clinical parameter of BMI, extremes of BMI are associated with decreased natural fecundity and increased rates of infertility.
When availing of AHR treatment, women with high BMI may demonstrate lower pregnancy rates, lower live birth rates, and higher miscarriage rates following IVF, ICSI, or frozen embryo thaw/transfer cycles. It has been shown that the probability of pregnancy is reduced by 5% per unit of BMI exceeding 29 kg/m2. This association between higher BMI and lower fertility rates has been shown in several studies.
Meanwhile, underweight women who conceive using AHR treatments are at increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight babies. The extremes of maternal BMI have been shown to decrease success rates of fertility interventions and increase maternal–foetal morbidity. It is for these reasons that defined parameters (upper and lower) regarding the BMI of an intending birth mother was established for the purposes of publicly-funded AHR services.
The approach adopted by the Department of Health in relation to defining clear parameters regarding specific clinical criteria for AHR is in line with many European and international counterparts, allowing for necessary accountability for the cost-effectiveness use of public funds, and the safety of patients and any consequent pregnancy that may result.
I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system.
Charitable and Voluntary Organisations
Ceisteanna (129)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:129. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason the Section 28 Service Level Agreement between the HSE and the Central Remedial Clinic for 2024 has removed referenced to a school (details supplied) and education supports, despite the previous years' SLAs included these references; and if he is aware of the funding impact of this change on the financial viability of the disability supports provided by CRC to the school and in turn the impact on the viability of the school itself. [45320/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received
from Department.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (130)
Martin Browne
Ceist:130. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the community eye clinic at Community Care West Road, Clonmel, in light of a recent retirement; the pre-emptive measures taken to ensure that retirement did not result in an unfilled post; the measures that are being taken to fill that vacancy; when such a vacancy will be filled; if measures are being put in place to address unmet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45337/24]
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (131)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health 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.
Cancer Services
Ceisteanna (132)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:132. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the treatment options given in relation to the decisions of the multidisciplinary meetings at St. James’s Hospital under the gastro-intestinal conference, with oesophageal cancers determined likely invasive and not amenable to ENR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45348/24]
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 (133)
Martin Browne
Ceist:133. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if the vacancy that has arisen at the community eye clinic at Community Care West Road, Clonmel, following the retirement of a person (details supplied) has been advertised; if staff have been kept informed; the measures that are being taken to deal with an increasing waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45354/24]
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (134)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45356/24]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (135)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:135. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he sought the views of other persons or bodies involved in the Covid pandemic; if so, to list them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45358/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received
from Department.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (136)
Pa Daly
Ceist:136. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment with the orthopaedics department at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45377/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health 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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (137)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:137. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2471 of 23 July 2024, and indirect rep 98/0624, the current complement of podiatrists for the chronic disease management model for diabetes that looks after patients in County Louth; where these patients from County Louth will be seen; when this model will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45382/24]
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.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (138)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline all capital investments, if any made by his Department in the constituency of Louth East Meath since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45402/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (139)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:139. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline all capital funding provided by his Department to the Lourdes Hospital and to Louth County Hospital since 2020; the increase in employment in both hospitals and the additional services provided in each location since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45412/24]
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.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 128.