Written Answers Nos. 1105-1124
1105. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health her plans to assist the small number of people who may have had adverse reactions to Covid-19 vaccines; and whether there have been any discussions with vaccine manufacturers or indemnities provided in relation to adverse reactions from those vaccines. [2416/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland, through its participation in an EU led procurement process, gained access to a broad range of vaccines that it might not otherwise have had access to, and at a cost negotiated collectively by the EU.
As part of this procurement exercise, Ireland opted into Purchase Agreements with several pharmaceutical companies. The contents of the Purchase Agreements, including with regard to liability and indemnity, were negotiated with vaccine suppliers by the European Commission through its negotiation team, acting on behalf of Member States. Member States may have decided to opt in / opt out, but did not and does not have scope to recast the provisions of any such Purchase Agreements.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities including the Health Service Executive, and management of any COVID-19 vaccine related claims have been delegated to it after Government approval was obtained to enter into the indemnity provisions of each agreement.
Additionally, my department is working to develop a model for a vaccine damage scheme and working through related policy matters. The development of such a model needs detailed consideration to ensure that it is appropriately designed. Once the model is developed, I will bring it to Cabinet for approval.
1106. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of respite beds in the Dingle-Tralee area of County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1107. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health her views on the fact that there is currently no national screening for prostate cancer, which can be performed with a simple blood test; to commit to supporting the creation of a national screening service for prostate cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2424/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Health, I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
Any decisions about further changes or expansion of cancer screening, including the potential introduction of a prostate cancer screening programme, will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
Careful consideration must be given to any proposed expansion of Ireland’s screening programmes and this process must be afforded the necessary amount of time to complete. In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC is actively progressing with work on the further expansion of our current cancer screening programmes and has submitted requests to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to examine the evidence for such.
Health Technology Assessments (HTA) facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. HTAs are time intensive and rigorous processes.
HIQA is currently focused on two HTA processes underway to examine the expansion of the BowelScreen programme and the potential development of a new population-based screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA).
Under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, an updated European Council Recommendation on cancer screening was published in December 2022. The Recommendation calls for the further expansion of cervical, breast and colorectal (bowel) cancer screening as well as feasibility studies on future screening programmes for gastric, prostate and lung cancer. NSAC will consider this recommendation as it applies to its work programme.
Ireland is involved in a four-year EU4Health-funded Joint Action project, titled EUCanScreen, which commenced on 1 June 2024. The project is aimed at coordinating research activities associated with the updated European Council Recommendation across Europe. This includes research relating to the sustainability of cancer screening programmes, data monitoring and the barriers/facilitators to screening. The evidence gained through the EUCanScreen project, including research related to screening for prostate cancer, will help to inform future cancer screening policy in Ireland.
My Department is also aware of the involvement of Irish-based researchers in an EU4Health funded project, titled PRAISE-U, which is aimed at exploring the feasibility of screening for prostate cancer as a way to help reduce morbidity and mortality caused by the disease, while avoiding overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment.
Finally, it is important to note that population health screening measures are not individual diagnostic tests. Screening is for people who do not have symptoms. Anyone who is worried about symptoms at any time is advised not to wait for screening but to seek medical advice immediately, for appropriate follow-up care.
1108. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if there has been a change since 2022 to the criteria required to deem a person incapable on medical grounds of regular and effective service, which would allow an HSE employee to retire on grounds of ill health; if the bar for employees seeking to retire on grounds of ill health has been raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2425/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRetirement on Ill Health grounds legislation is administered by the Department of Public, Expenditure, NDP and Reform.
The Ill Health retirement process for HSE public servants, advises that, occupational health must issue a report to management advising if an employee cannot work due to a permanent medical illness or disability. Then the HR Director must approve sign off for retirement on ill health grounds. The criteria is based on medical grounds and the employees illness or disability.
1109. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that many procedures are not covered by the medical card; and to commit to expanding access for all necessary medical procedures, including dental implants, under the medical card. [2428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e., full eligibility (medical cards) and limited eligibility.
Eligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended).
Individuals with full eligibility can access a range of services including General Practitioner (GP) services, prescribed approved drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultant services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultant services, dental, ophthalmic, and aural services, aids and appliances, and maternity and infant care services.
A GP visit card provides for eligible individuals to visit a participating GP service without fees and also covers visits to GP out-of-hours service.
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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment.
At present, the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as additional fillings, dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
In the long term, the Government is committed to fundamentally reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. Access to preventative care to support people to maintain their health and help prevent problems arising is the mainstay of the new service model set out in the Policy.
Accordingly, the HSE is progressing the development of new packages of preventative care for adult medical card holders. However, to support the restoration of acceptable oral health function after dental problems such as total tooth loss, the HSE will develop clinical care pathways to enable a standardised approach to identifying patients who need such care and to make this care available.
1110. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if an agency (details supplied) is funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004. [2435/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis agency is not funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The Deputy may wish to refer this question to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if they have provided funding to this organisation.
1111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2440/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when hospital appointments and procedures are cancelled.
While every effort is made to avoid cancellations or postponements, they can happen for a variety of reasons, including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand, and unforeseen circumstances that may impact a service.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals follow HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Cancelled hospital appointments and procedures are, where appropriate, rescheduled as early as possible with priority given to patients requiring time-sensitive and urgent treatment.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1112. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2448/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
1113. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health her views on the shortage of beds in University Hospital Limerick, in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) had a planned procedure cancelled on three separate occasions, due to the shortage of beds. [2450/25]
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.
1114. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when the recruitment process will commence to fill two vacant speech and language therapy posts with Sligo/Leitrim primary care services. [2453/25]
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.
1115. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health for an update on any proposals in relation to legislating for the regulation of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) for sale for human consumption that is, vaping in particular in circumstances where it may be purchased by a minor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2456/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Officials are drafting legislation to add HHC as a Schedule 1 controlled drug to the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework. I must stress that is not just regulation of the sale of HHC for human consumption. Schedule 1 controlled drugs are subject to the strictest control measures and both the possession and/or sale and supply of a Scheduled 1 controlled drug is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. It is expected that this legislation will be brought to Government shortly.
1116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2466/25]
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.
1117. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to include the medication lumateperone (which is for the treatment of bipolar depression) onto the drugs repayment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2482/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1118. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently allow for a transfer of a person (details supplied) from their nursing home in County Cork to a nursing home in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2483/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1119. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline any provisions available for a person with a medical card to be seen by a dentist in their locality; if the treatment of replacement dentures will be covered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2485/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1120. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether she plans to reopen an HSE clinic (details supplied); and, if not, the plans for that building. [2486/25]
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.
1121. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health the steps persons should take in cases where they cannot access a general practitioner service in their own town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2497/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, that person, having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area), can apply to the HSE Eligibility Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other practices in the surrounding areas. The HSE website provides a "Find a GP" facility which can assist in finding nearby GP practices.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support. These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available from 2024. 346 new entrants commenced training last year, a 21% increase on the previous year’s intake of 286.
Furthermore, the recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 114 IMG GPs were in practice as of October last and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country this year.
1122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the services that are available or planned, to provide consultation and assessment clinics for adults with ADHD in the Cavan/Monaghan area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2507/25]
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.
1123. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the funding stream available to a school (details supplied) to apply for an AED defibrillator, or if the Department of Health will provide one. [2508/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAutomated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many locations across society under the management of various organisations. AEDs are among the various items eligible for funding under the Community Sport Facilities Fund.
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme) is operated by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, National Governing Bodies of Sport, and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.
The programme funds the purchase of AEDs for the above-mentioned groups and many of these are also available to the wider community.
Funding is also available through the HSE’s national lottery grants schemes and other community grants schemes. At a local level, the network of local sports partnerships throughout the country delivers education and training opportunities across a broad range of areas to local sports clubs and community groups. This includes first aid workshops, which typically cover CPR and-or defibrillator training as part of the content.
From the 1st of January 2023, my Department through the Department of Finance removed VAT from AEDs to make the cost more feasible for groups, organisations or individuals looking to purchase an AED.
1124. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs in Westport, County Mayo; if she plans to provide more training places for doctors; and if she will incentivise them to live and work in that area. [2516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,539 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the start of the January, there are no GMS vacancies in Westport.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country. These measures help to make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors, and the positive impact of is being seen in the increased number of doctors both applying for and undertaking GP training.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the pre-existing enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The GP Agreement 2023, which provided for the expansions of GP care without charges to those who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 & 7, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available from 2024. 346 new entrants commenced training last year, a 21% increase on the previous year’s intake of 286. Availability of 350 new entrant GP training places is planned for 2025, and additional funding has been provided to support the increased number of GP trainees in the system this year due to the recent increases in new entrant training places.
Figures released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates have applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on last year and higher than any previous years.
Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad commenced in 2023 under the joint HSE and ICGP International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 114 IMG GPs were in practice as of October last and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country this year.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the number of GPs in Westport, as soon as possible.
