Written Answers Nos. 1249-1274
1249. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health how many staff vacancies arose during the HSE recruitment freeze; how many of those vacancies have been filled since the lifting of the freeze; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3094/25]
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.
1250. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a person in Cork (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3099/25]
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.
1251. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to prioritise the funding required for the construction of a primary care centre in Portlaoise town, given the town and surrounding area does not have one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3100/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1252. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an inpatient appointment at Galway University Hospital in advance of a major operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3107/25]
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.
1253. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dietitians working in CHO5 primary care services in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3120/25]
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.
1254. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget allocated to St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3122/25]
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.
1255. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant and or derelict buildings in the ownership of the HSE and or her Department; the details of how her Department is addressing these vacant properties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3150/25]
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.
1256. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if she will review the decision not to include the shingles vaccine in the national immunisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1257. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if she will consider expanding access to the shingles vaccine by including it under the medical card or drug payment scheme for eligible cohorts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3159/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1258. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if she intends to set a deadline for the future inclusion of the shingles vaccine in the national immunisation programme; if her Department will explore ways to improve the cost-effectiveness of introducing the vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3160/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1256 to 1258, inclusive, together.
The shingles vaccine is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme but it is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the national immunisation programme are chosen by NIAC in order to give each individual the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
HIQA published the HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the schedule is not cost effective and is associated with a substantial budget impact. My Department has considered its findings and determined that the introduction of the vaccine can be reconsidered when cost effectiveness is more favourable.
1259. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health to indicate her intentions and outline her plans to retain and upgrade services at Navan Hospital accident and emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3173/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1260. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to assist Irish physiotherapists with qualifications from European Union Member States such as the Netherlands in completing CORU required hours in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in an acute hospital setting in Ireland, given that such placements are increasingly difficult to obtain for physiotherapists who studied abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3183/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1261. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration could be given to approving all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus to qualify for reimbursement for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) under the community drug schemes, as many type 1 diabetes patients require CGM but are being refused reimbursement as they have not required insulin from the outset of their disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3184/25]
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.
I have asked the HSE to provide a response and they have advised that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published the rapid Health Technology Assessment of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on 29th September 2023. The published document can be found at: www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/health-technology-assessment/rapid-health-technology-assessment-continuous.
A single reimbursement application system for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) sensors came into effect on 1st December 2023. Due to the budget impact associated with these, the HSE established a single reimbursement application system for all CGM sensors on the reimbursement list. This reimbursement application system will apply to any future CGM sensors reimbursed under Community Drug Schemes.
Currently reimbursement support is available for patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, in line with HSE Circular 033/23 . Reimbursement of CGM at this point in time is for patients with Type I Diabetes Mellitus who have required insulin from the outset. Reimbursement does not extend to other cohorts who were not considered as part of the HIQA HTA. Patients treated with insulin who had recently accessed a CGM sensor under Community Drug Schemes prior to 1 December 2023 continued to have reimbursement support.
If a prescriber wishes, the outcome of a negative decision can be appealed directly via email to the HSE Medicines Management Programme at mmp@hse.ie, or a new application can be submitted via the online application system. Appeals must be made by the patient’s clinician and should include any additional information to support the unmet clinical need for CGM sensors.
Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, reviewing the information provided in the initial online application and the information in the appeal submission to the HSE Medicines Management Programme. The final reimbursement recommendation is communicated back to the clinician via email or the online application system.
1262. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to confirm the direction of travel on licensing an immunotherapy treatment (details supplied). [3189/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1263. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if her Department, or any body under its aegis, currently outsources cleaning services and/or service officer/security officer roles to private companies; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3199/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engages the services of One Complete Solution (OCS) for the provision of Cleaning and Security services in Block 1, Miesian Plaza.
The contract is managed by my Department on behalf of all four tenant government departments in the Block, with recharging in place for agreed portions of the services provided.
The requested details are as laid out in the following table.
|
Company Name |
Service Provided |
Expected value by end of contract |
Length of Contract |
|
OCS |
Cleaning |
€2,066,933.91 |
04/10/2020-04/10/2025 |
|
OCS |
Security |
€677,808.66 |
04/10/2020-04/10/2025 |
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
1264. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if her Department, or any body under its aegis, currently directly employs cleaners and/or service officers; if so, the number of staff employed in each role; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3217/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health do not directly employ any cleaners.
There are currently 5 Service Officers and 1 Head Service Officer employed directly by the Department. These officers are employed as established civil servants who are paid salaries as per the relevant scales.
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy whether it employs cleaners and/or service officers; if so, the number of staff employed in each role; the value and length of any related contract.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
1265. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health when the freeze on public health nurses conducting developmental checks for all children in the Killester/Millmount area in Dublin will end; what steps are being taken to ensure the timely resumption of this vital service; the measures being taken to ensure adequate staffing levels within the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3227/25]
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.
1266. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the total value of the annual mileage claims for each Ministers of State assigned to her Department in 2023 and 2024 respectively; to provide a breakdown for each year of the individual claims; the annual cost of overnight allowances related to the civilian drivers of each relevant Minister of State in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3253/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to list the composition of her private office, inclusive of the grade and increment of each civil servant assigned to their office; whether they are located in the private or constituency office; the value of any allowance paid to those individuals and the purpose of each allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3271/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing of the Minister’s office is to yet to be finalised and will be in line with Instructions on Ministerial Appointments for the 34th Dáil.
1268. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to examine issues affecting family homes and a special area of conservation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3280/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1269. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health the number of routine hospital treatments between September 2024 and December 2024 that were delayed as a result of high flu and respiratory cases in hospitals, by hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3287/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1270. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health the number of routine cancer treatments in hospitals between September 2024 and December 2024 that were delayed as a result of high flu and /respiratory cases in hospitals, by hospital, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3288/25]
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.
1271. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics on call each day between September 2024 and December 2024, by CHO, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3289/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1272. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics on call each day between September 2024 and December 2024 in CHO 6, by local health area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3290/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1273. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the shortage of paramedics and advanced paramedics in the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3291/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1271 to 1273, inclusive, together.
Significant investment in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has seen total staff numbers rise to 2,415 whole time equivalents as of the end of November 2024. This represents an increase in staff complement of 482 staff or 25% in the last five years. Of this total, well over 2,000 members of staff, including paramedics, work in direct patient care roles.
Following Budget 2025, this year's allocation to the NAS of €285m represents an increase of €54m or 23% on the previous year. This investment includes an additional €8m for new service developments which will deliver up to 180 additional posts to support emergency frontline services, facilitate the expansion of alternative care pathways and support further development of specialist services.
In relation to the Deputy's specific questions on the number of NAS paramedics and advanced paramedics, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond with any pertinent information it may have, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1272 answered with Question No. 1271.
Question No. 1273 answered with Question No. 1271.
1274. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Health when the free hormone replacement therapy scheme announced under budget 2025 will come into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3292/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMenopause is an important health and wellbeing issue which has been prioritised as part of the Government’s commitment to improved women’s health outcomes.
Much important work has been done in this area, driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.
The new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future continues to emphasise this important commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and experiences. The new HRT measure represents another step to widen access to menopause related treatments and services and follows on from all the other developments that have taken place over several years.
Budget 2025 announced the intention to fund the medicine cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products prescribed to a woman to help manage the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause.
On Tuesday, 5th November the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Bill 2024 passed all stages in the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law.
This legislation means that where a woman has been prescribed a Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) product by her healthcare provider to alleviate the symptoms associated with all stages of menopause, the cost of the HRT medications or products will be met by the State.
For the purpose of this measure, menopause means, in relation to a woman, the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause and medically induced menopause.
This measure will cover any HRT medications and products which are currently reimbursable by the HSE, which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause. The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.
The Department of Health engaged with both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union in relation to the practical rollout of this measure.
The Department of Health is working to introduce this measure as soon as possible.
