Written Answers Nos. 1043-1062
1043. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that any woman at risk of breast cancer receives a correct diagnosis in a timely and efficient manner regardless of her age, to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2205/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1044. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in CHO 4 who have left the National Ambulance Service; and the number of exit interviews conducted. [2206/25]
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.
1045. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if paramedics under the National Ambulance Service are provided with telephones or a telephone allowance. [2207/25]
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.
1046. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of shifts undertaken by paramedics in the National Ambulance Service longer than 12 hours in each of the past six months. [2208/25]
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.
1047. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a decision was taken to reduce the helicopter-emergency-medical-service crew size in Cork and Kerry; if so, when this decision was taken; and the reason therefor. [2209/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly with any information that it may have in the matter.
1048. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedics, by advanced paramedic and other roles respectively, in CHO 4, or its corresponding equivalent, in January in each of the past ten years. [2210/25]
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.
1049. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of calls that required a National Ambulance Service response in Cork and Kerry, or its corresponding equivalent, in each of the past ten years. [2211/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1050. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Health when lumateperone will be added to the reimbursable list under the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2212/25]
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.
1051. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE ambulances based in County Clare on a 24/7 basis in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2223/25]
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.
1052. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE-employed smoking cessation officers based in CHO3 in the years of 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2224/25]
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.
1053. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment could be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2227/25]
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.
1054. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health to outline the dental services provided under the medical card scheme; if all dentists throughout the country have signed up to the scheme; to outline, where a medical card holder cannot get the services required, the options available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2228/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides oral healthcare, 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 dentures, additional fillings 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.
The HSE advises that at end-December 2024 there were 813 contractors signed up to the DTSS, including dentists and clinical dental technicians. While a package of measures introduced in 2022 to expand the care available under the Scheme and significantly increase the fees paid to contractors has improved access to care for patients, I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. In these areas, local HSE services can assist patients to access a dentist. In exceptional circumstances, where emergency treatment is required, the HSE can directly contact private contractors or arrange treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte and has included implementation of the Policy in the Programme for Government. The implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation, to end-2027, is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, and includes reform of services for medical card holders as one of several priority actions.
1055. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the current number of children on waiting lists for a first outpatient appointment across all specialties in CHO 8; and the number who have been waiting 3-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24 months and in excess of 24 months, in tabular form. [2234/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2024 the HSE established 6 new health regions, with each region responsible for providing both hospital and community care for the people in that area. The new regions replaced the hospital group and community healthcare organisation system.
The old CHO8 would have covered the areas of Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath and Louth/Meath. Hospitals in these areas would now form part of the Dublin and Northeast and Dublin and Midlands Health Areas.
Adult and child waiting list information for hospitals in these areas, broken down by time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
1056. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently awaiting a public dental assessment in Louth; the number that have been waiting for six months, twelve months, and for eighteen months and longer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1057. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of children in Louth on the orthodontic waiting list; the number waiting for six months, 12 months, 18 months, and over 18 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1058. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Health the breakdown for children currently waiting to access psychology services for CHO 8 and specifically for County Louth; the number of these children who have been waiting 3-6, 6-12 and 12-15 months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2237/25]
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.
1059. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Health the breakdown for children currently awaiting access to CAMHS services for CHO8 and specifically for County Louth; the number of these children who have been waiting 3-6, 6-12 and 12-15 months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2238/25]
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.
1060. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Health that the HSE arrange for a site inspection of the Weir Home for Nurses at Cork Street to potential interested parties, to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of refurbishment and interior remodelling be made. [2242/25]
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.
1061. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider adding the drug lumateperone a vital medication for bipolar depression to the drugs repayment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2243/25]
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.
1062. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline for the roll out of the free HRT scheme; to outline the engagement her Department has had with a union (details supplied) in relation to the scheme in relation to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2245/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Health, menopause has been an important health and wellbeing issue that I have prioritised, and much work has been done in this area which has been driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the Women’s Health Action Plans, launched in 2022 and 2024.
To support women through their menopause journeys, we have progressed various initiatives to enhance holistic and clinician supports available to women. These include:
• A GP Clinical Lead for Women’s Health established 2021, to lead on the improvement of women’s health supports in the community.
• The development of a menopause theory course for GPs and GP trainees via the Irish College of General Practitioners.
• The development in 2022 of a Quick Reference Guide on Menopause for GPs. The guide comprises of evidence-based information on the management of perimenopause and menopause in general practice by GPs and practice nurses.
• The “It’s My Time” campaign was launched in 2022, in partnership with Sport Ireland, aimed at encouraging women over 40 to increase physical activity levels, which can be helpful in managing symptoms of menopause.
• The launch, also in 2022, of a National Menopause Awareness campaign. This was a direct response to the demand from Irish women for greater knowledge and understanding of menopause as well as better access to accurate information and supports so that they can proactively manage their experience. A second phase of the campaign was relaunched in 2023 as part of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Week.
• The launch of a dedicated webpage to provide trusted information for anyone affected by menopause in Ireland.
• In relation to making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) more accessible and affordable, Budget 2023 announced the removal of VAT from HRT products. This came into effect from 1st January 2023.
• Six specialist menopause clinics now open for women who have complex experiences of menopause.
• In the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health, we are committed to expanding the operating hours of these services so more women can receive necessary treatment.
• In 2023, in partnership with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, we launched the Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework to guide all Civil Service departments and bodies in developing their own Menopause in the Workplace Policies. My Department has subsequently published its own guidance to support Department colleagues in their menopause journey.
The next step in supporting women experiencing menopause is the introduction of an initiative, announced as part of Budget 2025, where the cost of HRT products or medicines will be paid for by the State. This new measure aims to relieve some of the cost burden associated with HRT products. This is supported by a €20m per annum investment.
To enable this initiative, the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024 was signed into law in November 2024. Under this legislation the Irish government will fund the product or medicine cost of HRT products prescribed to women to help manage any stage of menopause. For the purpose of this measure, menopause means the various stages for the treatment of menopause symptoms and includes perimenopause, post menopause, early menopause, premature menopause, and medically induced menopause.
This measure is for women who have been prescribed HRT by their healthcare provider and it applies to HRT products reimbursable by the HSE under the Community Drug Schemes, including the Drugs Payment Scheme and General Medical Services Scheme.
The cost of GP consultation fees and pharmacy dispensing fees are not included in the measure.
The Department of Health continues to engage and work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union on the practical implementation of the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024.
The goal is to introduce this measure as soon as possible.
