Paul Murphy
Ceist:1084. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to provide therapeutic support for child asylum seekers and refugees coming from war zones including Gaza. [2326/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAsylum Seekers
Ceisteanna (1084)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have requested the Health Service Executive respond to the Deputy directly and as soon as possible.
Patient Transfers
Ceisteanna (1085)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:1085. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a patient (details supplied) from County Donegal in Sligo University Hospital can be transferred to another hospital for a second opinion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2327/25]
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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1086)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:1086. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason the national plan to make hormone replacement therapy free to all women, which was due to be introduced on 1 January 2025, has not been implemented; when the scheme will be operational; the details of the engagement between her Department and an organisation (details supplied) on the rollout of the measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2331/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Menopause 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.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (1087)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:1087. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs operating across County Mayo each year from 2020 to 2025; if she is aware of the serious shortage of GPs in Mayo; if a GP can refuse to accept a patient on the basis of their proximity to the practice; when the Strategic Review of General Practice will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2332/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Strategic Review of General Practice is currently underway, led by the Department of Health and supported by the HSE. With input from key stakeholders, the review is examining a range of issues affecting general practice including GP training, GP capacity, Out of Hours services reform, the eHealth Agenda, and the financial support model for general practice. The review is to be completed early this year, after which a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
In relation to the number of GPs operating in Co. Mayo and the refusal to accept a patient registration application based on proximity to the GP practice, as these are operational matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (1088)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1088. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health what the enhanced medical card covers for people in receipt of same, that is, the professional services such as physiotherapy, chiropody, ophthalmic and audiology and medications covered by the card. [2343/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Eligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970. The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The Government approved the provision of health services and supports (referred to as an “enhanced medical card”) as part of the of benefits available under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. The Payment Scheme provides financial benefits and health supports to defined groups in acknowledgement of circumstances experienced while resident in relevant institutions.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 makes provision for the “enhanced medical card”. This provides for a range of health services and supports in Ireland for eligible persons who qualify under the Scheme, including general practitioner services, acute inpatient services, approved prescribed drugs (without prescription charges), medicines and surgical appliances, nursing services, home help services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy services.
The enhanced medical card is provided on a lifelong basis and is not subject to ongoing means testing. However, the card does not confer preferential access to these services to the holder. Services from the HSE under the card are prioritised on clinical need and resource availability, and in some cases referral by a registered medical practitioner will be necessary.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1089)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1089. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the reason an appointment for a scan has been cancelled on four occasions; if the appointment will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2345/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (1090)
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:1090. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of the diabetes sensor simplera (details supplied) for type 1 diabetics; when she expects this sensor to be available to Irish diabetic patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2349/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1091)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1091. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to provide additional funding to meet a surge in demand for youth mental health services in County Leitrim. [2364/25]
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 Overcrowding
Ceisteanna (1092)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:1092. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address overcrowding at Beaumont Hospital in light of a recent report on inspections undertaken at the hospital in late 2024 (details supplied); when the required refurbishment works cited in the report will be carried out; if she will provide an update on progress in relation to plans for a new ED and ward block at Beaumont Hospital, as well as an update on its new cystic fibrosis facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2368/25]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (1093)
Rory Hearne
Ceist:1093. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health the engagements, if any, she has had with an organisation (details supplied) in 2024 and 2025 regarding the organisation’s concerns on the future of its services; if she is supportive of the organisation expanding into Finglas west, given the need for a new GP service for the more than 20,000 people living in Finglas; the engagements she has had with the organisation in relation to the service being established in Finglas west; when these engagements took place; the outcome of these engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2369/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health and the HSE have had extensive engagements with the organisation concerned over previous months, including a number of meetings between officials of my Department and the HSE with the organisation’s management last year.
The focus of engagement has been to identify ways of ensuring the organisation is enabled to continue to deliver services on a sustainable footing. A range of solutions, aligned to statutory and contractual requirements, have been presented to the organisation. Furthermore, the HSE provided for a 3rd party to give independent advice to the organisation on this matter and this advice has since been provided.
The service provided by the organisation is highly valued by my Department and the HSE who are aware of the organisation's plan to expand its service, and my Department and the HSE are committed to supporting the planned expansion.
Engagement between all parties to put appropriate solutions in place is ongoing.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1094)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:1094. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health to ensure that a person (details supplied) receives their much-needed medication. [2372/25]
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.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (1095)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:1095. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a full medical card was refused for a person (details supplied). [2373/25]
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 Services
Ceisteanna (1096)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:1096. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the reasons inpatient step-down bed occupancy rates in Monaghan Hospital have been so low in recent months, falling to 66% on some occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2374/25]
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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1097, 1098, 1099)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1097. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the mental health funding in the HSE National Service Plan (details supplied); to account for the savings of €19 million; the way this affects the service output for mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2389/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMark Ward
Ceist:1098. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason for the discrepancy between the mental health savings figures in the HSE National Service Plan 2025 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2390/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMark Ward
Ceist:1099. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way the agreed savings outlined in the HSE National Service Plan 2025 will be taken from the mental health budget for 2025; if it will impact on service delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2391/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1097 to 1099, inclusive, together.
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. 1098 answered with Question No. 1097.
Question No. 1099 answered with Question No. 1097.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1100)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:1100. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to keep the births, deaths and marriages office in Buncrana operational into the future should any staff there retire. [2395/25]
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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1101)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1101. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of and the timeline for a person (details supplied) to access CAMHS as an urgent referral; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2398/25]
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 (1102)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:1102. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the immediate steps she will take to address a shortage of public health nurses in Drumcondra and Glasnevin (details supplied). [2410/25]
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
Ceisteanna (1103)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:1103. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the measures she will take to ensure that preventative healthcare services, such as sufficient provision of public health nurses, are adequately resourced to safeguard the health and well-being of children and families in the future. [2411/25]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1104)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:1104. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans to establish a vaccine solidarity scheme, to cover adverse events arising from State-provided vaccine programmes. [2415/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My department is working to develop a model for a vaccine damage scheme and officials in the department are 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 discussion and consideration.