Written Answers Nos. 484-503
484. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if she will consider expanding the eligibility criteria for medical cards to include individuals with severe food allergies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13223/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical cards on the basis of medical condition or a disability was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
485. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the waiting list for children (details supplied) seeking an appointment for paediatric allergy services, including the expected date when they will be seen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13224/25]
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.
486. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the number of children referred to Children’s Health Ireland clinics (details supplied) for paediatric allergy services from 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the number of children who have received an initial appointment; the number who have received a follow-up appointment; the average wait time to be seen by a consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13225/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
487. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health her plans to introduce a baby loss certificate for those who have lost a baby through miscarriage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13226/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appreciate and acknowledge the devastating impact that pregnancy loss can have on families. The Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Act 2024 has expanded access to the stillbirth register for those who can request a certificate. Changes were made, through the Act, to the criteria for the registration of stillbirths with a reduction of the weight and gestational age thresholds. These changes mean that more babies will now be included on the official register of stillbirths.
The Civil Registration Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection.
As part of the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, Bereavement Specialist Teams have been established in all 19 maternity hospitals/units across the country, to assist and support parents, families and professionals dealing with pregnancy loss. We are currently assessing the implementation of a number of maternity service reforms to which we have committed within the Programme for Government, including the development of a successor to the National Maternity Strategy.
488. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available to people that suspect that they are living with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, in particular those who are under the age of 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13228/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra489. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to meet the commitments under Article 21 (c) of the WHO Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13229/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress of the 2022 HSE position paper on the prevention of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13230/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the criteria used and the steps taken to diagnose foetal alcohol syndrome and partial foetal alcohol syndrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13231/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra493. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason that foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is not deemed by her Department or agencies under her aegis to be a disability at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13234/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 488 to 491, inclusive, and 493 together.
This is not a matter for Department of Health. Article 21(c) relates to FASD which is a matter for the Department of Disabilities Children and Youth Affairs and these PQ's should be directed to that Department.
492. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of children diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome and partial foetal alcohol syndrome, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is not a matter for Department of Health and should be directed to DCEDIY.
494. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the Ireland specific recommendations from UN bodies (details supplied) with respect to surgical interventions on intersex children in Ireland; if she will outline her thinking with respect to a ban on these medical interventions based on international best practice as seen in Malta, Germany and elsewhere; if she will provide an update with respect to the development of national guidelines by Children’s Health Ireland to standardise the management of children presenting intersex characteristics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13235/25]
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.
495. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 657 of 4 March 2025, if she will provide details regarding the three actions which have been implemented and the one action not yet fully implemented in respect of recommendation 17 of the National Maternity Strategy; the status of work to progress the remaining action under this recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecommendation 17 of the National Maternity Strategy details that 'a consistent approach to informing women about the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is developed'.
The remaining action under this recommendation, which is not yet fully implemented, is action 17.2, relating to the development and implementation of a National Guideline on Alcohol Use in Pregnancy/Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. Engagement is underway within the HSE to develop this guideline, and is on track to be implemented within the lifetime of the Strategy.
496. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the health and social care services the HSE commissions through tendering arrangements, in tabular form; and the total spent in each category of health and social care services in each of the years since 2019. [13238/25]
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.
497. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the staffing issues at PrEP clinics (details supplied); the steps she is taking to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13244/25]
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.
498. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her Department will provide additional resources and equipment for the neurology assessment and nerve conduction study testing for amyloidosis; if she is aware of the current issues regarding the wait list for a drug (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13245/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
499. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure every effort is made to reopen beds in Caherciveen Community Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13252/25]
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.
500. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 26 February 2025, the details of supports and services including advocacy that are provided to adults aged over 26 years that were in health board/HSE accommodation as a child, including disability residential homes; and if redress schemes or impending redress schemes to address the abuses including physical, emotional and or sexual harm many children may have endured in these aforementioned residential accommodations are in place. [13253/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ should be directed to The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
501. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when she plans to publish a new national cardiovascular health policy, which expired in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13254/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 2025 outlines this Government’s commitment to improving public health, including building on the existing National Cardiovascular Policy.
The National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services (NRCS) is finalised. The Review provides a detailed, evidence-driven analysis of cardiac services across the Country. A wide range of stakeholders - clinical, patient and public - were consulted as part of this review.
I am currently reviewing the Report in advance of publication. Publication of the Review will facilitate the development of the new national cardiovascular strategy. That will take time to develop and will require significant reform to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.
Cardiovascular health is a major pillar of the health funding announced as part of Budget 2025. This included over €9 million in full-year costs to support important cardiovascular health initiatives, including €4m and 45 posts for cardiac services. This funding has enabled initial reform in cardiac services and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term.
502. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount the health service has spent on the provision of private psychiatric care and mental illness in Ireland and the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2025, by year, and in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13261/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
503. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatric units and staff within each unit that are within the public health service from the years 2018 to 2024, by CHO area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13262/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly with the Deputy as soon as possible.
