Written Answers Nos. 946-963
947. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health the progress made over the past 12 months on each of her Department's programme for Government commitments, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71631/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra948. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff, by job title, working within the pharmacy department of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; and if a senior pharmacist is on call after hours and at the weekends. [71685/25]
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.
949. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of adults within CHO8 awaiting respite service; and the average waiting time for such services. [71686/25]
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.
950. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries, by grade, working within the orthopaedic department of CHI Temple Street in each of the years of 2023 to date in 2025, in tabular form. [71687/25]
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.
951. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of additional consultant gynaecologists with advanced laparoscopic skills the HSE estimates will be needed over the next three to five years, to fully staff regional and supra regional services. [71688/25]
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.
952. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time to see a consultant plastic surgeon at Beaumont Hospital. [71689/25]
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.
953. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received the spinal surgery they require; if she will ensure they are treated promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71691/25]
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. The Minister for Health is prohibited 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.
954. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year costs of providing three additional 24-7 HSE critical care ambulances. [71701/25]
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.
955. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE administrative staff, by grade posts, which are filled at each primary care centre within CHO7 to date in 2025, in tabular form. [71702/25]
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.
956. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health her plans to include Alzheimer’s disease as a qualifying medical condition under the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71717/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. Further information, including the list of conditions, can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/about/
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
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.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness 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.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
957. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will address the concerns raised; whether there are plans to approve the medication required for this condition for reimbursement under the drugs scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71718/25]
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 medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
958. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health if a vaccine (details supplied) will be added to the vaccination programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71757/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra959. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of adding a vaccine (details supplied) to the vaccination programme for over 65s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71759/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra960. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person can access a vaccine in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71760/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 958 to 960, inclusive, together.
The Influenza Vaccination Programme provides a free flu vaccine to those most vulnerable to the effects of the flu. Every year the WHO reviews global surveillance data and recommends the specific influenza strains that manufacturers should include in the season's vaccines based on the flu strains that are considered most likely to circulate. Vaccine production takes several months and this allows the manufacturers sufficient time to have vaccine available in time for the start of the flu season. All licensed influenza vaccines included for the 2025/2026 season comply with WHO and NIAC recommendations.
In 2024, HIQA carried out a Health Technology Assessment, or HTA, on enhanced flu vaccines. The HTA noted that studies on the effectiveness of enhanced flu vaccines are limited due to the small number of studies and a paucity of data over multiple seasons. Due to the variability of seasonal influenza, a single study may misrepresent the 'on average' vaccine effectiveness.
Based on the limited data available, the HTA found that switching from a standard to an enhanced flu vaccine for those aged 65 and older would likely reduce the burden of flu. Whether such a switch would represent a good use of public monies would depend on the price of these enhanced vaccines compared with the standard flu vaccine.
Overall, ECDC reported low to moderate relative vaccine effectiveness for the adjuvanted influenza vaccine against laboratory confirmed influenza and against laboratory confirmed influenza related hospitalisation. They concluded that the evidence of the relative vaccine effectiveness of enhanced influenza vaccines compared to standard vaccines is still limited and that further studies are needed to allow more substantial conclusions on the potential benefits of enhanced influenza vaccines.
It should be noted that the UK is experiencing a significant influenza A wave with medium-level impact in terms of hospitalisations up to 29 November 2025. This is in context of a programme using enhanced influenza vaccines. Australia also offered enhanced influenza vaccines and experienced a severe flu season.
In Ireland amongst both hospitalised influenza cases with severe acute respiratory infection and ICU admissions due to influenza this season, where influenza vaccination status was known, 73% had not received the current season influenza vaccine.
For those in recommended groups, the influenza vaccine currently offered as part of the Influenza Vaccination Programme reduces the risk of serious illness and death from influenza. Ensuring high vaccine coverage is the key public health intervention that is required. While Ireland performs well compared to other countries in Europe, achieving high vaccine coverage in older age groups, it is essential that all those in recommended groups continue to be supported and encouraged to avail of the influenza vaccine.
The HSE was asked to commence a tender process to determine if the enhanced vaccines could be purchased at a price that was cost effective and from within their existing budget. The HSE carried out an analysis of the tenders received and on 4 February 2025, advised the Department that neither of the enhanced vaccines for older people met the criteria set out in the HTA for net monetary benefit compared to standard flu vaccine and was over twice the price of the standard flu vaccine.
The HIQA HTA estimates increasing costs of procurement of the enhanced influenza vaccines at between approximately 4 and 19 million euros/year. Actual costs are commercially confidential and are not known until tenders are evaluated each year.
The healthcare budget is finite. Decisions regarding increased spending in one area could impact the provision of other health technologies and treatments within the healthcare system. Therefore, cost-effectiveness must be considered in any decision-making process. The introduction of an enhanced vaccine can be reconsidered when the cost effectiveness is more favourable.
961. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Mater Hospital; and the average waiting time to see the consultants for first appointments. [71765/25]
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.
962. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant maxillofacial surgeons at St James's Hospital in 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [71766/25]
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.
963. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cases taken against the HSE by people whose family members died from Covid-19 in HSE run nursing homes and hospitals. [71781/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury and third-party property damage claims on behalf of State authorities including the Health Service Executive (HSE). The SCA has provided me with the information set out below
The information contained within this response was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and is correct as at the 15/12/2025.
The SCA has received 78 wrongful death claims, in respect of COVID-19, recorded across hospitals, nursing homes, HSE locations including community healthcare locations, COVID-19 vaccine programme locations and HIQA.
