Written Answers Nos. 506-530
506. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health if it can be ensured that the medical card income limits rise in line with social welfare/pension increases, to ensure that said increases do not result in the loss of medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2857/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold.
People aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/applying/assessment/.
People aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high medical costs. Details are available at: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/other-types-of-medical-card/over-70s/.
In response to the Deputy’s query regarding social welfare/pension increases, it is important to note that where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
In addition, 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. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
508. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide the most recent statistics on mental health outcomes among the Traveller community, including prevalence of depression, anxiety, psychosis, self-harm and suicide rates etc; the way in which these outcomes compare to the general population, broken down by age and gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4907/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra509. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a vascular surgery appointment in Merlin Park Galway as this has been rescheduled multiple times, most recently from January 2026 to August 2026 despite the urgency of the appointment and the promise of no more cancellations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5111/26]
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.
510. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health to intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) to ensure that they can access vital medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5112/26]
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.
511. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the current available capacity for patients of Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore awaiting joint replacements to be referred to the NTPF for treatment; if the hospital is actively seeking referrals where clinically appropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5113/26]
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.
512. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of service provision issues with a private mental health company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5115/26]
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.
513. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a current employment will be made permanent for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5119/26]
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.
514. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether compensation payments are being offered to victims of the 2021 cyberattack on HSE systems; if all eligible recipients have been contacted; if further recipients are to be contacted; the qualifying criteria for payments; the overall structure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5123/26]
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.
515. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Health if hospitals are providing up-to-date and accurate information regarding a medical condition (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5146/26]
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.
516. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the HSE continues to pay private home help contractors when a patient is in hospital temporarily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5149/26]
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.
517. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for Sligo Airport to become the base for the new HEMS helicopter, given the vital importance of this service to the region following the departure of the S-92 and the AW189; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5151/26]
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.
518. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the financial supports which are in place for the drug and alcohol task forces in relation to the implementation of the pension auto-enrolment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5153/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAuto-enrolment is a universal pension scheme designed to benefit all workers, regardless of sector. Staff in Section 39 funded organisations, including drug task forces, will gain access to enhanced retirement savings, supported by employer and State contributions. This is a positive step for fairness and long-term security.
Section 39 organisations are voluntary and not-for-profit bodies funded by the HSE to deliver essential health and social care services. Staff in Section 39 funded organisations are not public servants but are critical to service delivery in areas such as drugs services and inclusion health.
Many staff of voluntary bodies funded by the HSE under Section 39 are already part of occupational pension schemes or have in place a personal pension via payroll deductions. Auto-enrolment will not apply to those staff.
Auto-enrolment only covers employees who are not already members of an occupational or personal pension via payroll deductions.
The Department recognises that auto-enrolment will have cost implications for Section 39 funded organisations. In negotiating funding allocations with these organisations, the HSE will consider the impact of auto-enrolment costs to ensure services remain sustainable and staff are supported.
The HSE has informed the Department that it will be gathering data from the Section 39 sector it funds over the coming months to establish what level of staff the auto-enrolment will apply to. This exercise will enable an assessment of the likely scale/materiality of any cost of the auto-enrolment scheme for HSE funded Section 39 employers.
I have been assured that this assessment will inform consideration of any funding issues and how best to address same.
I believe that the rollout of the auto-enrolment pension scheme will strengthen retirement security for workers across all sectors, including drug services and inclusion health.
519. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a primary health centre in Castleblayney, County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5195/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
520. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the 19-bed dementia unit in Heather House will open. [5196/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
521. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the funding supports there are from the HSE for cancer support services and hospice groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5200/26]
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.
522. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of step-down beds that have been provided in County Clare, by site in each of the years since 2020, in tabular form. [5223/26]
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.
523. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the safe number of trolleys permitted in University Hospital Limerick’s emergency department to comply with fire safety regulations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5224/26]
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.
524. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any advice or guidance has been provided to pharmacists with respect to the pause on changes to phased dispensing control mechanisms; if so, to provide a copy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra525. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to address the concerns raised with respect to monitored dosage systems, or blister packs, as a result of changes agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement; if she intends to amend previously agreed changes in phased dispensing control mechanisms during the current pause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5227/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been brought to an issue related to changes under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (details supplied); if an instruction was issued to pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 524, 525 and 526 together.
As part of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, all parties agreed to introduce improved controls for phased dispensing. This will ensure that patients on high-risk medicines, such as anti-psychotics or opioids, are appropriately targeted with support.
Phased dispensing and blister packing are not the same thing.
The State has supported phased dispensing for medical card holders since 1996 for patient safety reasons and will continue to do so. Community pharmacies receive additional fees for this service.
The State does not, and has never, funded blister packs. There has been no removal of that service by the State.
The evidence and health policy on blister packs, including NICE guidance, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2013 report, and NHS policy, indicates that blister-packing is not always the most appropriate choice for all patients to manage adherence and medication compliance. Internationally the guidance is that blister packs should be a last resort, with patients being supported by many other interventions before prescribing a blister pack.
However, the Department recognises that for certain patients, using them can be helpful, and they rely heavily on these products.
There are three groups of patients using blister packs.
The first is those people who know they have always been paying for blister packs as a private service. The second group have been getting blister packs for free from their pharmacy. There should be no change for those two groups of patients.
The third group of patients are those where their pharmacy has been giving them blister packs for free but charging the State under phased dispensing. It is possible that these pharmacies have now decided to communicate to their patients that they would introduce a charge for blister packing.
These patients are who the State are concerned about.
The current pause on the planned changes to phased dispensing rules will allow time to get information on the number of patients who may fall into Group 3.
The HSE are currently working on a robust probity plan in this regard.
The pause will also allow time to establish, working with the clinical community, which patients are most appropriate to receive blister packs. This will ensure State resources are going to protect the most vulnerable patients. Modelling and proposals on Monitored Dosing Systems will be submitted to the Minister for consideration in Q1 2026.
Of course, it remains open to pharmacies to charge patients, or not, for the use of blister packs as a private service, as many currently do.
It is important where a pharmacy charges a fee for any professional service, that they provide updated information to patients in line with the new Pricing Transparency Guidelines, which came into effect on 1st December 2025.
The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) has confirmed that no advice or guidance has been issued by PCRS to pharmacists on this matter. However, the circulars issued in relation to the changes that were due to come into effect on the 1st January 2026 have been removed from the PCRS online pharmacy application suite. Phased dispensing continues to operate as it has heretofore during the pause. PCRS has not implemented any of the developments that were scheduled for 1st January 2026.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) communicated with its members in mid-December 2025, which contained a Statement from the IPU on Phased Dispensing and MDS. Please see attached file for a copy of this statement. The IPU also communicated information containing key clarifications on this matter, via its Newsletter on 18/12/2025 (copy attached also).
Statement by the Irish Pharmacy Union 12 December 2025
Information that went into IPU member Newsletter in Week 51 issued Thursday 18 December 2025
527. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to urgently examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5248/26]
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.
528. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of all planned and approved capital works for St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; the nature and scope of each project; the current stage each project is at, including planning, design, tender or construction; the expected timelines for delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
529. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of all planned and approved capital works for University Hospital Waterford; the nature and scope of each project; the current stage each project is at, including planning, design, tender or construction; the expected timelines for delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5262/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare estate, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
530. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the current national procedures governing the handover of patients from National Ambulance Service crews to hospital emergency departments; whether ambulances are required to remain at hospital sites until handover and transfer of clinical responsibility is formally completed, including where delays are prolonged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra531. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health whether ambulances awaiting delayed patient handover at hospital emergency departments are considered unavailable for emergency callouts during that period; whether any policy or operational protocol exists to allow for crew substitution or redeployment of the ambulance while handover is completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5269/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
