Written Answers Nos. 551-565
551. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health the reason paramedics and EMTs do not receive the same level of flat-rate uniform-related tax relief as other frontline healthcare professionals, despite carrying out comparable clinical duties and being subject to similar uniform requirements; if she will increase the relief for paramedics and EMTs to address this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29431/26]
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.
552. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider adding obstructive sleep apnoea to the long-term illness scheme, considering the ongoing costs associated with diagnosis, treatment and long-term management for patients who require CPAP therapy or related supports. [29464/26]
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.
Individuals and families in Ireland may be entitled to the following schemes:
• General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme (medical card). Eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended) 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
553. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the consideration and/or scoping of a health literacy initiative that is being undertaken to ensure better health outcomes for patients and enabling the future resourcing of novel drug therapies. [29476/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, good health literacy can ensure that patients better understand their health information, the options available for their healthcare and guidelines around taking their medication and thereby improving healthcare outcomes.
My Department has highlighted its commitment to health literacy through a number of strategies including through the Healthy Ireland Framework and Strategic Action Plan, the Women’s Health Action Plan and the Men’s Health Action Plan. My Department also seeks to promote awareness of the importance of health literacy within the Department and the wider health service through a number of initiatives including the establishment of a Health Literacy Liaison Group within the Department.
My Department is also supporting a number of projects to advance health literacy and works closely with SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority in the context of the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) whole of Government strategy to support literacy and numeracy.
554. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the reason drug companies are indemnified if vaccines are presented to the public as being safe and effective. [29477/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra558. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the reason drug companies indemnified are if vaccines are presented to the public as being safe and effective. [29492/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 558 together.
Vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in relevant EU pharmaceutical legislation. Any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Vaccination is a key public health intervention and plays an important role in protecting individuals and the wider population from serious disease.
The Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse reactions to vaccination. The HPRA operates a national adverse reaction reporting system, to which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions. All reports received by the HPRA are routinely transmitted to the EMA's adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
Where vaccines are procured by the State, contractual and legal arrangements, including provisions in relation to liability and indemnity, may be entered into. Such arrangements are intended to support the timely and effective delivery of vaccination programmes and do not indicate any concern regarding the safety or effectiveness of the vaccines themselves.
555. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the extent to which failures by employers to provide reasonable accommodation may contribute to deterioration in mental health, including crisis presentations, among disabled workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29488/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment as the matters raised fall under their remit.
556. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on the mental health impacts of workplace discrimination and accommodation denial for disabled employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29489/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment as the matters raised fall under their remit.
557. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has examined the case for guidance or protocols for employers where an employee discloses a serious mental health crisis in the context of an unresolved workplace accommodation issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29490/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis PQ is not for the Department of Health. We respectfully request that this Parliamentary Question be redirected to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment as the matters raised fall under their remit.
559. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on current waiting lists for outpatient appointments, inpatient and day-case procedures, and diagnostic tests; the number of patients waiting longer than 6, 12, and 18 months for treatment; the measures being taken to reduce these waiting times, including any additional funding or staffing allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29497/26]
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.
560. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians currently available in north Kildare under the primary care speech and language therapy service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29509/26]
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.
561. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of those in north Kildare currently on a waiting list to for the primary care speech and language therapy service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29510/26]
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.
562. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health whether there is a long-term plan to ensure accessible primary care assessment services for children who require assessment and early intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29513/26]
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.
563. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if there is a mechanism by which an individual with chronic spinal cord injury who has benefitted from the use of an exoskeleton could obtain financial assistance towards purchasing an exoskeleton; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29529/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
564. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when the next round of the Healthy Ireland Fund for outdoor swimming will be open for applications; the way clubs will engage with this fund in advance of applications opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to be able to announce on 7 April that €400,000 in funding has been allocated in 2026 to support participation in outdoor swimming across Ireland.
This is the third year of this Healthy Ireland initiative, which aims to support the growing popularity of outdoor swimming. Funding will be allocated to swimming projects nationwide to make them more accessible so that more people can enjoy its many health benefits. Applications for funding will be considered for designated swimming sites that wish to improve access, develop or improve changing facilities or purchase equipment to assist people with disabilities.
The funding will be administered by Sport Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health.
Applications for Healthy Ireland’s Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure Fund can be made to Sport Ireland via Sport Ireland’s network of Local Sports Partnerships. The deadline for submissions is 17:00, Tuesday 5 May 2026.
565. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered the inclusion of skyclarys (omaveloxolone) which is a treatment for Friedreich's ataxia in a reimbursement scheme given the cost of the drug and the fact that other European countries provide this scheme to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29555/26]
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.
