Written answers

Wednesday, 17 September 2025

Photo of Marie SherlockMarie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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1183. To ask the Minister for Health if the issuance of letters of authorisation to practice, in the case of recently qualified paramedics, have been disrupted (details supplied); if so, the reason if this is the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47998/25]

Photo of Marie SherlockMarie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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1184. To ask the Minister for Health when recently qualified paramedics and advanced paramedics graduates will formally be able to practice and receive letters of authorisation to practice, in the case of paramedic classes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47999/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 and 1184 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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1185. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people currently eligible for BreastCheck screening who are waiting for their first mammogram in the Dublin northwest HSE area of Dublin 7, 11, and 15; the number of individuals currently awaiting follow-up appointments in the same area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48004/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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1186. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the current operational status of a BreastCheck mobile unit (details supplied); the number of women screened on a monthly basis since it opened; the number of women currently awaiting breast screening appointments at this mobile unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48005/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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1187. To ask the Minister for Health the actions her Department is taking to reduce waiting times and increase capacity of a service in Dublin (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48006/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1188. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider adding the incurable, life-long skin condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa to the list of health issues and diseases that her Department considers as part of the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48009/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The 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. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.

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%.

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1189. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of members of an organisation (details supplied) related to the need to increase funding in counselling and psychotherapy with the aim of establishing universal access to therapeutic services; if this is under review within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48011/25]

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Enhancement of supports for people experiencing mental health difficulties is a priority for myself as Minister, the Government and the HSE. This includes the provision of counselling services for people requiring support with their mental health.

I recently announced €2 million in funding to provide access to a suite of new talk therapies and counselling supports specifically tailored for men. Access to the services will begin from September 2025.

This initiative is embedded within Ireland’s approach to mental health policy implementation. Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy for suicide prevention, clearly state that talk therapies should be considered a first-line treatment option for most people who experience mental health difficulties.

The funding is targeted at assisting with stigma reduction and to actively encourage men who otherwise would not usually avail of counselling to seek help with their mental health, to assist men in accessing mental health services, and to provide much-needed support for men experiencing a mental health crisis.

This recurring funding is allocated from Budget 2025 as part of an integrated series of initiatives to ensure people with mental health difficulties are able to access the appropriate range of supports, from mental health promotion and prevention, through to specialist services and clinical programmes.

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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1190. To ask the Minister for Health to review the current authorisation process for newly qualified paramedics, given issues that have arisen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48019/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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1191. To ask the Minister for Health if she will address the current lack of clarity, access, and governance in the provision of urgent ophthalmic care in the south-east and mid-west regions; and if she is aware of shortfalls in care provision in the region (details supplied). [48030/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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1192. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure clear and consistent governance across ophthalmology emergency referral pathways; that no patient with suspected acute or sight-threatening pathology is turned away from hospital care and that regional equity is provided in order that patients in Thurles and surrounding areas have timely access to emergency eye services. [48031/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1193. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a paediatric orthopaedic appointment in CHI Crumlin hospital was cancelled for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48034/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter relating to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

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