Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 22 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 227-246

Lobbying Reform

Ceisteanna (227)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

227. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9072/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, obligations of senior staff members in relation to State Boards are set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Boards and relevant circulars. Directions in relation to the involvement of senior staff members on the boards of other bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 would similarly be set out in the relevant circulars and/or contracts covering terms and conditions of employment.

The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (the Ethics Acts) provide for annual disclosure of interests for designated positions of employment in the civil and public service at and above Principal Officer grade or equivalent and certain other positions whose work area could produce conflicts of interest and the disclosure of material interest in an official function.

As required under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, my Department publishes a list of staff who are Designated Public Officials (DPO) on its website www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/72a10a-regulation-of-lobbying-act-2015/

The Department does not have visibility of the membership of all boards but is satisfied that senior officials in the Department are aware of their obligations under the Regulation of Lobbying Act, Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.

Agencies under the remit of my department are aware of their obligations to comply with the Act.

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (228)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

228. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 573 of 25 October 2022, if the review has been completed on GP services in Rearcross, Newport, County Tipperary; when GP services will resume there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9098/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Medical Qualifications

Ceisteanna (229)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

229. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will report on progress to give statutory recognition and protection to the designation of "counsellor"; if he will provide a timeline for the opening of the planned register for counsellors; and his views on the adequacy of existing and planned measures to regulate rogue crisis pregnancy agencies. [9099/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Counsellors and Psychotherapists were designated for regulation through S.I. No. 170 in 2018. The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) was established in 2019. The ongoing work of the CPRB includes consideration of the titles to be protected, the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners, the qualifications that will be required for future graduates, and drafting the Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes.

The work of the CPRB is significantly more challenging than it is for registration boards for some of the more established professions owing to the different and complex pathways into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers.

Owing to the significant body of preparatory work that the CPRB is required to undertake, it is not possible to say with any degree of accuracy when the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist will be fully regulated. It is anticipated that the CPRB will require a number of years to complete its work.

Regarding the number of rogue crisis pregnancy agencies, The HSE - along with my department are aware and continue to monitor the situation in relation to disingenuous agencies operating in Ireland.

The HSE recommend that people should contact My Options which is the official HSE service if they need information or support in the event of an unplanned pregnancy, or if they need post-abortion supports.

The HSE has taken several measures to address the issue of disingenuous agencies targeting people experiencing unplanned pregnancy, promoting awareness of My Options through Google search ads, targeted social media, out of home (OOH), radio and digital audio advertising.

The My Options search ad campaign is performing extremely well and appears as the top ad or as the top organic search result for any related searches. To help combat the promotion of disingenuous messaging, the HSE are monitoring any competitors and have set a bid management strategy to automatically increase their bids if another website appears ahead of theirs. The HSE monitor the search ad performance and that of disingenuous agencies on an on-going basis and share feedback with Google.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (230)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

230. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on rogue crisis pregnancy agencies performing transvaginal ultrasounds in early pregnancy; and his plans to regulate the practice. [9100/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to rogue crisis pregnancy agencies, the HSE - along with my department are aware and continue to monitor the situation in relation to disingenuous agencies operating in Ireland. These agencies may not be upfront about their intentions and may try to influence a person’s decision regarding their pregnancy. Signs of a disingenuous service include a delay in giving pregnancy test results, advice and supports that do not include information on abortion services, and the use of negative or frightening language.

The HSE recommend that people should contact My Options which is the official HSE service if they need information or support in the event of an unplanned pregnancy, or if they need post-abortion supports.

The HSE has taken several measures to address the issue of disingenuous agencies targeting people experiencing unplanned pregnancy, promoting awareness of My Options through Google search ads, targeted social media, out of home (OOH), radio and digital audio advertising.

The My Options search ad campaign is performing extremely well and appears as the top ad or as the top organic search result for any related searches. To help combat the promotion of disingenuous messaging, the HSE are monitoring any competitors and have set a bid management strategy to automatically increase their bids if another website appears ahead of theirs. The HSE monitor the search ad performance and that of disingenuous agencies on an on-going basis and share feedback with Google.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (231)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if supports will be introduced to assist people suffering with ME and POTS with medical costs arising from their conditions; if his attention has been drawn to reports that, in many instances, people are off work due to these diseases and have a much-reduced income, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9101/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable. There are currently two schemes, administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE), which protect people from excessive medical costs.

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. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.

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, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.

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 Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that 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. It significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals not eligible for a medical card but with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

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%.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (232, 233, 234)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the Youth Pathfinder Project for Mental Health; when the project will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9152/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing the Youth Pathfinder Project for Mental Health in 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9153/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

234. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of developing an adult pathfinder project for mental health, along the lines of the Youth Pathfinder Project for Mental Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9154/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 234, inclusive, together.

The proposal to establish a cross-governmental youth mental health Pathfinder unit, with participation from the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, received Ministerial approval during the previous Government. Its establishment is contained within the current Programme for Government.

The proposal is to formalise a new model for collaborative working within Government and place a Pathfinder unit on a statutory footing, through section 12 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. As this section has not been used before, various administrative, budgetary, governance and legal arrangements need to be developed and agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure a robust and workable model for the Pathfinder unit.

The demands on both Departments during the pandemic have presented challenges to progressing the proposals. Nonetheless, the Department of Health has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to develop an implementation option that fully addresses these issues. The realignment of Departmental functions in the education sector, specifically the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, has necessitated some further consideration of the initial proposal and makeup of the Pathfinder unit.

Officials from the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform discussed improved proposals for governance and legal arrangements at their last meeting on this issue. Subsequently, the Department of Health worked with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the proposals for governance and legal arrangements to advance the establishment of the unit. These draft proposals are currently being considered with participating Departments.

As mentioned above, the makeup of the Pathfinder unit is under consideration. As such, it is difficult to provide an estimate of initial set up costs at this time. Additionally, as work continues in relation to developing an implementation option, it is not possible at this time to further estimate the cost of implementing this project.

I will continue to keep this matter under close review in the context of progressing Sharing the Vision and the Programme for Government.

In relation to the establishment of an adult Pathfinder, the Pathfinder youth mental health project team worked for six months, in 2016, to produce a report on what might be achieved by cross-government working on youth mental health. The report project team made clear choices about priority areas and actions that should be progressed. The key recommendation was that a cross-departmental Pathfinder Unit should be established, with staff seconded from participating Departments. It would be necessary to conduct a similar examination of the adult system to determine the most appropriate course of action to achieve the best outcomes for adults. In the absence of this, it would be difficult to advise on the cost of establishing an adult Pathfinder project.

Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 232.
Question No. 234 answered with Question No. 232.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (235)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

235. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to allowing parents and carers use the National Treatment Purchase Fund to access private assessments and services, given the ongoing challenges in children's disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9164/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (236)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

236. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (237)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

237. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a new device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9174/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Home Help Service

Ceisteanna (238)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if home help hours will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (239)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

239. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be established in CHO 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9215/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 240 answered with Question No. 211.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (241)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

241. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a colonoscopy will be arranged as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [9233/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under 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.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (242)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

242. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will review an application for the pandemic recognition payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9234/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (243)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

243. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he plans to review the income thresholds for the medical card scheme in view of the increased cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9238/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Eligibility 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. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.

Persons 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, i.e. mortgage payments, which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.

Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card.

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, including the current medical card income thresholds, 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.

Information and Communications Technology

Ceisteanna (244)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

244. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on Children’s Health Ireland’s decision to use an electronic health system in the new children’s hospital which is not compatible with other hospital’s systems, including St. James’s; the engagements he has had with CHI on this matter; the expected timeline for establishing interoperability between this system and existing electronic health systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9265/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Electronic Health Record system chosen by Children's Health Ireland following an extensive open procurement process was selected based on the clinical and operational requirements of the new children's hospital, as the national specialty centre for the provision of paediatric care. Ensuring the requirements of clinicians, health care professionals and patients was the number one priority when choosing the EPIC electronic health record system for CHI. Whilst choosing EHR systems from different vendors does create challenges in terms of achieving interoperability, these challenges are not insurmountable and have already been addressed in hospital sites in the UK and elsewhere.

It is critical that all patients are transferred safely between different hospitals / healthcare settings and interoperability between EHR systems is just one component in the safe transfer of patients. The use of existing patient transfer protocols, that include the need for direct communication between medical teams, proper discharge notes (in electronic or paper format) and access to patient history, are equally important.

Whilst CHI has indicated that additional time may be required to implement interoperability between different EHR systems, nonetheless it is intended that other sites responsible for providing care to the same patients who are receiving care from CHI, will have access to the EHR system deployed at CHI, with appropriate read and write access to the patient record.

By choosing to deploy more than one EHR system, the health system avoids the risk of vendor lock-in and monopolistic behaviour. The need to avoid vendor lock-in is one of the key lessons that has been learnt by other countries, and subsequently shared with Ireland.

The delivery of an EHR in the New Children’s Hospital will support better management of health information, safer, better care, effective decision making and performance management, delivering substantial benefits to health services.

Assisted Human Reproduction

Ceisteanna (245)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

245. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline he is working towards for the publication of his amendments to the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022; when he expects this Bill to reach Committee Stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9266/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 was introduced to, and passed Second Stage in, the Dáil in March 2022 and has been referred to the Select Committee on Health for Third Stage.

The focus of this Bill is on the regulation, for the first time in this country, of a wide range of assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices undertaken within the jurisdiction.

Ireland is currently very much an outlier internationally and we do not have a specific regulatory framework in place in respect of this area of healthcare. This means that individuals are currently availing of complex and sometimes risky procedures, at present predominately provided through the private sector, in what is effectively a legal vacuum.

Following the approval in mid-December 2022 by the Government of the policy approach in respect of both the regulation of international surrogacy and the recognition of certain past surrogacy arrangements (domestic and international) the formal drafting process by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, in conjunction with the three Departments, as appropriate, is well underway.

These new provisions will need to be approved by Government following the completion of formal drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

The process of drafting new provisions is being undertaken in tandem with the drafting of potentially substantial proposed amendments to the 11 Parts and 134 pages of the published Bill.

As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position at this juncture to give a definitive timeline for the Bill’s referral to the Committee Stage, nor its subsequent passage through the Houses of Oireachtas but I wish to reiterate my commitment to progress this much-needed and long-awaited piece of historic legislation to ensure that a robust regulatory framework for AHR is in place as quickly as possible.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (246)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the turnover of staff in his Department for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and the percentage of total staff this represents in each category. [9277/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Year

2020

2021

2022

Number of staff at start of year

3,583

3,749

3,874

Number of staff at end of year

3,749

3,874

3,922

Number of staff who left during year

153

239

289

Turnover

4.17%

6.27%

7.41%

Barr
Roinn