Written Answers Nos. 656-671
656. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of additional staff appointed to child and adult mental health services in each CHO to date in 2019; and the net increase in staff numbers resulting from such recruitment in each CHO to date in 2019, in tabular form. [24040/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
657. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health whole-time equivalents now needed to be recruited for the full implementation of A Vision for Change, taking account of demographic changes in each CHO for the end of May 2019; and the teams and specialities in which the additional staff are required by CHO, in tabular form. [24041/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
658. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of new whole-time equivalent positions the allocation of the €55 million in new funding for mental health in 2018 is to provide; the number of such positions now in place; and the number of positions by category (details supplied), in tabular form. [24042/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
659. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the spend on agency staff for mental health services in each of the years from 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and the original estimate for expenditure for mental health agency staff in each year, in tabular form. [24043/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
660. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have received mental health services under the treatment abroad scheme in each of the past five years. [24044/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
661. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the posts from the 2015 funding of €35 million for mental health; the number of posts this allocation now supports; the number filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
662. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the posts from the 2016 funding of €35 million for mental health; the number of posts this allocation now supports; the number filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24046/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
663. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of the posts from the 2017 funding of €15 million for mental health; the number of posts this allocation now supports; the number filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24047/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
664. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a neurology appointment at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24063/19]
View answerUnder 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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
665. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive a date for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24064/19]
View answerUnder 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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
666. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for persons in receipt of a medical card to be seen by and receive treatment from a physiotherapist by CHO region, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24095/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
667. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the HSE dental services that will be available in Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge and Kilcock, County Kildare, when the current HSE dentist (details supplied) in the health centre in Maynooth retires in six months; the area in which this service will be located in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24108/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
668. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his strategy for the local and regional drug task forces to prevent more young persons entering a life of crime in view of the recent gangland killings in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24136/19]
View answerGovernment policy in relation to drug and alcohol misuse is set out in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025.
The Strategy represents a whole-of-government response to the problem of drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The strategy draws upon a range of government policy frameworks in order to reduce the risk factors for substance misuse. It also commits to address the harms of drug markets and reduce access to drugs for harmful use.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in local communities and in ensuring that a coordinated approach is taken across all sectors to address substance misuse based on the identified needs and priorities in their areas. They work in partnership with public bodies, service providers, the Gardaí and the local community.
The Department of Health provides in the region of €28 million to task forces annually.
In March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. This funding, which will be provided on a recurring, multi-annual basis, will address the priorities set down in the strategy including responses to emerging trends in substance misuse, and improving services for groups with complex needs.
I strongly support the efforts of the my colleague, the Minister for Justice, the Gardaí and other law enforcement authorities to prevent, disrupt and reduce the drug-related activities of criminal groups.
669. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the additional funding being allocated to task forces in 2019 for each local and regional drugs and alcohol task force, in tabular form; the purpose of the additional funding; if this is one-off funding; if it is proposed to become core annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/19]
View answer670. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the funding being allocated as core funding to each local and regional drugs and alcohol task force for 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24142/19]
View answer671. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if further funding is to be allocated to drugs and alcohol local and regional task forces; the purpose and amount of additional funding; the timing and criteria for its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24143/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 669 to 671, inclusive, together.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces will be allocated in the region of €28 million in funding for 2019. A table outlining the core funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in 2019 is attached.
On 6th March 2019, I announced additional funding of €1 million for the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy; "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery". This funding, which will be provided on a recurring, multi-annual basis, will address the priorities set down in the Strategy including early harm reduction responses, emerging trends in substance misuse, and improving services for at-risk groups.
Following consideration of the outcome of a consultation process with Task Forces and the HSE, I approved a three-strand funding model for this additional funding. Task Forces were notified of this funding model on 18 May.
Strand 1 of the funding model will allocate €20,000 to each Task Force in 2019. In addition, €10,000 will be provided on a recurring annual basis from 2020 onwards and will increase core funding by that amount. This additional funding can be used to enhance local drug and alcohol services.
Strand 2 will fund 12 strategic health initiatives on a regional basis, for a total of €190,000 over three years, with €40,000 in 2019, €60,000 in 2020 and 2021, and €30,000 in 2022 (on a half-year basis).
Task Forces and CHOs will be required to work together to develop proposals for funding. There will be a minimum of one strategic initiative per CHO. Two strategic initiatives will be funded in CHOs 7 and 9 where there are multiple Task Forces. The remaining initiative will be allocated to the next best quality application. The selection of the strategic initiatives will be based on a number of guiding principles, with a particular focus on actions which address emerging trends and patterns of drug use and improve drug and alcohol services for people with complex needs.
Strand 3 will provide funding for a national awareness campaign on the drug-related violence and intimidation reporting programme. The total allocation will be €140,000 over three years (€40,000 in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and €20,000 for six months activity in 2022).
A breakdown of the overall allocation of additional expenditure for the period 2019- 2022 is also attached.
The additional funding reflects the Government's commitment to implementing an integrated public health response to substance misuse. I look forward to working in partnership with task forces, CHOs and other organisations to achieve the maximum impact from the additional resources.
Core funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task forces in 2019
|
Base allocation 201 |
Base allocation 2019 |
||||
|
LDATF |
DOH |
HSE |
Total |
Additional funding allocated in 2019 |
Revised base allocation |
|
Ballyfermot |
€255,446 |
€1,231,286 |
€1,486,732 |
€20,000 |
€1,506,732 |
|
Ballymun |
€422,958 |
€697,957 |
€1,120,915 |
€20,000 |
€1,140,915 |
|
Blanchardstown |
€179,305 |
€913,589 |
€1,092,894 |
€20,000 |
€1,112,894 |
|
Bray |
€573,860 |
€916,271 |
€1,490,131 |
€20,000 |
€1,510,131 |
|
Canal Communities |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
€1,479,914 |
€20,000 |
€1,499,914 |
|
Clondalkin |
€388,114 |
€1,007,948 |
€1,396,062 |
€20,000 |
€1,416,062 |
|
Cork |
€411,988 |
€1,108,299 |
€1,520,287 |
€20,000 |
€1,540,287 |
|
Dublin 12 |
€70,397 |
€993,750 |
€1,064,147 |
€20,000 |
€1,084,147 |
|
Dublin NE |
€239,971 |
€777,116 |
€1,017,087 |
€20,000 |
€1,037,087 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
€94,676 |
€786,755 |
€881,431 |
€20,000 |
€901,431 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
€263,277 |
€627,960 |
€891,237 |
€20,000 |
€911,237 |
|
NIC |
€394,856 |
€1,834,723 |
€2,229,579 |
€20,000 |
€2,249,579 |
|
SIC |
€176,043 |
€1,868,014 |
€2,044,057 |
€20,000 |
€2,064,057 |
|
Tallaght |
€336,022 |
€898,930 |
€1,234,952 |
€20,000 |
€1,254,952 |
|
Total LDATF |
€4,145,518 |
€14,803,907 |
€18,949,425 |
€280,000 |
€19,229,425 |
|
RDATF |
2018 DOH |
2018 HSE |
Total |
Aditional core funding 2019 |
Revised base allocation |
|
East Coast Area |
€58,200 |
€508,500 |
€566,700 |
€20,000 |
€586,700 |
|
Midland |
€136,816 |
€662,491 |
€799,307 |
€20,000 |
€819,307 |
|
Mid-West |
€147,982 |
€1,260,007 |
€1,407,989 |
€20,000 |
€1,427,989 |
|
North East |
€0 |
€927,813 |
€927,813 |
€20,000 |
€947,813 |
|
North West |
€258,633 |
€461,730 |
€720,363 |
€20,000 |
€740,363 |
|
North Dublin City & Co. |
€266,245 |
€511,019 |
€777,264 |
€20,000 |
€797,264 |
|
South East |
€0 |
€1,065,760 |
€1,065,760 |
€20,000 |
€1,085,760 |
|
South West |
€102,820 |
€696,497 |
€799,317 |
€20,000 |
€819,317 |
|
Southern |
€0 |
€973,178 |
€973,178 |
€20,000 |
€993,178 |
|
Western |
€136,994 |
€524,155 |
€661,149 |
€20,000 |
€681,149 |
|
Total RDATF |
€1,107,690 |
€7,591,150 |
€8,698,840 |
€200,000 |
€8,898,840 |
|
Overall Total |
€27,648,265 |
€480,000 |
€28,128,265 |
Allocation of additional expenditure for the period 2019-2022
|
Strand |
Purpose |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Cumulative funding |
|
1* |
||||||
|
Local service enhancement (Drugs and Alcohol Task Forces x 24) |
€20,000 |
€10,000 |
€10,000 |
€10,000 |
€50,000 |
|
|
2 |
||||||
|
Strategic health initiatives at CHO level (combination of Task Forces & HSE x 12) |
€40,000 |
€60,000 |
€60,000 |
€30,000 |
€190,000 |
|
|
3 |
||||||
|
National awareness campaign on drug-related violence and intimidation |
€40,000 |
€40,000 |
€40,000 |
€20,000 |
€140,000 |
*Strand 1 allocation of €10,000 per Task Force is recurring funding and will continue beyond 2022
