Written Answers Nos. 2009-2027
2009. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he has paused the roll-out of the Progressing Disability Service programme in its current format and will ensure that no special school including a school (details supplied) will lose any onsite provision including speech and language therapy. [19554/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware I have been engaging with the HSE for a number of weeks now in relation to the Progressing Disability Services Programme (PDS), which I believe to be the most equitable system for children with complex disability needs. However, we must also ensure that the PDS model will continue to provide vital interdisciplinary supports to children with complex needs and who are attending Special Schools.
It is in this context that I’ve asked the HSE to pause the removal of therapists from Special Schools while further engagement takes place. It is imperative to ensure that all children with special needs are supported and services are delivered in the most efficient, fair and timely way.
In relation to specific schools, as the HSE are responsible for operational matters, I would advise families to continue to liaise with them locally as they will be able to outline local arrangements.
2011. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when FreeStyle Libre will be available for patients with type 1 diabetes aged over 21 years of age through the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19562/21]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
2012. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the maternity hospitals that are allowing partners to attend scans in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19563/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2013. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if changes will be made to the policy of disallowing partners at scans in maternity hospitals following the vaccination of healthcare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2014. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of doses of the flu vaccine that were administered in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19565/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2015. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health his views on protests of a distressing nature outside the Maternity Hospital, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19581/21]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that ensuring access to termination of pregnancy services remains an ongoing priority for the Department of Health.
Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy.
However, where problems do arise with protests outside health care services, there is existing public order legislation in place to protect people accessing services, employees working in the service and local residents. The Department of Health has previously liaised with An Garda Síochána around safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda Stations raising awareness about the issue. The notice directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with.
The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE. The Department also informed the HSE that An Garda Síochána advised that service providers should contact their local Superintendent to initiate a local solution, tailored to the circumstances and needs of each individual case, and to establish contacts for the service provider to call upon should the need arise. An Garda Síochána also advised that any protests or actions giving rise to a concern should be brought to its notice.
2017. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on changing to the Dentists Act 1985 to allow change to the scope of practice for dental hygienists to work independently from dentists; his views on the way this could enable them to treat children in schools given the delay in dental assessments in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19586/21]
View answerIn accordance with the Dentists Act 1985, a dental hygienist can work to the treatment plan outlined by a dentist, who first examines the patient. Dental hygienists provide preventive care to people of all ages, including children, and within their current scope of practice can help to alleviate waiting lists.
The National Oral Health Policy, which was published in 2019, supports a triage system which would allow a dental hygienist to assess the patient initially and considers the value of a more extended scope of practice. Such a system would further improve access for the public to preventive care and service providers such as the HSE could then incorporate the extended scope of practice for dental hygienists into their services.
New legislation to replace the Dentists Act 1985 is at the early stages of preparation in my Department. Work has been undertaken in formulating the policy to underpin it. It includes the considerations outlined within the National Oral Health Policy.
2018. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health when the status of expectant mothers' partners will be changed to allow them attend maternity screenings, classes and births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19588/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2019. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of housebound persons over 70 years of age who have not yet received the Covid-19 vaccination; the reason for the slow roll-out of vaccinations to this highly vulnerable group; the steps he plans taking to expedite this roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19589/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2020. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the Covid-19 vaccination; the reason for the delay in administering same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19590/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2021. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 70 years of age who have not yet received their first Covid-19 vaccination; when this cohort will be totally vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2022. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the details of a hub (details supplied) for CHO 2; the location of the hub; the number and type of specialist multi-disciplinary teams of clinicians to be recruited; when in 2021 persons will have access to the hub and its services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19601/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2023. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of primary care centres (details supplied); the additional services that will be provided at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19603/21]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
2024. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of primary care centres (details supplied); the services that will be provided at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19604/21]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
2025. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of hubs (details supplied) for CHO2; the location of the hubs; the number and type of specialist multidisciplinary teams of clinicians to be recruited; when in 2021 persons will have access to the hubs and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19605/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2026. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the annual budget for his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2019; and the proportion of that budget that was allocated to the HSE or other non-Departmental bodies or organisations in the health area. [19620/21]
View answerThe annual budget for my Department for the years 2016 to 2019 , including the HSE and other Department of Health funded agencies, is available in the Revised Estimates Volumes for Public Services published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Please see link attached.
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/
2027. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the proportion of his Department's budget that was expended annually on Departmental salaries and pensions from 2016 to 2019. [19621/21]
View answerThe information requested, in relation to departmental salaries, is outlined in the table below. No pension payments are made to Department of Health staff from Vote 38.
|
Year |
Salaries€000 |
Vote 38€000 |
% of Vote 38 |
Vote 38 (exc. HSE)€000 |
% of Vote 38 (exc. HSE) |
|
2016 |
23,562 |
13,649,033 |
0.17% |
205,546 |
11.46% |
|
2017 |
26,133 |
14,341,309 |
0.18% |
204,046 |
12.81% |
|
2018 |
30,083 |
15,526,909 |
0.19% |
262,431 |
11.46% |
|
2019 |
32,493 |
17,030,315 |
0.19% |
330,314 |
9.84% |
