Tuesday, 27 Jul 2021

Health Services

Questions (3128)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

3128. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of women who availed of cervical checks in County Meath in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [40350/21]

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Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (3129)

John Brady

Question:

3129. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the services that will be available in the new primary healthcare centre (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when each of the services will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40363/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Dental Services

Questions (3130)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

3130. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that orthodontic treatment for children in County Carlow in the public system is only being carried out on an emergency basis in view of the fact private patients are able to access orthodontic treatment easily; if he will request the HSE for the reason a child in County Carlow was referred five years ago for orthodontic treatment via the HSE school dentist and is still awaiting an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40369/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.

Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Health Services

Questions (3131)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

3131. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will address delays to developmental checks for young children in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; when these developmental checks by public health nurses will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40370/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (3132)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

3132. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when County Carlow will have an ambulance base which is fit for purpose; his views on whether it is acceptable for a town the size of Carlow to not have its own ambulance base and no communication from the HSE in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40371/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (3133)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

3133. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when primary care services and a new primary care facility will be established in Tullow, County Carlow; the location of same; the timescale for this service to be established; the planned location of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40372/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (3134)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

3134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the stage in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out it is envisaged persons living in disability accommodation unable to give informed consent will be offered vaccinations; if their next of kin can apply for consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40373/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 3135 answered with Question No. 2767.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (3136, 3137)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3136. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on hard drug usage amongst the population; his views on whether traditional prohibition policies are having a negative impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40443/21]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

3137. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the success or otherwise of drug decriminalisation and legalisation measures in other jurisdictions; if he has identified a preferred model internationally that he views would be suitable for implementation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3136 and 3137 together.

The Health Research Board (HRB) recently published the National Drug and Alcohol Survey 2019/20. The survey provides information on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use amongst the general population in Ireland. It also looks at attitudes and perceptions of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and the impact on communities. The findings of the survey highlight that cocaine use has increased across all age groups. Men aged 25 to 34 are most likely to report cocaine use in the last year. The findings of the 2019/20 survey represent a significant increase in use when compared to the same cohort in the 2014/15 survey.

Further, the survey highlights that ecstasy is the second most commonly used drug in the last 12 months after cannabis and has increased in prevalence from 1.8 to 2.2%. The recent use of ecstasy among 15 to 64 year olds has risen from 2.1% to 2.7% when compared to the findings of the 2014/15 survey. Polydrug use has also increased when compared to the 2014/15 survey; in 2019/20, one-quarter of those who reported illegal drug use reported use of at least three illegal drugs, compared with 15.4% in 2014/15.

The HRB has also recently published data relating to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System for problem drug use (excluding alcohol). These data show that there were 10,000 treatment cases in 2020, while also showing that 25% of cases in treatment have children, including 10% with children living in the home. The NDTRS also shows that the number of cocaine cases continues to increase with cocaine being the primary issue for 1-in-4 cases treated in 2020. The impact of drug use on children and families is of great concern and represents further justification of the health led response. Protecting children from the harms of drug is a priority in the new strategic action plan 2021-2025 under the National Drugs Strategy.

The National Drug and Alcohol Survey and the National Drug Treatment Report System provide important and timely information which will inform policy responses to drug use.

The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, promotes a compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs, with drug use treated first and foremost as a public health issue. The Programme for Government endorses this health-led approach. By treating the use of substances as a public health issue, rather than solely as a criminal issue, we can better help individuals, their families and the communities in which we live.

The health diversion programme offers compassion and not punishment to people who use drugs, connecting them with health services and a pathway to recovery, while avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people. This approach aligns with the strategic priority in the EU Drugs Strategy to provide alternatives to coercive sanctions for people who use drugs.

The commencement of the health diversion programme is currently being finalised, and it is intended that it will be commenced in a number of urban and rural locations in 2021. As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Health Diversion Programme will be reviewed following the first full year of implementation, to ensure it is meeting all of its aims and to make any necessary changes.

It is clear that drugs are having a huge impact on people’s lives, both physical and mental. I look forward to the commencement of the health diversion programme which radically changes how we deal with drug use in Irish society.

Question No. 3137 answered with Question No. 3136.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (3138, 3139)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has refused to publish the external service review into missed radiology scans at University Hospital Kerry; if the HSE will publish the review; if he has read to review or is aware of its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40445/21]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

3139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths resulting from missed cancer diagnosis following radiology scans at University Hospital Kerry in respect of 11 patients in 2016 and 2017; if he is satisfied that such an unacceptable failure in service will not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40446/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3138 and 3139 together.

I can confirm that the University Hospital Kerry Radiology Look-Back Review Report (2018) is published on the HSE website and available at the following link: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/hospitals/university-hospital-kerry-look-back-review-report.pdf.

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 3139 answered with Question No. 3138.

Health Services

Questions (3140)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will personally intervene to address the unacceptable waiting times for children using Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, in the Cork and Kerry region; if he will provide the latest comprehensive data on waiting times for all appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40447/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Hospital Overcrowding

Questions (3141, 3145)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the measures being adopted to address overcrowding and lengthy waiting times at the emergency department in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40448/21]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

3145. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the South Southwest Hospital Group will provide additional resources to University Hospital Kerry as a matter of urgency to tackle delays and overcrowding in the emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3141 and 3145 together.

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Hospital Overcrowding

Questions (3142)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3142. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if assistance from a hospital (details supplied) has been availed of in the past three months at times of extreme overcrowding and lengthy waiting times at the emergency department in University Hospital Kerry; the arrangements that are in place to alleviate such pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Ambulance Service

Questions (3143)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3143. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review the number of ambulances available at any given time in County Kerry in the months of May to October in the context of the swollen population of the county due to visitor numbers; if the provision of ambulances for County Kerry would be reflective of the inflated summer population for these months as distinct from Central Statistics Office, CSO, census population figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40450/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Mental Health Services

Questions (3144)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

3144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the review of the South Kerry CAMHS prescription issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40451/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 3145 answered with Question No. 3141.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (3146)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

3146. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the exclusion of babies and young children from vaccination centres when their parents are being vaccinated is properly communicated to parents when they receive their appointments; and if this exclusion for parents will be reviewed in for particular single parents who are unable to access childminding when their vaccine appointment is scheduled. [40457/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 3147 answered with Question No. 3095.