Written Answers Nos. 1391-1410
1391. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to allocate funding in Budget 2022 for the establishment of a State-funded contraception scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42780/21]
View answerFollowing the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, a Working Group on Access to Contraception was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland.
The Group’s report, which was published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers.
The report is available online at:
https://assets.gov.ie/38063/89059243e750415ebf7e96247a4225ae.pdf
The findings of this report made clear that a sizable body of work needs to be addressed in order to develop and finalise the policy approach, bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.
The need to focus on and prioritise the response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has unfortunately delayed progress on this issue. It is, however, important to stress that my Department and this Government remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased basis, starting with women aged 17 – 25, as set out in the Programme for Government. Accordingly, we have established a Contraception Implementation Group, which held its first meeting on the 28th July and will oversee implementation of the Programme for Government commitment.
In the meantime, access to free contraception is already enabled to some contexts, through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which was established by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) in October 2015.
The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working with individuals and groups at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes. The NCDS was expanded to 3rd level campuses in 2019 and will continue to operate in this context as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and students return to in-person tuition.
It should also be noted that those with a GMS (medical) card already have access to most forms of contraception free of charge. Those with a GP visit card are supported to some extent as the clinical cost element of contraception is reduced. The Drugs Payment Scheme, for which anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland is eligible, covers the cost of prescription items above a limit of €114 per month.
However, I am very conscious that, for those who do not qualify for a medical card, cost can be a barrier to accessing their preferred or most appropriate form of contraception. As such, Minister Donnelly, myself and our Department remain committed to providing free contraception over a phased period, starting with women aged 17-25, as set out in the Programme for Government.
1392. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the resumption of all daycare services for elderly people in community hospitals immediately. [42781/21]
View answerDay centres are fundamental to the health and well-being of our older population and play a key role in enabling older people to live independently in their own communities and the reopening of these centres are a priority for me. The HSE continues to actively work on reopening day care centres for older people as a priority in line with current public health guidance. As this is an operational matter I have referred the Deputy's Question to the HSE For direct reply.
1393. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to amend the Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) Bill as a result of the Special Rapporteur’s report, Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) and Surrogacy in Irish Law. [42782/21]
View answer1398. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to amend and update the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 as a result of the Special Rapporteur’s report, Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) and Surrogacy in Irish Law. [42787/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1393 and 1398 together.
The report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection published earlier this year comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) and surrogacy, carried out in this jurisdiction and abroad. Surrogacy and DAHR undertaken abroad give rise to a range of legal, ethical and social issues, and concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments. My Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of these policy areas.
1394. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all maternity hospitals put in place safe procedures for nominated support partners to attend for all stages of labour including induction of labour and or early labour. [42783/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1395. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the safe access to termination of pregnancy bill. [42784/21]
View answer1415. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to date to introduce safe access zone legislation to stop the practices of protests and vigils outside medical premises; when this legislation will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42879/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1395 and 1415 together.
The Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future' contains a commitment to "Establish exclusion zones around medical facilities" and the Minister is committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services. 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 any other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. The Department of Health is in regular contact with the HSE and has liaised with An Garda Síochána on safe access to services.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda stations raising awareness about the issue. It 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 for appropriate distribution to services that provide termination of pregnancy.
Officials in my Department continue to prioritise safe access to termination of pregnancy services and to examine legislative options in this area.
1397. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently in the acute adult mental health psychiatric units in Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital whose discharges from hospital have been delayed by one, two, three, four and more than five years, respectively; the number of these persons whose hospital discharge has been delayed as a result of a lack of appropriate follow-on accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42786/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1400. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the implications of the Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in case C-663/18 for Irish legislation concerning cannabidiol. [42791/21]
View answerThe matters raised are currently the subject of a legal challenge and consequently, being sub-judice, I am not in a position to offer further comment.
1402. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to specialist care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42833/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1403. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will report on the number of Covid-19 related deaths on a daily basis. [42834/21]
View answerRegular reporting of deaths related to COVID-19 are provided through the following information sources. The Department of Health provides updates on mortality related to COVID-19 on a weekly basis (updated cumulative total) through press statements and the cumulative number of deaths is also updated on a weekly basis on the COVID-19 Geohive, including the newly notified deaths over the previous week.
covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/ <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/__;!!CfJOjA!We2qVAex6DHsL_XOSxkbAvnmKESUEscL86QQ6AvgvIQTO0RmM0mu7HPDrBEF0GjZug$> In addition, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) publish a weekly COVID-19 deaths report through the following link. This provides additional epidemiological information on COVID-19 related deaths notified over the previous week as well as since the outset of the pandemic, including information about the month of occurrence of the death. www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/weeklyreportoncovid-19deathsreportedinireland/.
1404. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in providing improved ambulance and ancillary emergency care to persons in Connemara, County Galway; the process that will be followed in putting extra resources into the National Ambulance Service services in Connemara; the method that will be followed in selecting a location for a base for the new vehicles to be provided in Connemara; the details of the consultation that will take place in this regard with local stakeholders; when the new service will be operable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/21]
View answerI am happy to advise the Deputy that in recent weeks I have approved a funding proposal for the augmentation of National Ambulance Service (NAS) resources in Connemara in 2021, in line with a demand analysis undertaken by the NAS.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1405. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the future of Sruthan House, Dundalk, County ,with respect to the recently announced Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting plan to end Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42847/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1406. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if discussions are expected for the approval of a cannabis-based product (details supplied) owing to the fact that it is greatly helping many persons with epilepsy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42855/21]
View answerI have been informed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority that no application has been made from any prospective supplier looking to add PCBD110 to the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).
Prospective suppliers of products to the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) can apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), acting on behalf of the Minister for Health, to have a cannabis product considered for inclusion in the schedule to the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019.
Applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that the proposed cannabis product meets the requirements of a ‘specified controlled drug’ as defined in the MCAP legislation. The onus is on prospective suppliers to submit applications to the HPRA.
1407. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if discussions are expected regarding the budget for mental health given the impact Covid-19 has had on mental health and given that services are extremely stretched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42856/21]
View answerThe development of all aspects of mental health services remains a priority for Government. This is reflected in the current Programme for Government, the new policy, Sharing the Vision - A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and the significant additional funding given to HSE Mental Health services in Budget 2021.
2021 saw a record budget for mental health of over €1.1 billion, including €23 million to commence implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of Sharing the Vision in 2021 and the HSE National Service Plan. I am committed to ensuring that Budget 2022 builds on this progress.
While there is no doubt that Covid-19 has posed significant challenges, including isolation, bereavement, anxiety and loss of income and work for many, we do not yet fully understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and subsequent demand on services. A negative mental health outcome from the pandemic is not inevitable, if we respond in a cohesive manner.
Since the pandemic started, mental health services have responded rapidly, continuing to deliver supports in the safest possible way throughout the country. 2021 also saw an additional €15 million allocated for measures in response to Covid-19 enabling the HSE and the Department to continue to plan for any surge in demand for mental health services and supports as it arises. The HSE have service surge capacity plans in place, including access to acute beds in the private sector.
The HSE has a range of proactive responses for any rise in mental health service needs, including online and other telehealth psychosocial supports. In 2020, an additional €2.2 million was allocated to develop telehealth and psychosocial responses to Covid-19. Telehealth services are now fully established while the HSE Psychosocial Framework, published in January 2021, provides a cohesive, coordinated, consistent and collaborative whole-of-population approach to the provision of mental health services and supports.
My Department is engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive in relation to the 2021 Estimates. Until these discussions are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter
1408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home help that are waiting for additional hours or new applications, respectively by county; the length of time waiting; the number of home help shortages throughout the country; the number of new home help support workers recruited over the past two years; the immediate efforts being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1409. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the way in which the non-medical card patients of a general practitioner (details supplied) can be transferred to another practice as a matter of urgency since only medical card patients were reassigned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42859/21]
View answerUnder the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to eligible persons, persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for the provision of those services. The HSE may assign an eligible person to another GP where their GP is resigning or where their GP's GMS contract is otherwise terminated. In addition, where an eligible person wishes to change their GP themselves, they may make a request for transfer to the HSE.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Neither my Department or the HSE have a role in transferring private patients to another GP practice.
1410. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken regarding conditions and understaffing at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42863/21]
View answerIn 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.
