Written Answers Nos. 667-687
667. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the level of funding assigned to residential care provision for children with complex needs in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which each allocation has been fully utilised; the area in which expenditure was the most prevalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43563/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked referred the question to the HSE and asked that they respond to the Deputy directly.
668. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be considered for a physiotherapy appointment at the physiotherapy department, St. Columbanus Hospital, St. Margaret's Road, Killarney, County Kerry if a cancellation should occur. [43565/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
669. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cancer deaths in each month for the past five years; and the cancer services that are fully operational or in which scanning, diagnostic and treatment services remain closed or partially closed, respectively. [43618/21]
View answerThe National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) reports data on cancer mortality on an annual basis. The most recent data available (2015-2017) shows that, on average, there were 9,063 deaths per year from invasive cancer (4,799 in males, 4,264 in females) during the period 2015-2017, or 9,281 deaths per year from any tumour type.
The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority. Cancer services continue to operate in line with guidance issued by the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), although at reduced capacity due to the need for appropriate physical distancing and infection control measures.
Funding of €12m has been allocated this year for the restoration of cancer services to 95% of 2019 (pre-Covid) levels. This funding is being used to support hospitals in addressing backlogs, extending clinic times, providing additional clinics, increasing diagnostic capacity and providing locum/temporary support. In addition, as part of Budget 2021, an extra €20m has been allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. This funding is being used to facilitate developments across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient supports.
670. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if a health centre (details supplied) in Midleton, County Cork is in the ownership of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43619/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
671. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2694 of 27 July 2021, the status of the business case for the establishment of six regional health areas; when the business case will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43627/21]
View answerFaoi mar a luadh cheana, the Government is fully committed to the implementation of Regional Health Areas, as outlined in the Programme for Government, Department of Health Statement of Strategy, Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2024, and HSE Corporate Plan 2021-2024.
A Business Case for their implementation will be brought to Government for consideration as soon as possible.
The Sláintecare Division in the Department has been progressing with the development of a Business Case for the implementation of Regional Health Areas over the last several months. This work is at an advanced stage. The overall aim of this work is to select a preferred “model” of regionalisation for submission to Government for decision. This “model” of regionalisation will include intended governance structures and relationships between the RHAs, HSE Centre and the Department. Internal and external consultations have taken place. These have influenced the development of models of regionalisation.
672. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3321 of 27 July 2021, his plans to introduce a national registry of heart valve disease to include data from public and private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43628/21]
View answerThe management of heart valve disease is a specialists cardiac service. The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is a key enabler for future policy and its recommendations will inform the future provision of services.
The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 with Professor Phillip Nolan as Chair of the Steering Group. This Review aims to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme.
While substantial progress has been made on the Review, the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted on the progress of the review, as the Chair has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response, both as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. Work is now underway to progress the Review to completion over the coming months and the Steering Group is due to reconvene this month.
As this also relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
673. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3322 of 27 July 2021, the number of cardiac physiologists currently employed in Galway city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43629/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
674. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3324 of 27 July 2021, the number of echocardiogram machines in Galway city and county including in acute hospitals and primary care; the location of these machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43630/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
675. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3323 of 27 July 2021, the number of patients on waiting lists for echocardiography services across primary care in Galway city and county, in tabular form; the number of these patients waiting three, six, nine, 12 and 18 months, and two, three and four plus years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43631/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
676. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1923 of 27 July 2021, the status of the development of a registry of women who have been prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43632/21]
View answerAs this relates to an operational matter for the Health Services Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly.
677. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1924 of 27 July 2021, the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts in the State; the number of these which are unfilled; the location of each epilepsy specialist nurse post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43633/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
678. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland; when the terms of reference will be published; the status of the establishment of a stakeholder group to address ongoing concerns relating to the use of sodium valproate; the membership of the stakeholder group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43634/21]
View answerDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland, and of the stakeholder group referred to by the Deputy, are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
679. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list for respite in Galway city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43635/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
680. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1423 of 27 July 2021, the status of the development of the primary care centre on Inisbofin; when the promised centre will be operational; the engagement his Department has had with the HSE on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43636/21]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
681. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2575 of 27 July 2021, the status of the audit of cervical smear test results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43637/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
682. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent specialists in public health medicine currently employed by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43638/21]
View answer685. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies in the role of specialist in public health medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43641/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 685 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
683. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants in public health medicine employed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43639/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
684. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of 225 additional public health roles announced in September 2020 which have been filled to date; the breakdown of the specific positions filled; when all 255 roles will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43640/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
686. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies across public health in Ireland; the breakdown of the job titles of these vacant roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43642/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
687. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if the Owenacurra health centre, Midleton, County Cork is in the ownership of the HSE; if not, the body or organisation which owns the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43645/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
