Written Answers Nos. 186-201
186. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1603 of 21 April 2021, if there has been an outcome to the inquiry by the Data Protection Commission which is referred to in the parliamentary question; if the findings have been issued; the actions that have been taken on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45330/21]
View answerThe Data Protection Commission (DPC) is conducting a statutory inquiry under Section 110 of the Data Protection Act 2018 into processing of personal data by my Department in a number of court cases. This inquiry commenced in March 2021 and is ongoing. My Department is cooperating with and supporting the work of the DPC.
187. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position in respect of the independence of the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer; if this is part of his Department; if there are senior persons in his Department over the office who can have an influence in relation to the way the office operates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45331/21]
View answerThe Disability Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a Disability Appeals Officer as an independent officer appointed by the Minister for Health. He or she provides an appeals service for persons who wish to appeal against a finding or recommendation of a Complaints Officer of the Health Service Executive made under Section 18(1) of the Disability Act 2005, or against the failure of the HSE or an Educational Service Provider (ESP) to implement a recommendation of a complaints office.
Information regarding the legislation underpinning office of the Disability Appeals Officer, as well information regarding procedures and processes related to the functions of the office, can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/08b143-office-of-the-disability-appeals-officer/
188. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of removing hospital car parking charges; the status of the HSE review requested in March 2018 on this matter with a view to establishing clear national guidelines; the status of the draft implementation plan resulting from this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45334/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. My Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
In relation to the specific service matter raised, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE pilot scheme for a free home STI and HIV testing service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45335/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity in 2020/2021, affecting the provision of all healthcare services, including public STI clinics.
Over the last 18 months, public STI services have re-configured services, establishing online booking systems and providing virtual appointments, in order to support service provision in line with social distancing and infection prevention control requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public STI clinics have prioritised those with symptoms and who require treatment, in order to treat active infections and minimise onward transmission. The GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and PrEP services.
The HSE is continuing to progress a number of initiatives that aim to reduce the level of HIV and STIs nationally and improve access to services for those in need as follows:
- The promotion of safer sex messages to the public via a range of social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
- During the pandemic, the public has been advised about STI clinic restrictions and encouraged to consider safer sexual practices to reduce the risk of HIV and STI transmission.
- Guidance has been issued around sex and COVID-19 which advised the public to limit numbers of partners to reduce transmission of HIV/STIs as well as COVID-19 during the pandemic.
- Those who are symptomatic are advised to contact a clinic directly for an emergency appointment.
- Condoms are freely available to NGO partners and service providers via the National Condom Distribution (NCDS) service.
- A number of NGOs have established postal services to make condoms and lubricant accessible to service-users throughout the pandemic while venues were closed.
- Free rapid HIV testing is available in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick through community NGO partners HIV Ireland, Sexual Health Centre Cork, Sexual Health West and GOSHH. NGO partners have adapted their services and are currently providing free rapid HIV testing from their offices or alternative venues.
- STI/HIV testing is currently available through a HSE home STI testing pilot project in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Cork and Kerry (funded by the Sláintecare Integration Fund). This pilot commenced in early 2021, in Dublin, Cork and Kerry initially, overseen by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme through SH24.
As a result of high demand, and in response to the pressures imposed by a public health declared early infectious syphilis outbreak, the HSE SHCPP in consultation with my Department, have extended the pilot to additional areas (Kildare, Meath and Wicklow) and for an additional time period. The possibility of further expansion is being scoped currently, given the need for the service and its success in reaching cohorts that are typically underrepresented amongst those presenting in person at STI clinics.
As this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
190. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the delivery of the National Traveller Health Action Plan; the status of the HSE steering group on this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45336/21]
View answerThe National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is the Government policy framework for addressing the health and other needs of Travellers. It contains over 30 health-related actions across four themes. The Dept of Health and the HSE are represented on the steering committee for NTRIS and report on a regular basis on the various health actions.
A key health action in NTRIS (#73) is to develop and implement a detailed action plan to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach. The lead role in developing the action plan rests with the HSE, in conjunction with Traveller organisations. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to implement a National Traveller Health Action plan.
I understand that last year the HSE established a steering committee, which included representatives of Traveller organisations, to finalise the plan. The committee recently submitted a draft plan to the HSE national director for Community Strategy and Planning. I am advised that consideration of the plan and its resource implications has been delayed by the prioritisation of the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
I look forward to receiving the agreed action plan and I am fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to ensure the implementation of the plan by the HSE.
The details requested by the Deputy are operational in nature and accordingly I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
191. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the breakdown in spending on the €2.1 million allocation in Budget 2021 to enhance access to health services for socially excluded groups with an emphasis on the €270,000 allocated to expand Traveller health units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45337/21]
View answerIn Budget 2021, €2.1m was allocated to enhance access to health services for socially excluded groups. This funding will be used to improve access to healthcare services for the Roma community and other vulnerable migrants, to expand Traveller health units, to enhance healthcare services for asylum seekers and refugees living in direct provision and for initiatives for victims of domestic violence and the LGBTI+ community.
The HSE has responsibility for the delivery of these measures and its priority actions are set out in the national service plan 2021.
The level of funding released for delivery of these measures is subject to the submission, review, approval and commencement date for the measures. The drawdown of this funding has been recently approved by the Department of Health.
As the detail requested by the Deputy relate to operational and service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
192. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the detail of the roadmap to pre-pandemic access in all maternity units and maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45338/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
194. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when the specialist community diabetes teams under the enhanced community care programme will be appointed; if it will be available to all persons with diabetes free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45340/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding to appoint a clinical psychologist to each acute hospital diabetes multidisciplinary team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45341/21]
View answerThe Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes sets out that diabetes is to be managed within the acute system by the diabetes multidisciplinary team including access to psychology support where available. However, I acknowledge there is a deficit in the number of hospital staff providing psychological services dedicated to diabetes care.
The 2021 National Service Plan recognised the need for an unprecedented expansion of the permanent health workforce through permanent appointments. Funding has been provided for an increase to approximately 135,655 WTE across the health service by December 2021, which is an increase of 15,838 WTE over funded 2020 levels. There is significant workforce recruitment underway. The HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy identifies the specific roles and grades to be hired.
196. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a diabetes psychology resource to each community diabetes specialist team hub under the Integrated Model of Care for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease Implementation Guide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45342/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding to appoint a 0.5 whole-time equivalent clinical psychologist to each acute hospital diabetes paediatric diabetes team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45343/21]
View answerFunding for additional staffing or other service developments must be considered in the first instance as part of the annual estimates processes, in the context of competing priorities for funding. This process is currently ongoing for 2021.
In relation to current paediatric diabetes service provision, I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide an update directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
198. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend eligibility to the long-term illness scheme for reimbursement of blood glucose test strips to all women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45344/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of women who developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45345/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
200. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost of the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme since its inception; the number of persons currently availing of the programme; the number of general practitioners that provide the programme; if an audit of the programme has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45346/21]
View answerIn October 2015, the Diabetes Cycle of Care programme was introduced nationally by the HSE. Under this programme, adult GMS patients, those who hold a medical card or GP visit card, with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes are eligible to be managed as part of the programme by their GP.
The 2019 GP Agreement introduced a new Chronic Disease Management programme for GMS patients who have one or more specific chronic diseases, of which Type 2 Diabetes is one. The structured programme commenced in 2020 and is being rolled out to all adult GMS patients over four years (2020 to 2023). This year the programme has been rolled out to those aged 65 years and over. The Chronic Disease Management programme will replace the Diabetes Cycle of Care programme as it is rolled out.
As the issues raised are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
201. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme to all persons with type 2 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45347/21]
View answerIn October 2015, the Diabetes cycle of care programme was introduced nationally by the HSE. Under this programme, adult GMS patients, those who hold a medical card or GP visit card, with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes are eligible to be managed as part of the programme by their GP.
The 2019 GP Agreement introduced the chronic disease management programme for GMS patients who have one or more specific chronic diseases, of which Type 2 Diabetes is one. The structured programme commenced in 2020 and is being rolled out to all adult GMS patients over four years (2020 to 2023). This year the programme has been rolled out to those aged 65 years and over. The chronic disease management programme will replace the Diabetes cycle of care programme as it is rolled out.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card.
There is currently no plan to extend type 2 diabetes care under the chronic disease management programme to patients who do not hold a medical or GP visit card.
While Type 2 diabetic patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card are not eligible under the Diabetes cycle of care or chronic disease management programmes, diabetes is one of the conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under this scheme, patients with diabetes can receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness free of charge, regardless of whether they hold a medical card.
