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Wednesday, 13 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 186-205

Departmental Data

Questions (186)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

186. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the details of and figures for the allocation of resources to community policing in the Dublin south inner-city area. [50044/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. The Commissioner is also responsible, under Section 26 of the Act, for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no direct role in these independent functions.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I further understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.

For the Deputy's information, the area referred to is covered by the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Central (SC) Division. As of 30 September 2021, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 58 members assigned as Community Gardaí in DMR SC, compared to 28 Community Gardaí the end of 2018, an increase of 30 members or 51.72%.

The allocation at 30 September 2021 is broken down by rank and station in the following table for the Deputy's reference.

Station

Inspector

Sergeant

Garda

Total

Donnybrook

6

6

Irishtown

5

5

Kevin Street

1

1

9

11

Kilmainham

2

8

10

Pearse Street

1

3

22

26

Total

2

6

50

58

Departmental Data

Questions (187)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

187. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to recent reports which raise concerns regarding child protection and governance policies and practices within an organisation (details supplied); the extent of funding provided to that organisation; and if she plans to provide a mechanism for the exchange of information regarding child protection concerns on a cross-Border basis between Ireland and Northern Ireland. [50045/21]

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Written answers

My Department provided €762,444 to Extern in 2020, relating to five projects. To date, the organisation has been paid €526,821 in 2021, and this amount is expected to rise to €795,711 by the end of the year – also in respect of five funded projects.

The Department suspended funding to this organisation in December 2020 when it became aware that an incident of alleged child abuse in another jurisdiction had not been reported to the appropriate authorities in this jurisdiction.

Following detailed and ongoing engagement with Extern by both my Department and Tusla, and receipt of assurances relating to the governance of the organisation, funding to this organisation was restored in April 2021.

Human Rights

Questions (188)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the way in which a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas can raise an issue on behalf of a person (details supplied) which affects the constituents civil rights of the person given past history wherein analogous situations ultimately became the subject of a public enquiry; if it is accepted that a member of the public has the right to raise with Parliamentary representatives any such matter in strict observance of the principles of openness, transparency, accountability and democracy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50151/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, as Minister for Justice I do not have responsibility for the Dáil Éireann Standing Orders nor relevant parliamentary procedures. Accordingly, as Minister, I cannot comment on these matters.

If the Deputy would like to write to me with some clarification about this matter, I will be pleased to consider any aspects that fall within my remit.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Questions (189)

Niall Collins

Question:

189. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the status of a matter in relation to legislation on cannabis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50073/21]

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Written answers

The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, ‘A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’, sets out a health-led approach to drug use. It promotes a more 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 Government established a working group to consider alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use in December 2017. The work programme of the group consisted of meetings with experts from other countries, commissioning research on other jurisdictions and undertaking a public consultation. The consultation process received a response of over 20,000 people and included the views of many people who use drugs.

The working group examined the option of decriminalising drugs. The report did not deem this an appropriate option in the Irish context due to legal difficulties (which could lead to the de facto legalisation of drugs), and operational problems for An Garda Síochána. The report of the working group was published in 2019 and is available here.

The Government accepted the views of the working group on the decriminalisation of drugs. Accordingly, there are no plans to decriminalise drugs, including cannabis.

In line with the working group’s recommendations, the Government agreed a health-led approach to the possession of drugs for personal use. This approach will connect people who use drugs with health services and a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people.

The commencement of the Health Diversion Programme is currently being finalised. 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.

The importance of a health-lead approach is reflected in the significant number of treatment episodes (2,120) provided to people who use cannabis in 2020. Cannabis, behind opioids and cocaine, was the third most common main drug reported by people accessing treatment in Ireland, accounting for 21.9% of cases treated in 2020. In addition, presentations to Child and Adolescent Addiction Services indicate that cannabis is the main substance causing harm for those under the age of 18.

We cannot be complacent about the risk to health posed by illicit drugs. The Government is committed to a public health approach to drug use, that will lead to better outcomes for individuals and society.

Hospital Services

Questions (190)

Denis Naughten

Question:

190. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the central sterile services department at Roscommon hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42546/21]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (191)

Denis Naughten

Question:

191. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Portiuncula Hospital 50 bedroom ward block development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42547/21]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (192)

Denis Naughten

Question:

192. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce a no-fault vaccination compensation scheme for severe adverse reactions to State-promoted vaccination programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48277/21]

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Written answers

There is currently policy development work underway in relation to the potential establishment of a vaccine compensation scheme. In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an Expert Group, chaired by High Court Justice Charles Meenan, to review the current systems for the management of clinical negligence claims.Justice Meenan submitted his final report in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the report was subsequently published in December 2020. One of the report’s recommendations is that a compensation scheme is established to deal with certain vaccine damage claims.On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board (HRB) carried out an evidence review on vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions and this was completed in March 2019.The Expert Group’s report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Government Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of any proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is underway in my Department.

Health Strategies

Questions (193)

Denis Naughten

Question:

193. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the role of genomic medicine in Ireland; his plans for a national genomics strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48278/21]

View answer

Written answers

A paper which considered the potential role of genomic medicine in Ireland and which reviewed genomics strategies in other countries was presented to the Department of Health management board in January 2020. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid reprioritisation of the Department’s activities to manage the health and social care system’s response to the crisis. As a result of this, the matter remains under deliberation by the Department of Health.

Health Services Staff

Questions (194)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

194. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of neurology nurse specialists across Ireland including five extra nurses for Beaumont Hospital to bring Ireland in line with national and international guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49936/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Service Executive

Questions (195)

Neale Richmond

Question:

195. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if parents of children in a school (details supplied) will be fully updated on the results of an evaluation carried out by the HSE of services provided in the school; if recommendations provided in the evaluation will be implemented in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49937/21]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, his PQ has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply.

Primary Medical Certificates

Questions (196)

Alan Dillon

Question:

196. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if a medical assessment can be redone due to the unsatisfactory way the original assessment took place in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49939/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Data

Questions (197)

Denis Naughten

Question:

197. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of capital projects approved under the winter planning within the Covid-19 pandemic October 2020–April 2021 plan; the projected number of additional beds to be provided; the total capital outlay committed; the number of projects completed to date, the additional beds provided; the capital drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49944/21]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Departmental Data

Questions (198)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

198. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the additional 85 therapy posts provided for the HSE children’s disability network team speech and language, physiotherapist and occupational therapists; the number of posts filled since that announcement; and the locations in which these new posts are based. [49947/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (199)

Robert Troy

Question:

199. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for a cataract appointment. [49948/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (200)

Réada Cronin

Question:

200. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for treatment at Naas General Hospital in each of the past five years; the number waiting for lengths greater than three and six months and one and two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49968/21]

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Written answers

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last nineteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times.

My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are focusing on improving access to elective care in order to reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which was allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the NTPF. This is being used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.

This Government is committed to a co-ordinated programme of reform, with a two-pronged approach:

- a short-term waiting list action plan to address loss of activity, which I published last week;

- tackling longer term goals under the multi-annual waiting list plan which is currently being prepared by the Department of Health, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) with the objective of bringing waiting lists and waiting times in line with Sláintecare commitments (12 weeks IPDC/10 weeks OPD/10 days diagnostics).

The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons on waiting lists for treatment at Naas General Hospital in each of the past five years; the number waiting for lengths greater than three and six months and one and two years is provided in the attached document.

Naas General Hospital, Outpatient EndOfYear waits from 2016 to August 2021

Year

 0-3 Mths

 3-6 Mths

 6-12 Mths

12-24 Mths

24+ Mths

Grand Total

30/12/2016

2,233

1,013

1,353

1,101

17

5,717

29/12/2017

2,377

1,341

1,696

1,615

588

7,617

20/12/2018

2,565

1,165

1,610

1,967

828

8,135

19/12/2019

2,704

1,472

1,609

1,445

856

8,086

23/12/2020

2,434

1,438

1,825

2,962

1,221

9,880

26/08/2021

2,896

1,649

1,988

2,904

1,855

11,292

Naas General Hospital, In-Patient EndOfYear waits from 2016 to August 2021

Row Labels

 0-3 Mths

 3-6 Mths

 6-12 Mths

12-24 Mths

24+ Mths

SmallVolTimeBand

Grand Total

GI Scope

30/12/2016

358

234

600

1,192

29/12/2017

288

269

502

109

1,168

20/12/2018

412

274

253

161

81

1,181

19/12/2019

378

282

283

37

980

23/12/2020

360

264

414

432

51

1,521

26/08/2021

322

285

176

108

43

934

IPDC

30/12/2016

35

6

8

49

29/12/2017

52

15

18

6

91

20/12/2018

138

29

18

6

191

19/12/2019

199

30

9

5

243

23/12/2020

143

84

89

44

360

26/08/2021

67

26

65

76

234

SmallVolWLType

SmallVolDate

5

5

*Due to the small volume of patients waiting in certain specialties, to preserve patient confidentiality, when the number of patients is <5, these have been included within broader timebands or aggregated into a 'Small Volume Specialties' cohort.

Hospital Staff

Questions (201)

Réada Cronin

Question:

201. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if Naas General Hospital is operating with its full complement of medical staff; if not, the number and kind of medical staff missing, for example, general nursing, specialist nursing, physiotherapy, radiology, surgical, consultant and so on; the length of time these roles or posts have been unfilled; his plans to fill same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49969/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (202)

Réada Cronin

Question:

202. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if according to best public health practice and per population County Kildare has sufficient numbers of general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49970/21]

View answer

Written answers

General Practitioners are private contractors. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.

Under the provisions of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, a GP can enter into a State contract to provide GP services provided he/she is on the Medical Council's Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice, irrespective of the number of GPs who are already established in an area.

Under the terms of the General Medical Services and GP Visit Card contracts, the maximum number of medical card or GP visit card patients on a GP's patient panel may not exceed 2,000, or 2,200 if the GP also holds an under 6 contract, except in exceptional circumstances. There is no minimum number of patients specified for a panel.

The State does not prescribe the number of private patients that may be registered with a GP; this is a matter for individual GP practices.

Departmental Data

Questions (203)

Réada Cronin

Question:

203. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of public healthcare workers in County Kildare at all levels of the health service that are or have been on sick leave or extended leave due to work conditions and stress or injury in each of the past five years and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49971/21]

View answer

Written answers

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Departmental Data

Questions (204)

Réada Cronin

Question:

204. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of public healthcare workers at all levels of the health service that are or have been on sick leave or extended leave due to work conditions and stress or injury in each of the past five years and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49972/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (205)

Brendan Smith

Question:

205. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that sufficient resources and personnel are in place in 2022 to provide an improved level of mental health services in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49973/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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