Joe O'Brien
Question:261. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to widen the strict criteria by which a patient can gain access to medicinal cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51532/21]
View answerCannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (261)
Written answers
The Health Products Regulatory Authority’s “Cannabis for Medical Review Use – A Scientific Review” advised that treatment with cannabis is only permitted under a controlled access programme for the treatment of patients with;
a. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions whilst under expert medical supervision;
b. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes whilst under expert medical supervision;
c. Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications whilst under expert medical supervision.
The HPRA did not consider that the available evidence supported the use of cannabis in other medical conditions.
Subsequently the Minister for Health established an Expert Reference Group to advise on the development of a Medical Cannabis Access Programme. This Group developed detailed Clinical Guidelines for the MCAP to be followed by clinicians, which contained inter alia guidance on ingredient combinations that are recommended for each of the three indications included in the MCAP
The Department is currently working to commence a new clinical review that will continue the work of the previous clinical expert group. This review will seek to build on evidence found in the earlier study and will assess if there is new information to support the addition of any other clinical indications to the MCAP.
Clinicians may continue to utilise the Ministerial licencing route pursuant to Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so.
In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
Budget 2022
Questions (262)
Bríd Smith
Question:262. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of the additional €6 million announced in Budget 2022 for the drugs strategy will go to the drug and alcohol task force drug projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51533/21]
View answerWritten answers
In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy (to be published shortly).
The Department of Health has published a factsheet on new funding provided for in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/.
I am committed to increasing access to and provision of drug and alcohol services in line with the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under national drug strategy.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (263)
John McGuinness
Question:263. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the roll out of the HPV vaccine will be extended to all current male secondary school students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51541/21]
View answerWritten answers
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
In June 2017, on foot of the NIAC’s recommendation that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The HIQA report published in December 2018 did not recommend an HPV catch-up programme for older boys for the following reasons:
- vaccinating boys in the first year of secondary school provides the best possible protection against HPV infection;
- boys are already benefitting from the indirect herd protection provided by the girls' HPV vaccination programme which started in 2010.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration. This applies to everyone whether or not they have a medical card/GP visit card, as it is outside of the HPV immunisation programme.
Disability Services
Questions (264)
Pearse Doherty
Question:264. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when approved respite will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51542/21]
View answerWritten 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 (265)
Pearse Doherty
Question:265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an orthopaedic outpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51560/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (266)
Barry Cowen
Question:266. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); when an appointment will be scheduled for orthopaedic surgery at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly. [51569/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (267)
Alan Farrell
Question:267. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if provisions have been made to ensure the staffing levels of Portrane Mental Health Hospital will be in place to accomplish full capacity in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51574/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Care Services
Questions (268)
Niamh Smyth
Question:268. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for HSE funding for long-term care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51580/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (269)
Alan Farrell
Question:269. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the measures taken by his Department to support and expand clinical trials in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51597/21]
View answerWritten answers
In May of this year, I established national research ethics committees (NRECs) in the areas of clinical trials of medicines and clinical investigations of medical devices, as part of an ongoing revision of the framework for ethics review of health research in Ireland. These new committees, supported by the National Office for Research Ethics Committees, represent a major step forward in Irish health research, and will play a key role in enabling Ireland to meet its obligations under the new EU Clinical Trials Regulation and the EU Medical Device Regulation.
The Health Research Board (HRB) recently announced €22 million in funding to further develop patient-focused clinical research infrastructure in Ireland. This funding will keep Ireland at the forefront of clinical research and trials and increase opportunities for patients to participate in and benefit from them. It also increases the supports available to investigators to pursue more investigator-led clinical trials, with HRB support expanding from three Clinical Research Facilities/Centres (CRF/Cs) to five.
Located at hospital sites and supported by universities, CRF/Cs are a key part of the national clinical trials infrastructure and are a huge asset for researchers, clinicians and industry partners wishing to undertake clinical trials. They provide the space, facilities, governance, services and supports, and, most importantly, the skills and expertise necessary to enable high-quality, safe, and compliant clinical trials.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (270)
Alan Farrell
Question:270. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on the implementation of the new model of care for obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51598/21]
View answerWritten 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 (271)
Martin Browne
Question:271. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the details of the commitment in Budget 2022 to provide two CAMHS hubs. [51599/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Budget 2022
Questions (272)
Martin Browne
Question:272. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the details of the commitment in Budget 2022 to deliver enhancements in the areas of homecare packages and community beds; if he will define the term enhancements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51600/21]
View answerWritten answers
Budget 2021 and the subsequent Health Service Executive National Service Plan allowed for an unprecedented increase in investment in home care and intermediate care to be delivered in the community. This high level of investment is being maintained into 2022. Details of how this will be delivered in 2022, including the additional 5 million home support hours provided for in Budget 2021, to be maintained in 2022, will be finalised as part of the National Service Plan process. In addition
the proportion of hours ringfenced for people with dementia will more than double, from 5% in 2021 to 11% in 2022.
Furthermore, Budget 2022 has provided for €30m in new developments or enhancements for services for older people. These are primarily focused towards improvements in dementia service provision and the ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel.
Ambulance Service
Questions (273, 274, 275, 276, 277)
Martin Browne
Question:273. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans for capacity planning and reform within the National Ambulance Service. [51601/21]
View answerMartin Browne
Question:274. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the average response time of ambulances in the south-east area; the number of ambulances ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51602/21]
View answerMartin Browne
Question:275. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the average response time of ambulances in the mid-west area; the number of ambulances ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51603/21]
View answerMartin Browne
Question:276. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedics assigned to ambulance services in the south-east area; and the optimum number of paramedics that should serve that area. [51604/21]
View answerMartin Browne
Question:277. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedics assigned to ambulance services in the mid-west area; and the optimum number of paramedics that should serve that area. [51605/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 274, 275, 276 and 277 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 274 answered with Question No. 273.
Question No. 275 answered with Question No. 273.
Question No. 276 answered with Question No. 273.
Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 273.
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (278, 279)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:278. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if e-tenders for the supply of (details supplied) will be issued following the suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, the expected timeframe for the reopening of the e-tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51617/21]
View answerRuairí Ó Murchú
Question:279. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected timeframe in which (details supplied) will be open again through e-tender for competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51618/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 279 answered with Question No. 278.
Home Help Service
Questions (280)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:280. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of the new statutory scheme on home support providing an update on each of the four CH0 sites that are due to test the reformed model of service delivery; if services will be fully operational under the pilot on 1 November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51619/21]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling people with care-needs to continue to live independently at home for as long as possible is a priority for the Government. To advance this, the Government is committed to establishing a new, statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services, which the Department of Health is currently developing. It is intended that the new scheme will provide equitable and transparent access to high-quality services based on a person’s assessed care-needs.
Work is on-going within the Department to progress the development of the new scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms. This work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme; the examination of the options for the financing model for the scheme; and the development of a reformed model of service-delivery.
With the aim of ensuring that all service-users are provided with a standard, high-quality level of care which is safe, effective, and person-centred, it is envisaged that the regulatory framework will comprise (i) primary legislation for the licensing of public and private home support providers; (ii) minimum requirements (regulations); and HIQA National Standards for Home Support Services.
Earlier this year, Government gave approval to draft a General Scheme and Heads of a Bill to establish a licensing framework for home support providers. This is being progressed by the Department with a view to bringing it through the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity. It is expected that the primary legislation will give the Minister for Health the power to make regulations in respect of minimum requirements which will form the criteria against which a provider’s eligibility to hold a licence will be determined. The Department recently commenced a targeted stakeholder consultation on these draft minimum requirements. In addition, HIQA recently ran a public scoping consultation to inform the development of their National Standards for Home Support Services.
In parallel to this, work is ongoing in relation to the development of a reformed model of service delivery for home support. Within this context, funding was secured in 2021 for the HSE to progress the roll-out of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care-needs in the community; the pilot of a reformed model of service-delivery for home-support; and the establishment of a National Office for Home Support Services.
The testing of the reformed model of service delivery for home support is scheduled to commence in November 2021 in CHO 8 (Longford / West Meath). Recruitment issues associated with backfilling of posts has impacted on release of interRAI Care Coordinators in CHO 2 (Galway), 4 (South Lee) and 7 (Dublin West). This has necessitated phased introduction of pilot sites however it is expected that all will be fully operational by January 2022. A comprehensive and robust operational model for the roll-out of the interRAI has been developed which will facilitate effective, efficient, fair and transparent care needs assessment and planning and appropriate service delivery. The interRAI outputs and pilot site evaluation will be critical to inform legislative and funding decisions in relation to the statutory home support scheme.
130 posts have been funded for the national rollout of the interRAI Ireland system as the standard assessment tool for care-needs and recruitment for these posts is scheduled to commence in this quarter. In addition, a National Home Support Office will be established before the end of the year.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021–2023 commits to the advancement of the development of the new home-support scheme in 2021 and to the commencement of its implementation in 2022. While the new home-support scheme is under development, the Government is prioritising improving access to home-support services. As part of Budget 2021, funding for an additional 5 million hours of home-support was provided. This additional allocation will be maintained in 2022. This increased investment will contribute to meeting the Programme for Government commitment to providing equitable access to home-support services. Data which has been provided since the cyber-attack is provisional and subject to change. At the end of August 2021, the preliminary data indicates that about 13.2 million home support hours had been provided to 53,905 people. This is about 2 million more hours compared to the same period last year.