Tuesday, 23 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 658-678

Health Services

Questions (658)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

658. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce drug misuse in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56743/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is the Government roadmap for a health-led response to drug and alcohol use. The strategy is underpinned by an integrated whole-of-Government approach to resolving the drug problem based on a partnership approach between the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.

The recently published mid-term review of the strategy shows significant progress in implementing the action plan for the period 2017 to 2020, with only a small number of the 50 actions outstanding. Access to and availability of drug services has improved, especially services for women, people who are homeless and those with heroin addiction. There is a new clinical programme for dual diagnosis and the Government is championing an alternative health-led approach for the possession of drugs for personal use.

The mid-term review also looked at the effectiveness of government expenditure on the national drugs strategy, based on key indicators. It estimates the significant costs for society of drug use for the criminal justice system and the economy.

Six strategic priorities have been identified for the remaining years of the strategy until 2025. These will strengthen the health-led approach to drug use, as set out in the Programme for Government, and align with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. The six strategic priorities for 2021-2025 are:

- strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people;

- enhance access and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community,

- develop harm reduction responses and integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users,

- address the social determinants and consequences of drugs use in disadvantaged communities:

- promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences: and

- strengthen evidence-informed and outcomes-focused practice, services, policies and strategy implementation.

New oversight structures will drive the implementation of the strategic priorities for 2021-2025, strengthen the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society in developing national policy. I am also providing independent leadership to ensure the accountability of all stakeholders and involving service users to provide insights from the lived experience of drug and alcohol addiction.

To support the implementation of the strategic priorities, I secured additional funding of €6m for new health measures in Budget 2022. I have released details on these measures in a factsheet, which is available HERE

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (659)

Alan Farrell

Question:

659. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the status of the current capacity for PCR testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57463/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (660, 661)

Alan Farrell

Question:

660. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the status of the scalability of PCR testing within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57464/21]

Alan Farrell

Question:

661. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the details of the consideration given to the number of staff that will be needed to increase PCR testing capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57465/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 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. 661 answered with Question No. 660.

Medical Cards

Questions (662, 665)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

662. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if medical card holders must pay for blood tests carried out at their general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57472/21]

Charles Flanagan

Question:

665. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if routine phlebotomy services are free to holders of medical cards and general practitioner visit cards given that there are a number of cases in which holders of such cards have been charged for routine phlebotomy services by their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57477/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 665 together.

There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. This has been advised to GPs by the HSE.

The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. My Department and the HSE discussed this issue previously with the relevant GP representative body. However, it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances. It is intended to raise this issue again at an appropriate time.

It should be noted that the GP chronic disease management programme which is being phased in, having commenced last year, will involve the ongoing monitoring of patients’ condition and any blood tests required in this context will be covered by the fees payable for this care.

The position remains that where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.

Consultation fees charged by GPs outside the terms of the GMS contracts are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and their patients. The HSE does not have any role in relation to such fees.

Health Services

Questions (663)

Paul Murphy

Question:

663. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the circumstances by which there was a power outage at Tallaght Hospital on 17 November 2021; and the impact the outage had on the services provided at the hospital. [57473/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 (664)

Mark Ward

Question:

664. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the average length of time that children who are involuntary admitted to adult mental health units spend in such units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57474/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Question No. 665 answered with Question No. 662.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (666)

Charles Flanagan

Question:

666. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 868 of 28 April 2021, the status of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57478/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Deputy will be aware of the background to the closure of the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grants in 2013 and of the supports available through the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme which comes within the remit of the Department of Finance and is operated by the Revenue Commissioners.

At the whole of Government level, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 sets the overall framework for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society. Monitoring of the implementation of the Strategy is being overseen by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group which comprises key Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group.

Under the Strategy , the Department of Transport, has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport and is committed to the continued development of accessible public transport in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.

Work is continuing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities. I intend to revert to Government with proposals in due course. Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:

- The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's public consultation, to review active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;

- The Department of Social Protection Cost of Disability Study which will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;

- The Working Group established under Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy by the Department of Justice and Equality which states that:- 'We will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.” ; and

- The review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme by the Department of Finance.

Departmental Policies

Questions (667)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

667. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the steps he plans to take to reduce carbon emissions in the healthcare supply chain. [57480/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Responsibility for carbon emissions in the healthcare supply chain rests with the HSE. The Climate Action Plan 2021 represents a whole-of-Government response to the challenges of climate change and sets out pathways across all sectors of Irish society to achieve the country's climate ambitions.

The Plan includes the decarbonisation of the industrial sector and sets ambitious targets to 2030 in this regard, highlighting the roles to be played by the relevant Departments and Agencies involved in tackling the range of issues associated with industrial emissions, including managing the sector's carbon footprint and improving industrial efficiencies.

Each Department and public body is accountable for the achievement of the steps and targets set across all sectors in the 2021 Climate Action Plan to the Climate Action Delivery Board, which will present quarterly delivery reports to Government.

Organ Donation

Questions (668)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

668. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when he plans to bring forward new legislation on organ donation. [57484/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The enactment of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill is a priority for the Government. Work on the drafting of the Bill in collaboration with the Office of Parliamentary Council is progressing with a view to ensuring that Government approval is secured to publish the Bill before the end of 2021.

Health Services

Questions (669)

Marian Harkin

Question:

669. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available as a matter of urgency for a family (details supplied). [57485/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and to plan their lives. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.

Applications to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a wide range of aids and appliances - including beds, wheelchairs, hoists, respiratory equipment etc - are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility under General Medical Services and community schemes. These applications are considered by Resource Allocation Groups within each Community Health Organisation and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets.

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.

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability scheme assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These works can include making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet or a stairlift. The scheme is administered by local authorities and more information can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/

Health Services Staff

Questions (670)

David Cullinane

Question:

670. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it took to recruit and fill a post for each staff group grade group in the HSE in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [57488/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.

Health Service Executive

Questions (671)

David Cullinane

Question:

671. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of advertised posts for recruitment for each staff group grade group in the HSE currently in tabular form. [57489/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Vaccination Programme

Questions (672)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

672. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to publicly promote the Covid-19 vaccination booster campaign in order to tackle the lower levels of uptake of the booster vaccine particularly in the older age groups and those with underlying health conditions both of which would be considered higher risk categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57495/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Vaccination Programme

Questions (673)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

673. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the dates of the administration of the first dose Covid-19 vaccines to CHO 4 mental health service administration and management staff in the Model Business Park, Cork; the number of staff at this location vaccinated to date; and the grades of staff. [57497/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Vaccination Programme

Questions (674)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

674. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the dates of the scheduled administration of the first dose Covid-19 vaccines to long-stay patients aged 65 years plus to long-stay patients under 65 years of age and to acute patients in St. Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, County Cork, respectively; and the dates of the scheduled administration of the first dose Covid-19 vaccines to nursing staff of St. Stephen's Hospital. [57498/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 (675)

David Cullinane

Question:

675. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €31 million announced in Budget 2022 for women’s health will be allocated; the sub-allocation to measures within the new measures grouping in tabular form; the amount remaining unallocated; the amount which relates to other new measures funding group commitments; if this is included as a whole or pro-rata; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57502/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Improving women’s health outcomes is a key priority for the Minister and his government as demonstrated by the €31 million euro allocated to women’s health in Budget 2022.

This additional funding for new measures supplements both the ongoing work of the Department in key areas for women and a specific dedicated allocation for innovative approaches to women’s health services nationwide, through the Women’s Health Taskforce ‘Women’s Health Fund’.

There are a number of key initiatives driving progress for women’s health which have been supported through Budget 2022. These new developments include:

Area of Funding	Details	Allocation
Women’s Health Fund	Additional funding to the Women’s Health Fund. This funding will support the delivery of the Women’s Health Action Plan, anticipated to be brought to government later this year, which will outline measures needed to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health in outcomes in Ireland.	€5 million
Free Contraception for Women Aged 17-25	Introduction of a scheme for the provision of a wide range of prescription contraceptive choices to women aged 17-25, which will include the costs of the medication and/or devices, fitting and removal, and two consultations regarding contraception per annum.	€8.98 million
Gynaecology Services	Investment allocated to the continued investment in gynaecological services. In 2022, we will see the establishment of a further 6 ambulatory gynaecology “see and treat” clinics, increasing the total to 20 clinics nationally; extended endometriosis services in Tallaght and Cork; and further developments will be made in menopause care by establishing three new specialist menopause clinics, based in Galway, Cork and Limerick.	€5.3 million
Implementation of the National Maternity Strategy	Funding will enable the on-going implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, with specific focus on ensuring strengthened clinical governance and leadership within services, targeting improvement in the health and wellbeing of women accessing maternity services and enhancing midwifery care for women across the three pathways of care (supported, assisted & specialised).	€8.66 million
Perinatal Genetics	Initial establishment of perinatal genetics services.	€1.34 million
Period Poverty	Providing access to period products for those who need them, in line with the Programme for Government and the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper and progressing supporting legislation; the Free Provision of Period Products Bill, 2021.	€0.71 million
Obstetric Event Support Team	The establishment of an Obstetrics Event Support Team to support services and sites that report pre-defined severe maternity incidents.	€0.54 million
Sexual Assault Treatment Units	Delivery of more accessible and flexible interdisciplinary training and development programmes.	€0.25 million

A further €16m in other measures to support women's health is embedded within other new measures for 2022 within the Health Vote in areas such as cancer, mental health and social inclusion budgets, bringing the overall investment in women's health to €47m in additional funding provided for 2022.

This additional investment demonstrates continued commitment to women’s health which will be advanced in 2022 through the forthcoming Women's Health Action Plan.

Departmental Funding

Questions (676)

David Cullinane

Question:

676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €30 million announced in Budget 2022 for national strategies will be allocated; the sub-allocation to measures within this new measures grouping, in tabular form; the amount remaining unallocated; the amount which relates to other new measures funding group commitments; if this is included as a whole or pro-rata; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57503/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Dear Deputy, please find below in tabular form, the information requested.

National Strategies - New Measure 2022	Total €m
Cancer Strategy	20
Trauma Strategy	5
Paediatric Model of Care	4
Organ Donation and Transplant Services	1
Total	30

Question No. 677 answered with Question No. 560.

Departmental Funding

Questions (678)

David Cullinane

Question:

678. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €30 million announced in Budget 2022 for new drugs will be allocated; the sub-allocation to measures within this new measures grouping in tabular form; the amount remaining unallocated; the amount which relates to other new measures funding group commitments; if this is included as a whole or pro-rata; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57505/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.