Written Answers Nos. 679-698
679. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €55 million announced in budget 2022 for disabilities 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. [57506/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families through enhancing the quality of services and supports they receive. The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for the provision of disability services.
Budget 2022 will provide €50m to support existing levels of service as well as new funding of €55m.
The 2022 HSE National Service Plan is being developed. The Plan will set out the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the HSE in 2022, in line with priorities set out by the Minister for Health, and the longer-term transformation agenda for health and social care services in Ireland. The quantum of services to be provided by the HSE is being considered as part of the National Service Planning process. The Service Plan will be finalised in the coming weeks.
680. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €24 million announced in budget 2022 for mental health will be allocated; if this allocation relates to the reclassification of available historic development funding of €24 million or if these are separate; 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. [57507/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
681. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €45 million announced in Budget 2022 for affordability 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. [57508/21]
View answerThe €45 million allocated in the budget for affordability measures is intended to cover a number of initiatives in relation to oral health, the reduction in the threshold for the Drug payment scheme, the expansion of GP care without charges to 6 and 7 year old children and the reduction in hospital charges for children. I am confident that this amount will be sufficient to deliver these initiatives, but their delivery will require discussion with representative bodies in relation to contractual matters, including relevant fees, and for that reason it is not possible to provide a break-down of costs in tabular form at this time.
682. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €22 million announced in Budget 2022 for workforce measures 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. [57509/21]
View answerDear Deputy, please find below the information requested in tabular form.
|
Workforce - New Measure 2022 |
Total €m |
|
Advanced Nurse Practitioners |
12 |
|
Student Nurse/Midwife PPG |
7 |
|
Safe Staffing Skills Mix - Nursing |
3 |
|
Total |
22 |
683. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €30 million announced in budget 2022 for older persons 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. [57510/21]
View answerA total of €2.33 billion has been allocated to older persons services in Budget 2022. Areas of priority are dementia support and service provision, home support, the implementation of the recommendations of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which enhances accessibility and affordability of the Scheme for more farm and business-owning families.
The funding for new developments is as follows;
|
- |
€m |
|
Implementation of COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel recommendations |
17.6 |
|
Expansion/enhancement of Dementia services |
7.3 |
|
Other Older Persons Services |
4.8 |
|
Total |
29.7 |
The Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan 2022 has not yet been finalised and, as such, the sub-allocation has yet to be formally agreed.
684. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €8 million announced in budget 2022 for the national ambulance service 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. [57511/21]
View answerAs part of Budget 2022 the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has been allocated funding of €8.2 million for new developments. Measures identified for support from this funding include:
- provision for staffing increases in line with the recommendations of the 2016 NAS Baseline and Capacity Review, which identified deficits in NAS capacity and the need for phased multi-annual investment in manpower;
- increasing capacity within the Hear and Treat service in the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which advises lower acuity patients of appropriate alternatives to hospital transfer;
- contributing to the implementation of an organisational redesign that will enhance governance and leadership within the NAS.
In regard to the particular sub-allocation tabular details requested by the Deputy in his question I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly, as soon as possible.
685. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €6 million announced in budget 2022 for the national drugs strategy 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. [57512/21]
View answerIn ##budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new health measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery.
The Department of Health has published a factsheet on the additional funding in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/. This includes a summary of the new health measures in tabular format.
The HSE National Service Plan 2022 will provide details on the allocation of the new funding.
I believe this new funding will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use as set out in the Programme for Government and support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under the national drugs strategy, which I recently announced.
TABLE:
|
New Measure |
Allocation €M |
|
Enhance child and family services for children and young people affected by parental drug &alcohol use |
0.72 |
|
Increase access and provision of community drug and alcohol services, with a focus on services for women, ethnic minorities and LGBTI+ |
0.5 |
|
Establish a clinical community response to alcohol service for health service clients in Dublin North City & Country (CHO 9) |
0.49 |
|
Expand availability of drug & alcohol treatment & recovery programmes and family support services |
1.17 |
|
Develop harm reduction responses to high-risk drug use associated with crack cocaine and the night-time economy |
0.47 |
|
Provide health screening and brief intervention (SAOR) under the health diversion programme |
0.68 |
|
Provide health supports for additional tenancies under the Housing First programmes for long-term homeless |
1.17 |
|
Develop integrated care and case management service for single people who are homeless in Dublin |
0.15 |
|
Enhance health services for primary school children & young people in Dublin NEIC |
0.53 |
|
Studies and evaluations. |
0.12 |
686. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €7 million announced in budget 2022 for other 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. [57513/21]
View answerDear Deputy
Find below the information requested in tabular form.
|
Other - New Measure 2022 |
Total €m |
|
Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMRIC) |
2 |
|
Barnahus Model – Child Sexual Abuse Services |
1 |
|
Palliative |
4 |
|
Total |
7 |
The Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan 2022 has not yet been finalised and, as such, the sub-allocation has yet to be formally agreed.
687. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the €6 million announced in Budget 2022 for Healthy Ireland Sláintecare integration fund 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. [57514/21]
View answerHealthy Ireland gives us a vision of how we as a society can work together to bring about a Healthier Ireland where everyone, can enjoy physical and mental, health and wellbeing, to their full potential.
The Sláintecare Integration Fund was announced in September 2019. Healthy Ireland funding is being provided for the continuation of the programmes (listed below) previously supported by the Slaintecare Integration Fund.
The €6 million the Deputy refers to in the Budget 2022 Expenditure Report under the "Healthy Ireland/SláinteCare Integration Fund- health promotion and other pilot innovation programmes across the Health System ." is allocated as follows:
|
Sláintecare Integration Fund / Healthy Ireland Programmes |
Amount |
|
Smoking Cessation Supports, maternity services |
€160,000 |
|
HealthEIR Community Based Social Care |
€329,000 |
|
Community Mothers Programme |
€80,000 |
|
Self Management Support and the Living Well Programme* |
€795,000 |
|
Social Prescribing* |
€784,000 |
|
Sheds for Life |
€123,000 |
|
Integration of Childhood Obesity Services in Primary Care through Education |
€188,000 |
|
Online STI Testing |
€3,000,000 |
|
Student Sexual Health Service (Athlone Institute of Technology) |
€102,000 |
|
North Dublin Integrated Community STI Service |
€240,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€5,801,000 |
*Note there are a number of projects under each of these two headings.
The allocation table on page 113 of the Budget 2022 Expenditure Report is a rounded figure of €6m, the €5,801,000 tabulated above is the full expenditure allocated to these programmes for 2022 and as such there is no unallocated amount remaining.
688. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the way the remaining €7 million announced in Budget 2022 under additional resources for current expenditure which is not covered in the table of selected measures will be allocated in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57515/21]
View answerDear Deputy. We understand the that €7m referred to in your question is arrived at by subtracting the €304m in the which is the total of selected measures in the table shown on page 113 of the budget expenditure book from the table D. Reconciliation of 2022 Expenditure Ceiling on page 114 which shows €311m as the amount for 'Allocation of Additional Resources'
In fact, the finalised correct figure for new measures for 2022 is €318m
The table below shows the makeup of the areas to which new measures are allocated for 2022
|
Area |
Allocation |
|
Womens Health |
31 |
|
National Strategies |
30 |
|
Capacity |
10 |
|
New Drugs |
30 |
|
Disabilities* |
51 |
|
Mental Health** |
23 |
|
Older People*** |
28 |
|
National Drugs Strategy/ Homelessness Health Measures |
6 |
|
Healthy Ireland/SláinteCare Integration Fund- health promotion and other pilot innovation programmes across the Health System. |
6 |
|
Affordability Measures**** |
43 |
|
Workforce Measures |
22 |
|
Governance, capacity planning and reform within the National Ambulance Service. 8 National Drugs Strategy/ |
8 |
|
Other- Palliative Care, Antimicrobial resistance and infection control measures, Barnahus model for child sexual abuse services |
7 |
|
Winter plan |
22 |
|
Total new measures for 2022 |
318 |
|
* excludes 4m Winter plan funding listed in the 22m designated for PCRS |
|
|
** excludes 1m Winter plan funding listed in the 22m designated for mental health |
|
|
***excludes 2m Winter plan funding listed in the 22m designated for Older Persons |
|
|
**** excludes 2m Winter plan funding listed in the 22m designated for PCRS |
|
|
Note- the Winter plan allocations (out of a total of €22m additional funding provided for Winter plan measures in Estimates 2022) should be considered provisional until the HSE has finalised its 2022 NSP |
We have highlighted the discrepancy between the final €318m allocated in Estimates 2022 to new measures and the €311m listed in the Budget Expenditure book to the Dept of Public Expenditure and Reform and they agree that the final figure is €318m.
689. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds closed in Kerry General Hospital in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [57519/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
690. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on waiting lists for appointments at Kerry General Hospital. [57520/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last twenty 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.
The current surge in Covid-19 cases has put increasing pressures on hospitals and ICUs. As part of the response to this the HSE has advised all Hospital Groups to take a series of immediate actions which include a 14 day period of prioritising unscheduled care, COVID care and urgent time sensitive work in particular in Model 4 hospitals. The situation is to be reviewed after that period.
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.
On the 7th October I published the Acute Waiting List Action Plan. This plan, to run until December 2021, has a series of targeted measures that are designed to address the growth in waiting lists caused by Covid-19 and the cyber-attack.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
The information requested by the Deputy concerning, number of persons currently on waiting lists for appointments at Kerry General Hospital is outlined in the attached document. This information is also available on the NTPF website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
691. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital appointments either cancelled or postponed at Kerry General Hospital since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. [57521/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
692. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of clinicians that have left their posts by CHO area in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57525/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
693. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when a service (details supplied) will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57526/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Healthcare Organisation 9.
There are significant numbers of homeless and addiction service users in this area, particularly in Dublin North City and County. The area also has a high migrant health population living in overcrowded accommodation and quarantine accommodation.
It is important to state that all these cohorts have specific challenges and that they need individualised supports to be put in place if they are Covid positive, as they cannot isolate in their existing accommodation on public health grounds.
The HSE has advised that there is still a very significant ongoing demand for isolation in this facility and that it will be maintained as a Covid Isolation Facility for the coming winter period.
The HSE has assured me that the use of this facility as a Covid-19 response is being reviewed on an ongoing basis in line with national guidance.
I am happy to confirm that the HSE remain committed to enhancing the residential addiction services in this area including the reopening of the Keltoi facility once it is no longer required as part of the Covid-19 response.
It is vital that individuals receiving rehabilitation services from Keltoi are supported to continue their recovery path. I welcome that fact that the Keltoi counselling staff based in the HSE Stanhope Centre, are continuing to provide appropriate support services to clients under the Keltoi aftercare programme.
694. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if recruitment has begun for the dual diagnosis team in CHO3; the location in which the team will be operational; the location of same; the supports it will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57527/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
695. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a second temporary replacement doctor will be allocated to a general practitioner practice (details supplied) from which two doctors have recently retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57528/21]
View answerWhere a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. The HSE are currently re-advertising to fill the GMS vacancy concerned.
Since the resignation of the two GMS GPs in partnership on the 31st of August last, the HSE has since provided a full medical service to the patients on both GP GMS panels. A new GP surgery was set up with a locum GP and full nursing and secretarial staff.
The combined size of both GMS panels is relatively small and would generally be served by one GP. The HSE previously advertised a single GMS post for both panels on two occasions, however these campaigns were ultimately unsuccessful. As mentioned, the HSE has now re-advertised the post for a third time nationally and in the UK, Australia and Canada.
Despite the increased demand for GP services associated with this time of year, the HSE has not received any complaints relating to access to the service currently provided.
696. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances in which general practitioners are giving blanket refusals to see medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57529/21]
View answerI am not aware of GPs giving blanket refusals to see medical card holders. General practice has continued to operate during the Covid-19 public health emergency and GPs see patients face to face where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place.
In response to the pandemic, it has been necessary for GPs to triage patient in-person contact with GP surgeries as much as possible, to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and for the protection of patients and staff. GPs are performing assessments over the phone to determine if a patient needs to attend the surgery or whether a remote phone consultation is suitable. Where clinically indicated, the GP will arrange an appointment to see the patient in the surgery.
697. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners who have retired in County Kerry in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [57530/21]
View answerGeneral practitioners are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide medical services on its behalf to medical card and GP visit card holders without charge. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the number of GPs that have retired from their GMS contract.
698. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has a reserve of healthcare staff or professionals to assist with general practitioner clinics in instances of staff shortages or staffing emergencies arising from Covid-19; and if so, if he will provide details on such reserves. [57531/21]
View answerIt should be noted that GP practices are private practices and GPs are not employees of the HSE, as such the responsibility for staff resourcing rests with each individual practice. However, in recognition of the central role general practice plays in the delivery of healthcare, the HSE provides support to GPs to ensure continuity of service. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of GP support fees, as well as a grant payment for GP out of hour services providers, have been in place since March 2020.
Building on the experience of the pandemic, additional supports and resources were provided to general practice last winter, taking account of the heightened impact of the pandemic at the time. It is important that some of the most beneficial reforms and learning from the Covid-19 experience are maintained. In this context, it is envisaged that a more targeted approach will be required this year with a particular focus on how the surge in capacity over the winter period will bring pressure on single handed practices which may be impacted by illness or excessive demand. A range of appropriate measures will be required to ensure the continued provision of supports to local GPs services.
€10m has been provided to implement measures to support general practice in line with the approach outlined above, with the detailed arrangements currently being finalised in consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation on behalf of GPs.
