Written Answers Nos. 176-196
176. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of ICU beds currently being sourced from private hospitals; the monthly cost to the Exchequer of these beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59515/21]
View answer177. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the total payments made by the State to private hospitals and other private health service providers in 2020 and up to the end of October 2021; the projected cost in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59516/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
These two written parliamentary questions are duplicates of two Oral PQs 59505/21 and 59506/21 to be answered by me tomorrow.
Following contact from officials in my Department, the Deputy's office has indicated that he is happy to receive the substantive answers by way of Oral PQs tomorrow.
178. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that no other transplant operations are cancelled due to lack of ICU bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59517/21]
View answerThe HSE has advised that all necessary action is currently being undertaken in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that organ donation and transplant services continue in so far as practically possible. However, due to the risk Covid-19 presents to transplant patients, and the negative impact increased pressure on ICU capacity has on transplant services, reduced levels of organ donation and transplant service activity will continue to be experienced during the pandemic.
The HSE has advised that Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland (ODTI) and the transplant centres have worked to ensure that the most time critical and life-saving transplants proceeded based on careful risk-benefit assessment.
In regard to critical care particularly, there is an acknowledged capacity deficit as set out in the Health Service Capacity Review which was noted by Government in 2018. In December last year, Government noted the Strategic Plan for Critical Care which aims to address this and which sets out a plan for reaching 446 critical care beds nationally over time. Very significant funding of €52m was provided by Government in 2021, and a further €10.5m this year, to progress implementation of the Plan. This funding has seen critical care capacity increasing from 255 permanent critical care beds in early 2020 to 297 currently, with the aim of reaching 340 by early 2023, a 33% increase.
179. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59521/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional. These appliances and aids are provided by the HSE through community services known as Community Funded Schemes and play a key role in assisting and supporting service users to maintain everyday functioning, and to remain living in their homes and local community.
Each Community Health Organisations (CHO) operates processes for the allocation of funding for medical and surgical aids and appliances. Each application within a CHO is assessed by the local Resource Allocation Group and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets.
At times, due to the demand for resources exceeding the available capacity, waiting lists may apply for some categories of items provided through the medical and surgical aids and appliances budget in a particular CHO. CHOs undertake a range of initiatives to ensure optimum use of resources.
A HSE Primary Care led National Service Improvement Programme has the aim of improving the equity of access, value for money, and functional processes of the Community Funded Schemes through the establishment of national guidelines for the provision of medical and surgical aids and appliances. While this work was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as the situation involving the pandemic improves, this Programme will gather pace.
As this question also raises a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he plans to set up a system in which services from NEPS, KIDS, CAMHS and the entire school system could work together in a team-like effort to assess, summarise and provide for the needs of children whether they have Aspergers or other related issues under the autism spectrum that many parents and children have to face on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59530/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
181. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of hospitals within the South South West Hospital Group communicating with each other on patient data; and if the centralised system of patient reports and information can be accessed by all hospitals and community operations in the HSE. [59532/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 435 and 436 of 13 June 2021, the status of the Strategic Assessment Report and Preliminary Business Case Report required in respect of the proposed emergency department and women and children’s block in University Hospital Galway; his plans to publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59533/21]
View answerAs 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.
183. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 5 December 2018, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway city west; the location of same; when he expects the centre to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59534/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
184. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the reconfiguration of the Galway Roscommon ASD service to the new Children’s Disability Network Services for Children and Young People; the engagement his Department has had with service users and their families with regard to the reconfiguration; the number of children who are currently on the waiting list for assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59535/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
185. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 680 of 15 September 2021, the status of the development of a primary care centre on Inisbofin; if a site has been purchased to date; if an application for planning permission has been submitted in respect of the promised primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59536/21]
View answerAs 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.
186. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the two orthopaedic theatres with ancillary accommodation for the provision of elective procedures in Merlin Park University Hospital; if he expects construction to be complete by the end of 2021 as previously planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59537/21]
View answerAs 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.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when respite will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59538/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
188. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in relation to the proposed National Maternity Hospital; if he will respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59539/21]
View answerI can confirm that I have received the correspondence the Deputy refers to, and this is receiving the appropriate attention in my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government.
The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new NMH were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised in 2016 following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG). The Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Work is ongoing towards the finalisation of the legal arrangements.
I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it affirms that that State’s investment in the new hospital is safeguarded, as well as providing assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. However, as I have stated previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process has concluded.
190. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available to a person (details supplied) who currently lives with their parent who has been awarded a place in a nursing home under the fair deal scheme and is unable to look after themselves. [59552/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if home help care can be urgently facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59554/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the payment of the travel allowance to homecare workers will be issued in December (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59590/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of funding plans submitted by Children’s Health Ireland to alleviate pressure on Temple Street and Crumlin children’s hospitals and which require approval from the HSE; the status of the funding plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59591/21]
View answerAs part of Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI) paediatric orthopaedic service, most scoliosis cases are treated at Crumlin and Temple Street, with Crumlin providing specialised multi-disciplinary treatment for the most complex patients. The National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional capacity for the treatment of less complex orthopaedic patients, including routine scoliosis procedures. By using the capacity provided by Cappagh, CHI can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites.
More specifically, additional theatre capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh commenced on the 26 April 2021 for daycase surgery. CHI has advised the Department of Health that this should result in a positive impact in reducing long waiting times for general orthopaedics, in addition to consequential capacity gains for scoliosis patients. In 2022 CHI is planning to undertake a range of inpatient, daycase and outpatient orthopaedic appointments in Cappagh.
Funding proposals submitted to the HSE by Children’s Health Ireland to increase capacity and activity for both orthopaedic and scoliosis patients are considered under the HSE National Service Plan 2022 and under the HSE Capital Plan. Improving access to scheduled care capacity remains a priority for me and my Department as we work to finalise next years’ Service Plan.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. 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.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are 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.
194. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the degree to which his Department was involved in the preparation for the COP9 conference on tobacco control; the lessons learned by Ireland and the European Union from COP9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59593/21]
View answerThe 9th Conference of the Parties (COP9) to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control took place virtually from 8 to 12 November. Due to the virtual nature of the conference, an abridged agenda was adopted. Unlike previous meetings of the parties, discussion and decision-making on key issues relating to tobacco control could not take place at COP9. Discussion of these issues will take place at COP10 which is scheduled for November 2023.
As with previous COPs, officials from my Department actively participated in discussions at EU level during September and October to develop positions in advance of COP9.
In the context of a meeting where very few decisions were made, one of the key learnings from COP9 was the need to be ever-vigilant in protecting public health policy from interference by the tobacco industry.
195. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health his views on the findings of a survey by an organisation (details supplied) which found that 71% of those surveyed in favour of raising the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 years of age; if he has considered introducing this new age restriction in Ireland given the success this measure had in reducing smoking prevalence among 18 to 24 year olds in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59594/21]
View answerI note with interest the findings of the survey conducted on behalf of the Irish Heart Foundation on increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21. In recent weeks I approved a proposal by my Department to carry out a review of Tobacco Free Ireland, the national tobacco control policy. The measures recommended by Tobacco Free Ireland, and implemented since its introduction in 2013, have been guided by evidence and best practice with the overarching goals of the denormalisation of smoking in society and the protection of children from the harms of tobacco products. In the course of the review of Tobacco Free Ireland, all policy proposals that are evidence based and can assist in efforts to reduce our smoking rates will be examined.
196. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if additional funding was sought in 2020 from the estimates to provide seven day per week respite at a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59598/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
