Tuesday, 1 Feb 2022

Departmental Data

Questions (711)

David Cullinane

Question:

711. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the annual spend on private ambulances from 2018 to 2021. [4555/22]

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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.

Emergency Departments

Questions (712)

David Cullinane

Question:

712. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 75 years of age waiting over 24 hours in an emergency department for hospital beds. [4556/22]

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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.

Home Care Packages

Questions (713)

David Cullinane

Question:

713. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of homecare waiting lists; the number of hours budgeted for compared to the hours that were provided in 2020 and 2021; the number budgeted for in 2022; the number of whole-time equivalents required to deliver the unspent hours from 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4557/22]

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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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (714, 715)

David Cullinane

Question:

714. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of speech and language therapy waiting lists for children; the number waiting more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4558/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

715. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of occupational therapy waiting lists for children; the number waiting more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4559/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 715 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. 715 answered with Question No. 714.

Health Services

Questions (716)

David Cullinane

Question:

716. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of physiotherapy waiting lists for children; the number waiting more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/22]

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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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (717)

David Cullinane

Question:

717. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of cataract waiting lists; the number waiting more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4561/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Delta and Omicron variants.

As part of the response to this the HSE advised all Hospital Groups to take a series of immediate actions which included a period of prioritising unscheduled care, COVID care and urgent time sensitive work - in particular in Model 4 hospitals. Services are beginning to return to normal but elective procedures continue to be affected by staff absences due to Covid and emergency department pressures that are running above 2019 levels.

The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to improve access for patients waiting for high volume procedures, including cataracts. Ophthalmology services are provided throughout all hospital groups in the country, with cataract removal one of the key procedures carried out as part of this specialty.

A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there. The impact of such initiatives can be seen in the reduction in the waiting times to access cataract procedures since 2018. At the end of December 2021 there were 4,614 patients waiting for a cataract procedure compared to 6,440 in December 2018.

In addition, the Department of Health, 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 the Department of Health and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund.

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 the cataract waiting list, is outlined in the attached document.

Cataracts Waiting List Dec-21

3 Months	6 Months	9 Months	12 Months	18 Months	Total
1,852	906	602	423	233	4,614

Health Services Staff

Questions (718)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

718. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a definitive start date will be provided for the two newly-appointed psychologists to the Celbridge and Kilcock primary care centres; when a start date will be agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4566/22]

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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.

Health Services

Questions (719)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

719. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4567/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 Services

Questions (720)

David Cullinane

Question:

720. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the elective throughput in each model 3 and 4 hospital in each month of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [4582/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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 (721)

Barry Cowen

Question:

721. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect an appointment for orthopaedic surgery at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [4589/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (722)

Colm Burke

Question:

722. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the Government’s position on the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4590/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, launched by the Commission on the 25 November 2020, is a patient-centred strategy that aims to ensure the quality and safety of medicines, while boosting the sector’s global competitiveness. It aims to ensure access, and address medicines shortages, ensure sustainable need-driven patient-centered innovation, and ensure affordability of medicines for patients and health systems sustainability. The Department of Health contributed to and shaped the development of the Strategy through its representation at Pharmaceutical Committee meetings, the Directors of Pharmaceutical Policy meetings and in workshops hosted virtually by the Commission during its genesis.

The strategy is now at an implementation stage and a wide spectrum of actions covering different policy areas have been identified to contribute to its realisation. The Pharmaceutical Committee will be a key mechanism to drive the execution of a number of actions in the coming years. My officials participate in meetings of this committee. These actions include amongst others, attention to issues around unmet medical needs, affordability of medicines for patients and health systems’ sustainability, a sound and flexible regulatory system, access to medicines, antimicrobial resistance, providing a fertile environment for Europe’s industry, enabling innovation and digital transformation, enhancing Europe’s crisis response mechanisms and securing supply of medicines and avoiding shortages.

The Commission has recently launched a study to support the evaluation and impact assessment for the revision of the EU general pharmaceutical legislation, one of the key identified actions required to implement the Strategy. It is expected that the outcome of this study will provide data, analysis and evidence to the Commission to evaluate the effects of the comprehensive revision of the general pharmaceutical legislation adopted in 2004, and to assess the impacts of possible future changes to the legislative framework.

Ireland continues to watch and participate with interest in, the progression of the work activities underpinning the evolution of the aims of Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, and wishes to acknowledge the ongoing work being done by the Commission to date on this initiative.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (723)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

723. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for surgery in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4743/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Commissions of Investigation

Questions (724)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

724. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 899 of 2 November 2021 and 658 of 25 January 2022, the reason that the first and second interim reports of the Farrelly Commission as published on the Departmental website appear to be the same document; if copies of both reports will now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4746/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. Due to an administrative error the second interim report was published twice. It has now been corrected and the first interim report is now also available on the Department’s website.

Legislative Process

Questions (725)

Denis Naughten

Question:

725. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed in his Department; the reason for the delay; when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4763/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (726)

David Cullinane

Question:

726. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing entitlements made available through agreements to general practice; the basis on which entitlements are apportioned; if the entitlements of partnership practice are proportional to the number of general practitioners or a flat rate per practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4773/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the GMS scheme, GPs are paid a subsidy towards the cost of employing a practice nurse and/or a practice secretary. Payments are made to participating GPs with a panel size of at least 100 GMS patients and are based on the size of the GMS patient panel. The maximum payment is applicable at a panel size of 1,200 or more patients; payments made to panels less than 1,200 are made on a pro-rata basis. The subsidy rate applies to those staff employed on a full-time basis and for staff not employed on a full-time basis payment is made on a pro-rata basis. Group practices may also qualify for a subsidy to employ a practice manager.

GP’s in partnerships or group practices may aggregate their panels when making an application for a subsidy. However, partnership and group practices do not qualify for a subsidy in respect of more than one practice secretary and/or practice nurse per contracting GP in the practice.

In addition, GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria will also qualify for the rural support allowance, and the 2019 GP Agreement provides for increased support for participating practices in disadvantaged urban areas.

The practice staff subsidy rates are set out below.

Subsidy	Cost
Nursing subsidy (per year) – 1 year’s experience	€30,945.86
Nursing subsidy (per year) – 2 years’ experience	€32,665.07
Nursing subsidy (per year) – 3 years’ experience	€34,384.29
Nursing subsidy (per year) – 4 or more years’ experience	€37,822.72
Secretarial subsidy (per year) – 1 year’s experience	€20,630.57
Secretarial subsidy (per year) – 2 years’ experience	€22,349.80
Secretarial subsidy (per year) – 3 or more years’ experience	€24,068.99
Practice manager subsidy (per year) – based on first point of nursing subsidy	€30,945.86

General Practitioner Services

Questions (727, 728, 729, 730, 731)

David Cullinane

Question:

727. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the value of payments made specifically for staffing costs to general practitioners in 2019, 2020, and 2021; the number of practice secretaries, practice nurses and practice managers these payments are made for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4774/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

728. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the value of payments made to general practitioners in 2019, 2020, and 2021 for practice nurses. [4775/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

729. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the value of payments made to general practitioners in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for practice secretaries. [4776/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

730. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the value of payments made to general practitioners in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for practice managers. [4777/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

731. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of active medical card and free general practitioner cards and related general practitioner expenditure in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [4778/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 to 731, inclusive, 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. 728 answered with Question No. 727.

Question No. 729 answered with Question No. 727.

Question No. 730 answered with Question No. 727.