Tuesday, 15 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 710-728

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (710)

Brian Stanley

Question:

710. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will have an assessment of need completed and the necessary services put in place. [7778/22]

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.

Health Services

Questions (711)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

711. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of persons from CHO8 who used the Cross Border Directive in order to avail of health services in Northern Ireland in each of the years 2017 to 2021. [7779/22]

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.

Hospital Services

Questions (712)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

712. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the current healthcare services provided in the Louth Hospital; and the agencies and bodies that hold responsibility for these services. [7780/22]

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.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (713)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

713. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of the delivery of the planned primary centre for Dundalk, County Louth. [7781/22]

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.

Hospital Services

Questions (714)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

714. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the current healthcare services provided in the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and the agencies and bodies that hold responsibility for these services. [7782/22]

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 (715)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

715. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a service (details supplied) in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7787/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (716)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

716. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a position (details supplied); the details of the role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7790/22]

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.

Dental Services

Questions (717, 792, 889)

Duncan Smith

Question:

717. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department’s discussions with an association (details supplied) in relation to agreeing a new contract and provision for dental care services for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7805/22]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

792. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the commitment in Budget 2022 to provide for a dental scheme for medical card holders; the exact funding earmarked for this; the details of the improvements that can be expected for medical card holders; and the expected dates of implementation. [8061/22]

Steven Matthews

Question:

889. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Departmental review of the dental medical card scheme; if a timeline can be provided for its completion; his plans to alleviate access issues to dentists for medical card holders in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8317/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 717, 792 and 889 together.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTTS) is available to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The dental care is provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme.

The Scheme covers a dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, prescriptions, denture repairs and extractions as necessary. Other more complex treatments such as the provision of dentures require the prior approval of the HSE.

I fully acknowledge the need to align the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, and I have given a commitment to the Irish Dental Association to begin substantive discussions by the second quarter of this year.

My immediate priority is to seek to address the current situation of medical card patients experiencing problems in accessing treatment.

In that respect, officials from my Department and from the HSE have held two rounds of discussions with the IDA, the most recent on 17 December last when my Department and the HSE presented proposals to invest additional resources in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme, including €10m provided in the Budget, on top of the 2022 Estimate allocation of €56 million.

The Department / HSE has offered increased fees across a number of items and proposed the reintroduction of the Scale and Polish item.

These proposals were expedited to address not only the problem of access for patients, but also concerns expressed by dentists about the viability of the DTSS, and to some extent, to bring about alignment with the Dental Treatment Benefits Scheme, which is widely operated by dentists for PRSI patients.

The Department is anxious to move the process on, in the interests of patients, and is hoping to meet the IDA again in the next couple of weeks to progress matters.

In the meantime, I have been assured that the HSE Public Dental Service is seeking to provide emergency cover for any medical card patients who are experiencing problems in accessing a service.

Mental Health Services

Questions (718)

Duncan Smith

Question:

718. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of CAMHS consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7806/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (719)

Duncan Smith

Question:

719. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of consultants in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7807/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Given its statutory functions in relation to medical training and approval of consultant posts I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy concerning these issues.

It is recognised that there are particular challenges in filling posts in certain specialties and in certain locations. The number of training places have been increased to support further growth and to address challenges in particular specialties.

The Government is committed to continuing to grow consultant numbers in accordance with established health policy. Over the past year (to 31 December 2021) 150 additional consultant posts have been filled. In that time the number of consultant (whole time equivalents) has increased from 3,458 to 3,608. Over the past 5 years numbers employed have increased by 750.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (720)

Duncan Smith

Question:

720. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of additional permanent ICU beds that will be delivered in quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4 of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7808/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to addressing the long-standing deficit in critical care capacity.  Very significant funding of €77 million has been provided by Government across 2021 and 2022, to increase national capacity to 340 critical care beds by 2023.

To date, an additional 42 beds have been opened, bringing permanent adult critical care capacity from 255 beds in early 2020 to 297 beds now. 

A further 28 critical care beds are expected to open in 2022, bringing the total number of critical care beds to 325 by year end. The HSE has advised that 11 of these beds are likely to be open in Q1, with one further bed to open in each of Q2 and Q3, and the remainder in Q4. However, achievement of these timelines will be contingent on recruitment of the necessary staff and completion of capital projects. I am acutely conscious of the need to drive fastest possible implementation of the Strategic Plan for Critical Care and my Department is in ongoing engagement with the HSE in this regard.

The Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Government in December 2020, will when implemented fully address the recommendation of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review for 430 critical care beds by 2031. In fact, it surpasses that recommendation, delivering an increase in capacity to 446 over time.

Health Services Staff

Questions (721)

Duncan Smith

Question:

721. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses that have left HSE employment prior to retirement age since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (722)

Duncan Smith

Question:

722. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare assistants that have left HSE employment prior to retirement age since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7810/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (723)

Duncan Smith

Question:

723. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists that have left HSE employment prior to retirement age since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7811/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (724)

Duncan Smith

Question:

724. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists that have left HSE employment prior to retirement age since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7812/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (725)

Duncan Smith

Question:

725. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists that have left HSE employment prior to retirement age since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7813/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (726)

Duncan Smith

Question:

726. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of laboratory scientists that have left HSE employment prior to retirement age since January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (727)

Duncan Smith

Question:

727. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE have mechanisms such as exit interviews to gauge the reason that nurses have left employment in the HSE prior to retirement; the reasons given for leaving the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7815/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (728)

Duncan Smith

Question:

728. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE have mechanisms such as exit interviews to gauge the reason that healthcare assistants have left employment in the HSE prior to retirement; the reason given for leaving the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7816/22]

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.