Written Answers Nos. 640-659
640. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner training places that were provided in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number that went on to become general practitioners working in the State by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12847/22]
View answerGP training is in the main four years in duration. Those undertaking GP training through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway in Medicine & Emergency medicine complete training in 3 years. Those undertaking the RPL Paediatric pathway complete in 3 years 8 months.
The intake to GP Training has increased from 159 in 2015 to 258 places available in 2022, this is expected to increase by 10% each year to reach target of 350 intake by 2026.
Irish College of General Practitioner records demonstrate that of the 928 graduates of Irish GP training in the last 5 years (2016-2021), 821 of these doctors (88.5%) are currently in active practice as a GP in Ireland.
Details of the number of annual intake of trainees on to the GP training programme, and the numbers graduating in each of the years 2016 to 2022, are set out in the schedule below:
|
YEAR |
Intake to GP Training |
Trainees Graduated from GP training (not specific to State contracts -covers both private and public practice) |
|
2022 |
258* |
13** |
|
2021 |
233 |
152 |
|
2020 |
208 |
156 |
|
2019 |
193 |
143 |
|
2018 |
194 |
152 |
|
2017 |
170 |
169 |
|
2016 |
172 |
143 |
|
Total |
1,428 |
928 |
*Expected intake in July 2022. The ICGP are currently recruiting for the July 2022 entrants to training so the filled places cannot be confirmed at this time.
**GP Trainees graduated in 2022 as of 7th March 2022.
641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of psychology, occupational therapy and dietician appointments that have taken place in the past year from the early intervention service in Spiddal, County Galway. [12852/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated timeframe for the completion of the relevant draft regulations with regard to section 12 and 13 of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 including the revision of same by the Office of the Attorney General; the estimated timeframe for the submission of and assessment by the European Commission of the draft regulations to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12853/22]
View answerSections 12 and 13 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 empower the Minister for Health to make Regulations on the labelling of alcohol products and the content of advertising respectively.
Work on commencement of these sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act was suspended throughout 2020 and much of 2021 due to resources being diverted to COVID-19 related areas; that work has now restarted.
Draft regulations under section 12 of the Act have been developed and are currently with the Office of the Attorney General for settling. Draft regulations under section 13 are currently being developed.
The process in relation to the draft regulations under section 12 is that Ireland is required to notify the draft to the European Commission under the Single Market Transparency Directive (EU) 2015/1535. Once notified, a 3-month standstill period is triggered during which the Commission and other Member States assess the draft rules in the context of Single Market principles.
This Directive enables the Commission, EU Member States and participating countries to react to any potential barriers to the free movement of products and the provision of information society services and reactions can take one of the following forms:
- The Commission, the EU Member States and the other participating countries can issue ‘comments’ to be taken into account by the country that has notified a draft rule or rules, if the notified draft needs to be adjusted.
- The Commission and EU Member States can also send the notifying Member State a ‘detailed opinion’ if a serious concern is identified. This extends the standstill period and opens a dialogue phase with the notifying country. The potential barrier identified can thus be effectively addressed.
- If an EU proposal in the same area is in the pipeline, the Commission can take a ‘blocking decision’ to postpone the adoption of the national measure.
In relation to section 13 of the Act, Ireland is required to notify the draft advertising regulations to the European Commission under the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011. This Regulation establishes the general principles, requirements and responsibilities governing food information and in particular food labelling.
On receipt of the notification, the Commission shall consult the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health if it considers such consultation to be useful or if a Member State so requests. The Member State notifying the draft regulations may take the envisaged measures only 3 months after the notification, provided that it has not received a negative opinion from the Commission. However, if the Commission’s opinion is negative, and before the expiry of the 3 month period, the Commission shall initiate an examination procedure in order to determine whether the envisaged measures may be implemented subject, if necessary, to the appropriate modifications.
643. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if surgery is available through the HSE to treat adhesive capsulitis in the case of a person (details supplied); and if so, the average wait time for receiving such a procedure. [12854/22]
View answerIn 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.
644. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 9 February 2022, the amount of the lower bid placed on a property (details supplied) that the HSE surpassed to complete the purchase in January 2021 for a price of €750,000; if he will identify each alternative property that was considered in Cork in 2020 for community mental health placement provision; if he will identify the exact dates each property was viewed by the HSE; and if bids were made by the HSE on those properties and any relevant details, including the bid amounts. [12855/22]
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.
645. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 9 February 2022, the number of persons currently residing in a mental health residence (details supplied); if he will provide details of the facility in Carrigaline, County Cork to which the residents are due to be moved; the timeframe for this move; if he will provide the number of residents to be moved to Carrigaline and the client capacity in the Carrigaline facility; when this facility was purchased by the HSE; and the sale cost and cost of any refurbishments and adaptations. [12856/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide estimates of the cost of cancer care, including screening and treatment to the HSE each year since 2016; if he will provide a breakdown of the costs of screening, diagnostics, medicines, inpatient and outpatient hospital days, primary and accident and emergency care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12857/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
647. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the length of the waiting lists for BreastCheck; and if he will consider providing additional funding in order to address the length of these lists (details supplied). [12859/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
648. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the recruitment and provision of neurology nurse specialists in Tallaght University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12870/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
649. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of a PrEP clinical nurse manager in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork. [12879/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly by the 8th March 2022.
650. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of new service users engaged with the Cork PrEP service every month between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021. [12880/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
651. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the public alternatives that have been put in place for new PreP service users who have been unable to engage with the PrEP service since 4 October 2021 in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork. [12881/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
652. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by an association (details supplied) which is seeking an additional 100 neurology nurse specialists across Ireland; if he has engaged with this association; if so, the details of the engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12901/22]
View answerIn 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.
653. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Mater Misericordiae University is currently operating with a shortage of neurology nurse specialists; the estimated cost of an additional eight neurology nurse specialists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12902/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
654. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting a neurology outpatient appointment in the Mater Misericordiae University. [12903/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is publicly available on the website of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, www.ntpf.ie
655. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health his views on whether investing in neurology nurses is a cost-efficient way of improving the efficiency of outpatient clinics, reducing waiting times and ensuring patients have access to the specialist support they need to manage their conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12904/22]
View answerIn 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.
656. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the workforce plan for specialist eating disorder teams including recruitment and retention of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12914/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
657. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his plans to restore the 30% pay cut that was imposed on consultant psychiatrics in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12915/22]
View answerI am aware that the differential in pay with consultants recruited prior to October 2012 is a significant issue for new-entrant consultants recruited since then.
The 30% differential introduced in 2012 was substantially reversed following engagement in 2015, particularly at the top of the relevant scales. However the differential increased in 2018 following the settlement of the High Court cases taken by pre-2012 consultants. At present, the difference at top of scale is approximately 11-15%, depending on contract type, though greater at entry points.
This matter is being considered as part of the ongoing Sláintecare consultant contract negotiations with the consultants' representative bodies. With that in mind, further public comment on this matter would not be appropriate at this time, save to say that specific consideration is being given to the issue within the current process.
658. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed plan for increasing adult eating disorder beds; the locations they will be based; when they will be expected to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12916/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
659. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference of the Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12917/22]
View answerThe Deputy has been advised directly on this matter.
