Written Answers Nos. 144-163
144. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if the current organisational structure chart for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland will be provided; if it will include numbers of all staff working in each directorate by tenure, that is, permanent, consultant, contract, agency or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16882/22]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the NMBI, I have asked NMBI to respond directly to the Deputy in that regard.
145. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a report on a protected disclosure has not yet been finalised (details supplied); when the report with findings will be made available relating to this protected disclosure from the outsourced investigator; if he will provide all costings accrued to date relating to this protected disclosure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16883/22]
View answerThe protected disclosure mentioned by the Deputy raised allegations of such seriousness, that my predecessor as Minister for Health, Simon Harris, decided to conduct a review of the disclosure made, under Section 27(9) of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. This review was completed and submitted to the CNO's Office within my Department.
As you will be aware, responding to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has been a key focus of my Department since early 2020. During this period, much of the non COVID work across the Department was disrupted, including within the CNO’s Office.
However, work is underway to complete this protected disclosure as a matter of urgency and I understand that this will be finalised in the very near future.
146. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a new national public health emergency team; if he plans to ensure a proper gender balance on the new group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16906/22]
View answerThe Deputy is advised that an appropriate COVID-19 monitoring structure is currently under consideration. The new structure will be comprised of individuals with the relevant skills and expertise and due regard will be paid to gender balance.
147. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in reducing smoking rates in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16907/22]
View answerIreland's smoking prevalence declined from 29% in 2007 to 23% in 2015 and was at 18% in 2021.
Tobacco control policy in Ireland is framed by our national policy Tobacco Free Ireland, by our obligations as a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and by EU tobacco control law. Tobacco Free Ireland contains over 60 recommendations to reduce smoking prevalence, each of which is subject to two overarching principles:
- The protection of children must be prioritised in all of the initiatives outlined in the policy.
- Denormalisation must be a complementary underpinning theme for all of the initiatives within the policy
The current legislative project in tobacco control is the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted and its major proposals include:
- introducing a licensing system for the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products to include an annual fee per premises for the sale of such, in such an amount as may be determined by the Minister.
- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products from self-service vending machines.
- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products from mobile units/containers.
- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products at events/locations primarily intended for persons under 18 years.
- prohibiting the sale of nicotine inhaling products to persons under 18 years.
- prohibiting the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products by those under 18 years.
- introducing minimum suspension periods for tobacco retailers convicted of offences.
- introducing fixed penalty notices (on the spot fines) for offences.
148. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date to provide a primary care centre to serve the four district areas of Saggart, Rathcoole, Newcastle and Brittas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16908/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
149. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a home support package will be processed and in place for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16910/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
150. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €7.8 million allocated to the assessment of needs service that was allocated to Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16946/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
151. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if a child with a diagnosis of autism can be referred to CAMHS for mental health assessment and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16947/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
152. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the criteria for a child to access the services of CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16948/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
153. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for CAMHS in the Fingal area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16949/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
154. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been provided with a service statement since the implementation of the revised assessment of needs policy in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16950/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
155. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 696 of 1 March 2022, if he will provide details on the membership of the Clinical Advisory Forum established under the auspices of the National Women and Infants Health Programme in 2020; the number of times it has met; the names of the representatives from primary, community and hospital-based providers who attended these meetings; the organisation or provider they represented while doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17007/22]
View answerAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
156. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is time to examine regionalising ambulance controls again and ceasing the centralised model to help ensure that ambulances are kept in their local areas and not put travelling through all parts of other counties other than the county that they are designated to be in (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17008/22]
View answerOn the deployment of ambulances, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) triages all emergency calls received using an Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS). This ensures that immediately life-threatening injuries and illnesses are prioritised to receive the quickest response. The NAS uses dynamic deployment to place resources to areas where cover is required or to respond to incidents as they arise to ensure the nearest available resource responds to emergencies. The current deployment model has eliminated previous practices where the nearest ambulance was not always dispatched due to former legacy boundaries. The Government is prioritising resourcing of the NAS and improved emergency response times, including through the funding of the NAS strategic plan, which includes planning for increased capacity across the country. As part of its budget allocation for 2022 totalling an unprecedented €200 million, the NAS will receive an additional €8.3 million funding for new service developments which will be invested in additional frontline staff and equipment.
In regard to the details enclosed with the Deputy's question concerning ambulance resourcing in Co Kerry on the night of 22 March, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in the matter, as soon as possible.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for a residential care place for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17044/22]
View answerAs the question relates to an operational matter, I am forwarding the PQ to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
158. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm when a person (details supplied) will be provided with an orthopaedic appointment. [17050/22]
View answerUnder 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.
159. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the policies that are in place for a person (details supplied) needing to take extra medication abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17051/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
160. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Tullamore hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17052/22]
View answer162. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Beaumont Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17054/22]
View answer165. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Portiuncula Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17068/22]
View answer166. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Portlaoise hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17069/22]
View answer167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Sligo University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17070/22]
View answer172. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Mayo University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17075/22]
View answer175. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Naas General Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17078/22]
View answer177. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges fro patients attending hospital groups managed by Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17080/22]
View answer178. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Connolly Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17081/22]
View answer179. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Drogheda OLOL hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17082/22]
View answer181. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Letterkenny hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17084/22]
View answer184. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by St. James's University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17087/22]
View answer186. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17089/22]
View answer187. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by University Hospital Galway in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17090/22]
View answer188. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges on patients attending hospital groups managed by Waterford University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17091/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 162, 165 to 167, inclusive, 172, 175, 177 to 179, inclusive, 181, 184 and 186 to 188, 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.
161. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Wexford hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17053/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
163. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and-or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges from patients attending hospital groups managed by Cork University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17055/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
