Gino Kenny
Question:71. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the plans for the Brook House mental health facility in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/22]
View answerMental Health Services
Questions (71)
Written answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Service Executive
Questions (72)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:72. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 731 and 732 of 22 February 2022, if any of the National Independent Review Panels reviewed numbered 1, 2 and 3, which have been completed to date and which have generated reports; the findings of these reviews; the types of services that have been reviewed; and the number of National Independent Review Panels currently in progress. [16022/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the National Independent Review Panel is commissioned by the HSE, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 34.
Mental Health Services
Questions (74)
James Lawless
Question:74. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE proposal to develop three pilot sites for specialist mental health services for older persons. [16873/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (75)
Steven Matthews
Question:75. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of existing mental health supports for children in the Wicklow catchment area; if his attention has been drawn to the significant waiting lists for these essential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16781/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (76)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:76. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he intends taking to shorten the processes involved in developing major health capital projects in order to provide necessary medical facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16769/22]
View answerWritten answers
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated Public Spending Code (PSC).
The PSC is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities.
These are defined processes in which all Departments and agencies are subject to and must follow to ensure that Government, as the approving authority for all major projects, can be satisfied that the project is the best means to achieve a policy goal and that we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer.
The specific requirements that must be included in a business case at the various stages of the PSC are detailed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/public-spending-code/
The Department of Health is working with the HSE, as a Sponsoring Agency, to ensure that new capital investment proposals are initiated in line with this new lifecycle approach and through all subsequent stages. For projects that pre-date the updated PSC, the Department, the HSE and project boards are working, with input from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as appropriate, to ensure that these projects can be incorporated into this lifecycle approach.
The HSE and the Department of Health have a significant number of projects underway and in development. The vast majority of these are projects with an investment of less than €100m and under the PSC the Department is the approving authority. In these instances officials are working with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to implement proportionate measures for the application of PSC requirements.
Citizens' Assembly
Questions (77)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:77. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health when he expects the citizens'’ assembly on drugs to convene. [16683/22]
View answerWritten answers
Last month, the Government agreed to the establishment of two citizens' assemblies - one dealing with biodiversity loss and the other with the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin. Given the number of citizen assemblies that are committed to in the Programme for Government, and the constraints that had delayed their establishment, these citizen assemblies will run concurrently, for the first time.
It is envisaged that the inaugural meeting of the citizen assembly will take place in April this year, with the assemblies concluding their work and submitting their reports ideally by the end of the year at latest, and earlier if possible.
It is proposed that a Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use will directly follow these two assemblies, with the intention of running it concurrently with the Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education, if learnings from the concurrent running of citizen assemblies suggest that this operational model is the best way forward.
In line with this decision, I have commenced preparations for the citizen assembly on drug use. This is being done to ensure that there will be no delay in establishing the citizen assembly when the two other citizen assemblies complete their work, before the end of this year or in first quarter of 2023 at the latest. This will allow a period of over one year for the Government to consider its recommendations.
Drug use affects all members of society, whether directly or indirectly, and imposes very significant social and financial costs. There are two issues in particular I wish the citizens assembly to consider, namely, how can we better meet the diverse health needs of people who use drugs, and also, how can we prevent the harmful impact of drugs on children, families, and communities.
I would also like to see an international component to the citizens assembly, so that there is an exchange of good practice from the British Ireland Council work sector on drugs (which I chair) and the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan, especially on alternative approaches to coercive sanctions.
The recent meeting of the National Oversight Committee for a citizens' assembly on a national drugs strategy afforded me an opportunity to consult with committee members to hear their views and perspectives regarding the content of the citizens’ assembly.
As we prepare for the citizen assembly on drug use, work will continue in implementing the government’s health-led national drugs strategy and the six strategic priorities for the remaining four years of the strategy.
I am very positive about the potential contribution of the citizen assembly to the Government's health-led response to drug use as it will provide an opportunity to reflect on progress made under the national drugs strategy.
Disability Services
Questions (78)
Pauline Tully
Question:78. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 448 to 450, inclusive, of 24 February 2022, of the more than 475 staff development posts allocated since 2019 to children's disability services, the number of these that were clinical specialists; the number of clinical specialists working within children's disability services as of March 2022; the number of clinical specialist posts currently advertised for recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16984/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 (79)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:79. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the staffing crisis in the disability sector, which is leaving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities without essential services; if additional staffing resources are being provided to the children's disability network team in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16930/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (80)
Denis Naughten
Question:80. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce a no-fault vaccination compensation scheme for severe adverse reactions to State-promoted vaccination programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11376/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, in June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is for the establishment of a compensation scheme to deal with certain vaccine damage claims.
On foot of a request from the Department of Health, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a vaccine compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation. The Department of Health is continuing planning for the development of policy in this regard.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (81)
Catherine Connolly
Question:81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 183 of 2 December 2021 and 790 of 15 February 2022, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway west; the status of the preparation of the planning permission application; if the application has been lodged to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16774/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 (82)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health when he expects the CORU Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board to open for applications; the length of time the transitional period to allow existing practitioners to register will last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16784/22]
View answerWritten answers
As you will be aware, the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 provides for the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct and professional education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professions designated under the Act. The professions of counsellor and psychotherapist were designated for regulation by my predecessor in accordance with the Act and will be regulated by CORU. The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board was appointed in February 2019 and held its inaugural meeting in May 2019. The work of the Registration Board is significantly more challenging than for registration boards for some of the more established professions, owing to the different and complex entry paths into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers. The Board is now undertaking the substantial work required to open the registers for counsellors and psychotherapists. This work includes the scoping of professions and titles and the consideration of the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and for future graduates. This work is ongoing. Owing to the significant body of preparatory work that the Registration Board is required to undertake; it is not possible to say with any degree of accuracy when the professions will be fully regulated. Once the register is opened, there will be a 2-year transitional period to allow existing practitioners to register. I hope that this information is of assistance to you.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (83)
Bernard Durkan
Question:83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a full appraisal of the health services can be undertaken with a view to identifying possible weaknesses which need to be remedied in order to improve and expand the efficiency of the health services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16970/22]
View answerWritten answers
An independent capacity review of the evolving Irish healthcare landscape covering the period 2017 to 2031 was carried out and published in 2018. This Health Service Capacity Review involved assessing current levels of activity/utilisation of services and drivers of demand in order to identify future demand and capacity requirements across these health services until 2031. The Health Service Capacity Review was further updated in 2021.
Implementation of its recommendations is a fundamental part of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023. Project 1 of Reform Programme 1, Implement the Health Service Capacity Review, has three workstreams, Healthy Living, Enhanced Community Care and Hospital Productivity. The Sláintecare 2022 Action Plan setting out the deliverables for this year will be published shortly. An additional independent review is not envisaged at this time.
Hospital Overcrowding
Questions (84)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the major hospitals in which patients admitted through accident and emergency departments, have been assessed and are waiting for a bed then have to sit on chairs overnight due to a lack of trolleys and beds; the immediate steps he intends taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16768/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (85)
Brendan Smith
Question:85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in advancing a building project at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17033/22]
View answerWritten answers
All capital investment proposals are subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code (PSC). This is to ensure we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer through disciplined project evaluation, preparation, and implementation.
The HSE is currently developing a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the proposal to develop additional capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh project, in accordance with the PSC.
When completed, the SAR will be submitted for review by my officials from a PSC and policy perspective. If granted approval-in principle, a preliminary business case can then be developed by the HSE and be brought forward for review to progress the proposal.
The decision to proceed with this project cannot be made until it progresses through a number of approval stages, in line with the PSC.
Mental Health Services
Questions (86)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if there are additional resources being allocated to the child and adolescent mental health services to deal with the long delays experienced in dealing with referrals to the service in Cork city and county, especially children being referred with complex and urgent needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16977/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (87)
Alan Farrell
Question:87. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided on the ability of the HSE to handle a second wave of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16100/22]
View answerWritten answers
Working with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, and the National Virus Reference Laboratory, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer continues to monitor the latest epidemiological situation and the ongoing international disease trajectory, including as relates to existing and emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, drawing advice from international experts and agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The Chief Medical Officer continues to advise the Minister for Health on the pandemic response as appropriate.
The HSE is actively working with hospitals and hospital groups to mitigate the impact of the current COVID situation. The HSE is continuing to utilise capacity in private hospitals and taking other measures, such as prioritising critical and time sensitive care, to reduce pressure on bed capacity. Patients are being requested to use alternatives such as their local pharmacist, GP or minor injury units as appropriate.
The substantial funding provided in the recent budgets has supported an increase in bed capacity, including ICU beds, additional staff, and expanded community services, which combined enable the HSE to mitigate the impact of high levels of attendances and COVID cases.
In addition, the HSE is delivering on plans to double our overall public health workforce including public health doctors, public health nurses, scientists and support staff. This is the single biggest investment in our public health workforce in decades.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy with additional detail.
Mental Health Services
Questions (88)
David Stanton
Question:88. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Owenacurra Mental Health Centre in Midleton, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16874/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (89)
Dara Calleary
Question:89. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to further develop services in Belmullet Community Hospital. [16771/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 (90)
Gary Gannon
Question:90. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the way that pregnant women arriving from the Ukraine to Ireland are being supported; if health checks are taking place in the airports; if he is liaising with maternity hospitals regarding the way to support these women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/22]
View answerWritten answers
Refugees from Ukraine will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, refugees will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
Refugees will be provided with rapid access to basic priority primary care in emergency accommodation. The aim of this service is to identify the need for ongoing clinical care of priority medical conditions, to triage and to provide an assessment of healthcare needs of refugees.
All expectant mothers who live in Ireland are entitled to free maternity care. This covers antenatal visits, labour, delivery and postnatal care.
A specific urgent referral service at the Rotunda Hospital, for pregnant women near term or those who require urgent access for assessment has been put in place. A senior midwife has been designated to take calls from GPs and public health to fast track appointments for maternity cases and rapidly establish contact between maternity services and women who need care. This service is supported with interpreter services
Refugees will also be entitled to apply for a medical card for each adult and child dependents.