Written Answers Nos. 36-57
36. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date with the provision of the new accident and emergency facility in Galway University Hospital; the average number of persons who have been left sitting overnight in chairs since the beginning of 2021, in the present facility while awaiting a bed in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26899/22]
View answer43. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 31 March 2022, the status of the Strategic Assessment Report by the HSE regarding the new emergency department in University Hospital Galway; if he has received the report to date; when he expects the updated preliminary business case to be brought forward for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26796/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 43 together.
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.
Specifically in relation to the Galway University Hospital Emergency Department (ED), I am pleased to say that the interim emergency department, including additional resuscitation spaces, support accommodation and improved infection prevention and control measures, is currently under construction using a rapid build solution. The critical services are expected to be completed by end of June 2022.
In relation to the larger scale proposals for the ED, originally the proposal was for a new multi-story ED block, but now, driven by local requirements and the need to build more efficiently on a constricted site, we will shortly be receiving proposals costed in the hundreds of millions.
I understand that the drafting by the HSE of the Strategic Assessment Report, to ensure full compliance with PSC requirements for the more substantial proposals, is well advanced. It is now expected to be submitted to my Department by early Q3 2022.
If granted approval-in principle, the preliminary business case can then be updated by the HSE and be brought forward for review to progress those proposals.
I have referred the questions relating to the average number of persons who have been left sitting overnight in chairs since the beginning of 2021, in the present facility while awaiting a bed in the hospital to the HSE for direct reply.
37. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the reason that staffing levels at West Kerry Community Hospital have not improved; the measures that can be taken to address this problem in order that more beds can be opened at the hospital to serve the west Kerry community and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26910/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
38. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish and resource dedicated clinical pathways which address the healthcare needs of intersex persons, including the specific physical and mental health needs of intersex persons in Ireland as distinct from transgender persons; if he will develop a strategy in this regard built on engagement with intersex persons and representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26382/22]
View answerThe National Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 commits to ensuring LGBTI+ people, including intersex people, can fully and equally avail of mainstream health services. It seeks to eliminate barriers that may prevent LGBTI+ people, including intersex people, from accessing health and social services due to a lack of understanding of their specific needs and a lack of targeted service promotion.The actions in the strategy aim to reduce barriers to access to health services and to improve health outcomes for the LGBTI+ community, including intersex people. A specific objective is that better data should be available on the prevalence of intersex conditions and that consideration should be given to appropriate clinical governance in the context of international evidence and guidelines.The development of the strategy was underpinned by a robust consultation process, with a series of regional and thematically focused workshops facilitated by leading LGBTI+ experts and researchers. In addition, specific workshop sessions were organised for intersex people and other groups to ensure that the voices of the more marginalised members of the LGBTI+ community were adequately heard.With regards to the clinical pathways for intersex people, it is important to note that the term intersex is used differently by different people. In clinical practice, it was a term previously used to describe what are now termed disorders or differences of sexual development (DSD). DSD covers a wide range of clinical conditions with a wide range of needs, all of which are very different to each other.
People with DSD, when diagnosed, will usually be referred to their local Endocrinology Department. At present, most Endocrinology Departments around the country see people with DSDs on a regular basis. For every DSD there will be specific needs. Some will be associated with intellectual disability that require multidisciplinary support, some with mental health issues that require liaison psychiatry support and some with complications that require specific specialist medical or surgical support. The needs vary significantly between different DSDs and so the concept of a single DSD service or a working group directed at DSD service provision as a whole is unlikely to be feasible. At present, most people with DSDs are managed by their local Endocrinology Outpatient Department with input from other clinical services as needed.
39. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of children who were waiting for a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005, as of 1 May 2022 or the latest date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26632/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
40. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a HSE report which outlines that by the end of June 2022 there will only be seven dental practices in County Wicklow that accept medical card patients; the actions that he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26409/22]
View answerBoth I and the Government have been concerned for some time that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services. The problem became particularly acute over the last couple of years as a significant number of contracted dentists chose to opt out of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). I understand that there are currently 18 contracted dentists operating in Co Wicklow.
I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to provide for expanded dental health care for medical card holders including the reintroduction of Scale and Polish. To address the concerns of contractors about the viability of the Scheme, I am also using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings and restorations. The combination of these two measures represents an estimated total additional investment of €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, €40 million. Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May. The changes to the Scheme, are interim measures designed to secure services for medical card holders pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. Work on that longer-term project has already commenced and it is estimated it will take 1-2 years to complete. The HSE will assist anyone who is still experiencing problems accessing a service.
41. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to tackle general practitioner waiting lists and expanding general practitioner services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26884/22]
View answerThe Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas. We are working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Recent developments in relation to general practice, in particular the 2019 Agreement on Contractual Reform and Service Development, have helped to re-establish general practice in Ireland as an attractive career choice. The additional investment, which will amount to €210 million annually once the Agreement is fully implemented next year, provides for an increase in capitation fees, improved maternity and paternity arrangements as well as enhanced supports for rural practices. In addition, targeted on-going funding of €2 million will also be set aside to provide additional support to practices in deprived urban areas. The additional investment in general practice provides a sound basis for ensuring that GPs have access to a credible and rewarding career path in Ireland.
The number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with an intake of 258 planned for this year. In addition, changes have been made to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to facilitate more flexible/shared GMS contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme.
Importantly, the 2019 GP Agreement includes a commitment to undertake a strategic review of GP services within the lifetime of the Agreement, to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. Work on the review has commenced this year. The review will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, and will set out measures necessary to deliver a sustainable service into the future.
42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the details of his plans to resolve the current dispute with staff who are members of a union (details supplied); the steps that he has taken to ensure that testing services operate during this dispute; the way that he plans to recruit and retain the required number of workers in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26871/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.
The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11th to consider this matter. They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.
While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC, they have not agreed to lift their strike action which is a breach of Building Momentum. This engagement between the parties took place on May 17th 2022 but, unfortunately, no resolution was reached.
In order to mitigate the disruption caused by the strike, the HSE began cancelling inpatient and day-case elective procedures and hospital outpatient appointments, all to be rescheduled for as soon as possible. Derogations were granted to allow the continuation of dialysis and some cancer services. The HSE will continue to liaise with the MLSA on contingency plans and derogations for days that strike action has been announced. However, there will be an inevitable impact on testing services.
While the Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA, and that disruptions have been caused across the health service, Health Management remain keen to engage with the MLSA.
In relation to the query on recruitment and retention for this group of staff I am advised the HSE plans to undertake a national recruitment campaign to promote the role of Medical Scientists both nationally and internationally.
44. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers that have now received the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26551/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
45. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of the new Finglas primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26627/22]
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.
46. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of and if he will report on progress in relation to the lake view psychiatric ward in Naas Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26554/22]
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.
47. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the negotiations between his Department and a union (details supplied); the timeline for the completion of negotiations; his views on the ongoing impact for medical card users who are unable to access dental services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25807/22]
View answer70. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of his Department's discussions with an organisation (details supplied) and on progressing a workable scheme for medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26885/22]
View answer78. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of the dental treatment services scheme including the ongoing review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 70 and 78 together.
Both I and the Government have been concerned for some time that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services. The problem became particularly acute over the last couple of years as a significant number of contracted dentists chose to opt out of the DTSS.
I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to provide for expanded dental health care for medical card holders including the reintroduction of Scale and Polish.
To address the concerns of contractors about the viability of the Scheme, I am also using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings and restorations.
The combination of these two measures represents an estimated total additional investment of €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, €40 million.
Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May.
The changes to the Scheme, are interim measures designed to secure services for medical card holders pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. Work on that longer-term project has already commenced and it is estimated it will take 1-2 years to complete.
The HSE will assist anyone who is still experiencing problems accessing a service.
48. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the clinical review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme will take place; if he will provide the details of those who will sit on the review panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26941/22]
View answerIn 2016 the Minister for Health requested that the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), convene an expert working group to assist with its review of the potential medical use of cannabis. Following this review the HPRA published “Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review” in January 2017. Subsequently an expert group was convened to draw up clinical guidance to underpin the functioning of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme which was published in 2019.
In 2022, following completion of an updated evidence review, the Department plans to establish an expert group to further review the use of cannabis for medical use. Members have not yet been appointed to this review panel as work is ongoing on the research aspect of this work.
50. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expert team deployed to tackle crisis-levels of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. [26980/22]
View answerI wrote to the CEO of the HSE requesting that he send in an expert team to ascertain urgently what additional resources might be deployed, as well as any changes that could be made quickly to alleviate the current pressures. I stressed that it is very important that the management and the clinicians at University Hospital Limerick get all of the support that they possibly need. The review will take place from Friday 13th May 2022 to Friday 10th June 2022. I understand that the team has been on site and will be back for two days next week.
As this is now a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
51. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his position in relation to the delivery of a primary healthcare centre in Youghal, County Cork; the estimated timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26967/22]
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.
52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his Department's policy for persons who are deaf or who suffer hearing loss; the schemes that are aimed at reducing the cost of hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26883/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that those suffering from hearing loss have access to the services they require, including access to affordable hearing aids.The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides hearing aids and associated maintenance free of charge to children under the age of 18 and to adults with a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.A technical group within the HSE's Community Audiology Service (CAS) defines the minimum specifications to ensure that medical card holders who need them have access to high quality digital hearing aids. The CAS also undertakes a formal HSE procurement process on a regular basis to ensure public money spent on hearing aids is effectively and efficiently utilised. The Treatment Benefit Scheme, provided by the Department of Social Protection, is available to those who have paid sufficient PRSI contributions. This scheme provides a maximum funding of €500 for each hearing aid and €100 towards the cost of repairs. Suppliers must be registered with the Department of Social Protection. A person may choose to purchase a more expensive hearing aid and would pay any additional costs arising. Individuals who do not possess a medical card or who are not eligible for the Treatment Benefit Scheme would have to purchase hearing aids privately from a commercial provider. If the individual has private health insurance, it may cover hearing aid costs. Hearing aids are exempt from VAT and people may also be entitled to claim tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) on their purchase of hearing aids where prescribed by a practitioner.
53. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times that he has met with the CEO of the HSE since he took office. [26207/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a full response will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.
54. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Minister for Further and Higher Education to identify the number of places that are required to adequately meet the workforce needs of the healthcare system; the key professions and corresponding courses that need to be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26944/22]
View answerHealth and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals in Ireland is a top priority for the Government.
Department of Health officials engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector.
Ongoing discussions between both Departments are in relation to increasing domestic supply of health and Social Care graduates in the short term, through the immediate provision of additional places, and the longer-term planning being undertaken around future skills needs in context of future demand for health and social care services.
Officials from both Departments engaged with the Higher Education Authority and the Higher Education Sector to identify where additional places can be provided in the higher education system for the next academic year. These additional places will be targeted at areas of acute skills need and will include places in healthcare courses such as nursing and medicine and other health and social care professions. This work is at an advanced stage, and it is hoped that a significant number of additional places will be created on health-related courses in September 2022.
55. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the impacts that a strike by an organisation (details supplied) will have on waiting lists and the number of patients on trolleys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26943/22]
View answerFirstly, I wish to pay tribute to the commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. The current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining to address outstanding claims. Under Building Momentum, sectoral bargaining is the sole mechanism through which the MLSA can advance their claim for pay parity.
The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks for many months to find a way to advance the claim through Sectoral Bargaining, however, the cost of their claim is substantially more than the bargaining fund available. Funding is available to partially resolve the claim within the current Agreement, but not to fully resolve it.
The issue was referred to the Public Service Agreement Group, and on May 11th, the body recommended that the matter be referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained.
While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC on May 17th, they did not lift their industrial action, in breach of the Building Momentum peace clause, and resulting in significant, and regrettable, disruption on the health service.
In order to mitigate the disruption caused by the strike, the HSE began cancelling inpatient and day-case elective procedures and hospital outpatient appointments, all to be rescheduled for as soon as possible. For example, in the Saolta group alone, over 400 procedures were cancelled last Wednesday across a range of specialties including medicine, general surgical procedures, endoscopy, orthopaedics, bronchoscopy, interventional radiology and others. Derogations were granted to allow the continuation of dialysis and some cancer services. At this point, the HSE has not had time to review fully the impact on patients and services of the stoppage on the 18th of May.
Health management remain open to engaging with the MLSA and will make every effort to ensure that a resolution is found as soon as possible.
56. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to address the extremely high numbers of persons leaving University Hospital Limerick emergency department without being discharged or finishing treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26894/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
57. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason that the Keltoi Rehabilitation Centre in St. Marys Hospital, Phoenix Park remains closed; when the centre will re-open for addiction services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26280/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
