Written Answers Nos. 188-203
188. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement that he has had with an organisation (details supplied) and the HSE regarding the serious staff shortage across multiple departments in Regional Hospital Mullingar. [37666/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will find out if funding for overnight care will be provided to them. [37587/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
190. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the roll-out and development of specialist eating disorder teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37475/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
191. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the support that his Department has provided to the replacement addiction family support network that stakeholders are currently attempting to establish nationwide. [37505/22]
View answerThe National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, commits to strengthening services to support families affected by substance misuse. The HSE funds a number of organisations that provide family support services at both local and regional levels. The strategy also recognises the role that families can play in the planning, design and delivery of drug and alcohol services and polices.
The Department is aware of the closure of the National Family Support Network (NFSN). This was a voluntary organisation, made up of local and regional family support networks.
The Department has engaged with local and regional family support networks following the closure of the NFSN and is supportive of their efforts to work together. However, the Department of Health has no role in establishing a national family support network.
I am committed to working with family support networks to implement the national drugs strategy.
192. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of the expert group tasked with producing a report on an agreed strategy and implementation plan for genomics in Ireland by the end of 2022; if he will provide an update on the role of director of the national genomics and genetics medicine network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37671/22]
View answerIn line with the aims of Sláintecare, genomics provides a more personalised approach to healthcare. It has the potential to transform healthcare provision, allowing for a more cost-effective healthcare system that delivers better healthcare outcomes for individuals. My Department recognises the value of genomics and is committed to exploring ways to expand Ireland’s genomic capability.
My Department is currently working with the HSE on a Steering Group tasked with the development of a National Genetics and Genomic Strategy. The Steering Group has focused its work on four key workstream areas:
- Data, Policy, Communications & Engagement
- Infrastructure
- Workforce and collaboration
- Clinical innovation
Membership on the Steering Group and its subgroups include clinicians, academics, state agency representatives, and patient advocates. The group also has representation from international experts working in the field.
As part of this work, this group is exploring the best direction forward to enhance Irish genetic and genomic infrastructure. This will include outlining what is necessary to establish a National Genetics and Genomics Network, as outlined in the Programme for Government. Plans for the development of this Network will include scoping the potential for the appointment of a National Director for this Network.
This Strategy will be published by the end of the year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has received reports of the difficulty being experienced by persons trying to find a general practitioner to accept them, particularly on the medical card scheme; if he has discussed this with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37464/22]
View answerWhere a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis in which the Minister has no role and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is 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.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has to date been increased by €206.6m and is set to increase to €211.6m per annum next year when the Agreement is fully rolled out. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.
The number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021. 258 places will be available this year. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
194. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the engagement that he has had with an organisation (details supplied) and workers in the wider community sector prior to their industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37519/22]
View answerI would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by those employed by Section 39 organisations right across the country, including those working for the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Minister Rabbitte met with ICTU representatives on November 23rd, accompanied by Department of Health officials in relation to the pay and working conditions of Section 39 organisations. She then met with the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers at its request in April. The National Federation presented a paper on the issue of Section 39 pay parity. It must be noted that the Irish Wheelchair Association is not a member of this federation.
Minister Rabbitte met with local Irish Wheelchair Association services in both Galway and Longford in recent months, where a number of different issues were discussed.
The Irish Wheelchair Association, along with other Section 39 organisations, is privately owned and run and their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. These organisations were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements. Consequently, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on pay or terms and conditions of employment within the private sector.
195. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there is no erosion of cardiac care at of Letterkenny University Hospital as a result of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services; the engagements that he and his officials have had with the Northern Ireland health authorities on enhancing and basing a cross-Border cardiac care service at Hospital for the people of Derry, Tyrone and Donegal, similar to the North West Cancer Centre based at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. [37217/22]
View answer197. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he plans to alleviate the concerns that have been raised as a result of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services that cardiac care services are being eroded at Letterkenny University Hospital; and the correspondence that his Department has had with health authorities in the North of Ireland regarding strengthening cross-Border cardiac care services at Letterkenny University Hospital for persons in Derry, Tyrone and Donegal. [37591/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 197 together.
There are a number of health cooperation services operating in the North West region between Donegal and Derry. These include the North West Cardiology Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Service (PCI). In place since 2016, the agreement provides for the provision of Primary PCI Service to Donegal patients at Altnagelvin Hospital. The cardiology service is provided to patients with a diagnosed ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction condition (heart attack).
The National Cardiac Services Review is in the final stages and is due to be published later this year. This review will set out the roadmap for the future delivery of cardiac services nationally. In the interim, University Hospital Galway will continue to support Letterkenny University Hospital in the delivery of acute cardiac services.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy to provide additional details regarding cardiac services at Letterkenny University Hospital.
196. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of home care support hours being provided in each LHO area in CHO1 and CHO2 in 2022; the way that this compares for each of the LHO areas in 2019; the number of persons currently waiting for home care in each LHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37496/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
198. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a dedicated funding allocation for the development of the inpatient mental health support mother-and-baby unit has been agreed; if not, when he expects to announce this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37490/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in establishing the trial mental health 24/7 de-escalation unit in Limerick; when he expects the unit to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37472/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
200. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the strategy for the Covid-19 pandemic from now until the end of 2022; the strategies for further vaccine and booster roll-outs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37515/22]
View answer860. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for the roll-out of the Covid vaccine for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37392/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 860 together.
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 vaccination has been a central pillar of the public health response to the pandemic and remains an important component of the multifaceted approach in the ongoing management of the disease.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
The NIAC advised in April that they consider it likely that a third booster dose will be required for older persons and the immunocompromised in Autumn/Winter 2022. It continues to actively examine the evidence regarding the likely benefit of a second booster to other groups, vaccine choice and interval considering the likely predominant variant in order to make further recommendations in this regard.
The HSE has developed a revised operating model to underpin the continuation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Autumn/Winter 2022.
201. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting a psychology appointment in primary care in each LHO area in CHO3 and 5 in 2022; the number of these waiting for over a year; the way that this compares to the end of 2021 in each LHO area and each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
202. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when a second Covid booster will be available to the broadest possible vaccine eligible population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37457/22]
View answer932. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 vaccines will be again offered to persons in the 60 to 65 years age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37605/22]
View answer1023. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of the second Covid-19 booster to persons over 60 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37903/22]
View answer1044. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to vaccinate dentists and doctors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37980/22]
View answer1052. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a booster vaccine will be rolled out to dental staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37994/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 932, 1023, 1044 and 1052 together.
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recently advised a second booster dose for people over 65 and people with a weak immune system aged 12 and over. The Committee will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
203. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of CAMHS inpatient beds in a centre (details supplied); his plans to get CAMHS beds up to full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37491/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
