Written Answers Nos. 773-792
773. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons on the waiting list for ophthalmology in Cork and the average waiting time for an appointment in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39200/22]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
The NTPF only collects data on patients currently on the waiting list. The time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. As a result, the health system does not have the data necessary to calculate true average wait times.
The attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), outlines the total number of patients on a waiting list for Ophthalmology by area of residence Cork as at the end of May 2022.
775. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the full commencement of all of the sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. [39210/22]
View answerThe Public Health (Alcohol) Act was enacted 17 October 2018 and 26 of its 31 provisions have been commenced. The major provisions that have been commenced include the following:From 12 November 2019 the Act prohibited:
- alcohol advertising in or on public service vehicles, at public transport stops or stations and within 200 m of a school, early years centre or a local authority playground. (Section 14)
- alcohol advertising in a cinema except around films with an 18 classification or in a licensed premises in a cinema. (Section 20)
-children’s clothing that promotes alcohol. (Section 17)From 12 November 2020, in mixed retail outlets alcohol products and advertising are confined to one of the following: - an area separated by a 1.2m high barrier, or - units in which alcohol products are not visible up to 1.5m height, or - up to three units that can be a maximum of 1m wide by 2.2m high.
In addition, alcohol products can be contained but not be visible in a unit behind the counter. (Section 22)From 11 January 2021 the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Products) Regulations 2020 came into operation. The Regulations prohibit:- the use of bonus or loyalty card points in relation to alcohol products- the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price when sold with another product or service, and- the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price for a period of 3 days or less.From 12 November 2021 the Act provided for:- A prohibition on alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event, at events aimed at children or at events in which the majority of participants or competitors are children. (Section 15)- Alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children, events which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events involving driving or racing motor vehicles is prohibited. (Section 16)From 4 January 2022, minimum unit pricing, a prohibition on selling alcohol below a minimum unit price of 10c per gram of alcohol, came into operation. (Section 11) From 24 November 2022, an applicant for an intoxicating liquor licence must notify the Environmental Health Service in advance of an application and the Environmental Health Service may appear and give evidence at the court hearing on an application. (Section 4).Sections of the Act yet to be commencedSection 12 of the Act provides that the labels of alcohol products as well as notices in premises and on websites which sell alcohol shall include certain health warnings and information. Section 12 also empowers the Minister for Health to make regulations specifying the detail of these obligations. Once the regulations have been finalised the provision can be commenced. A draft of the regulations was submitted to the European Commission on 22 June 2022 for assessment of its alignment with single market principles. Section 13 of the Act regulates the content of advertisements for alcohol products and empowers the Minister to make regulations in relation to advertisements for alcohol products. Drafting on the regulations began with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on 23 June 2022.Section 18 of the Act restricts advertisements in publications and can be commenced after section 13 has been commenced. Section 19 of the Act introduces a broadcast watershed. Enforcement of the section will require coordination between the Environmental Health Service and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (Media Commission). Section 21 of the Act provides for a review of certain sections of the Act and can be commenced when the sections subject to review have been commenced.
776. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the new Action Plan under the National Drugs Strategy. [39211/22]
View answerStrategic Implementation Groups have been established to support the implementation of the six strategic priorities for 2021-2025, identified in mid-term review of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. These priorities will strengthen the health-led approach, reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and align with the EU drugs strategy and action plan 2021-2025.
The new structures reflect the partnership approach and give a stronger voice to civil society by broadening and deepening the involvement of community and voluntary groups in the implementation of the strategy. Membership of the Groups is comprised of representatives from Government departments and agencies, drug and alcohol taskforces and civil society.
Independent leadership has been provided to ensure the accountability of all stakeholders and to bring impartiality, insight, and experience in addressing the challenges of drug and alcohol use. The independent chairs from each implementation group have become members of the National Oversight Committee. There are no Government departments acting as chairs for these Strategic Implementation Groups.
Strategic Implementation Groups will be responsible for developing their own action plans. Chairs will report to the National Oversight Committee on the progress made within their respective groups. The next meeting of the National Oversight Group is scheduled for September.
I am committed to the partnership approach and giving a stronger voice to civil society organisations in developing national policy.
777. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the reopening of keltoi. [39212/22]
View answer778. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have used keltoi by month in 2022 [39213/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 777 and 778 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
779. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on work being done by his Department to prepare for the Citizen’s Assembly on Drugs. [39214/22]
View answerThe Government has established two concurrent 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. 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 assemblies suggest that this operational model is the best way forward.
In line with this decision, the Department of Health has commenced preparations for the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use, and, to this end, detailed discussions regarding the assembly took place at the most recent meeting of the National Oversight Committee for the National Drugs Strategy. These preparations are being undertaken to ensure that there will be no delay in establishing this citizens’ assembly when the two assemblies which are currently operating complete their work before the end of this year or in quarter 1, 2023 at the latest. This will allow a period of over one year for the Government to consider its recommendations.
The Government is pursuing a health-led approach to drug use through the health diversion programme, which offers compassion, not punishment to people who are in possession of drugs for personal use. The programme will connect participants with health services and provide a pathway to recovery. It will also allow participants to avoid a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences, particularly for younger people.
As we prepare for the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, work continues to implement the health diversion programme and the strategic priorities for the remaining four years of the national drugs strategy. One of these priorities is to promote alternatives to coercive sanctions for drug-related offences. This priority aligns with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan, 2021 – 2025, which actively encourages Member States to scale up alternatives to coercive sanctions and to monitor and evaluate their effectiveness for drug using offenders and for people arrested, charged with or convicted for drug-related offences or people found in possession of drugs for personal use.
I am very positive about the potential contribution of the citizens assembly to the government's health-led response to drug use. Drug use affects all members of society, whether directly or indirectly, and imposes very significant social and financial costs. Involving citizens in decision-making on drugs policy is therefore appropriate.
781. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of funding to the north inner-city drugs and alcohol task force. [39246/22]
View answerThe Department of Health provides €2.249m per annum to community-based drug and alcohol services under the remit of the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NICDAFT). The City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB), and the HSE (CHO Dublin North City and County) act as channels of funding for the administration of this funding to front line drug and alcohol projects. CDYSB administer in the region of €394,856 to four front line drug and alcohol projects in NIC on behalf of the Department of Health. The HSE acts as a channel of funding for the distribution and oversight of €2.025m in funding to services in the NIC. The Department has asked the HSE and the CDYSB to provide reassurance to the frontline services that funding will continue in 2022. In this regard, the Department understands that HSE has met with each of the funded organisations as part of the annual Service Level/Grant Aid Agreement process. In 2021, the HSE allocated €244,473 for the NICDATF company for office programmes and resources. The HSE holds a Service Level Arrangement (SLA) with the company for the delivery of these activities. The Department understands that the HSE met with the company on 13th January and again on 10th March in relation to service delivery issues, including the parameters of funding in 2022 that could be provided to the company. It was agreed that a work plan could not be developed while the task forces is not functioning. Consideration will now be given to re-allocating the funding of €224,000 for the provision of drug and alcohol services in the north inner city. The Department of Health remains committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city in conjunction with community-based service providers and has provide significant additional resources in Budget 2022 for drug and alcohol services in the area and north Dublin region. The Department is continuing to work with stakeholders in the north inner city to establish effective, inclusive, and transparent governance of the task force and of the funding that it allocates. It is currently engaged in a consultation process with members of the task force and other stakeholders on the next steps. I look forward to getting a report on the consultation process and to identify the next steps to establish effective, inclusive, and transparent governance of the task force in the north inner city.
782. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the provision of nurse prescribing of opioids. [39248/22]
View answerGoal 2 of the National Drug Strategy sets out to minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery. The strategy recognises that people who inject drugs are a particularly vulnerable population that are susceptible to harm and need carefully managed supports to enable them to attain stability and a safer and healthier life.
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic people with substance misuse issues and including those dependent on opioid substitution treatment were classed as group at high risk of catching the virus.
The HSE’s priority during the COVID-19 crisis was to continue to deliver Opioid Substitution Services and to ensure everybody waiting commenced appropriate treatment.
This work is continuing and in Budgets 2021 and 2022, I secured significant additional funding of €17 million to support the implementation of the health actions in the national drugs strategy. Further resources of €10 million were provided to meet the health needs of people experiencing homelessness and addiction during the Covid-19 pandemic. An allocation of €4 million was provided to support the expanded access to opioid substitution treatment for people who use drugs during Covid-19.
Among other things, the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in my Department provides policy advice to me and my Department across a broad range of areas, including nurse prescribing.
While the continued delivery of Opioid Substitution Treatment was a priority during the pandemic, my Department is working with stakeholders to expand services in the area of nurse prescribing, including nurse prescribing of opiate substitution treatment. It is intended that this issue will be considered in more detail in the near future.
I am committed to supporting people with substance misuse issues on their journey to recovery.
783. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for women by year, in tabular form. [39249/22]
View answer784. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for ethnic minorities by year, in tabular form. [39250/22]
View answer785. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in each of the past five years to address addiction issues for members of the LGBTQIA community by year, in tabular form. [39251/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 783 to 785, inclusive, together.
My Department does not collect data on the allocation of funding in relation to the specific categories requested by the Deputy.
In Budget 2022, an additional €6m was provided for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy, 'Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. This funding is being used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy.
In December 2021, I announced the Community Services Enhancement Fund, with €2 million to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services. The fund is part of the strategic priority to improve access to, and delivery of, services in the community. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme which will enhance community care and move care into the community and closer to people’s homes.
I am aware that women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community can face barriers in accessing drug and alcohol services. In this context, I have ring-fenced twenty-five percent, €.5 million, of the Community Services Enhancement Fund to increase access to and the provision of community based drug and alcohol services for women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTI+ community.
I am confident that this measure will assist in addressing barriers that some women and minority groups face in accessing drug and alcohol services.
The lived experience of people who use drugs will be central to the design and delivery of the new services, as will the network of drug and alcohol task forces.
gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €2 million Community Services Enhancement Fund for drug and alcohol services (www.gov.ie)
786. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a funding stream is available for relevant organisations to celebrate recovery month. [39252/22]
View answerMy Department does not provide specific funding for recovery month.
Over €136 million in labelled public expenditure is spent on drugs every year by my department. Much of this funding is channelled through the HSE to support the implementation of the national drug strategy.
Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE has responsibility for the provision of health and social personal services including addiction and recovery services.
The HSE either directly provides these services or arranges to have them provided on its behalf. Many organisations working in addiction recovery are funded by the HSE.
I welcome the fact that some organisations, during Recovery Month, are taking the opportunity to raise awareness of recovery and celebrate individuals from all walks of life who have managed to carry out a successful recovery.
Supporting recovery is key to the National Drug Strategy, which aims to minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery. Recovery is a personal journey, and rehabilitation a process, that supports and encourages the individual at each stage along the pathway to recovery.
I fully support a health-led approach to recovery and acknowledges that a successful outcome for every individual can look different.
787. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time by facility for addiction rehabilitation and detox services. [39253/22]
View answer788. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons availing of a community detox programme in each of the past five years in tabular form. [39254/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 787 and 788 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
789. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole term equivalent staff by job title working in the Accident and Emergency Department at Naas General Hospital; the number of WTE vacancies by job in the A&E Department; and when each of the vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [39266/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
790. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole term equivalent dental nurses and dental hygienists working in each health centre and primary care centre within CHO7 in the years of 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39267/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
791. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current funding available for the technical aids scheme by CHO, in tabular form; the funding drawn down between 2018 to 2021; and the eligibility criteria to access this funding. [39268/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
792. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the way that a person (details supplied) who applied for a post in the HSE who was on an approved panel and was informed that they had the position on foot of which they tendered their resignation to their employer and was then informed that the position was no longer available; if he will examine the procedures whereby this could happen; if the procedures will be addressed with a view to a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39323/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
