Written Answers Nos. 2056-2075
2056. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 941 of 12 July 2022, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway West; if a planning permission application has been lodged to date, as per the expected timeline of quarter 3 of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44218/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2057. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1942 of 26 July 2022, if the two new replacement orthopaedic operating theatres in Merlin Park hospital are fully operational to date; the number of theatre sessions currently provided per week through the two new theatres; if he will provide an update on the recruitment of staff for the theatre sessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44219/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2058. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 943 of 12 July 2022, the number of respite beds currently operational within Merlin Park community nursing unit; if he will provide an update on the recruitment of staff to the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44220/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2059. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the processes and procedures that are in place to facilitate the collection of data on the number of patients accessing treatment abroad under the cross-border directive; the number of persons who used the cross-border directive to avail of health services in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the countries in which they received treatment; the medical procedures availed of; the cost per year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44221/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
2060. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence on behalf of a child (details supplied); if he will make immediate arrangements for a care plan to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44225/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
2061. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken by public hospitals to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to increase their energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44230/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2062. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when he will publish the completed action plan for the disability capacity review; and if he will include its measures in his Department’s budgetary plan for 2023. [44239/22]
View answerThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised and is informing relevant engagement in the estimates process.
2063. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when the parents of a child (details supplied) can expect to receive services from the early intervention team in Buncrana; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44243/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
2064. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the new HSE tender for home care, which will replace the current home support tender when it expires at the end of 2022, will include additional payments to allow home care staff employed by the voluntary and private sector to be paid travel and mileage costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44246/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
2065. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will adopt the National Coalition for Mental Health’s nine calls (details supplied) for budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44272/22]
View answerThe Department is engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE in relation to the 2023 Estimates. Until these discussions are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. However, I am committed to ensuring the continued enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2023.
The Government’s clear commitment to enhancing mental health services, is shown by significant mental health funding increases in recent years. I would note for the Deputy that 2022 saw a record budget for mental health of €1.149 billion, comprising €24 million for new developments, €10 million for mental health initiatives in response to Covid and €13 million for existing levels of service. An additional once off €10 million was announced on Budget Day to further support the mental health sector.
I am pleased to have secured an unprecedented level of funding, totalling, €1.149 billion, for mental health in this year’s budget. This Budget, which is the largest mental health budget in the history of the state, is supporting the continued implementation of new developments under our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, including out of hours supports, CAMHS services, crisis resolution team, the national clinical programmes, and specialist mental health services for older people.
Budget Day also saw the addition of once off €10 million for mental health purposes. €1m of this was provided for MyMind to continue to deliver free of charge counselling sessions, to clients impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme has been extended to those affected by the Ukrainian crisis and defective concrete blocks in Donegal and Mayo. €1m was also provided to Mental Health Ireland to manage a grant scheme on behalf of the Department for community and voluntary agencies promoting mental health and wellbeing.
Funding allocated to mental health services in recent years has allowed for the continued investment in the mental health national clinical programmes and models of care, which has led to significant service improvements, including the full implementation of specialist perinatal mental health network provided for and the on-going expansion of specialist mental health teams for eating disorders, ADHD in adults, and dual diagnosis.
Importantly, as budgets increase, we need to ensure that we have plans and strategies in place so that those resources are used effectively and efficiently to the benefit of people using our mental health services. All aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed, through Sharing the Vision in the short to longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
2067. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current number of delayed discharges per hospital, in tabular form; the actions being taken to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44274/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2068. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting approval for home care; and the number who have been approved but are waiting for home care staff, by CHO, in tabular form. [44275/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2069. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the information available to his Department on the extent of the problem of codeine addiction; if consideration has been given to ending the availability of the two biggest codeine products (details supplied) without prescription; the policy in respect of the provision of suboxone or methadone as a treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44276/22]
View answerCodeine is a mild to moderate opioid (narcotic) analgesic which, due to its potential for misuse, is a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs legislation.
As an analgesic, codeine is most often used in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and is currently authorised in Ireland in such non-prescription products for pain relief. It is also available in single ingredient, non-prescription products, as a cough suppressant. These authorised products are available without a prescription through retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies) only.
The Pharmacy Act 2007 and the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 require that all medicines supplied through a pharmacy must be supplied by or under the personal supervision of a pharmacist and that all non-prescription medicines supplied must be the subject of appropriate counselling.
The Pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) issued guidance to pharmacists on the safe supply of non-prescription products containing codeine in 2010. This Guidance was updated in 2015, in 2017 and again in October 2019. The Guidance covers the requirements set out above and in addition contains further restrictions which apply to the supply of codeine containing medicinal products.
These restrictions include a requirement that codeine containing medicinal products are not available to the public for self-selection and should only be supplied when a pharmacist deems such a supply to be necessary and only when a non-opioid analgesic, e.g. paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, has not proven sufficient to relive the patient’s symptoms. The Guidance also states that medicines containing codeine should be used for the shortest time possible and for no longer than three days without medical supervision. Pharmacists must also ensure that patients are advised of the importance of adhering to the recommended dosage and duration of use as well as the risks associated with overdose and or/prolonged use. Patients should also be counselled in respect of potential adverse reactions or side effects.
The full Guidance document, along with information on current legislative requirements, is available on the PSI website: thepsi.ie/Libraries/Folder_Pharmacy_Practice_Guidance/01_3_Safe_supply_of_Codeine_to_patients.sflb.ashx.
More recently, research has been welcomed by the PSI re the “Advice on Codeine Supply Helping to Reduce Overdoses”, please see the link below for more information.
www.thepsi.ie/tns/news/latest-news/21-06-08/Advice_on_Codeine_Supply_Helping_to_reduce_Overdoses.aspx
The National Drug and Alcohol Survey collects information on alcohol and tobacco consumption and drug use among the general population.
The most recent National Drug and Alcohol Survey (2019-2020), included questions about the use of opioid pain relievers (including over-the-counter opioids such as codeine).
The most common type of opioid pain reliever used by current users (used in the last 30 days) were over-the-counter codeine products (80.2%).
On the most recent occasion that current users took opioid pain relievers, 62.9% obtained them from a pharmacy in Ireland without a prescription, 25.6% got them using a prescription written for them, and 7.2% got them from a friend, spouse, or relative.
The Department of Health is committed to working with relevant stakeholders in fully considering any policy changes that may be required regarding the regulation of codeine containing medicinal products.
Any potential change to the prescription requirements for codeine containing medicinal products must be supported by sufficient evidence. Based on available evidence, we will consider taking any necessary further steps to support the safe and effective use of these medicines.
With regards to the provision of suboxone or methadone as a treatment, the National Drugs Strategy commits in strategic action 2.1.14 to improve the availability of Opioid Substitution Treatment (OSTs). The HSE is leading in this action.
2070. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting scoliosis operations, by time on list and by hospital; and the steps he is taking to address this. [44279/22]
View answerImproving access to paediatric orthopaedic services for children, including for children and young people with Spina Bifida, remains a commitment of Government. Paediatric orthopaedics is a priority area within the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan. €17.43 million has been provided this year to support additional activity to reduce waiting times for orthopaedic patients across CHI and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital. Additional activity has been undertaken to date. By the end of August 2022 166 spinal fusions had taken place across CHI Crumlin, CHI Temple Street, and Cappagh. This is in comparison to the same period last year where 119 procedures had taken place. The Department of Health continues to monitor waiting lists for paediatric orthopaedic procedures and meets with the HSE weekly as part of the Waiting List Action Plan 2022 working group meetings.
In relation to the number of children awaiting scoliosis operations by hospital, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
2071. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of eligible employees for the Covid-19 recognition payment who have received this payment, including those working in section 38 organisations and non-HSE and non-section 38 organisations. [44280/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 2nd September, 85,012 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 36,475 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 121,487.
In relation to the number of eligible HSE/Section 38 staff that are yet to be paid, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. Once this this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
As the rollout of payments to the eligible workers in non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations has not yet begun, and eligibility has not yet been assessed across the private sector, I cannot provide an estimated number of workers who will receive the payment.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention.
2072. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons working in non-HSE and non-section 38 organisations who are eligible for the Covid-19 recognition payment. [44281/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help/home care/home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
At this point, the Department is not in a position to assess or comment on individual cases and eligibility. Please be assured that work on rolling out payment to non-HSE/Section 38 organisations is being prioritised and once information on which organisations shall be paid is published, eligibility for payment can be checked at that point.
I want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
2073. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a direction will be issued to local authorities authorising the payment of the Covid-19 recognition payment to fire brigade personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44282/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered. Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this.
I want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
2074. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to fill a position for a physiotherapist on the early intervention team in Buncrana, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44287/22]
View answerIn 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.
2075. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to fill a position for an occupational therapist on the early intervention team in Buncrana, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44288/22]
View answerIn 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.
