Written Answers Nos. 569-588
569. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that will be made for a person (details supplied) to ensure that they will receive essential therapy services given that they have been informed that they will neither get in-school therapy services or adult therapy services due to each service putting the onus on the other service to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44780/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
570. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1775 of 26 July 2022, the details of the mentioned enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2023. [44790/22]
View answerAs I have said previously, the 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. Be assured, however, that I am committed to the continued enhancement of mental health services and that this will be reflected in the funding allocated 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 well-being.
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.
571. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a procedure in a hospital may be eligible to avail of the procedure under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44807/22]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
572. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a procedure in a hospital may be eligible to avail of the procedure under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44808/22]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
573. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a procedure in a hospital maybe eligible to avail of the procedure under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44809/22]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
574. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if a full-time psychiatrist is assigned to St. Marys Health Centre, Thurles, County Tipperary; if so, the number of hours per week and the number of days per week that they work; if there are any plans to increase the availability of mental health psychiatrist services in the Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44810/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
575. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when the implementation plan for the Disability Capacity Review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44847/22]
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.
576. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the banning of flavoured-vaping products in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44856/22]
View answerThe Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill contains a suite of measures to regulate the sale of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products, such as electronic cigarettes. These include prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to or by anyone under the age of 18 and requiring every retailer of e-cigarettes to have a licence which must be renewed annually.
The draft Bill does not contain any provisions to ban the sale of flavoured vaping products. I continue to consider all recommendations in relation to e-cigarettes which will protect children and non-smokers from e-cigarette use and which will take into account those smokers who wish to use e-cigarettes to quit tobacco smoking.
577. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of ICU beds available in the health service in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44857/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
578. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the training procedures for emergency call operators; when the last review of training processes was undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44863/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
579. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if clinical posts are vacant in the cancer genetics department of St. James’s Hospital; the length of time that these posts have been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44865/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
580. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund and recruit more permanent genetic counsellor posts to the cancer genetics department in St. James’s Hospital, in line with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44866/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date on implementing recommendation 19 of the National Cancer Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44867/22]
View answerRecommendation 19 of the Strategy sets out that the NCCP will further develop the programme for hereditary cancers to ensure that evaluation, counselling, testing and risk reduction interventions are available as appropriate, and that services are available to patients on the basis of need.
Significant Government funding allocated for implementation of the National Cancer Strategy in 2021 (€20m) and again in 2022 (€20m) has facilitated work in the area of hereditary cancer genetics, including:
- Recruitment of staff to cancer genetics services.
- Development of GP referral guidelines for breast family history.
- Completion of a needs assessment for those with a BRCA gene alteration, focused on the identification and assessment of those with possible hereditary cancer risk, developed with a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives of those with a BRCA gene alteration.
- Planning for consent training for health care professionals delivering mainstream BRCA testing.
- Recommendations on universal tumour screening for possible Lynch Syndrome, an inherited condition which causes people to have a higher risk of developing certain colorectal cancers.
The NCCP has established an Advisory Group for Hereditary Cancer which is working to develop a framework model of care for hereditary cancer services, incorporating the identification of those with an inherited cancer predisposition and their ongoing management.
582. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the follow-up supports that are available within the public health system for women who start menopause as a result of prophylactic surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44868/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
583. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the current number of persons diagnosed with the genetic condition of lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44869/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
584. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence which he received from an orthodontist (details supplied) on 5 September 2022 in relation to the children damaged in public orthodontic services and the sabotage of orthodontic services, public and private; is his attention has been drawn to the contents of the correspondence, including the fact that the Oireachtas Committee on Health expressed its total dissatisfaction with the delivery of orthodontic services in 2002 and 2005; the actions that his Department has taken and will take to resolve issues within the orthodontic services; and if he will publish an original report submitted to the HSE in February 2015. [44873/22]
View answerOfficials from my Department are aware of correspondence that was received from a concerned individual this month. I assume the report the Deputy is referring to is the Orthodontic Lookback Review commissioned by the HSE in 2015 following receipt of a ‘statement of concern’ in relation to an orthodontic service serving the Greater Dublin Area between 1999 and 2002. This review was, in effect, a scoping report commissioned to advise the HSE on what actions should be taken to determine if there was a risk of harm to patients in this case.
In response to the 2015 HSE Report, the HSE commenced an audit process in 2016 to review the records of patients treated with braces in the service between 1999 and 2002. The audit phase reviewed records of over 7,500 patients of which 16 patients met the threshold for recall by the HSE.
The HSE were successful in contacting the majority of these patients and Open Disclosure meetings took place over the period from January 2020 to August 2021. The patients were offered a dental assessment as per the terms of reference and as appropriate, treatment plans were initiated in accordance with clinical need and the informed wishes of the patients. The HSE published the Report of Look-back Review into Orthodontic Services (Dublin Mid-Leinster, 1999-2002) in August 2022.
Waiting lists vary regionally and according to the complexity of the condition. There are generally longer waiting lists for the least complex care. The HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times in orthodontic services. These include treatment waiting list initiatives, services improvement initiatives and access to orthodontic services outside the jurisdiction. A HSE orthodontic treatment waiting list initiative in 2022 will see Children and Young People assessed as Grade 4 who have been waiting over 4 years for treatment at a cost of €4.1m. So far in 2022, 884 patients have been seen under the framework.
Any decision regarding publication of the HSE 2015 lookback report is a matter for the HSE.
585. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment to meet with their orthopaedic surgeon given the urgency of the case. [44885/22]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In 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.
586. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a swimming pool (details supplied) at an organisation is not open; if his Department will grant funding for same; if his Department has received an application from the organisation regarding this pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44891/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
587. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current position in regard to the long-promised extension of facilities at Naas General Hospital; the extent, if any, to which the originally planned-for facilities have been or are being provided; if particular deficiencies have emerged during the Covid pandemic or thereafter; the extent to which particular shortcomings have been identified, including the adequacy of staffing levels, that are intended to be provided for in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44894/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
588. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason that plans to meet the requirements of scoliosis patients cannot be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44903/22]
View answerI sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.
Improving 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 children waiting for orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis and spina bifida, across CHI hospitals and Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital.
Additional activity has been undertaken to date. By the end of August 2022, 342 scoliosis procedures had taken place across CHI Crumlin, CHI Temple Street, and Cappagh. This is in comparison to the same period in 2019 (pre-Covid) where 251 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.
