Written Answers Nos. 674-693
674. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the overall health budget that has been allocated to mental health in each of the Budgets from 2019 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48424/22]
View answerThe final allocation for HSE Mental Health Services is set out in the relevant HSE Service Plans for the years 2019 to 2022. I have asked the HSE to supply the detailed information sought directly to the Deputy.
The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
675. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the areas in which the additional funding of €14 million will be spent; the services that the funding will go towards; when these new measures will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48425/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
676. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which mental health waiting lists are to be progressed, the amount of funding that will be allocated to the progression of mental health waiting lists; the areas in which the funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48426/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
677. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which peer support and recovery services are to be progressed, the amount of funding that will be allocated to this progression; the areas in which the funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48427/22]
View answerIn Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drugs strategy and inclusion health. The funding will be used to expand HSE healthcare services and to support community & voluntary organisations to improve access to health and social care services. Details of the additional funding are outlined in the attached factsheet.
The additional funding for the national drugs strategy reflects the 6 strategic priorities I have identified for the remaining four years of the Strategy, 2022-2025. It will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, through reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery for people who experience addiction to drugs and alcohol.
More information is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/news/0cd88-budget-2023-measures-for-national-drugs-strategy-inclusion-health/
678. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which the roll-out of more digital mental health supports are to be progressed, the amount of funding that will be allocated to this progression; the areas in which will it be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
679. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which investment is earmarked for approved centres to ensure they comply with Mental Health Commission requirements, the amount of this investment; the centres to which it will be allocated in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48429/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
680. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, for which funding for additional employment and housing supports for persons with mental health difficulties has been provided, the amount of funding that will be allocated to same; the areas in which it will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48430/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
681. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which funding for counselling psychology training has been provided, the amount of funding that will be allocated to same; the areas in which it will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48431/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
682. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure report in Budget 2023, in which there will be a focus for vulnerable groups for mental health, the funding that will be allocated; the areas in which the funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48432/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
683. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expenditure in Budget 2023, in which there will be a focus additional supports for traveller mental health services, the funding that will be allocated; the areas in which this funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48433/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
684. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the additional funding in Budget 2023 has been allocated for CAMHS, excluding existing levels of service; the areas in which this funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48434/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
685. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the additional funding in Budget 2023 that that been allocated for eating disorders, excluding existing levels of service; the areas in which this funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48435/22]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
686. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the additional funding in Budget 2023 that has been allocated for primary care psychology, excluding existing levels of service; the areas in which this funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48436/22]
View answerThe total Budget allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion. This is another record budget for mental health services, which includes the greatest increase of €72.8m given in one year and demonstrates the commitment of the Government to this key care programme. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
In 2021, funding of €4 million was allocated to an initiative to target a reduction in the waiting list for children and young people under the age of 18 waiting over 12 months to access primary care psychology services, further investment of approximately €1.4 million in early 2022 was secured to support the ongoing initiative. This year, the Government’s Waiting List action plan also assigned funding of €5.5 million to primary care child psychology services.
In 2022, the primary care psychology waiting list initiative has enabled almost 2,400 young people to access the service than otherwise would have. The initiative consists of work being implemented across the CHOs to tackle this waiting list and includes validation exercises, increased tele-screening and tele-consults, and increased provision of individual and group workshops as appropriate. Almost 2,500 young people have been removed from the primary care psychology waiting list through the work of this initiative.
The HSE has also targeted the recruitment of staff psychologists, clinical psychologists, and administrative support staff, with campaigns underway across the CHOs. A national recruitment campaign to replenish the psychology assistant panel is also underway, which is expected to have a positive impact on activity and waitlist trends.
Although primary care psychology is not the focus of the Enhanced Community Care Programme, the service will benefit from the new network structures, improvements in multi-disciplinary working and focus on local population needs.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
687. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a HSE pension will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who made their application over six months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48442/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
688. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if a dentist will be suggested for a person (details supplied) given that all dentists in Limerick are full and they are not accepting new patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48447/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
689. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the capital funding that is available to a private organisation providing support and day respite to children with disabilities through a service level agreement with the HSE. [48450/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
690. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the financial supports that are available to parents of children with vision impairments who require strong prescription glasses; if these supports vary depending on CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48462/22]
View answerSight testing, eye examinations and optical appliances are provided to medical card holders by ophthalmologists, optometrists and dispensing opticians through the Community Ophthalmic Services Schemes (COSS). Patients may access these services following a referral by a healthcare professional such as their general practitioner.
All children, including those not covered by a medical card, receive a vision screen while in national school from a Public Health Nurse. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides optical services free of charge to pre-school children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate consultant for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16.
As this question also relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
691. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the status of the clinical review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme; when the review will commence; the length of time that it will take to conclude; when the report will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48465/22]
View answerThe Department has commissioned an evidence review to assess scientific research on the efficacy and safety of cannabis-based treatments for a range of conditions.
The initial stage of the review has been completed which is soon to be followed by an evidence synthesis.
Once completed a clinical group will be convened to assess this evidence and provide guidance on any amendments to the list of conditions included in the MCAP.
This is expected early in the new year.
692. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the proposal from an organisation (details supplied) for an independent review of radiation therapy in an effort to deal with recruitment and retention issues as agreed at the Workplace Relations Commission hearing in 2021 by the organisation , the HSE and the Department of Health; if he is committed to implementing any recommendations which could emanate from the review dealing with the crisis in recruitment and retention of radiation therapists and or service improvements such as advanced practice and safe and adequate staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48466/22]
View answerAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair. Outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
693. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are approximately 600 children waiting on disability services in the Tallaght area (details supplied); if he will take all the necessary steps to reduce this wait time; and if he will ensure the long-term improvement of these services by filling the need for more staff and college places to allow more qualified therapists to work in the service. [48467/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
