Robert Troy
Question:913. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a consultation appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [54203/22]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (913)
Written answers
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (914)
Willie O'Dea
Question:914. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic bonus payment of €1,000 will be paid to a person (details supplied) who works in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54204/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Health Services
Questions (915)
Steven Matthews
Question:915. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a child (details supplied); if he will seek to have the case expedited as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54205/22]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
Earlier this year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. More than €17 million of current and capital funding is being provided to implement the plan.
This funding will provide additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, diagnostic MRI capacity and enable further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital or Cappagh Kids. The funding also allowed for the recruitment of addition staff and while progress has been made, CHI advise that 33.2 WTE have been recruited, with recruitment for 43.4 WTE in process and recruitment to commence shortly for 15 WTE challenges in nursing staffing levels remain.
In relation to the particular case mentioned CHI advise that plans are in place to stabilise the staffing situation and they plan to schedule her admission in the first quarter of 2023 when the ward has sufficient supports to nurse her safely.
Departmental Properties
Questions (916)
Catherine Murphy
Question:916. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department and all bodies under his Department's aegis have reviewed their estates portfolio in the context of identifying unoccupied buildings that may be suitable for use in the context of meeting the accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. [54219/22]
View answerWritten answers
There has been and continues to be significant engagement between my Department and the HSE at senior level on the matter of vacant or derelict buildings in HSE ownership. This is in the context of the Housing for All plan and the national effort on housing and supports for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland.
The HSE periodically review the heath estate property portfolio in light of current and projected needs of the health service and also demographic projections and resourcing requirements. Taking these and other factors into account, decisions are taken in respect of vacant or derelict properties. Where it is confirmed that any given property is no longer required for in the health sector, in accordance with protocol and procedures for state asset transfer and disposal, such properties are initially offered to the Land Development Agency. If there is not an interest from the Land Development Agency, they are then offered to other state entities listed on the State Property Register. Finally, if there is no interest expressed by other state entities, the property is placed on the open market.
To contribute to the national effort on housing and supports for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland, a full list of vacant properties identified by the HSE as potentially usable for accommodation and housing was provided to the Department of Housing earlier this year. This list is kept under review and officials in the Department continue to engage with the HSE, the Department of Housing and other Government departments on these critical issues.
Recently, at the request of Minister O'Gorman to urgently identify suitable buildings that can be utilised to provide refugee accommodation, the HSE proposed five potential locations, including the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum. These properties are now being assessed by the Dept of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I am fully committed to working with other departments to support the Government's humanitarian response to Ukrainian refugees.
Departmental Properties
Questions (917)
Catherine Murphy
Question:917. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number and type of unused and-or unoccupied buildings in his Department's estates portfolio and all bodies under his Department's aegis. [54237/22]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested has been provided in reply to the Deputy's PQ Ref: 54219/22.
Health Service Executive
Questions (918)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:918. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the total cost to Cork University Hospital of the removal of trees on its grounds in October 2022; the rationale for the removal of an entire row of 16 mature trees on 22 October 2022; if an independent arborist report was completed prior to these works; if the wood arising from the works was retained by CUH; if it was gifted or sold to the contractor; if so, if the wood was valued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54251/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (919)
Richard Bruton
Question:919. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if proposals have been presented to his ministerial management committee to accelerate the conduct of assessments of need for children with special needs, in the aftermath of a recent court case which deemed that preliminary assessments did not meet the obligations of the existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54254/22]
View answerWritten answers
The March 2022 judgement in the High Court directed that the Preliminary Team Assessment approach, having regard to assessments of need, does not fulfil the requirements of the Disability Act.
Pending the completion of clinical guidance for Assessments of Need, clinicians carrying out assessments have been advised to use their clinical judgement to determine the level and type of assessment required.
The HSE’s National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (NCPPD) has led the process of developing Interim Clinical Guidance to replace the element of the Standard Operating Procedure which was found to be non-compliant with the Disability Act (2005), having regard to the carrying out of Assessments of Need.
This new Interim Clinical Guidance has now been clinically approved and the HSE’s legal advisors have provided initial observations which allows it to proceed from a legal perspective. The HSE is engaging with staff representative bodies on the guidance currently and expect to be able to finalise the Interim Guidance in the near future.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (920)
Thomas Pringle
Question:920. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of laparoscopic gastric bypass surgeries performed in University Hospital Galway, St. Vincent's University Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital Dún Laoghaire and Letterkenny University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54261/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (921)
Thomas Pringle
Question:921. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgeries performed in University Hospital Galway, St. Vincent's University Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital Dún Laoghaire and Letterkenny University Hospital in each of the years 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54262/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (922)
Thomas Pringle
Question:922. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if the HSE Service Plan for 2023 will include funding for obesity surgery; the number of such procedures to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54263/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (923)
Thomas Pringle
Question:923. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that will be allocated funding for obesity surgery in 2023; the number of such procedures to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54264/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (924, 958)
Thomas Pringle
Question:924. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he accepts the recommendations of the "Health Technology Assessment of Metabolic Surgery", contained in the report by HIQA in July 2022 to fund a programme of metabolic surgery in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54265/22]
View answer
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:958. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he accepts the recommendations of the "Health Technology Assessment of Metabolic Surgery" contained in the report by HIQA in July 2022 to fund a programme of metabolic surgery in 2023. [54365/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 924 and 958 together.
As the Deputy's question relates to a health technology assessment requested by the Health Service Executive (HSE) I am referring the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Ukraine War
Questions (925)
Martin Browne
Question:925. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns from psychologists that the appropriate mental health supports specific to the needs of some refugees from Ukraine are not available; the supports that are in place to deal with the specific needs of adults and young children who suffer from the experiences of war zones; the measures put in place to provide immediate counselling and similar supports to the refugees that need them or if they will have to apply for counselling though the traditional HSE mental health structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54281/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health and HSE are coordinating the provision of healthcare services for more than 57,000 Ukrainian refugees who have been granted temporary protection as part of the Government humanitarian response to Ukraine. In addition to the Ukrainian refugees, the HSE is providing healthcare services for 17,000 applicants for international protection, 12,000 of whom are new arrivals in 2022.
The number of people granted temporary protection is unprecedented in the history of the State. This has given rise to a collective response which has been exceptional, from a national to a local level, in the face of the enormous operational, logistical and cost challenges presented by the high volume of arrivals.
People arriving from Ukraine will be affected by their experiences in their home country, on their journey here, and while in Ireland, in different ways. Many will be able to cope relatively well with appropriate practical supports, while others may experience distress and be at risk of developing persisting mental health difficulties.
Any Ukrainians who are experiencing mental health difficulties can access supports in line with normal admission and referral procedures. The range of mental health services delivered by, or on behalf of, the HSE is extensive, and ranges from the promotion of positive mental health and mental health services in primary care, to specialist community and in-patient mental health services.
Some of these supports have been tailored and/or translated with the needs of arriving Ukrainians in mind and will complement the general suite of mental health services. These include mental health information in Ukrainian and Russian, peer supports and more formalised person-centred services delivered by the HSE and funded partner organisations, including MyMind, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Aware, SpunOut and others.
MyMind have recruited Ukrainian-speaking therapists and is currently accepting Ukrainians for counselling and psychotherapy in English and a range other of languages free of charge.
Within each Community Health Organisation, significant work has also been undertaken to plan and deliver a psycho-social response, based on presenting needs.
I am committed to providing appropriate mental health supports for all accessing the public health system, including refugees from the war in Ukraine. The Government is committed to meeting its obligations to those granted temporary protection in the short, medium and longer term.
Mental Health Services
Questions (926)
Martin Browne
Question:926. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if a mental health support structure is being designed to accompany the location of modular house builds for refugees from the illegal invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54282/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (927)
Denis Naughten
Question:927. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when all non-HSE workers entitled to the Covid pandemic bonus will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54283/22]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the roll-out 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 on-site in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
It is hoped that 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 front-line 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.
Please be assured that work on rolling out payment to non-HSE/Section 38 organisations is being prioritised and while the roll-out of payments to the eligible workers in these organisations is hoped to begin shortly, it is not possible to comment on when payment will be received.
Health Service Executive
Questions (928)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:928. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied). [54287/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (929, 931, 943)
Cathal Crowe
Question:929. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason for the disparity whereby the Irish healthcare system does not have a chief pharmaceutical officer, but does have a chief medical officer, a chief nursing officer, a chief dentistry officer and a chief veterinary officer, who are responsible for overseeing their respective professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54290/22]
View answer
Patrick Costello
Question:931. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the reason for the disparity whereby the Irish healthcare system does not have a chief pharmaceutical officer, but does have a chief medical officer, a chief nursing officer, a chief dentistry officer and a chief veterinary officer, who are responsible for overseeing their respective professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54294/22]
View answer
Brendan Griffin
Question:943. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a chief pharmaceutical officer would be appointed to assist in the development of a strategic vision for the future of pharmacy care within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54324/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 929, 931 and 943 together.
The Department of Health recognises the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the significant contribution made by this sector to patient and public health and well-being.
The Department of Health has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff, and they continue to work and engage with, key sectoral stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union to address pharmacy matters in the patient and health system best interest.
Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.
Health Promotion
Questions (930)
Thomas Pringle
Question:930. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any funding which could be available for a drug and alcohol awareness programme run in schools in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54292/22]
View answerWritten answers
Minister for Public Health, Well-being and National Drug Strategy, Frank Feighan, announced the allocation of €1.5 million for a 3-year drug prevention and education programme in September 2022.
The funding program is a key deliverable under the national drug strategy to strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use, and related harm among children and young people. The program fulfils a commitment to the Government Program and aligns with actions in the EU Drugs Action Plan.
This is the first time that national funding has been provided for drug prevention. Drug prevention is a key pillar in our health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, that seeks to reduce the harmful use of drugs and alcohol from an early age.
This initiative will build on local and sectoral initiatives, such as Know the Score, and will draw on evidence from Europe to professionalise and elevate the practice of drug prevention in Ireland. In particular, the programme will promote the European Prevention Curriculum and international prevention standards.
There are 5 funding streams within the programme, including a specific focus on school-based interventions, general youth, family-based interventions, higher education settings and environmental prevention.
The deadline for this call is the 11th of November 2022. Further details and the application form can be found at: gov.ie - Department of Health Prevention and Education Funding Programme (www.gov.ie)
Minister Feighan invites stakeholders with an interest in drug prevention to submit joint proposals that are evidence-based and informed by population needs. Inter-agency partnership and collaborative working is at the heart of the national drugs strategy. Local and regional drug and alcohol task forces have a good track record in drug prevention. They have an opportunity now to advance their work in collaboration with sectoral bodies such as youth organisations, family services, third level institutions, community action against alcohol initiatives, the HSE and the Department of Education.
Question No. 931 answered with Question No. 929.
Dental Services
Questions (932)
John Brady
Question:932. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are currently awaiting an orthodontic assessment in County Wicklow, broken down by 1, 3, 6 and 12 months plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54297/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (933)
John Brady
Question:933. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are currently awaiting an appointment to commence orthodontic treatment in County Wicklow, broken down by 1, 3, 6 and 12 months plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54298/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.