Richard Bruton
Question:1433. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he is in a position to indicate a start date from which free GP care will be extended to those under eight years of age. [1250/23]
View answerGeneral Practitioner Services
Questions (1433)
Written answers
My officials and the HSE have made preparations for the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7. Engagements with the IMO, representing GPs, in relation to the necessary fee structures are ongoing with the intention of introducing this service as early as possible.
Furthermore, from 1 April 2023, eligibility will be extended to people who earn the median household income of €46,000 or less. It will be adjusted for people living alone and for those with children; further operational details will be made available prior to the commencement of the income-based expansion. It is envisaged that these measures will be supported by a significant package of additional capacity supports to GP practices.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1434)
Matt Carthy
Question:1434. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for an outpatient appointment at the orthopaedic clinic in Cavan and Monaghan hospital given the discomfort that they are currently experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1251/23]
View answerWritten 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 (1435)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:1435. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus will be paid to those persons who were in employment with an employer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1253/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1436)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic bonus will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1437)
Charles Flanagan
Question:1437. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when he expects HSE staff to be assigned to the important and necessary role of access officer in HSE facilities across County Offaly, falling within the remit of CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1276/23]
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.
Home Care Packages
Questions (1438)
Jackie Cahill
Question:1438. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their full provision of care hours following their allocation of a full home care package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1278/23]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (1439)
Ged Nash
Question:1439. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of dental practices in counties Louth and Meath respectively who are or were in the dental treatment services scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and on 1 January, 2023; if he will provide an update on the status of his stated plans to review the DTSS; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1281/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Since May 1st 2022, there has been additional prevention treatments included and a 40-60% increase in fees across most treatment items. Since these measures came into effect, both the numbers of treatments and patients being seen have increased.
I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. Where access to a dentist is difficult, local HSE services assist patients who make enquires and make lists of DTSS contractors available to medical card holders. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by directly contacting private contractors or arranging treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
An additional allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. This includes €5 million allocated on a one-off basis to support the HSE Public Dental Service to provide care this year, including through a HSE ‘safety-net’ service for adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still having difficulty accessing a local dentist.
The Government recognises that substantive reform of the DTSS is required, as set out in the National Oral Health Policy. My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused implementation structures for the Policy to drive implementation. These implementation structures include the need for new clinical leadership and reform leadership posts in the HSE for which resources will be provided. These implementation structures will help to substantively reform the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages, in line with the National Oral Health Policy. This will include work on planning new services for medical card holders.
While it will take a number of years to bring reform to complete fruition, there will be an early emphasis in implementation on addressing the current issues, including the reform of the provision of services for medical card holders.
I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly with the service-related information sought.
Primary Care Services
Questions (1440)
Ged Nash
Question:1440. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a status update on the provision of podiatry services at the HSE Boyne primary care centre and at the Community Services Building, Dublin Road, Dundalk respectively; the number of persons on a waiting list for the service at these locations; the number of staff engaged at these locations on podiatry services; the number of vacant posts related to the services; if he will outline the plans to fill any such vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/23]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1441)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1441. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when the next round of booster Covid vaccinations will be available for the over-70s who have received their second booster in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1284/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the updated guidelines here:
www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recommended a third mRNA booster for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these recommendations and the rollout is underway.
The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
Further information on the booster vaccine rollout can be viewed here:
www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/
Health Services
Questions (1442)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:1442. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the current status of the new regional health areas which determine the introduction of community neurorehabilitation in CHO 9; when these regional health areas are expected to be implemented; the action he will take to ensure all CHO areas will receive community neurorehabilitation teams once the RHAs are finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1285/23]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (1443)
Matt Carthy
Question:1443. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of respite care facilities and the numbers of places within each, for children with disabilities in each county in tabular form; his proposals to increase the number of facilities and or places within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1287/23]
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.
Question No. 1444 answered with Question No. 1412.
Emergency Departments
Questions (1445)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1445. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been agreed upon to provide the appropriate resources to the accident and emergency department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, identified in the HSE review of the closure of the accident and emergency department in Navan Hospital; if the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1291/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE has proposed a process of planned service changes at Our Lady's Hospital Navan and has advised that these changes are necessary to support safe service delivery on a sustained basis and are driven first and foremost by patient safety considerations.
No decision regarding the HSE’s proposal for the transition of the Emergency Department at Navan has been agreed by me or by government.
While recognising the very real clinical concerns identified, the Government is clear that several important issues, including additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care, would need to be fully addressed before any proposed transition by the HSE.
For this reason, I have asked the HSE to undertake a review of capacity. The review has been received and is currently under consideration.
Home Care Packages
Questions (1446, 1447)
Verona Murphy
Question:1446. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of new persons approved for HSE home care support hours who are currently awaiting delivery of support hours in County Wexford; the number of current clients approved for additional home care support hours awaiting allocation of those additional hours in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/23]
View answerVerona Murphy
Question:1447. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of approved HSE home care hours provided per month in County Wexford; the number of HSE homecare hours at present being delivered in County Wexford; the number of clients per month in receipt of home care hours in County Wexford; the numbers of approved HSE home care support hours waiting allocation in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1296/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1446 and 1447 together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
Question No. 1447 answered with Question No. 1446.
Question No. 1448 answered with Question No. 1412.
Hospital Services
Questions (1449)
Brendan Griffin
Question:1449. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when fibronectin tests will be available to expectant mothers at UHK; when approval was given for this; if and when a supplier (details supplied) has provided a price for this; if the price is agreeable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1298/23]
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.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (1450)
Mark Ward
Question:1450. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department pays to sponsor a television programme (details supplied); the length of time the contract is for; the amount paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1299/23]
View answerWritten answers
The World Health Organization states that obesity poses a major risk for serious diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer. Its health consequences range from increased risk of premature death to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life.
In Ireland, overweight and obesity poses an increasing challenge with almost 60% of the adult population now living with overweight or obesity according to the Healthy Ireland survey 2022. Furthermore, almost one in five primary-school children is living with overweight or obesity (Report of the 5th Round of data collection, 2018- 2020: World Health Organization (WHO) the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework. Implementation of the OPAP is overseen by a cross-sectoral and cross-Departmental group, the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) chaired by the Department of Health. OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
It is recognised that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity.
Citizen engagement aimed at increasing awareness and understanding around overweight and obesity and encouraging behavioural change is a priority under the OPAP. As part of delivering on this agenda, the Department of Health, under the auspices of Healthy Ireland, sponsored Operation Transformation in 2021 and 2022. The sponsorship amounts are outlined as follows.
|
Year |
Sponsorship Amount € (exclusive of VAT) |
|
2021 |
230,000 |
|
2022 |
230,000 |
|
2023 |
0 |
The duration of the contract for 2021 was from 6th January to 24th February and in 2022 from 5th January to 23rd February.
In 2022 a new citizen engagement campaign was designed by the Department of Health in consultation with the HSE and key stakeholders (including Bodywhys & the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity). The Healthy Weight campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the heightened risk of developing overweight and obesity for people in their 20s and 30s. The Healthy Weight campaign shares practical, expert information about four healthy behaviours that can help prevent weight gain, in order to support adults to be and feel healthier. These behaviours include good nutrition and eating well, managing stress, sleeping well and engaging in regular physical activity. It also aims to provide practical information around the opportunities which exist to take preventative action in your 20s and 30s.
The Healthy Weight campaign is just one of a series of initiatives funded by Healthy Ireland to address overweight and obesity in the Irish population. Many factors influence weight: our genes can play a role, where we live, our access to safe outdoor spaces, the advertising we are exposed to, our access to fresh food like fruit and vegetables at an affordable price, our exposure to junk foods, the amount of stress in our lives and how much sleep we get.
Many initiatives and policies which address different aspects of the complexity of obesity have been developed and progressed over the last number of years. A small number are referenced below:
- Following the publication of A Roadmap for Food Product Reformulation in Ireland in 2021, a dedicated, Food Reformulation Task Force in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland was funded to drive progress towards set targets to reduce calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar in everyday processed foods and drinks by working with industry and stakeholders;
- The HSE Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity, launched in 2021, sets out the care models for adults and children, with pathways to ensure a continuum of appropriate care..
- The ESRI has carried out research for the Department of Health on assessing the impact of Front-of-Pack labelling and product availability on consumer choice;
- Funding of €1.3m has been provided for 19 Community Food and Nutrition Officers as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, educating and empowering families in the areas of most need relating to healthy eating, etc.
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1-4 year-olds and a Children’s Food Pyramid were published in 2020 and Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care Services were published in 2022. Guidelines for older persons will be published shortly and guidelines for teenagers are expected to be published in 2023.
- At an EU level, since 2020, Ireland has co-led with Portugal a Work Package on Restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and adolescents under the EU Joint Action “Best ReMaP” (Best practices in Reformulation, Marketing and public Procurement).
Hospital Admissions
Questions (1451)
Mark Ward
Question:1451. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented to emergency departments with self-harm and-or intentional poisoning by CHO area in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1300/23]
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 Admissions
Questions (1452)
Mark Ward
Question:1452. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who arrived at emergency departments with suicidal thoughts in each of the years 2017 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/23]
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.
Suicide Incidence
Questions (1453)
Mark Ward
Question:1453. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died by suicide in each of the years 2017 to 2022, by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1303/23]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible on this matter.