Written Answers Nos. 1522-1536
1522. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that has been allocated to the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund to source additional outpatient, endoscopy, diagnostics and inpatient day case activity in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17052/23]
View answerThe Government recognises that acute hospital scheduled care waiting lists are far too long, and that many patients are waiting an unacceptably long time for care. However, progress is being made through our new multi-annual approach to reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and times. The amount of funding that has been allocated to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to source additional acute scheduled care activity in 2021, 2022 and 2023 through these multi-annual plans is as follows:
2021 – including Short-term Waiting List Action Plan (September – December 2021)
€240 million was allocated in non-recurrent funding for 2021 to the HSE and the NTPF mitigate the impact of the pandemic and cyberattack on scheduled care activity. This funding was divided as follows:
- €210 million to the HSE for commissioning additional activity in the public and private sector
- €30 million to the NTPF for a combination of additional activity and reform measures
This funding was provided to source the following additional activity in 2021:
- An additional 105,000 new outpatient appointments/waiting list removals
- An additional 31,000 inpatient or day case procedures/waiting list removals
- An additional 13,600 GI scopes/waiting list removals
- An additional 24,000 diagnostics
The short-term Waiting List Action Plan (September–December 2021) was published on the 7 October 2021 to expedite and prioritise the remaining additional activity by the HSE and NTPF during Q4 2021 and to provide the platform for a new multi-annual approach to reducing and reforming waiting lists and waiting times.
2022 Waiting List Action Plan
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan was launched with €350 million of funding on 25 February 2022 for the HSE and NTPF to provide additional public and private activity to reduce waiting list backlogs that were exacerbated during the pandemic, but also to lay the foundations for important multi-annual reforms that will deliver sustained reductions in waiting lists. This funding was divided as follows:
- €150 million for the NTPF to commission 273,000 appointments/waiting list removals and 65,000 additional diagnostics (increased during 2022 from the initial target of 30,000) in the public and private sector.
- €200 million for the HSE for reform measures, and for additional activity to deliver 196,000 appointments/waiting list removals.
2023 Waiting List Action Plan
The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan was published on the 7th March 2023. It allocates €363 million in funding to the HSE and the NTPF to reduce acute scheduled care waiting lists by 10% this year, to continue implementing reforms, and to continue to significantly reduce waiting times towards the Sláintecare maximum waiting time targets. This funding breaks down as follows:
- €150 million to the NTPF to procure additional capacity and commission 316,100 additional appointments/waiting list removals to reduce waiting list backlogs.
- €90 million to the HSE and NTPF to implement additional short-term measures to address backlogs through some 97,000 additional appointments/waiting list removals, and 77,700 additional diagnostics (HSE – 12,700, NTPF – 65,000).
- €123 million allocated to the HSE on a recurring basis to progress longer-term reforms including to streamline and reconfigure care pathways and sustainably enhance capacity, in particular for the priority areas of Obesity/Bariatrics, Paediatric Orthopaedics (Spina Bifida/Scoliosis) and Gynaecology.
The HSE is currently finalising projected activity volumes for these longer-term reform initiatives, which will be informed by lessons learned from implementation throughout the year.
1523. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated to the lymphoedema model of care to date; if so, the amount of funding that has been allocated, and in what years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17053/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1525. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine a situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17066/23]
View answerIt is important to have effective mechanisms to maintain and enhance public confidence in the delivery of quality residential care. It is critical to build on good practice across this sector, to embed a positive complaints culture that enables issues to be responded to quickly and, more broadly, can be a driver for quality improvement.
The HSE operates a feedback and complaints process, "Your service, Your say". Details of how to make a complaint or provide feedback to the HSE are available on the HSE website at www2.hse.ie/complaints-feedback/. The Office of the Ombudsman can also examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has engaged with the nursing homes' established complaints procedure.
As the concerns raised in the Deputy’s question are operational issues, I have referred the matter to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) through the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services is responsible for registering and inspecting designated centres for older people. The facility referred to by the Deputy is registered with HIQA and under the regulations the provider is required to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Service users can engage with this process directly with the provider as a first step.
In addition, HIQA welcomes information about these centres, reviews all information about services received and evaluates it against the regulations and standards. Concerns can be communicated to:
- Phone: 021 240 9646
- Email: concerns@hiqa.ie
- Address: HIQA, George’s Court, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
As a regulator, HIQA has no legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections and this range of information informs a risk-based approach to regulation.
1526. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if an expedited appointment for child and adolescent mental health services will be facilitated for a child (details supplied). [17082/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1527. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of how the €710,000 funding in 2022 and €810,000 funding for 2023 for period products has been allocated, by sector (local authorities, schools, third level institutions, food banks, women's refuges, international protection applicants, Ukrainian refugees etc) and by organisation in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17085/23]
View answerFollowing the publication of a Plan International Survey in 2018, which found that 10% of teenage girls were significantly impacted by period poverty, Private Members’ Motions on the topic were passed in the Oireachtas and a sub-committee of the National Strategy for Women and Girls Strategy Committee was set up to consider the issue.
The resulting Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper was published in February, 2021 and can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/.
The Department of Health has established an inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group (“IG”), with representation from most Government Departments, to achieve cross sectoral input and to co-ordinate oversight of implementation measures recommended by the Discussion Paper. The Group has now met on five occasions, most recently in March 2023. Various bilateral meetings have also been held between officials of this Department, other Government Departments, State agencies and NGOs and representatives of the Scottish Government.
The purpose of the IG is to implement the recommendations of the Discussion Paper; to improve access to period products for those who may need them, and to widen the knowledge base regarding the incidence and impacts of period poverty in Ireland.
It should be noted that the Department of Expenditure and Reform, who are represented on the IG, have indicated that the funding of implementation measures in each sector need to be funded separately via each Department’s Vote. Hence, measures in the Health sector are to be funded through the Health Vote, measures in the Education sector are to be funded through the Education Vote (for schools) or the DFHERIS Vote (for the further and higher education sector) and so on. The IG co-ordinates implementation across Government.
In terms of implementation under the Department of Health, the most urgent focus is on supporting those most in need (e.g., the homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees and those experiencing consistent poverty). Funding of €715,000 was allocated for this in Budget 2022 (€515,000 to Healthy Ireland Budget and €200,000 to the HSE). An additional €100,000 was allocated in 2023 to the HSE, bringing the total allocation for 2023 to €815,000.
The Department of Health and the HSE are progressing implementation of a period dignity support programme through HSE Social Inclusion, with a focus on Travellers and Roma; this commenced with a pilot programme in Community Health Organisation 5 (CHO5, based in the South-East) in 2022. Following initial positive results, the HSE extended similar supports to other CHOs in H2, 2022, with additional funding in 2023. Depending on the numbers of Travellers and Roma in each CHO, some are also widening provision out to other vulnerable groups, working with community organisations and facilities.
The Department has also funded 26 Local Authorities and 17 NGOs directly in 2022, including family resource centres and charities working with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and/or consistent poverty directly, to progress period poverty mitigation projects. The allocations for 2022 are included in the attached files. Expressions of interest for 2023 were requested and service level agreements are currently being finalised with both local authorities and NGOs in order to provide funding for 2023.
1528. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if an issue (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17087/23]
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.
1529. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1752 of 26 July 2022, if he will provide updated information in relation to the work that has been carried out to identify a suitable site for a development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17089/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1530. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a review of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; if he will request this process be expedited in light of ongoing concerns related to reimbursement from medical professionals in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17092/23]
View answerThe Community Ophthalmic Services Medical Treatment Scheme (COSMTS) was established in 2004 as a pilot project in response to an identified need. The scheme engages four practices across seven locations to provide medical and minor surgical care to patients outside of the acute care setting. This allows hospitals and eye clinics to focus on treating more complex conditions. The treatments and the current fees payable under the scheme were agreed in 2013.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) have advised that a detailed evaluation of the operation of the COSMTS will need to be carried out before it is extended further. As the HSE have advised it is necessary, I will be requesting that they conduct an evaluation of the COSMTS as soon as possible.
1531. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when retired nurses will receive the back payment owed to them (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17094/23]
View answerAs this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1532. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the national women and infant health programme to provide a reply to a person (details supplied) regarding their correspondence. [17095/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1534. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that all trainee psychologists are remunerated for their work carried out as part of compulsory placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17099/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.
I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.
Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.
The Deputy may also wish to seek the view of the Minister for Education as regards remuneration and funding opportunities for educational psychologists.
1535. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the recommendation in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice report entitled An Examination of the Present Approach to Sanctions for Possession of Certain Amounts of Drugs for Personal Use that 'the practice of cultivation of currently illicit substances at a modest, non-profit level be examined in light of the recommendations, in order to regulate such activity'; if so, the steps that will be taken regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17100/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the cultivation of scheduled one controlled drugs for personal use is contrary to the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In his foreword to the report, the Cathaoirleach of the Justice Committee stated that "The Committee has made a number of recommendations for these areas and a copy of this report will be sent to the Minister for Justice. The Committee looks forward to working proactively and productively with the Minister to engage with the issues and recommendations identified within its report".
As this report is intended for the Minister for Justice it is not appropriate for the Department of Health to offer comment on it.
1536. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a home care plan will be agreed with a family for a family member (details supplied) before they are discharged from Castlecomer hospital, Kilkenny; if their home will be inspected to ensure that all the necessary physical supports and/or refurbishment are in place given they live alone; and if he will expedite a positive response. [17130/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
