Written Answers Nos. 1779-1793
1779. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current average waiting times for urgent and routine paediatric cardiology appointments in each of the seven hospital groups, in tabular form. [18257/23]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care. On the 7th March, I published the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, which is the next stage of a new multi-annual approach to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists, and builds on the foundational work done through the short-term Waiting List Action Plan between September and December 2021, which was followed by the first full year Waiting List Action Plan for 2022, both having reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists.
The 2023 Plan sets out the priorities to continue to address waiting lists this year. The 30 actions in the Plan, which are governed by the Waiting List Task Force, focus on delivering capacity, reforming scheduled care and enabling scheduled care reform.
For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to implement longer term reforms and provide additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. This will reduce hospital waiting lists by 10% in 2023 as well as continuing to significantly reduce waiting times in line with Sláintecare recommendations. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.
With this ambitious 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving our vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.
In relation to the particular query raised, the attached table, provided to my Department by the NTPF, shows the number of paediatric patients waiting for a first Cardiology Outpatient appointment in each of the public hospital groups at the end of March 2023. The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
|
Total Number of Paediatric Patients Waiting for a Cardiology (or Paed Cardiology) Outpatient Appointment by Hospital Group by Wait Time Band as at 30/03/2023 |
||||||
|
Sum of Total |
Column Labels |
|||||
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Small Volume Time Band |
Grand Total |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
1825 |
1068 |
701 |
73 |
0 |
3667 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
RCSI Hospitals Group |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
18 |
5 |
0 |
13 |
2 |
38 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
373 |
77 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
452 |
|
University of Limerick Hospital Group |
25 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
35 |
|
Grand Total |
2241 |
1159 |
701 |
86 |
19 |
4206 |
|
Average & Median Wait Times for Paediatric Patients Waiting for a Cardiology (or Paed Cardiology) Outpatient Appointment by Hospital Group as at 30/03/2023 |
||
|
Hospital Group |
Average Wait Time (Days) |
Median Wait Time (Days) |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
213 |
183 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
332 |
363 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
126 |
126 |
|
RCSI Hospitals Group |
78 |
61 |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
412 |
207 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
102 |
76 |
|
University of Limerick Hospital Group |
138 |
82 |
1780. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when applications for the special recognition pandemic payment award will be processed for private ambulance staff who worked through and supported the NAS during the Covid pandemic. [18268/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1781. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the latest guidelines and regulations which govern the sale and supply of codeine containing products by retail pharmacy businesses; when these were last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18269/23]
View answer1785. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections conducted by the Pharmaceutical Society to ascertain compliance with guidelines for the safe dispensing of non-prescription products containing codeine by retail pharmacy businesses in each year since establishment, by purpose, in tabular form. [18273/23]
View answer1786. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of enforcement actions, or actions otherwise taken to correct or address poor practice, behaviour, or performance by pharmacists or by pharmacies, taken by the Pharmaceutical Society to address compliance with guidelines for the safe dispensing of non-prescription products containing codeine by retail pharmacy businesses in each year since establishment, by action type and grounds, in tabular form. [18274/23]
View answer1787. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of compliance with the 2010 Pharmaceutical Society guidelines on the safe dispensing of non-prescription products containing codeine by retail pharmacy businesses. [18275/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1781 and 1785 to 1787, inclusive, together.
The Pharmacy Act 2007 and the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 require that all medicines supplied through a pharmacy must be supplied by or under the personal supervision of a pharmacist and that all non-prescription medicines supplied must be the subject of appropriate counselling. Pharmacists are also subject to a mandatory Code of Conduct, which is a public declaration of the principles and ethical standards which govern pharmacists in the practice of their profession. The code requires that pharmacists only supply or promote a product or service where the benefit of use outweighs the risk and there is appropriate evidence of efficacy.
As an analgesic, codeine is most often used in combination with other analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and is currently authorised in Ireland in such non-prescription products for pain relief. It is also available in single ingredient, non-prescription products, as a cough suppressant. These authorised products are available without a prescription through retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies) only.
The pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), issued guidance to pharmacists in 2010 on the safe supply of non-prescription products containing codeine with the intent to support safe and appropriate use of these products for public health purposes due to the known potential for misuse and harm with prolonged use. This guidance was updated in 2015, 2017 and most recently in October 2019 due to changes in national legislation. The Guidance covers the requirements set out above and, in addition, contains further restrictions which apply to the supply of codeine-based products.
These restrictions include a requirement that codeine-based products are not available to the public for self-selection and should only be supplied when a pharmacist deems such a supply to be necessary and only when a non-opioid analgesic, e.g. paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, has not proven sufficient to relieve the patient’s symptoms. The guidance also states that codeine medicines should be used for the shortest time possible and for no longer than three days without medical supervision. Pharmacists must also ensure that patients are advised of the importance of adhering to the recommended dosage and duration of use, as well as the risks associated with overdose and/or prolonged use. Patients should also be counselled in respect of potential adverse reactions or side effects.
The full guidance document, along with information on current legislative requirements, is available on the PSI website: Non Prescription Medicinal Products Containing Codeine 2019
The PSI uses a variety of regulatory actions to promote and enforce compliance in line with its remit as the pharmacy regulator. This includes information gathering, inspections and investigations, handling complaints made by members of the public about a pharmacist or pharmacy, and sharing information that promotes safe pharmacy practice, and effective and reliable patient care. Visiting pharmacies to assess compliance with pharmacy and medicines legislation and PSI guidance, is one way that the PSI seeks to assure a high standard of compliance in pharmacies to maintain public health, safety and confidence in pharmacy care and services. The PSI carries out different inspection activities including routine inspections, themed inspections and mystery shopper exercises. Pharmacy inspections are also underpinned by the requirement that the supervising pharmacist in each pharmacy is responsible for completing each section of a Pharmacy Assessment System once annually, and PSI inspectors will look for action plans derived from the completion of this activity during an inspection. Further information is provided in the PSI Inspection Enforcement_Policy.sflb.ashx (thepsi.ie) and other information may be accessed at www.thepsi.ie/gns/inspection-enforcement/overview.aspx including the routine checklists used to underpin these activities.
The PSI has a number of actions it may utilise should concerns arise in respect of any activity of a pharmacy ranging from the issuing of advice to the taking of prosecutions in the District Courts and/or the Conduct of a fitness to practice hearing. Anyone is entitled to make a complaint to the PSI where there is concern about the behaviour, conduct, practice or health of a pharmacist. The PSI publishes the outcomes of fitness to practice proceedings in accordance with its Publications and Disclosure Policy (2022) available at www.thepsi.ie/Libraries/Findings_and_Decisions/Publication_and_Disclosure_Policy_2022.sflb.ashx
During all registration-related inspections and pharmacy systems inspections, the PSI reviews the availability and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the sale and supply of codeine-containing medicines and ensures that codeine is not accessible and/or visible to patients and the public, in accordance with PSI Guidance on the safe supply of codeine containing medicines. Any non-compliances identified at pharmacy inspections are recorded and corrective actions are sought from the registrant.
Self-Audit – Pharmacy Assessment System
Pharmacy inspections are underpinned by the requirement that the supervising pharmacist in each pharmacy is responsible for completing each section of a Pharmacy Assessment System once annually, and PSI inspectors will look for action plans derived from the completion of this activity during an inspection. This practical self-audit tool facilitates those in governance positions to critically review their pharmacy’s practice, validate and record good practice and identify areas where improvements are required. Section 2 of the Guide to completing the Pharmacy Assessment System, refers to advice on reviewing the sale and supply of non-prescription medications including codeine. Further information is provided in the PSI InspectionEnforcement_Policy.sflb.ashx (thepsi.ie) and other information may be accessed at www.thepsi.ie/gns/inspection-enforcement/overview.aspx including the routine checklists used to underpin these activities.
Table 1 below highlights the number of concerns received by the PSI relating to codeine (n=8) which required follow-up. A range of measures were taken by PSI in response to these concerns.
Table 1.
|
Year |
Total No. of Concerns referred to I&E |
Total No. Of Concerns re. Codeine |
|
2022 |
50 |
3 |
|
2021 |
63 |
1 |
|
2020 |
72 |
3 |
|
2019 |
55 |
1 |
|
2018 |
65 |
- |
|
2017 |
55 |
- |
|
2016 |
32 |
- |
|
2015 |
57 |
- |
From 2013, the PSI has engaged specialist surveyors as part of its regulatory tools and engagement with pharmacists and pharmacies, for example, to assess certain quality and safety aspects of specific pharmacy services, including the review and assessment of the sale and supply of non-prescription codeine containing medicinal products. (No specialist surveyor activity was conducted between 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
The observations from these specialist surveyor activities help the PSI identify, measure, and respond to any relevant risks presenting. The activities are followed up by PSI with engagement with the relevant pharmacies and pharmacists, highlighting any issues identified, as well as more broadly raising awareness and highlighting any matters for compliance amongst the whole registrant population by sharing information by newsletter and email. As recently as October 2022 and March 2023, reminders about the PSI codeine guidance, and the responsibilities of pharmacists in relation to the safe and appropriate supply of codeine products to patients, were highlighted in the PSI Newsletter. Pharmacists play a key role in raising public awareness and understanding about the benefits and risks of medicines.
The use of specialist surveyors to assess aspects of specific pharmacy services have been found to be effective both from a resource and cost perspective, combined with all other work being undertaken. Most recently in 2017 and 2022, 80 and 100 pharmacies respectively were visited by specialist surveyors to examine the sale and supply of non-prescription codeine containing medicinal products from these pharmacies.
1782. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed by the Pharmaceutical Society, by grade, in tabular form; the number of staff employed for inspections of retail pharmacy businesses and the wider number involved in assessing compliance of retail pharmacy businesses; and the number of staff involved in enforcement actions or actions otherwise taken to address poor practice, behaviour, or performance taken against retail pharmacy businesses. [18270/23]
View answerThe Department of Health has confirmed the following information with the PSI:
PSI sanctioned post headcount by business area
Community Pharmacy Assurance (made up of Registrant and Customer Relations, Community Pharmacy Quality and Safety, and Investigations teams)
|
Grade |
Approved |
Filled |
Comment |
|
PO |
1 |
1 |
Oversight of inspection and enforcement activity |
|
APO |
3 |
3 |
2 posts dedicated to inspection and 1 for Registrant and Customer Relations. 2 posts are vacant due to long term illness (1 being backfilled). |
|
HEO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
EO |
5 |
5 |
One of these EO posts supports inspection activity |
|
Grade V |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Grade IV |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Grade III |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Engineer II |
5 |
4 |
All posts involved with inspection and enforcement activity, but 2 filled positions are redeployed to other parts of PSI |
|
Engineer III |
4 |
0 |
Sanction for these posts was received from the Department of Health by letter dated 23 March 2023. All posts to be advertised imminently will be involved with inspection and enforcement activity |
|
Senior Pharmacist |
4 |
4 |
All posts involved with inspection and enforcement activity. |
|
Total |
27 |
22 |
Note: 3 AOs inspecting and 2 AOs investigating RPBs |
Practitioner Assurance (made up of Professional Standards and Fitness to Practise and Legal Affairs teams)
|
Grade |
Approved |
Filled |
Comment |
|
APO Higher |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Advisory Counsel Grade III |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Grade VIII |
1 |
1 |
|
|
HEO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Engineer II |
3 |
2 |
Role to be advertised |
|
Total |
7 |
6 |
Strategic Policy and Communication
|
Grade |
Approved |
Filled |
Comment |
|
Chief Pharmacist I |
1 |
0 |
Role to be advertised |
|
Senior Pharmacist |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Grade VI |
1 |
1 |
|
|
EO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
4 |
3 |
Corporate Services
|
Grade |
Approved |
Filled |
Comment |
|
PO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
APO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Grade VIII |
1 |
1 |
|
|
HEO |
2 |
2 |
|
|
EO |
2 |
1 |
1 role to be advertised |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
0 |
Role to be advertised |
|
Total |
8 |
6 |
Governance and Programme Delivery
|
Grade |
Approved |
Filled |
Comment |
|
Grade VIII |
1 |
1 |
|
|
APO |
1 |
1 |
|
|
HEO |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Grade VI |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Grade V |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
6 |
6 |
Office of the Registrar
|
Grade |
Approved |
Filled |
Comment |
|
Director |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
1 |
1 |
|
Legend: |
|
|
PO |
Principal Officer |
|
APO |
Assistant Principal Officer |
|
HEO |
Higher Executive Officer |
|
EO |
Executive Officer |
1783. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections of retail pharmacy businesses conducted by the Pharmaceutical Society in each year since establishment, by purpose, in tabular form. [18271/23]
View answerThe Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator, is a public body established under the Pharmacy Act 2007 (‘the Act’) to protect the health, safety and well-being of patients and the public by regulating pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland.
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, the PSI’s responsibilities include:
- Regulating the profession of pharmacy in the State, having regard to the need to protect, maintain and promote the health and safety of the public
- Supervising compliance with the Act and the instruments made under it.
Amongst the regulatory actions the PSI takes, it inspects pharmacies to assess compliance with the Pharmacy Act 2007, guidelines, and good pharmacy practice. The inspection function aims to promote good and safe pharmacy practice within pharmacies and promote and ensure high standards of compliance with legislative requirements, guidelines, best practice requirements and the Statutory Code of Conduct for Pharmacists. Pharmacy inspections may be carried out on a notified or unnotified basis.
The Department of Health has confirmed the following information with the PSI:
There are currently 1,987 pharmacies on the Register of Retail Pharmacy Businesses (Statistics and Data - PSI (thepsi.ie)). The number of pharmacies registered with the PSI in 2007 was 1,628 (PSI Annual Report 2007). This includes community pharmacies and pharmacies within hospitals.
The PSI Inspection & Enforcement Policy is available here.
Table 1 shows the number and types of inspection visits conducted by PSI.
|
Year |
Registration related inspections (Section 19) |
Section 67 inspections (Systems/ Risk-based focused inspections) |
Advisory Visits [1] (A) /Standards Visits (S)2 |
Total |
|
2007 |
NA |
138 |
138 |
|
|
2008 |
NA |
10 |
10 |
|
|
2009 |
66 |
260 |
326 |
|
|
2010 |
64 |
280 |
344 |
|
|
2011 |
95 |
170 |
265 |
|
|
2012 |
97 |
75 |
172 |
|
|
2013 |
83 |
388 |
471 |
|
|
2014 |
104 |
626 |
730 |
|
|
2015 |
112 |
270 |
382 |
|
|
2016 |
92 |
155 |
247 |
|
|
2017 |
102 |
208 |
1826 (A) |
310 + 1826 (A) |
|
2018 |
109 |
149 |
100 (A) |
258 + 100 (A) |
|
2019 |
114 |
161 |
275 |
|
|
2020 (COVID) |
12 |
24 |
16 (S) |
52 |
|
2021 (COVID) |
4 |
25 |
29 (S) |
58 |
|
2022 |
15 |
97 |
112 |
|
|
Totals |
1069 |
3036 |
1971 |
6076 |
Table 1
[1] Between February and June 2017, PSI inspectors visited 1,826 registered pharmacies to conduct advisory visits and to answer questions in support of the introduction of the Pharmacy Assessment System, as a self-audit tool in pharmacies
PSI introduced COVID-19 Operational Standards for the retail pharmacy sector in 2020. During the ‘use and learn’ phase, pharmacies volunteered to participate in a standards assessment visit with PSI authorised officers.
1784. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of enforcement actions, or actions otherwise taken to correct or address poor practice, behaviour, or performance by pharmacists or by pharmacies, taken by the Pharmaceutical Society against retail pharmacy businesses in each year since establishment, by action type and grounds, in tabular form. [18272/23]
View answerEnforcement - Consideration by the Registrar of inspection/investigation reports under Section 71 of the Pharmacy Act
The PSI protects the health and safety of the public by carrying out inspections and investigations of pharmacies. Occasionally, significant matters are identified during an inspection or investigation. The Registrar considers any significant issues identified during an inspection or an investigation under Section 71 of the Pharmacy Act 2007. This is a function designated to the Registrar by the Council of the PSI. Following the consideration of an authorised officer’s inspection/investigation report, and any responses received from registrants/parties involved, the Registrar can decide to take the following actions under the authority of Section 71 of the Pharmacy Act 2007:
- No further action [Section 71(1)(a)
- Make a complaint about a pharmacist(s) and/or a pharmacy [Section 71(1)(b)]
- Take any other action deemed appropriate [Section 71(1)(d)], for example, initiating a prosecution in the District Court, directing a re-inspection of a pharmacy, requiring a registrant to attend a meeting, seeking undertakings, referral to other agencies, issuing enforcement letters etc.
The PSI has submitted the following information to the Department of Health.
Table 1 outlines the numbers and categories of enforcement actions taken by the Registrar of the PSI under Section 71 of the Pharmacy Act following the consideration of an authorised officer’s inspection/investigation report:
|
Year |
Total No. of enforcement actions (Section 71 of the Act) |
Complaints against Pharmacies |
Complaints against Pharmacists |
Prosecutions initiated/ taken [Section 71(1)(d)] |
Other Actions [Section 71(1)(d)] |
No further action [Section 71(1)(a) |
|
2022 |
21 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
9 |
6 |
|
2021 |
14 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
|
2020 |
30 |
6 |
11 |
1 |
12 |
8 |
|
2019 |
75 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
65 |
29 |
|
2018 |
43 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
31 |
10 |
|
2017 |
29 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
22 |
8 |
|
2016 |
30 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
20 |
28 |
|
2015 |
33 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
31 |
26 |
|
2014 |
29 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
24 |
29 |
|
2013 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
19 |
|
2012 |
44 |
0 |
5 |
12 |
27 |
2 |
|
2011 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
2010 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
5 |
|
2009 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
|
TOTAL |
378 |
19 |
60 |
43 |
256 |
182 |
Table 1
Concerns
The PSI also takes regulatory action to ensure any expressions of concern reported to PSI are reviewed and acted on where it is necessary. Expressions of concern arise when a person does not wish to make a formal complaint to the PSI but to bring some information to the attention of the PSI. The PSI regularly receives a significant amount of unsolicited information in relation to pharmacies and pharmacists from members of the public and others (for example, 2021: 120 concerns; 2020: 184; 2019: 144).
Any unsolicited information received by PSI is risk-assessed by a multidisciplinary team to inform decision-making and regulatory actions, where necessary. Regulatory actions taken by PSI in response to expressions of concern include the following range of measures:
correspondence/communications with pharmacists
conducting meetings with pharmacists
conducting focused risk-based inspections and/or
initiating investigations, i.e., where there is reason to believe there are serious patient safety issues and/or serious non-compliance issues.
This escalating range of measures allows PSI to effectively respond to expressions of concern in a reasonable and proportionate manner. A combination of measures may also be required to mitigate the risks / close out the concern.
The PSI has set out the number of concerns referred for follow up/management within the them since 2015 in Table 2, below:
|
Year |
Total No. of Concerns referred to I&E |
|
2022 |
50 |
|
2021 |
63 |
|
2020 |
72 |
|
2019 |
55 |
|
2018 |
65 |
|
2017 |
55 |
|
2016 |
32 |
|
2015 |
57 |
1788. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Health (Amendment) Bill 2023 to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18300/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, I announced my commitment to abolish all public inpatient hospital charges this year. The Health (Amendment) Act 2023, signed into law by the President on 4 April 2023, removes the acute public in-patient charge of €80 per day for people accessing care as a public patient in public hospitals. This measure came into effect from 17 April 2023.
The removal of these charges is an important step towards reducing the healthcare costs of patients and families. This measure builds on the abolition of public in-patient charges for children, which I introduced in September last year, and is another significant step in ensuring that people have access to affordable healthcare services when needed.
1789. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current Covid vaccinations programme advice for vulnerable people and the elderly and those who required future boosters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18303/23]
View answerIreland's Covid Vaccination Programme is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation. The NIAC reviews all data relating to COVID-19 vaccination on a rolling basis and makes recommendations to my Department on vaccination policy.
You can view the updated guidelines here:
www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has previously advised that a third mRNA booster is recommended for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12 or older with a weak immune system, or 12 to 64 with a condition that puts you at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19 - only if your second booster dose was not a bivalent vaccine.
The NIAC has now recommended a Spring booster is offered to persons aged 70 years and older, those living in long term residential care for older adults, and those aged 5 years and older with immunocompromising conditions associated with suboptimal response to vaccination.
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.
1790. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the assessment that has been undertaken by his Department on the proposed "Europe's Beating Cancer Plan" that would impose EU-wide labels on alcohol products; if these measure will impact any unilateral measures proposed under the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18304/23]
View answerEurope’s Beating Cancer Plan was published in 2021 and announced the EU Commission’s intention to work towards health warnings on labels of alcoholic beverages. Preparatory work and evidence-gathering for these proposals are in progress. However as no proposals on health labelling for alcohol products have been published, an assessment cannot be undertaken at this time. I look forward to engaging constructively with our EU partners on any alcohol labelling proposal that may materialise in the future.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Act was enacted in 2018 to address the high levels and the harmful patterns of consumption which is a major cause of disease, disability and death in Ireland. The Act introduces a suite of measures to contribute to a reduction in alcohol consumption and health harms, including minimum unit pricing, the regulation of advertising and sponsorship, the display of products in mixed retail outlets and health labelling. The Programme for Government Our Shared Future commits to the continued implementation of the 2018 Act.
Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 requires that certain health warnings and information be displayed on the labels of alcohol products, on notices in licensed premises and on websites which sell alcohol products. Regulations are required under section 12 to specify the detail of the requirement. Section 12 will apply to all alcohol products sold in Ireland, whether produced locally or imported into the State and have been designed to be proportionate and effective, including a 3-year lead-in time to allow industry time to comply with the requirements. The labelling requirement is a public health measure designed to inform consumers of the content and of the health risks of alcohol products in the same way as they are informed of allergens in food or the health risks from tobacco cigarettes. Health warnings on the labels of alcohol products will inform consumers that alcohol consumption is not risk free so that they can make an informed choice about their drinking.
The draft Regulations under section 12 were submitted for EU assessment in June 2022 and successfully emerged from that assessment process in December. The draft Regulations have now been notified to the World Trade Organisation and on completion of this process on 7 May 2023, a decision on a start date can be made.
1791. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18308/23]
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.
1792. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18309/23]
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.
1793. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he can report on the amount of revenue the HSE spent on the cross-Border directive for the year ending 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18313/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
