Wednesday, 19 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 121-136

Dental Services

Questions (121)

Colm Burke

Question:

121. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to reviewing the current process for non-EEA dentists to register to practice as dentists in Ireland; if consideration would be given to amendments to modernise and make the process more efficient, particularly regarding the curriculum for these examinations, the frequency with which they are held and the feedback given to candidates, in particular to candidates who fail to meet the required standards in examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18370/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Dentists Act 1985 establishes the Dental Council as the regulatory body for the dental profession and sets out the routes to registration for all dentists who wish to practice in Ireland. The Dental Council advises that the examination it sets for dentists coming from outside the EEA represents the standard for safe practice in Ireland and is a key measure in the protection of the public. My Department has no role in administering Dental Council examinations or in setting the curriculum. The Dental Council advises that the standard of the examination is benchmarked directly to the standard of final year dentistry exams in Ireland and is already looking at the potential to increase capacity across the examination system.

Dental Services

Questions (122, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 131)

Colm Burke

Question:

122. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that the public dental service is adequately staffed and resourced, in view of recommendations set out in a report (details supplied) which advises that based on the current population, 450 whole-time equivalent dental posts are needed in the HSE public dental service in order to address the difficulties apparent in the service, and to enable the service deliver on its stated objectives of preventing dental health difficulties as well as caring for and treating children and other vulnerable groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18371/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

124. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to establishing a management/leadership group under the auspices of his Department, comprised of representatives of the relevant Departments of State, statutory agencies and dental educational institutions, for the purposes of implementing Smile Agus Sláinte 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

125. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that a modern system of clinical surveillance, as contained in Smile Agus Sláinte 2019, is put in place to ensure that same continues to be effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will support an information campaign to raise awareness of the new service arrangements, as contained in Smile Agus Sláinte 2019, for the purposes of informing parents of these new services when they are in place, and in supporting the promotion of fluoride toothpaste in line with current WHO guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will actively engage with dental practitioners and their representative bodies to promote appropriate toothpaste use, in line with WHO evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18376/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage with the appropriate bodies to actively advance the introduction of preventative packages for children and adults to support EU and Irish regulations which require the phase-down of amalgam fillings, that such packages would be delivered by private dental practices subject to the appropriate contracts being put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

131. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the appropriate agencies/bodies to facilitate identification of vulnerable groups for the purposes of enabling them to access periodontal treatment, and further as a means of preventing early death and increased morbidity, as well as leading to a substantial improvement in health outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 124 to 128, inclusive, and 131 together.

The National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, sets out a new model of oral healthcare delivery, moving from episodic care to a life course approach. The policy will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

The Policy delivery in the HSE will have three strategic strands:

• Health and oral health promotion and protection programmes;

• Oral healthcare service provision;

• Evaluation of oral health in the population (clinical surveillance programme).

There will be a particular focus on improved oral healthcare services for all vulnerable groups, including people in nursing and residential homes. Oral health surveillance will be an adjunct to, and, where possible, part of, routine visits to local dentists at key targeted ages for the whole population. The development of appropriate advice on toothpaste use and progress on preventive packages and outlining of measures to support the phase-down of amalgam are among the priority actions of the Policy.

The HSE will drive reform in the delivery of oral healthcare services, including developing a national oral health evaluation programme and any associated information campaigns that may be required.

My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused structures to drive implementation of the Policy, including an oversight structure. My Department is also developing a cross-Governmental oversight structure which will produce the overall policy implementation plan and ensure that involved Departments and agencies are accountable for their progress under the plan.

I recognise that the HSE Public Dental Service needs to be staffed appropriately in order to provide the care it is tasked to provide. The Department will support and resource the HSE to gradually reorient to provide the functions that the National Oral Health Policy ascribes to the HSE Public Dental Service, as implementation of the National Oral Health Policy proceeds over its eight-year implementation period.

Dental Services

Questions (123)

Colm Burke

Question:

123. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to address the current waiting list for screening and treatment in orthodontic services in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18372/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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. 124 answered with Question No. 122.

Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 122.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 122.

Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 122.

Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 122.

Question No. 129 answered with Question No. 111.

Dental Services

Questions (130)

Colm Burke

Question:

130. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to the introduction of a bill to amend the Dentists Act 1985, to reflect recent developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18379/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Dentists Act 1985 provides for the promotion of high standards of professional education and professional conduct among dentists so that patient health and safety are safeguarded and legislates for the regulation of dentists in Ireland. The Act was amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law in October 2020.

While the Dentists Act 1985 has served the public and the profession well, I am aware that the it needs to be updated to align with other healthcare profession regulatory legislation. It is intended to update the legislation in order to support the reforms to oral healthcare services and to the oral healthcare profession outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte.

The process of developing legislation will involve consultation with the public and stakeholders. The protection of the public and ensuring high professional standards will remain the central focus of the new legislation. New legislation must also progress in the context of and in support of the fundamental reforms of dental services envisaged in the national policy over the coming years – it cannot stand alone.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 122.

Abortion Services

Questions (132)

Paul Murphy

Question:

132. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will implement the Safe Access Zone legislation with extreme urgency; if he will outline what has caused a delay in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18381/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Safe access legislation has been prioritised in the Department's legislative programme, and Department officials continue to work with the office of the Attorney General and other relevant stakeholders to progress this bill as expeditiously as possible.

Legal advice was awaited to enable the Department to respond to a number of issues raised by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health during a Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, (PLS) hearing on January 18th 2023. That advice has now been received and a response issued to the Health Committee on 30th March 2023. It is hoped the legislation can be finalised following receipt of the PLS Report.

Health Services

Questions (133)

Marian Harkin

Question:

133. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to address the long delays in testing for rare diseases and referral for genetic testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18394/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In line with the principles of Sláintecare, we will continue to support the enhancement of genetic services across the Regional Health Areas (RHAs). This service will be supported by a National Office for Genetics and Genomics, who will work with RHAs to ensure the effective delivery of a national service at a local level.

The Strategy also outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. By the year end, the HSE will begin developing a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics, which will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait time. The Strategy also outlines a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. To start implementing the Strategy in 2023 I approved €2.7 million including the appointment of key staff. These appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.

In addition to expanding a broad genetics and genomics service, I have also supported several key measures in rare diseases. The Government has substantially increased funding for new innovative medicines for rare diseases, investing €100 million over the last three Budgets. My Department has worked with the National Rare Disease Office to facilitate Irish entry into 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases and support an EU Joint Action for the integration of ERNs into the national system. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. The Department has also progressed Irish entry into Horizon Europe Partnerships on Rare Disease and Personalised Medicine. Participation in ERNs and Horizon Europe Partnerships ensure greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing with European partners. Finally, I have recently announced a plan to develop a revised National Rare Disease Plan. This Plan will be a key step in progressing an improved overall service for individuals living with a rare disease.

Health Services

Questions (134)

Colm Burke

Question:

134. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made to date by his Department following a meeting between Department officials and an organisation (details supplied) on 15 February 2023 to discuss the inclusion of certified athletic therapists in the next round of ten professions seeking regulations, their concerns around the regulation of this profession and plans to develop a future policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18396/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. Seventeen health and social care professions are designated for regulation by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. There are currently registers open for eleven professions and CORU is continuing the substantial work required to open the registers for the remaining professions.

A number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. It is important in this context to point out the issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.

In light of this, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website

(www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/).

Officials here in the Department of Health are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This framework will also be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here: single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/services-directive-handbookproportionality-test-directive-guidance-2022-12-22_en

Officials in the Department met with representatives of the professional body for athletic therapy on 15 February 2023 to discuss their concerns around regulation. Work to develop a policy framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals is ongoing. There are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools are in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence and the Proportionality Test Directive. Furthermore, there is no indication that such regulation, should it be deemed appropriate, will be delivered in tranches of ten professions.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Health Services

Questions (135)

Mark Ward

Question:

135. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if, within the model of care plan for dual diagnosis, funding streams are available for community organisations to provide dual diagnosis services such as (details supplied); how these can be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (136)

Marian Harkin

Question:

136. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health for a timeline for the implementation of the HSE pay agreements for retired HSE staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18403/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been requested to reply directly to the Deputy.