Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Departmental Funding

Questions (220)

Thomas Gould

Question:

220. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding to each taskforce respectively in 2023, in tabular form. [25266/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 2022 table of funding allocations for taskforces is attached.

In 2022, I also allocated an additional €4.1 million in once-off funding to compensate for the inflation costs incurred by social inclusion services including drug and alcohol taskforces." gov.ie - Health Ministers announce €81 million in once-off funding for voluntary and community providers (www.gov.ie)

Allocations to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces by the Department of Health and the HSE -2022
LDATF	2022 DOH	2022 HSE
Ballyfermot	€255,446	€1,241,286
Ballymun	€422,958	€707,957
Blanchardstown	€179,305	€923,589
Bray	€573,860	€926,271
Canal Communities	€338,605	€1,066,248
Clondalkin	€388,114	€1,017,948
Cork	€57,588	€1,472,699
Dublin 12	€70,397	€1,003,750
Dublin NE	€239,971	€787,116
Dun Laoghaire	€51,676	€839,755
Finglas Cabra	€263,277	€637,960
NIC	€394,856	€1,844,723
SIC	€176,043	€1,963,075
Tallaght	€336,022	€908,930
Total LDATF	€3,748,118	€15,341,307

RDATF	2022 DOH	2022 HSE
East Coast Area	€58,200	€518,500
Midland	€136,816	€672,491
Mid-West	€147,982	€1,270,007
North East	€0	€937,813
North West	€258,633	€471,730
North Dublin City & Co.	€0	€787,243
South East	€0	€1,075,760
South West	€102,820	€706,497
Southern	€0	€983,178
Western	€136,994	€534,155
Total RDATF	€841,445	€7,957,374

Health Services

Questions (221, 222)

Thomas Gould

Question:

221. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction rehabilitation, detox and stabilisation beds currently open, by facility, in tabular form. [25267/23]

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Thomas Gould

Question:

222. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average cost of assessment and the percentage of people who paid a fee, by addiction rehabilitation, detox and stabilisation facilities, in tabular form. [25268/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.

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. 222 answered with Question No. 221.

Health Services Staff

Questions (223)

Thomas Gould

Question:

223. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the WTE staffing level, by role and taskforce, in tabular form. [25269/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Department of Health does not hold this information. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly

Health Services

Questions (224)

Thomas Gould

Question:

224. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if mapping has been done on availability of addiction rehabilitation, detox and stabilisation across the State; and if so, if he will publish this. [25270/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE has a directory of drug and alcohol services per county on www.drugs.ie/services.

If an individual is concerned about their drug or alcohol use they may wish to consider attending their GP, who can do a full assessment and make appropriate referrals. There is also the HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline which is a confidential service through a freephone Helpline (1800 459 459) and an email support service (helpline@hse.ie).

The HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline provides support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to drug and alcohol use and/or HIV and sexual health. The service is non-judgemental and offers space to talk about your situation, to explore some options and to consider ones needs.

During calls/ emails, staff refer to a database of over 400 services nationwide. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. Further information on seeking support for drug use can be found on www.drugs.ie and for alcohol on www.askaboutalcohol.ie.

Health Services

Questions (225)

Thomas Gould

Question:

225. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the current funding, per taskforce, for dual diagnosis. [25271/23]

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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

Questions (226)

Thomas Gould

Question:

226. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the current funding, per CHO, for dual diagnosis. [25272/23]

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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

Questions (227)

Thomas Gould

Question:

227. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average spend, per staff member in social work, on external supervision. [25273/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Thomas Gould

Question:

233. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a business plan has been drafted for the supervised injection facility in Dublin; and if so, the estimated cost of this. [25281/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The legislation providing for the establishment, licensing and operation of supervised injecting facilities refers to the operation of a facility in respect of certain premises. The Government decision approving the provision of supervised injecting facilities envisages the establishment of such a facility in Dublin city centre on a pilot basis.

An Bord Pleanala (ABP) approved planning permission for Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to establish the SIF in December 2022. The HSE and service provider are developing plans to progress the establishment of this facility. This includes a revised estimate of the costs to run the service.

I am committed to supporting the establishment the supervised injecting facility in Dublin city, in order to reduce the number of lives lost through drug overdose.

Health Services

Questions (234)

Thomas Gould

Question:

234. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to addressing crack cocaine use to date in 2023. [25282/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Over €130 million a year is allocated to the HSE for the provision of drug services. There is annual funding of €29m to drug and alcohol task forces for community-based services.

Developing harm reduction responses and integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users including responses to the use of cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine is a strategic priority for the National Drugs Strategy for the period 2021-2025. This initiative will also contribute to a whole of government response to the social determinants and consequences of drug use in disadvantaged communities.

In 2022, the Department allocated €850,000 in recurring funding for a HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms associated with the use of cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine, with funding of €200,000 per annum allocated to CHO 3, CHO 4, CHO 7 and CHO 9.

The funding supports models of best practice in cocaine treatment, including the development of training programmes for addiction service staff nationally, and the establishment of targeted interventions in disadvantaged communities worst affected by cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine.

The four pilot initiatives are now operational (in Midwest Community Healthcare [CHO3], Cork Kerry Community Healthcare [CHO4], Community Healthcare Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow [CHO7] and Community Healthcare Organisation Dublin North City and County [CHO9]).

In addition, €2m was allocated under the community services enhancement fund for community-based drug services in 2022. The fund formed part of the strategic priority to enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community in the national drugs strategy 2021-2025. Between €200,000 and €240,000 per annum was allocated to the nine community healthcare organisations (CHOs), who then commissioned community-based drug and alcohol services based on an assessment of population needs, in conjunction with drug and alcohol tsk forces.

An example of a project funded under the CSEF which is specifically focused on crack cocaine is the Law Engagement & Assisted Recovery (LEAR) programme, operated by Ana Liffey Drug Project in Limerick city and funded by Midwest CHO. This programme was developed following research carried out by University of Limerick on the experience and health needs of crack cocaine users in the region.

As Minister, I am committed to supporting both HSE and community-led initiatives to tackle cocaine and crack cocaine, in line with the strategic priorities for the national drugs strategy 2022-2025.

Health Services

Questions (235)

Thomas Gould

Question:

235. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding made available to an initiative (details supplied) to date in 2023. [25283/23]

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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 to the deputy directly

Legislative Measures

Questions (236)

Thomas Gould

Question:

236. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of each section of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. [25284/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Public Health (Alcohol) Act was enacted 17 October 2018 and 27 of its 31 provisions have been commenced. The major provisions that have been commenced include the following:From 12 November 2019 the Act prohibited:

• Alcohol advertising in or on public service vehicles, at public transport stops or stations and within 200 m of a school, early years centre or a local authority playground. (Section 14)

• Alcohol advertising in a cinema except around films with an 18 classification or in a licensed premises in a cinema. (Section 20)

• Children’s clothing that promotes alcohol. (Section 17)

From 12 November 2020, in mixed retail outlets alcohol products and advertising are confined to one of the following:

• an area separated by a 1.2m high barrier, or

• units in which alcohol products are not visible up to 1.5m height, or

• up to three units that can be a maximum of 1m wide by 2.2m high.

In addition, alcohol products can be contained but not be visible in a unit behind the counter. (Section 22)

From 11 January 2021 the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Products) Regulations 2020 came into operation. The Regulations prohibit:

• the use of bonus or loyalty card points in relation to alcohol products;

• the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price when sold with another product or service; and

• the sale of alcohol products at a reduced price for a period of 3 days or less.

From 12 November 2021 the Act provided for:

• A prohibition on alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event, at events aimed at children or at events in which the majority of participants or competitors are children. (Section 15)

• Alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children, events which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events involving driving or racing motor vehicles is prohibited. (Section 16)

From 4 January 2022, minimum unit pricing, a prohibition on selling alcohol below a minimum unit price of 10c per gram of alcohol, came into operation. (Section 11)

From 24 November 2022, an applicant for an intoxicating liquor licence must notify the Environmental Health Service in advance of an application and the Environmental Health Service may appear and give evidence at the court hearing on an application. (Section 4)

Section 12 provides for health warnings on the labels of alcohol products. Under the Act, the labels of alcohol products must contain the energy value and grams of alcohol in the product, as well as a warning to inform the public of the danger of alcohol consumption, of the danger of alcohol consumption when pregnant and of the direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers. The labels will direct the consumer to the HSE website, www.askaboutalcohol.ie, for further information.

The Act provides that regulations must be made to specify the detail of the labelling requirement. Draft regulations were developed by the Minister for Health and submitted first to the European Commission for assessment and then to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The standstill period required under the WTO process ended on 7 May 2023. The Minister for Health has now made those regulations and commenced section 12 of the Act. There is a three-year lead-in time built into the law in order to give businesses significant time to prepare for the change. The law will come into operation on 22 May 2026.

Sections of the Act yet to be commenced:

Section 13 of the Act regulates the content of advertisements for alcohol products and empowers the Minister to make regulations in relation to advertisements for alcohol products. Work on the drafting of the advertising Regulations is continuing in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Once finalised, the draft Regulations will require submission to the EU Commission for assessment and once they have successfully completed that process, they will require notification under the WTO process.

Section 18 of the Act restricts advertisements in publications and can be commenced after section 13 has been commenced.

Section 19 on a Broadcast Watershed requires consultation with the Minister for Communications and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (now Coimisiún na Meán). The consultation is to ensure the effective and efficient enforcement of this measure. That consultation is ongoing and it is the intention of the Minister for Health that the Broadcast Watershed be commenced this year. There is a one year lead in time after commencement attached to section 19.

Section 21 of the Act provides for a review of certain sections of the Act and can be commenced when the sections subject to review have been commenced.

Health Services

Questions (237)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

237. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if plans can be made to distribute a special type of bread to PKU sufferers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25285/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care and there are a number of arrangements in place which protect people from excessive medicine costs.

The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the Scheme, including Phenylketonuria. Under the LTI Scheme, which is not means tested, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.

Individuals nay be able to claim tax relief for certain food products if they have specific dietary requirements due to a medical condition. Details of this scheme are available at:

www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/additional-diet-expenses-for-coeliacs-and-diabetics.aspx.

As this question also raises a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (238)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

238. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time permanent speech therapist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist roles in Galway; the number of these that are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25287/23]

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Written answers

Special Educational Needs

Questions (239)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

239. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if it is his intention to organise work done by speech and language, OT and physio professionals who work with ASD classes around the class as a whole rather than individual students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Education.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (240)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

240. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the stage plans are at for a primary care centre for Youghal (details supplied). [25289/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Primary Care Services

Questions (241)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

241. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied). [25293/23]

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Written answers

Medical Cards

Questions (242)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

242. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1586 of 18 April 2023, if he can provide any further information as to the date on which he expects to expand eligibility for GP-visit cards to people who earn the median household income or less; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25320/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to the extension of GP visit card eligibility to those who earn the median household income or less, as announced in Budget 2023. Approximately 400,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible for a GP visit card under this expansion.

My Department and the HSE are engaged in intensive discussions with the IMO in relation to the concerns they have expressed around the roll-out of this increase in eligibility. These talks, which include engagement on the best use of the additional funding provided in Budget 2023 to support capacity in general practice, are currently ongoing. In the meantime, the necessary planning and administrative development work to provide for the expansion is well advanced in preparation for the commencement of the expansion.

Information in relation to the commencement of the expansion and further operational information will be provided when available.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (243)

Colm Burke

Question:

243. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the current position within his Department and the HSE in respect of developing a rehabilitation facility in Cork, in particular in view of the new modular hospital which has been built in Mallow which has capacity to take 40 rehabilitation patients if the required staff were employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25324/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.