Alan Farrell
Question:635. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting their initial appointment with CAMHS in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26318/23]
View answerHealth Services Waiting Lists
Questions (635)
Written answers
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (636)
Alan Farrell
Question:636. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of children are awaiting their SALT appointment through primary care in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26319/23]
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.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (637)
Alan Farrell
Question:637. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting their OT appointment through primary care in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26320/23]
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.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (638)
Alan Farrell
Question:638. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting their clinical psychology appointment through primary care in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26321/23]
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.
Health Services
Questions (639)
Bernard Durkan
Question:639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department continue to accelerate the programme of assessment in the case of children with or without special needs who may be in need of counselling, psychiatric or medical attention; if he will ensure a rapid processing of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26386/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 (640)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:640. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of children born either addicted to or severely affected by alcohol or drugs in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/23]
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 Appointments Status
Questions (641)
Barry Cowen
Question:641. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied); and when they concerned can expect an appointment. [25544/23]
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.
Regulatory Bodies
Questions (642)
Bríd Smith
Question:642. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to include athletic therapy in the CORU regulation process and in the provision of HSE care services; when this will happen; the rationale for its exclusion to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25550/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 (gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/ ).
My officials 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
It should be noted that 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.
Statutory regulation forms a part of a system of assurance that the Department utilises to mitigate risk posed to the public by the practice of health and social care professions. The public health service employs a mix of regulated and non-regulated grades. Whether a profession is regulated or not is not a determining factor to employment. For example, among the health and social care professions, audiologists, clinical engineers, clinical measurement physiologists, medical physicists, play therapists and play specialists, and perfusionists are among the non-regulated groups which are currently employed by the HSE.
As demands on the health service evolve, so too will the professions and grades required to deliver services. For a new grade to be established for use by the public health service, the standard way to do this is by way of a strong business case, prepared by the HSE as the employer, in partnership with the DoH line Unit who must be completely supportive of the establishment and introduction of a grade. The business case is then submitted to the Department of Health external HR function for consideration. Professions not employed in the HSE should engage with the HSE and relevant Department of Health line units regarding their potential contribution to the provision of care in Ireland.
My officials met with representatives of the professional body for athletic therapy recently to provide an update on the Department’s work on the future policy framework and to outline the means by which new grades can be established for use by the public health service.
Medical Cards
Questions (643, 714, 747)
Michael McNamara
Question:643. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health following the announced Investment of over €23 billion in budget 2023 in Ireland's health and social care services, when the proposed increase for eligibility of people for general practice access cards will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25555/23]
View answer
Denise Mitchell
Question:714. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if the GP visit card income threshold increase that was due to be introduced on 1 April after being committed to in budget 2023 has been communicated to the HSE and commenced since that date; if not, the reason for the delay; when it is expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25997/23]
View answer
Richard Bruton
Question:747. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health when the new means limit for the GP only card, which was due to be in place from April 2023 will come into force; and if he will outline the exact thresholds that will apply. [26099/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 643, 714 and 747 together.
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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (644)
Michael Ring
Question:644. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will ascertain from the HSE exactly what recommendations were implemented at a hospital facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25577/23]
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 Waiting Lists
Questions (645)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:645. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a six-year-old child (details supplied) has not yet been called for a much-needed tonsillectomy. [25588/23]
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.
Medical Cards
Questions (646)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:646. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when the approved GP visit card extended in budget 2023 to children aged under seven years and approved from April 2023 is expected to be implemented, given that to date it is yet to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25593/23]
View answerWritten answers
It is intended to commence the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 as early as possible. My officials and the HSE have made preparations for this expansion. Engagements were held by my Department and the HSE with the IMO, representing GPs, throughout last year, and engagement is ongoing in relation to the necessary fee structures for this service.
Hospital Staff
Questions (647)
Ivana Bacik
Question:647. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of medical scientists working in acute hospitals; if he is aware of the impact this is having on patients nationwide; the steps that he and his Department are taking to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25595/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.