Thursday, 1 Jun 2023

Departmental Budgets

Questions (343)

Thomas Gould

Question:

343. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated, by project, for addiction services and treatment in budget 2023; and the amount spent to date, in tabular form. [26889/23]

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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, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (344)

Marian Harkin

Question:

344. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if a radiologist is in place in a hospital (details supplied). [26899/23]

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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.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (345)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

345. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26914/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

Please see below list of Oireachtas contact details for the bodies under the aegis of the Department of Health.

Aegis Bodies	Contact details
Dental Council	info@dentalcouncil.ie
Food Safety Authority of Ireland	parliamentaryquestions@fsai.ie
Food Safety Promotion Board - Safefood	parliamentary-questions@safefood.net
Health Information and Quality Authority	info@hiqa.ie (general queries)concerns@hiqa.ie (concerns about a health or social care service)mwhelan@hiqa.ie (head of communications and stakeholder engagement)
Health Insurance Authority	info@hia.ie
Health Products Regulatory Authority	pqsandbriefings@hpra.ie
Health Research Board	hrb@hrb.ieccronin@hrb.ie
Health and Social Care Professionals Council	oireachtasquery@coru.ie
Irish Blood Transfusion Service	contactus@ibts.ie
Medical Council	oireachtasqueries@mcirl.ie
Mental Health Commission	pad@mhcirl.ie
National Cancer Registry Board	oireachtasqueries@ncri.ie
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board	info@nph.ie
National Treatment Purchase Fund Board	pq@ntpf.ie
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland	oireachtas@nmbi.ie
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council	pq@psi.ie
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council	director@phecc.ie

Eating Disorders

Questions (346)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

346. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people nationwide being treated for eating disorders in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26923/23]

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Written answers

Eating Disorders

Questions (347)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

347. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of people being treated for eating disorders in Donegal in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26924/23]

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Written answers

Cancer Services

Questions (348)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

348. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the continuation of cancer screening services nationally, including cervical screening; the action he will take to ensure the continuation and expansion of these services, notwithstanding the recent report in the media (details supplied) of 22 April 2023, which reported that the content of briefing papers prepared for the new CEO of the HSE indicated these services were under threat due to legal claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26925/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

A trend report from the National Cancer Registry published in 2022 stated that our cancer screening programmes are effective, detecting cancers earlier and saving lives. This is a trend I am committed to supporting and continuing.

The National Screening Service has recently published their first five-year Strategy (April 2023), which sets out the direction for screening services, including our cancer screening programmes. The Government has invested over €30m in our screening programmes over the last three years, for important strategic investments in capital and IT projects, as well as the recruitment of specialist staff. Investment has been provided for the introduction of three new BreastCheck mobile units in 2022 and development of a new IT information system for BreastCheck. Funding has also been provided for BowelScreen to start to roll out the Programme for Government commitment on age extension for this screening (the programme currently invites those aged 60 to 69, with an extension to people aged 59 to begin end of 2023). There has also been significant investment in cervical screening, including the introduction of the more effective HPV screening test to help us detect more cancers at an early stage, and the construction of the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory at the Coombe hospital.

I was pleased in January to launch Ireland’s roadmap to reach global targets set by the World Health Organization in eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. This is a significant initiative in women’s health, as it is the first time the world has committed to eliminating a cancer as a public health problem. We are in a strong position to reach the global targets in Ireland, with our screening, HPV vaccination and cancer treatment programmes, to ensure this cancer becomes a rare disease for women of Ireland.

My Department, advised by the independent National Screening Advisory Committee, is also progressing a work programme to examine further expansion of population screening in Ireland. In addition, Ireland will be actively engaged with the significant ongoing collaborative work at European level to take forward the updated European Council Recommendation on cancer screening published in 2022.

In relation to the wider legal environment, the Government, at its meeting on the 31st January 2023, approved the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group to examine the rising cost of health-related claims and consider mechanisms to reduce costs. The Group is chaired independently by an expert healthcare professional, Dr Rhona Mahony and is comprised of membership from across key Government Departments and Agencies. The Group has commenced its work. The Group’s considerations include developing a plan to implement risk management and other initiatives to reduce the occurrence of adverse incidents, examining best international practice, receiving updates on the implementation of the Meenan Report along with other civil justice reforms and considering the policy and health system’s approach to mass claims.

Medical Cards

Questions (349)

John McGuinness

Question:

349. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card held by a person (details supplied) will be extended immediately, given the medical circumstances of the applicant and their continuous need to have a medical card. [26927/23]

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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.

Hospital Services

Questions (350)

Alan Kelly

Question:

350. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the minutes of the management committees or equivalent decision-making bodies concerned with the commissioning and implementation of reviews of the relevant hospital functions, to include emergency department, estates or engineering department and paediatrics, for Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, and Tallaght University Hospital for the years 2005 to 2010, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26936/23]

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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.

Hospital Staff

Questions (351)

Alan Kelly

Question:

351. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will publish a tabulated anonymous breakdown of the tenure of persons whose direct line manager is the CEO or general manager in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital, Rotunda Hospital and St. Vincent’s University Hospital for the years 2015 to 2023; how many times each individual post has changed hands in that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26937/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with the information

Nursing Homes

Questions (352)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

352. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health how the rates of payment to nursing homes under the nursing home subvention scheme are determined; the reason for the regional disparity between the different rates paid; the reason the rate of payment to HSE-owned nursing homes is considerably higher than to private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26938/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Department of Health acknowledges that there are variations in the cost of care across public centres as well as across private nursing homes, with public Community Nursing Units (or CNUs) generally having a higher cost of care. In December 2021, the Department of Health published the independently chaired Value for Money (VFM) Review on Nursing Home Costs. The VFM Review sought to identify, quantify and analyse the reasons for any cost differential between private/voluntary and public nursing homes and, following analysis, to make recommendations for improving the value for money obtained by the health sector. Among the issues raised were the pay costs of staff in nursing homes, the dependency levels of residents, energy costs, and medical supplies charges to the Nursing Home Support Scheme. However, the review also found that establishing like-for-like comparisons was complex and not always possible, especially when considering differences in dependency levels.

The review found that the cost differential is largely driven by variances in staff-to-resident ratios and the skill mix in public and private nursing homes. Residents in CNUs, which are often staffed at a level that allows the delivery of more complex care where required, represent just under 20% of Fair Deal scheme participants. Last year, there were 4,500 residents in these CNUs. The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver that kind of complex care. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 sets out the basis for determining the cost of care in public centres under section 33 of the Act, which is managed by the HSE, and maximum prices in private centres under section 40 and section 41. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been designated by the Minister for Health pursuant to Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 as a body authorised to negotiate with proprietors of non-HSE registered nursing homes to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price(s) that can be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to NHSS residents. Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. The objective of the NTPF is to agree a price with each nursing home that offers value for money to the State having regard to the following criteria:a) the costs reasonably and prudently incurred by the home and evidence of value for money;b) the price(s) previously charged;c) the local market price; and d) budgetary constraints and the obligation of the State to use available resources in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009. The NTPF has statutory independence, and there is no role for Ministers or the Department of Health in these negotiations. It is imperative that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. There is no other mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents outside the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal). Fair Deal was designed to protect and support vulnerable older people, to ensure equal access to nursing home care based on what they could afford. This gives certainty to people and families. Government funding for Fair Deal is to support vulnerable older people at a time in their lives where full time care is essential. Overall, €1.4 billion of the total Health Budget was allocated last year to support over 22,700 people under Fair Deal. This will increase to nearly €1.5 billion for 2023, and the budget has to support all residents under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS) for the full calendar year. The Department of Health published a review of the NTPF pricing system in June 2021. A steering group has been established to oversee the delivery of the recommendations; this group has met on a regular basis since publication of the review and continues to work on taking these recommendations forward. Overall, 425 private nursing homes negotiate with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The Department of Health and I have regular interaction with the NTPF and met recently to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed. Nursing homes which had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement this year with the NTPF have seen a significant uplift. In addition, other options to support nursing homes are also being explored, such as to help with the often costly nature of compliance for nursing homes under necessary HIQA regulations. Nevertheless, I am conscious of private and voluntary nursing homes that are not scheduled to renegotiate their Deed of Agreement in 2023 and other options are being considered. One of the options available is for nursing home providers to agree a shorter contract duration with the NTPF. The Government is also conscious of the financial challenges faced by the nursing home sector, particularly inflationary cost increases. The Government has provided substantial support to the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €149m of financial support has been provided to private and voluntary nursing homes through the COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) and the provision of free PPE and oxygen to private nursing homes continues, costing approximately €75 million to date. A new €10 million scheme (TIPS) was established last year to support private and voluntary nursing homes with increases in energy costs, covering 75% of year-on-year cost increases up to a monthly cap of €5,250 per nursing home, over the period of July-December 2022 (up to a maximum of €31,500 per nursing home). This scheme was extended to March 2023 and it is now under review for extension for a second time up until the end of June 2023.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (353)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

353. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric intensive care unit beds and paediatric high-dependency unit beds that will be available when the new children's hospital opens. [26945/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The New Children’s Hospital Project remains the most significant capital investment programme undertaken in the healthcare system in Ireland. It will play a key role in strategic reform for paediatric services and is fully aligned with Sláintecare.

The New Children’s Hospital will have 380 individual in-patient ensuite rooms, including 60 intensive care beds. The intensive care beds will be divided into three main areas including Neonatal Intensive Care, Cardiac Intensive Care, and Paediatric Intensive Care. All of these rooms have a dedicated place for a parent or guardian to sleep. This will make it much easier for families that have children or young people that need to stay in the hospital overnight, or in some cases for longer periods.

Emergency Departments

Questions (354)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

354. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented at the accident and emergency departments at both CHI Temple Street and CHI Crumlin in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26947/23]

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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.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (355)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

355. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the bilateral meetings he has had with his EU counterparts to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26946/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of bilateral meetings I have had with EU Ministers for Health to date in 2023 is provided in the table below.

EU Member State	Minister	Role	Date
Italy	Orazio Schillaci	Minister of Health	22/02/2023
Belgium	Frank Vandenbroucke	Minister of Health and Social Affairs	22/03/2023
The Netherlands	Ernst Kuipers	Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport	22/03/2023
Germany	Karl Lauterbach	Federal Minister of Health	22/05/2023