Written Answers Nos. 965-985
965. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant vascular surgeons at St. Vincent's University Hospital in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [40125/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
966. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of brain scans carried out at Beaumont Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [40126/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
967. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) are not consistently emergency taxed each time they change hospitals; to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the engagements he has had with the HSE and the Minister for Finance on this matter; when he expects this unsustainable problem for NCHDs to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40141/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
968. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the date at which he expects the National Taskforce on NCHD Workforce to publish its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40142/23]
View answerIn September 2022, the Minister established the National Taskforce on the NCHD (non-consultant hospital doctors) Workforce. The purpose of the Taskforce is to put in place sustainable workforce planning strategies and policies to address and improve NCHDs’ experience, to support present and future retention of NCHDs in Ireland.
The Interim Recommendations Report of the National Taskforce on the NCHD Workforce was published by the Minister on 13th April 2023, outlining 42 recommendations for immediate implementation by the HSE. The Interim Recommendations address identified challenges for NCHDs, strengthened by specific implementation requirements, including oversight and monitoring structures for successful delivery of the recommendations.
Following publication of the Interim Report, the Minister requested the HSE to prioritise implementation of the Interim Recommendations and funding for implementation in 2023 was provided in Budget 2023. The HSE established a National Steering Committee, chaired by the HSE CCO and National Director of HR, to oversee the implementation, as well as establishing local implementation groups at Hospital Group and CHO level.
Work is underway on a final set of recommendations from the Taskforce to be provided in a final report to the Minister by the end of October 2023.
969. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health how medical card holders can access replacement dentures at a time when dentists are not accepting medical-card-holder patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40170/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
970. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the number of pregabalin-related deaths between 2012 and 2020, as reported by the Health Research Board (details supplied); the actions he intends to take to address the substantial rise in pregabalin-related deaths; if he intends to curtail the source of pregabalin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40177/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
971. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if, further to the announcement of additional annual funding of €3.5 million for drugs and inclusion health services, he will provide further details on how this additional funding is to be allocated if this money is to be used to remediate deficits in local and regional drug and alcohol task force projects' funding; if it will apply to all DATF projects, including those projects that are not aligned to or channelled through the HSE; if so, the role DATFs have in its allocation; if the additional monies will be recurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40179/23]
View answer976. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1788 of 11 September 2023, how this funding will be delivered; and whether DATFs will have a role in this or if it will come through the HSE. [40203/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 971 and 976 together.
I recently announced €3.5 million in annual funding to maintain existing level of drugs and inclusion health services provided by community and voluntary organisations. The funding is recurring. gov.ie - Minister Naughton announces additional annual funding of €3.5 million for drugs and inclusion health services (www.gov.ie). www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5d2c8-minister-naughton-announces-additional-annual-funding-of-3-5-million-for-drugs-and-inclusion-health-services/.
The funding recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in providing drugs and inclusion health services, and acknowledges the increased costs of providing these essential services. Funding of between €330,000 and €445,000 per annum has been allocated to the CHOs to support existing services. It includes funding for a HSE coordinator post for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force. In allocating this new funding, CHOs should engage with drugs and inclusion health service providers and, where appropriate, relevant coordinating structures such as drug and alcohol task forces. It is envisaged that the funding will be distributed via the CHOs in Q3 2023. For further information, it is suggested that drug and alcohol task forces contact their local CHO.
972. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on partnerships between gambling industry-funded bodies and addiction services (details supplied); his views on whether it is appropriate for agencies in receipt of State funding to be engaged in such partnerships; the steps he is taking to ensure gambling addiction treatment is free from the influence of the gambling industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40181/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Finance.
973. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if employees of a company (details supplied) will be entitled to the Covid-19 recognition payment, having worked throughout the pandemic to support acute mental health services. [40190/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
974. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a replacement GP will commence at a location (details supplied); if a temporary replacement GP will be provided until a permanent GP is secured for the vacant position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
975. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to investigate the reason that there is no board of management for the medical primary certificate application office, resulting in the refusal of all medical primary certificate grant applications and appeals; to advise when this will be rectified to facilitate people with disabilities and brain injuries to drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40199/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Finance.
977. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when it is expected to take Committee Stage for the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023. [40210/23]
View answer1000. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for an update on the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40414/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 977 and 1000 together.
The Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 has been initiated in the Houses and is currently at second stage in Dail Eireann. Subject to the Parliamentary timetable it is my intention to progress this legislation through the Houses as expeditiously as possible and to have it enacted by the end of the year. At this juncture it is expected that Committee stage will taken in late October.
978. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to request an urgent dental appointment for a child (details supplied) in UHK dental clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40214/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
979. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the checks which are carried out by private care companies to ensure employees are competent within their roles in providing community care. [40220/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
980. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the measures his Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40234/23]
View answerThe LGBTI+ Strategy is a whole of Government approach to addressing the needs of LGBTI+ people. The Strategy is led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It involves all Government Departments and many public agencies. The Department of Health and the HSE are fully committed to the delivery of the actions within this Strategy, and report on our actions quarterly to the strategy's steering committee, chaired by Minister O'Gorman.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is a core feature of the Department HR Strategy 2023-2025. As part of the key priority focus “Promoting a positive and including workplace culture”, the Department commits to continue to invest in and extend the programme of work in the areas of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion by promoting greater understanding of and engagement with EDI matters through events, training, and regular communications, while also promoting initiatives aimed at integrating EDI into the workplace and processes.
The Department has established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group to improving awareness and support of EDI matters through various events, training, and communications. Specific information sessions with Pride at Work by Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride and BelongTo were held in 2022 and 2023 to promote LGBTI+ awareness and expertise. Members of the EDI Working Group, alongside colleagues in the Department and across the Civil and Public Service, participated in the Dublin Pride Parade in 2022 and in 2023.
In addition, the EDI Working Group has worked on promoting events and initiatives taking place across the wider Civil Service throughout Pride Month in June, including LGBTQ+ webinars hosted through OneLearning. Members of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group also represent the Department in the wider Civil Service LGBT+ Network, attending meetings of the network and promoting its initiatives.
The HSE National Social Inclusion Office has also promoted existing HSE LGBTI+ training amongst HSE staff and staff from funded services, as part of the Training/Resource needs analysis carried out during Pride month in June this year.
The Department will continue to engage with staff and other stakeholders to implement the LGBTI+ Strategy.
981. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he has been notified of any changes to SouthDoc services in the Cork/Kerry region over the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40265/23]
View answerGeneral Practitioners that hold GMS contracts for the provision of services to medical card and GP visit card holders are required under their contract to make suitable arrangements for emergencies outside normal practice hours. Most GPs participate in GP out of hours cooperatives to meet this contractual requirement.
South-West Doctors-on-Call Limited, known as SouthDoc, is the out of hours family doctor service for urgent medical care in counties Cork and Kerry. As with other GP out of hours cooperatives, the HSE has in place a Service Level Agreement with SouthDoc for a quantum of service with an associated funding stream for the relevant areas. The HSE is in regular contact with SouthDoc to ensure that these services continue to meet the needs of their local communities.
Within the previous 6 months, the HSE advised that recent level of demands for SouthDoc services necessitated a review by SouthDoc of the allocation of doctors to its regional red-eye service (ie for services between the hours of 22.00 and 08.00). The HSE sought and received assurances that these adjustments relate to the doctors’ rosters only and will not impact the service provision of the red-eye duty. SouthDoc advised that the capacity of the red-eye service is more than sufficient to deal with any upsurge in patient demand.
As with other Out of Hour GP services, SouthDoc continuously reviews the allocation of doctors, both member GPs and locum doctors, to ensure the most effective allocation of their clinical skills and expertise to ensure the safest and most effective service.
I am aware that concerns have been raised recently about the level of service provided in certain areas of north Cork. SouthDoc have confirmed to the HSE that its out of hours service remains available to patients in the region with no reduction in the level of access to those services and in accordance with their clinical needs.
SouthDoc have assured that, in recognition of the range of stakeholders involved, any review of service which would impact on patients would involve appropriate advance engagement with the HSE.
982. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will supply information in regard to the fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40270/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
984. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 735 of 20 June 2023, if the vacancy has since been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
985. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 661 of 31 January 2023, what efforts have since been made (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40290/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
