Written Answers Nos. 610-636
610. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on the funding given to mental health in Budget 2024; to outline what is new funding and where this will be allocated; the percentage of the health budget that is allocated to mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45245/23]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2024.
As part of the funding allocated to mental health services, new development funding has been secured to advance initiatives on youth mental health, and around priority groups identified within our national suicide prevention strategy Connecting for Life. This new development funding will be focused on increased CAMHS staffing, a new Youth Mental Health app, a referral pilot for paediatric community services including CAMHS (piloting an approach to service referrals known as ‘No Wrong Door’), the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Services, and expanding the Traveller Counselling Service to achieve national coverage for the first time.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health.
It should also be noted that funding for mental health supports is dispersed across many areas of Government, and there is no single headline funding figure which captures this important figure. For example, the figure of approximately €1.3bn above does not include funding for other parts of the health service that provide mental health services and supports, such as psychotropic medicines funded by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, liaison mental health services in acute hospitals, some dual diagnosis (addiction and mental health) services and mental health and well-being promotion.
It also does not include spending by other departments on services that incorporate psychological or mental health supports, such as the Prison and Probation Services, Social Protection, Defense Forces, or the Department of Education.
611. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the steps that will be taken to remove the HSE recruitment embargo for clerical/administrative staff (details supplied). [45249/23]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all Management and Administration staff across the health service.
As the Deputy is aware, on October 13th , the HSE CEO announced a recruitment pause on all Grades that have grown beyond their recruitment targets for 2023. This is an extension of the pause on the recruitment of new and replacement staff in all grades in the Management and Administration category, announced a number of weeks ago.
The recruitment pause will include:
• Management and Administration posts
• Patient and client care (attendants/healthcare assistants/home help)
• Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors
• General Support
The recruitment pause is part of a suite of control measures, including an instruction to reduce expenditure on agency staff and management consultants across the HSE and Section 38 organisations.
Many areas of the HSE have been recruiting more staff than they are funded for. If this level of growth, in excess of budgeted targets, was allowed to continue uncontrolled, it would have significant financial implications for 2023 and following years, and adversely impact on the HSE’s ability to recruit essential patient facing staff next year.
This recruitment pause will exclude the following categories of staff, which have not exceeded their recruitment targets for 2023:
• Approved Consultant Posts & GP Training Posts
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Dentists & Orthodontists
• Health & Social Care Professionals
• National Ambulance Service Pre-Hospital Care
Apart from these above posts, and a certain number of posts in other categories which are at offer/contract stage, there will be no further growth in health sector workforce in 2023.
612. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who started on chemotherapy, hormonal treatments and immunotherapy in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023. [45271/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
613. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of babies born with drug or alcohol addiction in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [45272/23]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
614. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of women screened by BreastCheck in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [45273/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
615. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of women screened by CervicalCheck in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [45274/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
616. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1788 of 11 September 2023, how the funding for each CHO will be spent; who decides which community and voluntary organisations will receive the funding; and what role will LDATFs/RDATFs play in allocating this funding. [45279/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. The following link gives further information related to the question.
gov.ie - Minister Naughton announces additional annual funding of €3.5 million for drugs and inclusion health services (www.gov.ie).
617. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of GMS registered dentists in Cavan-Monaghan in 2021,2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [45284/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
618. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE ophthalmic registrars working in Cavan General Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [45285/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
619. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of GMS registered general practitioners in Cavan-Monaghan in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [45286/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
620. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric in infectious diseases based in CHI Temple Street in of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [45287/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
621. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE lactation consultants positions in CHO1 in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [45288/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
622. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the non-payment of the pandemic recognition payment to a person (details supplied) will be investigated and resolved.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45303/23]
View answerIn January 2022 the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment.Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation, the Government made its decision based on the substantial risk which certain healthcare workers faced. Eligibility guidelines were first published online by the HSE on the 19th of April 2022.The HSE and external contractor KOSI Corporation remain responsible for processing applications for eligible non-public sector employees.Only those staff who meet all the eligibility criteria as set out below are covered for this payment.In order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
•Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
•Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
•Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1.Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
3.Agency roles working in the HSE;
4.Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5.Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6.Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible frontline workers faced, following careful consideration.The Department of Health has no mandate to include other groups or employers other than those who qualify based on the set eligibility criteria. The Department also has no responsibility in receiving or processing applications.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
623. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health what action is being taken by the HSE to assist people who are not medical card holders to access GP services in areas where GPs have retired, such as the town of Charleville, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45305/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
For GMS patients unable to locate a GP themselves, the HSE may assign an eligible person to be included on a medical practitioner's GMS list where that person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in their area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area), in accordance with the GMS contract.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Neither my Department nor the HSE have any role in assigning patients who do not hold a medical card or a GP visit card to a GP's patient list.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The recent GP Agreement 2023 announced in July, which provides for the expansions of GP care without charges to those who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 & 7, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
These measures will make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased in recent years, with 287 new entrants for this year and 350 places for new entrants planned for next year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% since 2015. Furthermore, the joint HSE and ICGP programme underway to bring up to 100 non-EU GPs to Ireland in 2023 will help to quickly improve access to GP services, particularly in areas with limited access. It is planned to bring to Ireland up to 250 more non-EU GPs by the end of 2024.
Lastly, my Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
624. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.614 of 3 October 2023, if he will provide detail on the nature of the data breaches suffered by his Department; the severity of the breaches; if all individuals whose information was compromised were notified of the breach; if the Data Protection Commission was notified of all data breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45338/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of data subjects and adhering to obligations as a data controller under data protection legislation.
The Department deals with personal data breaches in line with the Department of Health’s Data Breach Management Policy.
Under the GDPR, the Department must notify personal data breaches to the DPC unless it is unlikely to result in a risk to data subjects. Where a breach is likely to result in a high risk to data subjects, the Department must also inform those individuals without undue delay. In certain instances, the Department has made data subjects aware of breaches, even where the high risk threshold has not been met. The majority of personal data breaches the Department of Health have been caused by human error.
All personal data breaches are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Once a potential breach has been detected and secured, a risk assessment is undertaken to determine the risk to the rights and freedoms of the affected data subject(s). All incidents are then logged and reviewed to prevent a similar breach from reoccurring.
|
Total Breaches |
Number of Breaches Notified to the DPC |
Number of Breaches Notified to Data Subjects |
|
62 |
18 |
10 |
625. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when day care services will be reinstated at Carndonagh, Community Hospital, County Donegal; if he is aware that a public meeting, attended by hundreds of people in the local community, took place recently, calling for the urgent reinstatement of these services. [45353/23]
View answerDay Centres are a crucial part of social care provision in our communities, providing invaluable support for people who may, for any number of reasons, be experiencing isolation and loneliness. Day Centres are also an important indirect resource for carers.
Investment in Day Care, Meals on Wheels and dementia support has continued in Budget 2024 which saw an increase of €3.7m for these services.
On the issue of Carndonagh Community Hospital Day services this would be an operational matter for the HSE and I have I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
626. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will deliver a minor injury unit to be based at Carndonagh Community Hospital as part of the plan to reduce attendances at the crisis laden Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital. [45354/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
627. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason cannot get an appointment with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45355/23]
View answerUnder 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.
628. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct a review of the lack of support given to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45356/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
629. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of diagnoses of HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, pubic lice and HPV in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45361/23]
View answerSexual health is a priority for the Department of Health; the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015-2020 (NSHS) was developed as a core policy under the Healthy Ireland Framework and remains a priority under the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025. Implementation of the Strategy is led by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP). It was extended until the end of 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
An independent Review of the Strategy, by Crowe Ireland, was published in March. The Review identified 56 Priority Actions, of which 49 were assessed as having been successfully progressed. It also sets out 32 indicative recommendations to build on achievements, and to optimise development of a new Strategy.
The following priorities have been identified for the new National Sexual Health Strategy, which is currently being drafted:
• implementing a Model of Care for sexual health services, with a key focus on prevention, treatment, information and surveillance for STIs, including HIV
• building capacity and meeting demand for HIV PrEP
• improving Sexual health information, focusing on positive menstrual health education and awareness, fertility, gynaecology and contraception
• further developing and expanding the Free Contraception Scheme for women and the National Condom Distribution Service, to support better access to contraception and STI prevention, also recognising the key role of hormonal contraception in treating adverse period symptoms
• supporting other relevant policy areas across Government, including women’s, men’s and LGBTI+ health and inclusion and focusing on the sexual health-related elements of these areas of work
As the data on diagnoses of STIs are a service matter, I have asked that the HSE respond to the Deputy on this, as soon as possible.
630. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the HSE on private recruitment firms in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the number and type of staff recruited by such firms in each county during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45364/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
631. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether a local public representative would be precluded from applying to the Board of Skillnet; if so, the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44709/23]
View answerSkillnet Ireland is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Article 26 of Skillnet Ireland’s Articles of Association provide for its Board of Directors to comprise 13 members including:
• One nominee of IBEC who will act as the chairperson.
• Six employer/business representatives comprising:
• three nominees from IBEC;
• one nominee from the Small Firms Association;
• one nominee from the Construction Industry Federation;
• one nominee from Chambers Ireland
• Three employee representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
• Three representatives nominated by the Minister.
Having recently re-nominated two serving Directors for a period of two years, I have invited Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons. The information booklet for the EOI process notes that a Skillnet Ireland Board member will cease to be a member of the Board if he or she is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or as a representative in the European Parliament, elected to the European Parliament, or becomes a member of a local authority. Accordingly, a local authority representative would be precluded from applying for nomination to the Board of Skillnet Ireland. While this approach is consistent with some other State Boards, I have asked my officials to explore the question of local authority members’ potential membership with the Board of Skillnet Ireland.
632. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has examined the cases of the students who earned a place on their chosen college course, when their papers were re-evaluated, but have been told it will not be available until next year; and if he will assess whether, for at least some of those students, it would be possible for the college to accommodate them without too much disruption. [44754/23]
View answerHigher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such they are autonomous in relation to their admission decisions. I have no role or remit in this regard
If a student receives an upgrade and the revised result places them higher on the order-of-merit list than the last person who received an offer, then the Higher Education Institution will instruct CAO to either offer a place to begin immediately or offer a place deferred to the next year. The decision is made by the Admissions Office of the relevant Higher Education institution.
It is my understanding that in a small number of cases, an offer of a deferred place may be necessary due to capacity issues in relation to class sizes, clinical placements or laboratory space, among other issues. However such measures will only be taken when all other options have been exhausted, and those involved remain committed to ensuring that every possible effort is made to facilitate students in taking up a place that their upgraded results would have gained them.
633. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to a letter sent to the office of the Minister of State for Skills and Further Education (details supplied), if he will meet with the organisations (details supplied) and Laois Offaly ETB; and when the organisation can expect a response from his office. [44769/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that a meeting with my Department has already been offered and that my officials are awaiting receipt of the details of the proposed attendees in order to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting to take place.
634. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of the Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023. [44840/23]
View answerThe Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023 will provide for a new and comprehensive framework for the licensing of certain construction and quarrying activities in Ireland.
The Bill is progressing through the legislative process. It was initiated in the Dáil in March 2023 and has progressed through Second Stage and Committee Stage in the Dáil.
The next step will be to prepare the Bill for Report Stage and we will engage with the Office of the Attorney General with a view to finalising a date.
The Bill as amended at Committee Stage in the Dáil can be found here: data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2023/24/eng/ver_a/b24a23d.pdf.
635. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason an applicant to a Board was unsuccessful (details supplied); the pathway to receive full feedback on their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44883/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the initial process for filling vacancies on State Boards, for bodies under the aegis of my Department, are managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), who hold responsibility for the recruitment and assessment process in respect of new appointments to those Governing Boards.
PAS are currently running a process in respect of the board referred to by the Deputy.
Candidates who are unsuccessful in the varying stages of this process are welcome to request feedback on their application by contacting PAS directly through their website StateBoards.ie.
636. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he would consider approving a course (details supplied) for tax relief. [44983/23]
View answerSection 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act of 1997 provides for tax relief on fees paid for third level education programmes. The Act refers to lists of ‘approved colleges’ and ‘approved courses’ which are eligible for tax relief.
Lists of approved education providers and programmes which are eligible for tax relief are published on the Revenue Commissioners website each year. These lists are provided annually to Revenue by my Department.
The provisions of Section 473A enable all relevant publicly funded higher education institutions in the State to be considered as ‘approved colleges’ for the purposes of the tax relief scheme. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) provides updates to my Department in respect of newly validated publicly funded programmes.
Where a private higher education institution in the State wishes to meet the requirements of Section 473A it must engage with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) for the purposes of programme validation, a process in which the quality assurance standards of the institution, and its programme(s), are assessed for inclusion within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The successful completion of this process allows a private higher education institution to be considered as an ‘approved college’ and its relevant validated programme(s) to be considered as an ‘approved course’ for the purposes of the tax relief scheme.
Further details of the tax relief scheme, including the conditions that apply, are set out on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/education/tuition-fees-paid-for-third-level-education/index.aspx.
