Written Answers Nos. 74- 100
74. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health for an update on the status of all primary care centres under construction or opened in Dublin mid-west; the staffing levels of each centre; the dates for commencement of services in those ready for opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48924/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health how many patients are awaiting discharge from all hospitals under the South/South West Hospital Group due to no home supports being in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49047/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
76. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his views on the issues highlighted with respect to referrals to CAMHS teams in CHO3 identified in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49026/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
77. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the progress of the ongoing implementation of Action 1.5 in the Health Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2019-2024 to ensure effective health service planning for climate resilience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49032/23]
View answerThe Climate Change Health Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2019-2024 sets out the main climate risks and vulnerabilities the health sector is expected to face, provides a framework for action and governance in this regard, and proposes a range of actions aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the sector to the impacts of climate change.
Action 1.5 identifies the need to plan for resilience, particularly in the context of healthcare demand arising from a range of impacts including, in particular, vector-borne diseases.
Since the publication of the Sectoral Adaptation Plan, my Department and the HSE have developed a programme of work both in the context of the whole-of-Government Climate Action Plan process and of the HSE Climate Action Strategy, to take forward the climate adaptation commitments identified in 2019. This includes a structured approach to addressing public health concerns in collaboration with the National Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
A targeted body of work, informed by the expertise both within the HPSC and of public health and environmental health experts, is exploring the current and anticipated impacts of climate change, in line with the Paris Agreement, on population health to better inform our understanding of the resilience of our healthcare system to the current and locked-in impacts of climate change.
78. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to deliver the promised 1,500 rapid-build hospital beds for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49087/23]
View answerA 5-year allocation to 2025 of €5.657bn has been allocated to the Department of Health as part of the review of the National Development Plan (NDP). An 11% increase in funding year on year to 2025 this will support the strategic direction of health capital investment in the period.
The HSE have developed detailed and robust systems and procedures to appraise, manage and deliver infrastructure projects required for the provision of health services. These are aligned to the Public Spending Code.
The number of projects competing for inclusion in the Capital plan each year invariably exceeds available funding. This is the case in 2024 and a balanced approach to progressing the pipeline of projects across the sector must be applied.
The 1,500-bed programme will be progressed under Capital Plan 2024.
My Department is working in conjunction with the HSE to develop the Capital Plan 2024. Once finalised, the Capital Plan will be submitted to me for approval in my capacity as Minister for Health, prior to publication in line with established procedures.
There is a strong track record of delivery of infrastructure in the health sector. Every allocated euro in the current NDP provision is invested to ensure we deliver on our core goal of universal healthcare and this is underpinned by a strong pipeline of capital projects being progressed by the HSE and Department of Health.
79. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health how his Department will utilise the additional €2.6 billion in funding for mental health and older persons announced in Budget 2024 to provide enhanced services for people with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48831/23]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister for Mental Health and Older People in 2020, I have made dementia a priority. Through successive budgets, I have worked to prioritise Government funding for the development of dementia diagnostic and post-diagnostic services, in line with the recently-published Dementia Model of Care.
Through Budget 2024, I have continued to prioritise dementia by providing an additional €500,000 to increase the provision of in-home dementia day care, for people who cannot, or do not wish to, attend centre-based day care. This was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and is universally viewed as beneficial, improving both the quality of life of clients and providing a break for family carers.
Alongside this, I allocated €300,000 in funding to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to provide weekend activity clubs for people with young onset dementia. This new service will have the benefit of also providing respite to the family carer. Up to 120 people with dementia and their families are expected to benefit from this weekend service.
Furthermore, in Budget 2024 I announced that a minimum of 18% of all new home support hours are now ringfenced for people with dementia.
Going forward there will be a strong focus on dementia-specific services, which have developed in recent years, like the Memory Technology Resource Rooms and National Dementia Adviser Service which provide invaluable information and supports to people with dementia and their family carers to help them adapt to a dementia diagnosis and continue to live as well as possible.
80. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he would provide an update on any HSE facilities that were damaged after the devastating floods during Storm Babet; if he will provide the details of the funding available for repairs to these facilities; if he will provide a timeline for a return of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48225/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
81. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to develop a primary care centre and day care centre in Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49075/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the throughput of the National Treatment Purchase Agency in 2023; and the plans for 2024. [48358/23]
View answerThe 2023 Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) set ambitious targets for the National Treatment Purchase Fund for this year. As of the 29th of September, the NTPF had made offers of treatment to 44,551 patients on the IPDC waiting list, 21,931 on the GI Scope list and some 164,460 outpatient appointments had been approved. In addition, 63,535 vouchers for diagnostics (EDANS) had been utilised across hospital groups.
The WLAP identifies 20 specific high volume procedures, that at the end of 2022 accounted for more than 40% of the IPDC waiting list, with a commitment that anyone waiting 3 months or over who is clinically suitable will receive an offer of care from the NTPF. As at the end of September, 82% of patients waiting more than 3 months have either been removed from the waiting list or have received an authorisation for an offer of NTPF funded treatment.
The Waiting List Task Force continues to meet monthly and oversee progress of the delivery of the 2023 Plan, including updates from the NTPF in relation to the 20 high volume procedures identified in the Plan. The Task Force then provides regular updates to me and the Sláintecare Programme Board.
2024 NTPF activity is being finalised as part of the 2024 Waiting List Action Plan.
89. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of mortgage-to-rent applications completed since the review commenced; and to provide an update on the review into the mortgage-to-rent scheme. [43068/23]
View answerThe 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme was published on the 24th January 2022. From Quarter 1 of 2022 to the end of Quarter 3 of 2023, a total of 576 Mortgage to Rent applications have been completed. A further 521 applications are currently being actively progressed.
Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While the scheme is performing well, it was assessed that some further enhancements were needed so as to enable more households in need of State support with their long-term housing needs to avail of the scheme.
Four broad categories of actions are identified in the review, including:
a) Broadening the eligibility criteria;
b) Improving the scheme process, structure and financing;
c) Increasing communication and awareness raising; and
d) Responding to developments around mortgage arrears solutions.
A number of actions have been completed and progress is also being made under other actions within the review.
One key priority action was to broaden the eligibility criteria of the scheme and this was implemented in February 2022. These include changes to the positive equity and property acquisition limits and more flexibility on over-accommodation where a member of the household is aged 65 or over, or has a disability. Furthermore, the increase in the income threshold for social housing has also opened the Mortgage to Rent scheme to more borrowers, because households entering Mortgage to Rent must qualify for social housing support. These changes have enabled some additional borrowers that were not previously eligible, to apply for the scheme.
An advertising campaign was conducted towards the end of 2022 under the 'communication and awareness raising' action and further initiatives to increase awareness of the scheme will be undertaken. There is also continued engagement with Abhaile, the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to disseminate information on the Mortgage to Rent scheme.
The Housing Agency, on behalf of my Department, recently ran an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process which invited participants from both the private and Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector to put forward their interest in becoming MTR providers that can deliver the scheme at scale. This EOI process is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the scheme and will offer lenders more MTR providers with whom they can engage and process cases with. The results of this process will be announced in the near future, following its conclusion.
The Cross Sectoral Working Group was established and meetings were held in 2022 with the next meeting due to take place once the EOI process referred to is fully concluded.
Full details of the recommendations and associated actions are outlined within the 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent scheme for people who have borrowed from commercial, private lending institutions and this review is available on my Department's website.
My Department is also represented on the newly established long-term mortgage arrears group, along with representatives from the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Finance and other stakeholders. The objective of this group is to examine the full suite of measures in place to reduce the number of people in long-term mortgage arrears and to recommend changes to increase the efficacy of these measures where necessary.
92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to make a decision on the applications made to his Department in respect of developing sewage schemes for the villages of Broadford and Cooraclare, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48826/23]
View answerMy Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, using Exchequer funding, is delivering improvements to water services, including waste water, in areas of rural Ireland where Uisce Éireann water services are not available. The aim of the multi-annual programme is, through various funding measures, to provide robust and resilient water services, that are value for money and are compliant with regulations.
In April 2022, I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the upcoming multi-annual programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.
Funding of €50 million has been specifically allocated under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first round of funding is intended to follow a demonstration project model approach to inform future funding needs that will provide appropriate longer-term solutions.
An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application received and I will confirm approval of funding for specific projects in the coming weeks.
94. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many local authority homes have been retrofitted to date in 2023; how many were retrofitted to a standard of BER B2 or above; how many were installed with heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48962/23]
View answerSince 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme which has supported retrofit work on over 77,500 social homes to the end of 2022 with a total exchequer spend of €251 million, this figure includes those dwellings retrofit under the Midlands Retrofit Pilot.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme, designed around the Programme for Government's commitment that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 or Cost Optimal Equivalent BER by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes,
The upscaling of the works included in the programme sees a substantial overall increase in Exchequer funding being made available for attic and wall insulation, windows and doors and heating upgrades, specifically the installation of a Heat Pump and associated works.
In 2021, local Authorities retrofitted 1,038 social homes to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent. Heat pumps were installed in 750 which is 72% of these properties. In 2022, local authorities retrofitted 2,283 social homes to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent and heat pumps were installed in 1,898 which is 83% of these.
In 2023, my Department announced that funding of €87 million will be provided for the retrofit of approximately 2,400 social homes. To date local authorities have received Exchequer funding for 940 completed retrofits with 813 heat pumps installed in those homes. Current indicators show that the target of 2,400 retrofits are expected to be completed this year.
97. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an overview of the €5.1 billion capital investment in housing in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48892/23]
View answerHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade and is the first multi-annual fully funded housing plan in the history of the State. The Plan is supported by an investment package of over €4 billion per annum, through an overall combination of €12 billion in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5 billion investment through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €5 billion lending through the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
Budget 2024 again provides record levels of investment by this Government to support housing delivery and the continued implementation of Housing for All. The total Exchequer funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €4.1 billion, comprising Capital funding of €2.6 billion and Current funding of €1.5 billion.
The Capital provision of €2.6 billion will be supplemented by LDA investment of €978 million and HFA lending of €1.5 billion, resulting in an overall capital provision of €5.1 billion.
The 2024 funding provision will support over 28,000 additional households in 2024, through meeting the social housing needs of almost 22,000 households and supporting a further 6,400 households to buy or rent at an affordable price.
In addition to the delivery of new social and affordable homes, the funding secured in 2024 will also support the continued and enhanced delivery of a wide range of housing programmes. These programmes provide targeted support to meet individual housing need, including homelessness, tackling vacancy, retrofitting, upgrading and defects programmes and the provision of supports for older people, people with a disability and the Traveller Community.
100. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of 9,100 new-build social homes in 2023. [49054/23]
View answerIn 2022 10,263 new social homes were delivered, including 7,433 new-build homes which represented the highest delivery of new build social housing since 1975. In the first half of 2023, 2,298 new social homes were delivered, including 1,401 new-build homes.
Social housing delivery is traditionally weighted to the second half end of the year so we do expect to see a significant increase, similar to 2022, where there was strong delivery, particularly in the final quarter of 2022 with over 6,000 new social homes provided across the build (4,729) Acquisition (635) and Lease (664) delivery streams. I expect this trend will continue and we will see a significant increase in all delivery.
As the Deputy will be aware from the Social Housing Construction Status Report, which my Department published on a quarterly basis, there is a strong pipeline of over 22,600 social homes either on site or at various stages of the design and procurement process.
In overall terms, the outlook for 2023 is positive. Total expenditure on Housing to the end of October was €2.6bn which is €617m ahead of the same period in 2022. My Department will continue to work assertively with local authorities, AHBs, the LDA, and all delivery partners to ramp up the scale of activity across all areas in 2023 and moving forward in future years.
