Tuesday, 21 Nov 2023

Health Services

Questions (548)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

548. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50967/23]

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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.

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.

Health Services Staff

Questions (549)

Robert Troy

Question:

549. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a CORU application (details supplied). [50968/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Officials in my Department have been in touch with CORU on this matter and I understand that CORU has contacted you on the issues raised and has also liaised directly with the applicant concerned.

Health Services

Questions (550)

Michael McNamara

Question:

550. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50972/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Service Executive

Questions (551)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

551. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the methods of communications the HSE has with the NHS in the north of Ireland to ensure that doctors who are found guilty of poor professional performance in one jurisdiction do not get work in the opposite jurisdiction (details supplied). [50976/23]

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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.

Health Services

Questions (552)

Matt Carthy

Question:

552. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if Children's Health Ireland prioritises admission in respect of acute neonatal care to patients who live closer to CHI hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50978/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Questions (553)

Matt Carthy

Question:

553. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) will be transferred to either Crumlin or Temple Street Children's Hospital to receive the acute neonatal care intervention required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50979/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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..

Departmental Bodies

Questions (554)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

554. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the appointment of a new chairperson for the National Screening Advisory Committee, given the former chair (details supplied) stood down in May 2023; what impact the lack of a chair is having on the NSAC’s work programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50982/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is an independent committee which advises myself, as Minister for Health and my Department on all new proposals for population-based screening programmes and on changes to existing programmes. NSAC considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. As Minister, I believe that it is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

Professor Niall O’Higgins chaired the Committee since its establishment in 2019 up to the conclusion of his term in June 2023. I am grateful for the commitment Professor O’Higgins invested in the Committee and the successes achieved under his leadership.

Following an open competition, I was pleased to appoint Dr Suzanne Crowe as the new Chair of NSAC in July 2023. A press release officially announcing Dr Crowe as the new Chair of NSAC was published on my Department’s website on 20 October 2023. This press release was issued on the same day as Dr Crowe’s first meeting as Chair of NSAC, ensuring continuity for the Committee and its important work.

I would highlight to the Deputy that Professor O’Higgins and Dr Crowe had an opportunity to meet following Dr Crowe’s appointment and in advance of her first meeting as NSAC Chair. The meeting, which took place in the Department of Health, facilitated a robust handover process between the outgoing and incoming Chairs. This ensured that the process of appointing a new Chair for NSAC had no impact on NSAC’s work programme.

Dr Crowe is a Consultant at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Paediatrics at Trinity College Dublin and is an Associate Professor in the division of Women and Children's Health, School of Medicine, University College Dublin. As the current President of the Medical Council, Dr Crowe brings over 30 years of experience in the public health service and leadership of senior multidisciplinary groups. Dr Crowe’s dedication to improving health outcomes for the population offers considerable synergy with the work of the NSAC.

I look forward to NSAC continuing their important work and wish Dr Crowe the best of luck in this regard.

Hospital Services

Questions (555)

Peter Burke

Question:

555. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on operations and staffing progress at a Midlands Regional Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50985/23]

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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.

Medical Cards

Questions (556)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

556. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50987/23]

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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.

Medicinal Products

Questions (557)

John Lahart

Question:

557. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on the forecasted levels of biosimilar and generic medicines substitution in 2024 and expected budget savings from same; whether funding for new medicines in 2024 will be entirely dependent on savings made in other parts of the overall medicines budget in 2024, given no additional funding for next year; whether he expects delays in access to new therapies as a result; how many industry submissions were made in the July horizon scan for Budget 2024 consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50995/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

A record almost €3 billion, nearly €1 in every 8 spent by the State on health, will be spent this year on medicines. This is an unprecedented level of investment in supporting patients through the availability of the latest and wide range of medicines.

It is important that medicines expenditure is sustainable for the State and that we strive to maximise the available investment. This will enable us to provide as many people as possible with access to the necessary medicines.

Over the last 3 years the State has invested €98 million in new medicines funding to provide 127 new medicines or extended uses for medicines.

Going into 2024, I will ensure that my Department, the HSE and all relevant agencies and stakeholders place a priority focus on achieving the most efficient and effective use of available resources. This will require opportunities for savings to be identified and implemented. While dedicated funding for new medicines has not been allocated in Budget 2024, this does not mean that no new medicines will be approved for reimbursement in 2024. Any savings generated from identified initiatives will be immediately reinvested into new medicines for 2024.

I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024.

Mental Health Services

Questions (558)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

558. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on total projected costs for the renovation/extension of Carraig Mór intensive care psychiatric facility in Shanakiel, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50998/23]

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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 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, 6 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.

Mental Health Services

Questions (559)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

559. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on total projected costs for the acquisition/renovation of a community mental health residence in Lauriston, Midleton, and any other associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50999/23]

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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 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, 6 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.