Tuesday, 28 Nov 2023

Written Answers Nos. 634-657

Primary Care Centres

Questions (634)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

634. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in completing the development of the primary care centre in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo; the reason the development on the project has ceased, given it was due to be operational in 2021; the person or body responsible for the delay; the steps the HSE is taking to recommence building works; at what stage are negotiations between the HSE, the main contractor and sub-contractor; when building works will recommence on this project; if there is an update on the completion date; and if he will provide a copy of the building contracts. [52392/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As 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.

Disability Services

Questions (635)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

635. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing accessibility to adult ADHD support services by allowing for a more inclusive diagnostic process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/23]

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 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

Questions (636)

Pauline Tully

Question:

636. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the additional funding provided for mental health services in Budget 2023 and Budget 2024, broken down by ELS and 'new measure', in tabular form; and to provide a detailed breakdown of the status of each of the measures announced. [52405/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Mental Health Services

Questions (637)

Pauline Tully

Question:

637. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE child psychologists in CHO1 based in Cavan and Monaghan in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [52406/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Health Services

Questions (638)

Pauline Tully

Question:

638. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of people availing of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) via the public system since the programme was established, by clinic and year, in tabular form. [52407/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Departmental Data

Questions (639)

Pauline Tully

Question:

639. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of people who died from sepsis within Ireland in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [52408/23]

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.

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. 

Hospital Procedures

Questions (640)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

640. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the service that is provided to a person could be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52449/23]

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.

Disability Services

Questions (641)

Michael McNamara

Question:

641. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if his Department will give consideration to introducing primary medical certificates to all individuals with physical disabilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52451/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Finance.

Health Service Executive

Questions (642)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

642. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a pension from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52463/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an administrative issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Abortion Services

Questions (643)

Michael Collins

Question:

643. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of relevant healthcare premises as defined in the Safe Access Zones Bill 2023 which will be designated as safe access zones upon the enactment of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52472/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services.

Officials from my Department have worked with the Office of the Attorney General, and other relevant stakeholders to develop the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 .

This Bill designates Safe Access Zones of 100 meters from an entrance or exit to the land and buildings that form part of the premises where obstetricians/gynecologists and general practitioners provide services. The Zones will also apply to hospitals that provide acute inpatient services within the meaning of Section 51 of the Health Act 1970. I am not in a position to specify the exact number of zones.

Within those Zones certain conduct aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to termination of pregnancy services will be prohibited. Such conduct only becomes an offence if it continues after a Garda warning has been issued.

Abortion Services

Questions (644, 645)

Michael Collins

Question:

644. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure spent on the legislative review process of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the amount spent on contracts, research expenses, reimbursements and all other possible categories from 2021 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52475/23]

Michael Collins

Question:

645. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the total number of contracts for the provision of termination of pregnancy services issued in each of the years from 2019 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52476/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 645 together.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters we have referred it to the HSE for answer. 

Question No. 645 answered with Question No. 644.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (646)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

646. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 661 of 20 June 2023, if he will request the HSE issue a response to the question (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52477/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Questions (647)

Mark Ward

Question:

647. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade for Tallaght Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence or leave cover. [52481/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Hospital Staff

Questions (648)

Mark Ward

Question:

648. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied) by grade for CHO7, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts and the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [52482/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Hospital Staff

Questions (649)

Mark Ward

Question:

649. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade for Tallaght Hospital, in tabular form; and the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate. [52483/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible

Health Services

Questions (650)

Mark Ward

Question:

650. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade for CHO7 in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [52484/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Health Service Executive

Questions (651)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

651. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when payments will issue for services provided to the HSE by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52493/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (652)

Martin Browne

Question:

652. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide an account of developments in mental health services in County Tipperary in 2023 in comparison with the existing services in 2022; the planned developments for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52508/23]

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.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (653)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

653. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he informed the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform about correspondence he received from the HSE CEO expressing his concerns about the health budget allocation, ahead of Budget 2024; if this correspondence was emailed or otherwise sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform or his officials; if so, the date on which this was done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52519/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (654)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

654. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in publishing the Health Budget Oversight Group minutes for August and September 2023; the date on which these will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52520/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform provide the secretariat for the Health Budget Oversight Group, and are responsible for publishing minutes of the group's meetings.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (655)

Mark Ward

Question:

655. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the recruitment of staff for the new Boot Road, primary care centre in Clondalkin; the breakdown of the staff to be recruited, by WTE; if the HSE recruitment embargo will impact on this recruitment if staff will be in place for the opening of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52523/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (656)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

656. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on a job evaluation for support workers in Section 38 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52532/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter in relation, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy. 

Health Services Staff

Questions (657)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

657. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the HSE recruitment freeze will extend to the recruitment of staff intended for the planned delivery of a neurorehabilitation centre for CH06 (details supplied); if not, the progress in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52542/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.