Written Answers Nos. 779-797
779. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the appointment of a new co-ordinator for the Finglas-Cabra local drug and alcohol task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54651/23]
View answer810. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of staff employed by each drug and alcohol task force; and the number at each staff level. [54950/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 810 together.
As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response.
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.
780. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if there is a conflict of interest policy for organisations funded or part-funded by his Department in respect of gambling, similar to the HSE's alcohol partnership policy; and, if not, if he will introduce such a policy. [54681/23]
View answerThe Department of Health does not fund or part-fund any organisations in respect of gambling.
In Budget 2023, funding of €500,000 was proved to the HSE to introduce a pilot treatment programme for gambling addiction. I provided a further €500,000 for this purpose in Budget 2024. Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE is responsible for the provision of health and social services including addiction. The HSE either provides these services directly or arranges to have them provided on its behalf through service level type arrangements that have a list of associated conditions of funding attached.
781. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if there was ever a proposal for a nursing home at a location (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he can confirm reports that HIQA advised against it. [54707/23]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority, (HIQA) was established under the Health Act 2007. HIQA is the independent Authority established to drive continuous improvement in Ireland’s health and social care services.
The Health Act 2007 also established the office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services in HIQA. The functions of the Chief Inspector are to:
1. establish and maintain registers of designated centres (including nursing homes);
2. register and inspect designated centres to assess whether the provider is in compliance with the regulations and standards.
Under the Act any person carrying on the business of a residential service within a designated centre (i.e. a nursing home) can only do so if the centre is registered under the Act and the person is its registered provider.
HIQA has advised my Department that it has not received information about a new nursing home at the venue referred to by the Deputy and has not offered any advice against it.
782. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms through which medical staff can report that their conscientious objection to carrying out or participating in an abortion procedure are not being respected by their employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54708/23]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for answer.
783. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54709/23]
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.
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, there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a reply from the HSE.
784. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time to see a consultant ophthalmologist at the Mater hospital. [54753/23]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care.
The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan builds on the foundational work done in the 2021 and 2022 plans, both of which reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists.
For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to reduce hospital waiting lists by implementing longer term reforms and providing additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.
With the funding from Budget 2024 (€407 million), we are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving the vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached information, was provided to my Department by the NTPF. The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate true average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
Ophthalmology Patients in Mater Hospital by average as at end of November 2023
|
Date |
30/11/2023 |
|
Hospital Name |
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital |
|
Specialty |
Average of Wait Time (Days) |
|
Ophthalmology |
160 |
|
125 |
The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate true average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
785. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care centres within CHO 9 that have clinical specialist ultra sonographers based there in the years 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [54754/23]
View answerAs 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.
786. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have undergone genetic testing in St James's Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [54755/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
787. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health how the €5.2 million allocation on the healthy age-friendly homes programme was spent in 2023. [54756/23]
View answerHealthy Age Friendly Homes is a support coordination service which seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults and to enable them to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. An innovative collaboration between Health, Housing, and Local Government, through the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, this programme has been operational in nine pilot sites since July 2021. This programme establishes the unique role of the Local Coordinator, who is situated in local government and who operates at the interface between health, housing and the wider determinants. They act as a single point of contact for older adults and a catalyst to signpost services on their behalf. Referral into the programme can be made by the older person themselves, or by a family member, friend, GP, carer, or member of their community. On referral into the programme, their Local Coordinator will carry out a home visit to conduct a holistic assessment of needs in the areas of health, housing adaptations, home energy assessments and retrofits, community and social supports, and assistive technologies. The local coordinator works with the older person directly to design a personalised action plan, and will assist with any applications required, for example, to avail of relevant housing grants. Similarly, the programme has established a partnership with SEAI to provide home energy assessments, BER assessments, and energy retrofits for older adults. Following a successful Sláintecare funded pilot in 9 local authorities, the programme received €5.2m in Budget 2023 to roll out nationally to all 31 local authorities. This funding provides for 44 Local Coordinators, 6 Regional Managers, and 16 administrative support staff to deliver supports to older people nationwide. This provides for a local coordinator in each local authority and in certain areas where there is an identified need, two coordinators. These postholders are employed by Age Friendly Ireland/Meath County Council, and situated in their host local authority. The programme will be coordinated nationally across six regions by the Regional Managers, aligned to the six new HSE Health Regions. Meath County Council has progressed with scale-up efforts in the past six months. A bespoke new IT solution has been designed and tested to fit the needs of the programme in terms of caseload management and reporting. New SOPs and other efficiency measures have also been established, which will enhance productivity and response times. The recruitment of staff has also seen progress, with the 6 Regional Managers in place and making preparations for incoming coordinators. There are currently 12 Local Coordinators in situ with a further 21 expected to begin in January 2024. A further 9 are also expected to start in early 2024. Service continues to be provided to older people in the existing 9 pilot sites.
Out of the €5.2m allocated in Budget 2023 the programme is projected to spend €2.2m by year-end. This includes recruitment costs, staff salaries, travel and subsistence, development and implementation of new IT systems, engagement and promotion activities, and establishing a programme evaluation. With the majority of staff coming on stream in early 2024 it is expected that the programme will make full use of its annual allocation.
788. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeons working in the public health services; his plans to expand this number; and the international recommended best practice ratio for paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, to population and current ratios. [54757/23]
View answerAs 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.
789. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographers required to ensure BreastCheck screenings take place every two years for those who are eligible; and how many radiographers currently work for BreastCheck. [54758/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
790. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the primary care centres within CHO 7 that have substance abuse services specific to youths aged under 18. [54759/23]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. 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.
791. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be called for speech and language therapy. [54773/23]
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 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.
792. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the key policy achievements realised and new initiatives taken by his Department during 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54789/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.
793. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated timeline for the reopening of Keltoi. [54817/23]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. 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.
794. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated timeline for delivery of the new elective hospital in Cork and when it will be fully operational. [54818/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Elective Hospital in Cork, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
795. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average wait time by residential addiction treatment facility. [54821/23]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. 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.
796. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of children in Cork currently awaiting an appointment for audiology, by waiting time, in tabular form. [54822/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
797. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of children in Cork currently awaiting an appointment for ophthalmology, by waiting time, in tabular form. [54823/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
