Written Answers Nos. 1774-1787
1774. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of women who developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1805/24]
View answerAs 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 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.
1775. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric histopathologists at Cork University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1822/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1776. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan General Hospital. [1823/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1777. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapist and dietitians working in Letterkenny University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form [1824/24]
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.
1778. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant WTE accident and emergency department nurses in Portlaoise Regional Hospital as of 10 January 2024, in tabular form. [1825/24]
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
1779. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE audiologist by grade employed by the HSE working in County Longford in 2023, in tabular form. [1826/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1780. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in public car parking charges at St. Vincent's University Hospital in 2023, in tabular form. [1827/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1781. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of MRI scanners and CT scanners in use at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. [1829/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1782. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior medical scientists in molecular microbiology at University Hospital, Waterford in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1830/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1783. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of treatment bays in the accident and emergency department at Wexford General Hospital. [1831/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1784. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeons based at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1832/24]
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.
1785. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health whether the process of being approved for the MCAP differs depending on the type of eligible condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1846/24]
View answerThe legislative basis for the MCAP is Statutory Instrument 262/2019, Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019.
Schedule 2 of the Regulations sets out the three specified therapeutic indications that may be treated under the programme, namely,
1. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions.
2. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes.
3. Severe, refractory epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications.
Schedule 1 of the Regulations sets out the cannabis-based products that may be prescribed in the programme.
The application must be for one of the stated conditions within the legislation and for the prescribing of one of the approved products. Conditions outside of those in legislation are not approved.
1786. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health what engagement and training is provided to consultants whose patients have been approved for MCAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1847/24]
View answerStatutory Instrument No. 262/2019 - Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019 is the legislative basis for the MCAP. The purpose of these Regulations is to allow certain cannabis products or preparations for medical use to be prescribed and supplied under certain circumstances for the treatment of persons with certain medical conditions under the care of a medical consultant.
In the Regulations “medical consultant” means a registered medical practitioner who—
(a) is registered on the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners established and maintained by the Medical Council under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (No. 25 of 2007), and
(b) by reason of his or her training, skill and experience in a medical specialty recognised by the Medical Council under section 89(1) of that Act related to a specified therapeutic indication, is consulted by other registered medical practitioners and has a continuing clinical and professional responsibility for that aspect of the patient’s care on which he or she has been consulted.
The Minister for Health is not responsible for consultant training in any speciality.
1787. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he plans to expand the MCAP to include other conditions in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1848/24]
View answerThe current review consists of an evidence gathering, evidence synthesis and finally a clinical review to determine if evidence exists to expand the scope of the programme. In the circumstances it is appropriate to wait for the findings of the clinical review group before any decisions whether to expand or not are made.
