Written Answers Nos. 557-568
557. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on the Budget 2024 requirement to cease recruitment for approved development posts and to make a statement on any planned further cessation of recruitment by his Department. [4158/24]
View answerThe HSE is experiencing success in improvements in recruitment and retention with 26,172 more staff working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. That’s a 21.8% increase, meaning that for every 5 people working in the health service in 2020, we now have 6.
The reality is that the HSE had already exceeded its 2023 funded workforce targets, which was neither affordable or sustainable. In December 2023, there were 145,985 staff working in our health service. This was an increase of 8,239 since the start of January 2023. The HSE was funded to hire an additional 6,010 staff – meaning it was over by more than 2,200 WTE.
The Pay Numbers Strategy (PNS) is fully supported by the HSE, The Minister and the Department and will provide clarity on the HSE funded work force. The people recruited will be assigned to places where it is determined that such a post is critical to maintain safe and effective services.
With an effective PNS for 2024 the HSE can achieve a level of confidence in clarity of expectation about current services and future developments. Whereby replacement is normal within budget and funded levels and future efficiencies enable more allocations in the future to respond to need.
558. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient hospital cancellations and the procedures cancelled from 2022 to date for the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, in tabular form. [4162/24]
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.
559. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for each hospital department from 2022 to date for the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, in tabular form. [4163/24]
View answerIn 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 2023. 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.
560. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatient appointments before cancellations at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, in tabular form. [4164/24]
View answerIn 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 2023. 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.
561. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to replace GP services in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15, since Centric Health in Tyrrelstown Medical Centre has closed, having been in operation since 2005, because it could not recruit a principal GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4195/24]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently, there are 2,518 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The recent GP Agreement 2023 announced in July, which provides for the expansions of GP care without charges to those who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 and 7, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
These measures help make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country. Figures recently released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates have applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on last year and higher than any previous years.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased in recent years, with 287 new entrants for this year and 350 places for new entrants planned for next year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% since 2015.
With respect to the practice referenced I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as this is a service matter.
562. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health his views on the provision of GP services in the Navan Road/Pelletstown/Ashtown area of Dublin West, whose population has reported difficulty in accessing GP services and complains the list of doctors it has been provided with is out of date, with retired and in some cases deceased GPs, and where an empty medical centre lies empty in Pelletstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4196/24]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently, there are 2,518 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme.
Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The recent GP Agreement 2023 announced in July, which provides for the expansions of GP care without charges to those who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 and 7, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
These measures help make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country. Figures recently released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates have applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on last year and higher than any previous years.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased in recent years, with 287 new entrants for this year and 350 places for new entrants planned for next year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% since 2015.
With respect to the medical centre referenced I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as this is a service matter.
563. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if he can request a response in relation to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 8 November 2023 surrounding the appointment of an audiologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/24]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department
564. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if he can request a response in relation to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 8 November 2023 surrounding the appointment of an audiologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/24]
View answerAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
565. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HPRA to investigate and provide an outcome for a complaint submitted about First IVF Clane and if he will make a statement about the investigation conducted into First IVF Clane. [4209/24]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases nor am I in a position to intervene or comment on the specific case referred to.
However, I was advised that the HPRA inspected First IVF, in Clane, in June 2022 as part of its routine inspection programme. As a result of significant deficiencies identified in that inspection, the HPRA immediately directed First IVF to discontinue embryo biopsy procedures and required additional actions. An action plan was submitted to the HPRA in July 2022 which included a detailed plan of corrective actions.
The clinic was placed on a heighted programme of inspection and follow-up to monitor the progress of the implementation of the corrective and preventative action plan. Two follow-up on-site inspections, one of which was an unannounced, were conducted to review the implementation of the corrective actions and during these inspections it was determined that this was progressed appropriately. During this process, no evidence was found that the quality and safety of tissues and cells were compromised. First IVF continues to be subject to regular inspections.
The HPRA’s role is outlined in Tissues and Cells legislation (Statutory instrument 158 of 2006) and the inspection of the fertility clinics in Ireland is confined to certain activities that are listed on tissue establishment authorisations and how the clinics comply with the relevant legislative requirements. This relates primarily to the way sperm, eggs and embryos are procured, processed, and stored, to ensure their quality and safety. The HPRA’s role does not extend to oversight of clinical care.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 was introduced to, and passed Second Stage in, the Dáil in March 2022 and has been referred to the Select Committee on Health for Third Stage. The first session of the Committee Stage took place on 24th January 2024.
The focus of this Bill is on the regulation, for the first time in this country, of a wide range of assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices undertaken within the jurisdiction.
Ireland currently does not have a regulatory framework in place in respect of this area of health care.
Once enacted, this legislation will lead to a regulatory framework being put in place in respect of this complex, innovative and fast-moving area of medicine, which is currently predominately provided through the private sector.
The provisions outlined within the AHR Bill will seek to ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The establishment of the AHR Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) is a key priority in this regard.
It is important to note that this new framework will regulate how AHR treatments are provided. In the first instance the legislation provides for a licensing system and treatment providers will be required to hold the requisite licence in order to provide treatments. The AHRRA will oversee and monitor this system, including to ensure that providers operate within the scope of the law and their licence. This regulatory framework will help bring guidance and clarity to service users, as well as to providers.
I wish to reiterate my commitment to ensuring that a robust regulatory framework for AHR is put in place as quickly as possible.
566. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a schedule of the number of civilian drivers and Garda drivers attached to him and to Ministers of State of his Department; to provide the official work pattern for each driver and the total annual hours worked by each driver; and to indicate the number of drivers assigned to each Minister and Minister of State. [4222/24]
View answerOne civilian driver is assigned to Minister Butler, with a total of 720 hours worked in 2023. The working pattern of a driver is seven days on and seven days off on a week-on week-off basis.
Two Garda Drivers assigned to Minister Donnelly who are staff of the Department of Justice and Equality and any information regarding their hours is with that Department.
567. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a power pack for a wheelchair will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4240/24]
View answerAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
568. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in providing a primary healthcare facility in Oranmore, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4268/24]
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.
