Written Answers Nos. 133-152
133. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children supported by Tusla’s education welfare service in 2022 and 2023, broken down by local area office. [4480/24]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
134. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of referrals to the education welfare service relating to children in care of the state for 2022 and 2023 broken down by local area office. [4481/24]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
135. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a progress update on actions 4 and 5 relating to Culture and Identity of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, which sets out the need to provide educational resources on Traveller and Roma Culture and History for schools, and to support Traveller and Roma cultural heritage centres and communications media, and to provide a date for when a new strategy will be in place. [4505/24]
View answerMy department is responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of the different actions under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) by a range of Departments, including my own.
Action 4 of the NTRIS concerns the support of schools, in collaboration with Traveller and Roma organisations, to develop education resources on Traveller and Roma culture and history. The department responsible, the Department of Education, has referred to the 2019 curriculum audit on Traveller history and culture by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). In February 2023, the NCCA published the ‘Traveller culture and history research report’ as an important step in responding to the curriculum audit. The report, which incorporated the views of an Expert Group of Travellers and Traveller representatives, aims to provide an overview of what is currently known and has been recorded regarding the different aspects of Traveller culture and history. It will be used to inform the review and updating/redevelopment of curriculum specifications and the development of new specifications as part of ongoing work across sectors, and it provides a basis for the development of resources and materials for teachers/practitioners.
I understand that the NCCA is currently reviewing and editing video footage, from various post-primary settings, of teachers working on teaching about Traveller culture and history over recent months so that it can be published on their website, with appropriate guidance and support, as exemplars of practice to support teachers. Initial work is intended to be published in Q1/2024, with further examples to follow throughout this year, including from early childhood and primary settings.
The February 2023 report is also informing thinking around intercultural approaches to education more broadly. The NCCA has now completed a review of its current suites of Intercultural Guidelines for primary and post-primary schools, and has identified its next steps for updating these guidelines.
NTRIS Action 5 concerns the development and promotion of the culture, stories and music of Travellers and Roma, including support for accessible cultural archives. Under this action, my department funds the annual Traveller Pride Week to empower national, regional and local organisations to celebrate Traveller culture and diversity, as well as International Roma Day, which takes place annually. My department also:
- provides funding to a publishing company which works directly with Traveller authors to help them develop and publish literature related to Traveller culture and experience, thereby promoting the inclusion of the Traveller community in Irish cultural life;
- progressed a project with the National Museum of Ireland to bring greater visibility to its Traveller culture collections; this programme has seen the creation of an online portal of objects, archives, photography, recordings and other collections pertaining to Traveller culture and history, held in the National Cultural Institutions and National Folklore Archive illustrative; and,
- provides funding to Musicantia, a Roma cultural and advocacy project which runs a music school for young Roma in Dublin and promotes the integration of Roma communities into Irish society.
In respect of languages, in 2019, the Traveller Cant language was added to Ireland's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage maintained as part of Ireland’s obligations under the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
I should also note that the Creative Ireland Programme 2023 – 2027 has adopted a greater focus on equal opportunity, including membership of the Traveller and Roma communities. Under the new programme, Creative Ireland has worked to support existing and successor policies (including the NTRIS) and focuses efforts on research to underpin evidence-led policies, and the development and monitoring of targeted cultural and creative initiatives that enhance inclusion and visibility of marginalised groups.
Finally, I would advise the Deputy that work to develop the successor strategy to the NTRIS is well underway, and I hope to be in a position to finalise the new strategy shortly.
136. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify if the premises formerly known as The Limit Bar in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, is being considered or has been accepted for use as an international protection accommodation site; if so, the number to be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4509/24]
View answerSince the outset of the war in Ukraine in early 2022, Ireland has provided accommodation to over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes approximately 75,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine who required State supported accommodation and over 26,000 International Protection applicants (IPs) currently in IPAS accommodation. Prior to the war in Ukraine, there were 8,300 applicants for international protection in State supported accommodation.
I am advised that my Department has no current live offer for accommodation for BOTPs or IPs at the property to which the Deputy refers.
137. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify if the Technology Centre in Birr, County Offaly, is being considered or has been accepted for use as an international protection accommodation site; if so the number to be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for her question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days. The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.
138. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the process of food recalls by the FSAI in situations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4427/24]
View answerA recall can be initiated either by instruction from the FSAI/ Enforcement Agency or based on a decision taken by a food business operator. Article 14 of EC Regulation 178/2002 ‘General Food Law’, places a legal requirement on food businesses to ensure that the food they place on the market is safe to consume. Should food be found to be unsafe, then under Article 19 EC Regulation 178/2002, the food business is required to remove the entire implicated batch of food from the market, including initiating a product recall if that food has reached the consumer. Art 19 also places a requirement on food businesses to notify and cooperate with their supervising Enforcement Agency if they have placed unsafe food on the market.
How a recall is initiated will depend on how a hazard has been detected. In the event that the food business operator (FBO) detects a hazard, which implicates the food as unsafe (e.g. Salmonella in a ready-to-eat food), the FBO is required to initiate a recall from customers, as per their obligations under Art 19 EC Regulation 178/2002. They are also required to inform/cooperate with their enforcement agency and the FSAI. The business shall provide all relevant information to their enforcement agency.
A food recall may be initiated when the FSAI or an enforcement agency become aware of a food safety issue via its official controls. Under EU Regulation 2017/625 on official controls, there is a legal requirement for competent authorities to carry out ‘official controls’ to verify compliance with food legislation. Should unsafe food be detected on the market during official control activities, the FSAI/ Enforcement Agency notify the food business operator and instruct them to initiate a recall.
In regard to communicating to consumers, the FSAI will issue a food alert to Enforcement Agencies and to food distributors and retailers. The food alert will also be placed on the FSAI’s website. The food alert will contain as much information as is known about the food to assist the agencies in a rapid response. The food business will be instructed to issue point of sale notices to inform consumers of the risk and the reasons for the recall.
Communication to consumers is not required to confirm ‘food is safe again’ as all unsafe food is required to be removed from sale. Communications focus on informing consumers of the food being recalled, the associated risks and what to do if purchased or consumed. FSAI provides Guidance to Food Businesses on carrying out product recalls in its ‘Guidance Note 10: Product Recall and Traceability (Revision 3)’.
My officials are informed of the number of recalls on a quarterly basis by the FSAI.
139. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health what measures are in place to assist and make progress on the current infrastructural delays being experienced at Naas General Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4326/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
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.
140. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine the capacity deficits at Naas General Hospital (details supplied) and what immediate plans are in place to meet the significant increases in demand for the services of the hospital. [4327/24]
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 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.
141. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to replace GP services in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15 since a company (details supplied) closed due to difficulties recruiting a principal GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4336/24]
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 & 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.
142. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health to address the provision of GP services in the Navan Road, Pelletstown and Ashtown areas of Dublin West, where people have reported difficulty in accessing GP services and complain that the list of doctors they have been provided with is out of date, including retired and in some cases deceased GPs, and where a medical centre lies empty in Pelletstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4337/24]
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 & 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.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an application for a discretionary medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) can be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4347/24]
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 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.
144. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if he has considered technology to create incidental activity which leads to better health outcomes without people realising it at the time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4348/24]
View answerThe use of gamification techniques and products to encourage people to change behaviours has become more commonplace in recent times. There are clear ethical ethical aspects to be considerations to be considered when assessing the suitability of such approaches in the area of health and the bar for these considerations is even higher for a publicly funded service. The HSE, as the operational part of the health service, are normally the entity that assesses the need and effectiveness of new technologies, but as a publicly funded organisation will assess their own needs before initiating a tender process. We note this submission relates to a particular product from a particular company, who would be entitled to bid for any such product or service.
145. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the ten highest risks on the risk register maintained, by each of the hospital groups in respect of each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4355/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to issues around the availability of dental services for persons with disabilities who are medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4363/24]
View answerI can confirm that correspondence from the Galway Advocacy Council was forwarded to me by Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., on 25th January 2024. This correspondence is being dealt with in accordance with standard procedures and a reply will issue shortly.
147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans for an audit of all dental services in Ireland to ascertain the level of medical card holders in their patient lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4364/24]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The Scheme is provided by dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE.
The Government is committed to fundamentally reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The HSE has appointed a Strategic Reform Lead to drive Policy implementation across the organisation and to move forward in 2024 with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy. This will include work on planning new services for medical card holders.In 2023 an additional 154,864 treatments were provided with over 26,700 extra unique patients treated through the DTSS when compared with 2022. This follows the expansion of the Scheme in 2022 to include additional prevention treatments and a 40-60% increase in fees paid to dentists across most treatment items. It is not intended to audit individual dental practices in respect of the range of services they provide. However, in order to ensure that all medical card holders can access care, I am asking those dentists who have capacity to take on new patients to give strong consideration to taking on/retaining a DTSS contract in recognition of the unprecedented substantial fee increases that have been put in place and the work that is underway on policy implementation.
148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in Galway who have signed up to provide dental care for medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme; the number who have signed up nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4365/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
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.
149. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who left the dental treatment services scheme, where they had been providing dental care to medical card patients in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4366/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
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.
150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that all medical card holders can access dental health care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4367/24]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, emergency extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as additional fillings, dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
Since May 1st 2022, there has been additional prevention treatments included and a 40-60% increase in fees paid to dentists across most treatment items. In 2023, 154,864 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 26,700 extra unique patients treated when compared with 2022.
I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. Where access to a dentist is difficult, local HSE services assist patients who make enquiries and make lists of DTSS contractors available to medical card holders. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by directly contacting private contractors or arranging treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
The Government is committed to fundamentally reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte . My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused structures to drive implementation of the Policy. The HSE has now appointed a Strategic Reform Lead to drive Policy implementation across the organisation and to move forward in 2024 with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy. This will include work on planning new services for medical card holders.
While it will take a number of years to bring reform to complete fruition, there will be an early emphasis in implementation on addressing the current issues, including the reform of the provision of services for medical card holders.
151. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members required to sufficiently staff a neurology department within a model 4 Irish hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4373/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
152. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he could confirm in tabular form per hospital how many temporary consultants in model 4 hospitals are currently "pending compliance clearance"; how long this process usually takes to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4374/24]
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.
