Sorca Clarke
Question:547. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the HSE period poverty scheme. [5462/24]
View answerPeriod Poverty
Questions (547, 548)
Sorca Clarke
Question:548. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports and funding available to those who are experiencing period poverty, particularly those who are homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5464/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 547 together.
Following the publication of a Plan International Survey in 2018, which found that 10% of teenage girls were significantly impacted by period poverty, Private Members’ Motions on the topic were passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas and a sub-committee of the National Strategy for Women and Girls Strategy Committee was set up to consider the issue.The resulting Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper was published in February, 2021 and can be accessed at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/.
Government has agreed that the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper be taken into account and that cross-Government, inter-Departmental, inter-agency and societal support for implementation measures should be sought, including from voluntary and private sector organisations that provide services funded by the State, as well as from public service providers.
The Department of Health has established an inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group ("IG"), with representation from most Government Departments, to achieve cross sectoral input and to co-ordinate oversight of implementation measures recommended by the Discussion Paper. The Group has now met on six occasions, most recently in December 2023. Various bilateral meetings have also been held between officials of this Department, other Government Departments, State agencies, including the Office of Public Procurement, NGOs and representatives of the Scottish Government.The purpose of the Period Poverty Implementation Group is to implement the recommendations of the Discussion Paper; to improve access to period products for those who may need them, and to widen the knowledge base regarding the incidence and impacts of period poverty in Ireland.?The Group is overseeing and co-ordinating the roll-out of period dignity measures. These include:
• Expanding provision of free period products in the bathrooms of public buildings and through publicly funded services.
• Partnering with Local Authorities, State funded services and NGOs to provide period products to those most in need.
• Supporting the evidence base through further research in this area, through representative surveys, studies and qualitative research.
In terms of implementation, the most urgent focus is on supporting those most in need (e.g., the homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees and those experiencing consistent poverty). The Department of Health and the HSE are progressing implementation of a period dignity support programme through HSE Social Inclusion, with a focus on Travellers and Roma; this commenced with a pilot programme in Community Health Organisation 5 (CHO5, based in the South-East) in 2022.
Following initial positive results, the HSE extended similar supports to other CHOs in the second half of 2022, with additional funding in 2023 and 2024. Depending on numbers of Travellers and Roma in each CHO, some are also widening provision out to other vulnerable groups, working with community organisations and facilities. Estimating the national reach of the scheme for supporting women is challenging given the varied distribution methods, encompassing pick-up points, direct distribution through outreach workers, and distribution via funded organisations. A conservative estimate places the number of supported women at 17,000.
An additional positive benefit of the HSE period dignity support programme, where workshops and focus groups with women have often been included, has been in opening up the conversation on wider women’s health issues experienced by participants. Education and training workshops have been provided in many CHO’s covering various topics helping to break down stigma and raise awareness around menstrual health as well as other issues affecting women such as contraception, menopause and the importance of participation in the CervicalCheck screening programme.
The Department funded 26 Local Authorities and 16 NGOs directly in 2022. In 2023, 22 local authorities, the Family Resource Centre National Forum (supporting 44 family resource centres) and 10 NGOs were supported in 2023. This funding supports the provision of period products in some public buildings and facilities managed by local authorities, as well as supporting family resource centres and charities working with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and/or consistent poverty to provide period products to those in need. Given high demand, increased funding of €914,000 has been allocated to widen support in 2024. Requests for expressions of interest for the 2024 programme were issued in early January.
The Office of Government Procurement launched a Hygiene Supplies and Period Equality Products procurement Framework in June, 2023, supported by the Period Poverty Implementation Group. The Framework should enable Government Departments, State Agencies and other publicly funded bodies, including schools and the higher education sector, to source period products and no charge dispensers at lower cost and in line with Government procurement guidelines. A wide range of products, including those that are sustainable and re-usable, are available through suppliers represented on the Framework. Access details are available at the following link; www.gov.ie/en/press-release/adbc1-ministers-of-state-naughton-smyth-publish-framework-agreement-that-allows-the-public-sector-to-easily-purchase-period-products/ A key recommendation of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper was to address the limited evidence base – age groups over 19 were not covered by the 2018 Plan International Survey. Therefore, menstrual health and period poverty questions were included in the Healthy Ireland Survey, 2022, published on the 5th December, 2022. The Survey found that 24% of women (and 35% of 15-24 year-olds) have experienced at least one indicator of period poverty and 51% of women are limited on occasion from participation in daily activities by period symptoms. The Survey can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f9e67-healthy-ireland-survey-2022/. The Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children Study (which will be published in early 2024) also included a module on period poverty; forthcoming results will give us more detailed information on its incidence in schools. With regard to the HSE period poverty scheme, as this is a service matter and they will be able to provide additional detail, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 548 answered with Question No. 547.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (549)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:549. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason care assistants working during the Covid pandemic with an organisation (details supplied) nationwide have been excluded from payment of the special recognition payment, despite doing the same work as all the other healthcare professionals who received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer Parliamentary Questions 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 Strategies
Questions (550)
Bernard Durkan
Question:550. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive is actively enforcing the relevant provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 and the EU 2016 Tobacco Products Directive Regulations in non-traditional retail outlets such as mobile phone shops, computer repair centres, gift shops and discount stores which sell vapes; the number of HSE enforcement visits conducted in these non-traditional outlets in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an enforcement matter I have asked the relevant authority, the Environmental Health Service of the Health Service Executive, to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Consultations
Questions (551)
Mattie McGrath
Question:551. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the responses his Department received on the public consultation in respect of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 ; when the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5516/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Public Consultation on Further Regulation of Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products, which ran for six weeks and closed on January 5th 2024, received 15,822 submissions. Analysis of the data is ongoing and a report will be published upon completion.
Mental Health Services
Questions (552)
Paul Donnelly
Question:552. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS teams within CHO9 that offer family-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and play therapy. [5526/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (553)
Paul Donnelly
Question:553. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to see a consultant in respiratory medicine at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. [5532/24]
View answerWritten answers
Waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the NTPF and is available on their website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (554)
Paul Donnelly
Question:554. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of childhood flu vaccines distributed by GPs, pharmacists and walk in clinics in the winter of 2023-2024 period.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5533/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the HSE, I have referred the question to the HSE for a direct reply.
Hospital Staff
Questions (555)
Paul Donnelly
Question:555. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE optometrists and opticians working in the Mater Hospital in 2021,2022,2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [5534/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 Appointments Status
Questions (556)
Paul Donnelly
Question:556. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons who attended lung rapid access clinics in each month of 2023, in tabular form. [5535/24]
View answerWritten answers
The rapid access assessment services for Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics, Rapid Access Lung Clinics and Rapid Access Prostate Clinics operate in each of the eight designated cancer centres, with one additional breast satellite clinic. These clinics provide a streamlined pathway to diagnostic evaluation and specialist review for these three major cancers. It is important to note that these are symptomatic patients being assessed for suspected cancer, the majority of whom will not be diagnosed with cancer.
All new patients attending symptomatic breast disease and rapid access lung and prostate cancer clinics are clinically assessed and undergo one or more diagnostic test, as clinically indicated. However, not all breast, lung and prostate cancers are diagnosed through the Symptomatic Breast Disease and Rapid Access Clinic services. While it is estimated that almost all symptomatic patients attending public hospitals and subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer are diagnosed via the symptomatic breast disease clinics, only about half of all lung cancers and a third of prostate cancers are diagnosed via the rapid access route.The most up to date information available for the total number of newly referred persons who attended lung rapid access clinics in each month (January to August inclusive) of 2023 is given in Table 1 below.
Table 1 The total number of newly referred persons who attended lung rapid access clinics (January to August inclusive) in 2023. Please note, due to the current Fórsa action impacting on the data returns for this period it is not possible to collate complete data relating to the months September to December 2023
|
New Attendances (Lung) |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
April |
May |
June |
Jul |
Aug |
|
2023 |
385 |
382 |
384 |
350 |
403 |
373 |
363 |
405 |
Departmental Data
Questions (557)
John Lahart
Question:557. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the outcomes of having taxed sugar drinks; and whether any detailed research has been carried out into the outcomes. [5539/24]
View answerWritten answers
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a coordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland and the increasing burden placed on individuals and society.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
Under OPAP, commitment was given to “develop proposals for a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks”, and “review the evidence…for fiscal measures on products that are high in fat, sugar and salt.”
Following a proposal developed by this Department in consultation with stakeholders, the Department of Finance introduced the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018. The SSDT has now been in operation for more than five years. Initial indications are that the tax has had a positive impact, particularly in terms of encouraging drinks producers to reduce the sugar content in their products.
In August 2023 the Department sought tenders for an external evaluation of the SSDT with the outcomes of interest to include any one, or all, of the following:
- the extent to which the tax was successful in realizing the objectives as stated in the original policy document and set out below:
(1) that individuals reduce consumption of sugar sweetened drinks by reducing the amount consumed or switching to healthier choices.
(2) that industry reformulates products to reduce (not necessarily remove) levels of added sugar in the drinks products.
- other impacts that the tax may have on public health as identified by recent studies, such as evaluations of dental outcomes and also the measurement of the impact on metabolic markers.
A contract for the evaluation was awarded in September 2023. The evaluation is ongoing, and we expect it to be complete in April 2024. The Department intends to publish it in a timely manner.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (558)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:558. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to seek information from the management of all acute hospitals as to whether third party companies are contracted to provide medical consultation, advice, reading of scans and so on, outside of normal working hours, where consultants are already employed and on call for the same acute hospital; if so, the reasons for same; if a lack of IT systems are to blame for such an occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5540/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a operational matter, I referred this question to the HSE for answer. Additionally, 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.
Departmental Properties
Questions (559, 560)
Matt Carthy
Question:559. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if the building utilised by Carrickmacross Social Services, located at Cloughvalley, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan was sold by the HSE to a third party organisation; the reason for such a sale; the details of such sale; the oversight involved and the individuals and structures that approved any such sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5542/24]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:560. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if provision has been made to ensure that Carrickmacross Social Services can continue to use the building and facilities at Cloughvalley, Carrickmacross that is or was in the ownership of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5543/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 560 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you 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 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.
Question No. 560 answered with Question No. 559.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (561)
Niamh Smyth
Question:561. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); to note that despite Parliamentary Question response No. 3490 of 21 January 2024, referral has been received by the hospital on 12 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5585/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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, and regarding the response issued by the HSE to PQ 3490/24 theses are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to re examine the matter in light of the referral details provided in the Deputy’s question and 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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (562)
Holly Cairns
Question:562. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide detail on the planned closure of 16 beds across two units in Clonakilty Community Hospital in order to facilitate the opening of a new unit; whether concerns have been raised with the HSE by unions in regards to safe staffing levels in the hospital as a result of the new unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5595/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (563)
Holly Cairns
Question:563. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health whether an increase in the number of community beds in Bandon Hospital could be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5597/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (564)
Holly Cairns
Question:564. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the scarcity of (details supplied); the measures being taken to ensure GPs are able to prescribe alternative medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5598/24]
View answerWritten answers
Accord Healthcare Ireland Ltd, has advised of a shortage of Atomoxetine 100mg Hard Capsules, Atomoxetine Accord 10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, 60mg and 80mg Hard Capsules due to an unexpected increase in demand. Multiple countries, not just Ireland is impacted by this shortage. The company has advised that replenishment orders are due to be manufactured in February and they aim to have stock available in market late April/early May. The company has issued a letter to Healthcare professionals regarding this. (https://www.hpra.ie/docs/default-source/Shortages-Docs/atomoxetine-hcp-letter.pdf?sfvrsn=2).
There have been a number of recent interruptions in the supply of medicines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2023 and 2024. We recognise that medicine shortages can be challenging for patients, carers, healthcare professionals and their teams. Based on shortages notified to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), this matter has been the subject of engagement across Health Service stakeholders. Where at all possible, all parties are focused on pre-empting and responding to any potential impacts on medicines supply. Where a shortage cannot be prevented, we will aim to provide useful information to healthcare professionals and patients.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website, where the details, including the information above, are detailed. The webpage is updated daily as new information is received. Additionally, the HPRA has published information to outline the current ADHD medication position and the ongoing coordinated response to minimise impact while supply of these medicines stabilises.
National stocks of all the medicines listed above are subject to close monitoring and assessment at wholesale level to monitor for any change in this position. The HSE National Clinical Programme for Mental Health is being kept informed of the current position and will engage directly with relevant specialists as required.
The current position is that there are medicines available across all active ingredients (atomoxetine, guanfacine, lisdexmetamphetamine or methylphenidate). For some products, while an individual strength may be in short supply, suitable alternatives should be available. In some cases, this may include medicines sourced from other markets via appropriately authorised wholesalers.
Where this shortage impacts ongoing treatment for a patient, prescribers and pharmacists, in conjunction with patients, should discuss with their Healthcare professional the most appropriate course of action, based on suitable alternative treatment options available.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (565)
Holly Cairns
Question:565. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to provide up to date information to GPs of medication shortages and suitable alternatives, in order to prevent patients receiving prescriptions they are unable to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5599/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for regulating medicines and medical products in Ireland. The HPRA operates the Medicines Shortage Framework on behalf of the Minister for Health. The Medicines Shortages Framework’s aim is to help avert potential shortages from occurring and to reduce the impact of shortages on patients by co-ordinating the management of potential or actual shortages as they arise. The multi-stakeholder framework includes representation from the Department of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare professionals, the HSE, and patients. In the case of medicines used most often in Ireland, there are typically multiple alternatives available from various sources that remain available to ensure continuity of treatment.
The HPRA publishes and maintains a list of current and resolved medicines shortages on its website available to the public and to healthcare professionals. Information is provided on preventing, managing, and reporting shortages. The webpage is updated daily as new information is received.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (566)
Joan Collins
Question:566. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant maxillofacial surgeon at St. James's Hospital; and the average waiting times to see the consultant. [5635/24]
View answerWritten answers
This Government recognises that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures are too long and continue to be impacted 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 built on the foundational work done in previous plans, achieving significant progress in relation to waiting lists, including advancements made on overall waiting list reduction for the second year in a row, and progress made in addressing long waiting times.The Department of Health is working with the HSE to finalise both the End of Year Report against the 2023 WLAP as well as the new WLAP 2024, which will take account of learnings from 2023 as well as the funding envelope provided for 2024.For 2024, funding totalling €407 million is being allocated to tackle waiting lists with €332 million of this allocated to the 2024 WLAP, and the remaining €75 million targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.The funding will encompass core HSE activity, additionality provided through both the NTPF and the HSE, as well as progressing new service developments to further reform elective care, and will facilitate the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care for everyone, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.With regard to the information requested by the Deputy, 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. The number of patients waiting and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
Health Services
Questions (567)
Joan Collins
Question:567. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of dementia day centres located within CHO7; the capacity of each of these centres; and if each of the centres are opened five days a week. [5636/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (568)
Joan Collins
Question:568. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff by job title working in the accident and emergency department of the Mater Hospital. [5637/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 (569)
Joan Collins
Question:569. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of student midwives offered a full-time contract with the HSE in the Coombe Maternity Hospital in 2022 and 2023; of the number of contracts offered; the number that were accepted, in tabular form. [5638/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 (570)
Joan Collins
Question:570. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE paediatric urologist registrars working in CHI Crumlin in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [5639/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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.
Home Care Packages
Questions (571)
Robert Troy
Question:571. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided in each CHO region, in tabular form; how these hours are provided for example by private provider contracted in or by HSE employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5641/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Home Help Service
Questions (572)
Robert Troy
Question:572. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours sanctioned or approved and waiting on a service provider in each CHO region.. [5642/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Nursing Homes
Questions (573)
Seán Sherlock
Question:573. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to conduct a review on calculations made for the nursing home support scheme (details supplied). [5650/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Mental Health Services
Questions (574)
Alan Dillon
Question:574. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health to provide clarification on when the youth mental health pathfinder project will be implemented; when the Government will place a pathfinder unit on a statutory footing through section 12 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and provide budgetary allocations for the implementation of this project. [5655/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government and I remain committed to the development of all aspects of mental health services nationally, including those for children and young people.This is reflected by the record allocation of over €1.3 billion secured for mental health in 2024, which includes a wide spectrum of services for young people ranging from prevention and early intervention to clinical programmes or acute in-patient care. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will receive approximately €146.5 million dedicated funding this year. I announced an additional €10m extra funding at the National Sharing the Vision Mental Health Conference recently to support the clinical programmes and youth mental health. This further highlights my commitment to mental health and the Government’s recognition of mental health as a central component to overall health.In terms of youth mental health service development and improvement, for the first time in the history of the State we now have a dedicated National Office for Youth Mental Health in the HSE. This is a very significant development that I have delivered on and it will improve leadership, operational oversight, and management of all service delivery and improvements. Both a new HSE National Clinical Lead for Child and Youth Mental Health and a new Assistant National Director for Child and Youth Mental Health have recently taken up post. These posts will allow the HSE to focus on the provision of more integrated services for young people, as envisaged under Sharing the Vision and Sláintecare. The cross-governmental Pathfinder team (which commenced its work in 2016) suggested that no one Government actor (department, office or agency) had the required broad policy scope to address all of the policy challenges underpinning the issues around youth mental health in Ireland, including youth mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention and specialist mental health service provision. The original envisioned focus of Pathfinder was to support a whole-system-triage for individual cases, to amend existing processes and systems to incentivise joined-up working, to give existing local structures the capability to progress change in their community, and to introduce a single set of cross-service key performance indicators.Given that these approved areas for action are now seven years old, and in light of policy and service developments to date, a Pathfinder unit is no longer considered the appropriate structure relevant to the current policy, operational, and political setting. Rather, the central ethos underpinning the value of cross-Departmental collaborative working in the area of youth mental health is now being progressed through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Spotlight initiative under the successor policy to Bright Outcomes Better Future-The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020.I am assured that the Mental Health Unit will continue to progress priorities under Sharing the Vision workstreams and structures, while additionally utilising Spotlight as a tool to enhance collaborative working, alignment of policy actions, and where possible as a means to overcome potential barriers to policy progression or service improvements. The Mental Health Spotlight Programme will function as an additional support strand to facilitate the progression of policy objectives, identify barriers to policy implementation and service improvement, while at the same time addressing the calls for a dedicated cross-government Unit to coordinate collaboration in a number of key areas of youth mental health across participating departments on a non-statutory basis.I have been advised that the Mental Health Unit will work with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to formally define Spotlight under their National Policy Framework for Children and Young People and to agree and define central stakeholders, and measurable outputs, with associated KPIs across multiple Departments/agencies.Both I and the Department of Health welcomes the opportunity that the development of the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People brings. The overall approach of coordinating a series of Spotlights on cross-sectoral themes that impact the lives of children and young people is an important thematic approach that brings the potential for improving access to services. In this context I know the Mental Health Unit has welcomed the opportunity to place a Spotlight on youth mental health within Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth's Framework. The Mental Health Spotlight will sit beside a Spotlight focusing on Disability Services, and a third Spotlight encompassing the work of the Department of An Taoiseach’s Child Poverty Unit. As currently envisioned, the Mental Health Spotlight initiative will align closely with the Department of Health’s current youth mental health policy objectives and implementation plans under Sharing the Vision. The Spotlight initiative may be seen as an important lever to further current and on-going mental health implementation plans.This integration of accessible, signposted, services, remains to the forefront of all youth mental health service improvements. I look forward to how the work of the Pathfinder project to date can be used to inform the youth mental health Spotlight programme. There is no doubt that issues around youth mental health span many government Departments, and improved coordination in this area is needed. Improving access to youth mental health services for children and their families remains a priority for me, Minister Donnelly, and the Department of Health.
Dental Services
Questions (575)
Patricia Ryan
Question:575. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if urgent orthodontic treatment will be expedited for a child (details supplied) [5706/24]
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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.