Duncan Smith
Question:314. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE physiotherapists working in Wexford General Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [5860/24]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (314)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (315)
Duncan Smith
Question:315. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists working in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, in the years of 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [5861/24]
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 (316)
Duncan Smith
Question:316. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of national and international health recruitment fairs staff from CHI Temple Street were in attendance to seek to recruit additional nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, etc. in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the number of recruitment fairs where staff were present the number of jobs offered per fair. [5862/24]
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.
Care Services
Questions (317)
Duncan Smith
Question:317. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Kerry who have requested additional home care hours; and the average waiting times for receiving additional care. [5863/24]
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (318)
Duncan Smith
Question:318. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who visited the neurofibromatosis clinic at CHI Tallaght in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5864/24]
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (319)
Duncan Smith
Question:319. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the capital investment and refurbishment by the HSE at St Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal in each of the years 2020 to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5865/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Services
Questions (320)
Duncan Smith
Question:320. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the chronic disease management hub in Ennis in respect of services currently provided; and the roll-out of additional services and staffing details of the hub. [5866/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Hospital Staff
Questions (321)
Duncan Smith
Question:321. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in intensive care at St. James's Hospital, Dublin in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5867/24]
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 Facilities
Questions (322)
Michael McNamara
Question:322. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 1595 of 17 January 2024, when the question will be answered and the information sought be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5871/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE 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.
Medical Cards
Questions (323)
Michael McNamara
Question:323. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 1492 of 17 January 2024, when the question will be answered and the information sought be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5872/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Health Services
Questions (324)
Duncan Smith
Question:324. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have availed of emergency contraception under the free contraception scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5878/24]
View answerWritten answers
The free contraception scheme for women aged 17 -25, ordinarily resident in Ireland, was launched on 14th September, 2022. Its remit has been expanded gradually to include women aged from 17 to 31 inclusive, from January 1st, 2024. Approximately €43.9m has been allocated to support the scheme in 2024 and approximately 2,400 GPs, primary care, family planning and student health centres and 2,050 community pharmacies have contracts with the HSE to provide services under the scheme.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs, primary care, student health and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants inserted while eligible under the scheme will remain eligible for subsequent checks and free removal of any devices inserted prior to their 32nd birthday, to ensure continuity of care.
It is important to note that prescription contraception, while being very effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy, does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The National Condom Distribution Scheme supports both STI prevention and accessible contraception for men and their partners. Free condoms can be accessed through the national network of STI clinics, participating charities and NGO partners and on participating 3rd level campuses. Since 2023, free condoms have also been supplied with orders for free home STI testing kits.
As the data regarding the number of people that have availed of emergency contraception is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (325)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:325. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing issues for children awaiting limb reconstruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5888/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Limb Reconstruction Service is a subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery and in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). It is delivered at three locations: CHI at Crumlin, CHI at Temple Street and The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC). Reconstruction techniques are concerned with the correction of congenital and acquired limb deformities and deficiencies. They involve procedures such as internal or external fixation.
Circular external fixators are regularly used to provide management for deformed and short limbs. Patients may have these devices in place for a period of 4 to 8 months with frequent attendances at clinics for planned specialist management.
As such, the management is complex and requires a dedicated team committed entirely to these complexities. Some of the care delivery is nurse led and there are 4 Clinical Nurse Specialists in place, 2 in CHI at Crumlin and 2 based in the NOHC, with outreach to CHI at Temple Street as required. The service also includes multiple other disciplines including surgery, physiotherapy, social work, occupational therapy, and psychology. All current limb reconstruction cases are discussed at a weekly MDT where management of issues, and upcoming cases are discussed.
Hospital Services
Questions (326)
Willie O'Dea
Question:326. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposal to develop a surgical hub in Limerick; when it is expected to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5892/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hub planned for Limerick to respond directly to the Deputy on the matters raised.
Industrial Relations
Questions (327)
Paul Murphy
Question:327. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an industrial relations issue (details supplied); if this is Government policy in respect of how the heath service is going to treat all public service employees; his views on this tactic of threatening public servant union members with suspension and ignoring all national protocols in the workplace if they do not comply with orders without any national agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5900/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Questions (328)
Ivana Bacik
Question:328. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when the report of the oversight group on vaginal mesh surgery will be published; the recommendations of the group; and when his Department will have reviewed the recommendations in respect of vaginal mesh surgery. [5906/24]
View answerWritten answers
The focus for the HSE and my Department is the full implementation of the CMO’s Report on The Use of Uro-Gynaecological Mesh in Surgical Procedures and ensuring that women who require aftercare following mesh complications receive high quality, multi-disciplinary patient centred care in accordance with the evidence and supported by robust clinical governance mechanisms.
The HSE established a National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group in 2023 to oversee vaginal mesh implants in our HSE acute hospitals in terms of both primary implant surgery and tertiary complications services.
Listening to the experiences of women affected by mesh remains a key priority for my Department. Work continues to progress with dedicated engagements with Mesh Survivors Ireland and Mesh Ireland and these engagements are central to my Departments review of the work of the HSE’s National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group.
Health Services
Questions (329)
Niamh Smyth
Question:329. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has waited so long to get an appointment with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5912/24]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
Hospital Services
Questions (330)
Martin Browne
Question:330. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to Cashel minor injuries unit each month in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of direct presentations initiated by the patient and the number of presentations based on referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5913/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Funding
Questions (331)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:331. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused funding to stay at a facility. [5915/24]
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.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (332)
Niamh Smyth
Question:332. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a pension from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5927/24]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (333)
Michael Ring
Question:333. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if his Department will sanction an increase for GPs who are in receipt of district medical officer salaries, in view of the immense service that they provide in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5928/24]
View answerWritten answers
A small number of practicing GPs receive an allowance known as the District Medical Officer salary to support them in the delivery of services in areas with reduced GMS populations. Although usually referred to as a 'salary', it is not in fact a salary and the GPs concerned are not employees of the HSE.
My Department has received a request in relation to increasing the rate of payment to GPs in receipt of this allowance. We are currently considering this request but I am not yet in a position to indicate whether an increase will be possible.
It is worth noting that under the GMS scheme specific supports are in place to support GPs in rural areas. Rural GP practices may be eligible for a rural practice support package which was increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Specific fees are also in place for dispensing doctors (who operate in rural areas), these have been increased by 28% under that Agreement. These supports in particular help sustain practices with smaller patient panels.
Furthermore, my Department and the HSE are currently undertaking a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future. The provision of GP services in certain rural and urban deprived areas that are underserved, and the possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to these locations, is a specific issue that will be examined under the review.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (334)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:334. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 18 January 2024, if he can provide an update on the publication of the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services; if the memo for Government has been completed; when the memo will be brought to Government; the timeline for publication and launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5929/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services, chaired by Prof Philip Nolan, commenced in 2018. A Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing, and patient representatives contributed to the Review.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend a configuration for national adult cardiac services to achieve optimal patient outcomes at the population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults and seeks to enhance and optimise service delivery across a region.
The Review faced considerable disruption during the pandemic and completed its work in 2023. The report is finalised. I have reviewed it, and a memo for the Government is being prepared. The recommendations of the review have been designed to inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (335)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:335. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that failure to publish the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services is negatively impacting cardiac imaging services and registry roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5930/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services, chaired by Prof Philip Nolan, commenced in 2018. A Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing, and patient representatives contributed to the Review.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend a configuration for national adult cardiac services to achieve optimal patient outcomes at the population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults and seeks to enhance and optimise service delivery across a region.
The Review faced considerable disruption during the pandemic and completed its work in 2023. The report is finalised. I have reviewed it, and a memo for the Government is being prepared. The recommendations of the review have been designed to inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally. Any future decisions on cardiac imaging services and registry roll out will be considered in this context.
Home Help Service
Questions (336)
Matt Carthy
Question:336. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the reason approved home support was not delivered to a person (details supplied) in November 2023; if he will ensure that approved supports will be delivered; the steps he has taken to ensure such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5961/24]
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.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (337)
Róisín Shortall
Question:337. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to correspondence (details supplied); if this funding application falls under the remit of his Department or the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the engagements he has had with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE in respect of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5963/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Home Help Service
Questions (338, 339)
Colm Burke
Question:338. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to address home support waiting lists in CHO 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6000/24]
View answerColm Burke
Question:339. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to recruit more home care workers in CHO 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6001/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
The Government has started implementing the findings of a Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Health Care Assistants set up to examine workforce challenges. Work continues to deliver on the recommendations of the Advisory Group. A cross-departmental Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Health has been established to oversee progress. The group meets quarterly and publishes progress reports thereafter. The most recent meeting was on 12 October 2023 and a progress report has been published. The next meeting was held on 1 February 2024.
A new and improved HSE Home Support Tender has been in place since August 2023. This delivers on commitments for sectoral reform such as payment for travel time for home support providers, paying carers the National Living Wage at a minimum, and bringing legacy rates in line with the new revised rates of funding. It is expected that the new tender should assist in the sourcing of additional hours to address current unmet need within the total budget allocation.
449 employment permits for homecare workers, as part of an initiative in partnership with Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment in relation to 1,000 employment permits for non-EEA homecare have issued between 16 December 2022 and 31 December 2023.
As the issues raised are operational matters, 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.
Question No. 339 answered with Question No. 338.