James Lawless
Question:116. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine a case (details provided) and to detail what procedures are in place to correct and assist the applicants in these circumstances. [9596/24]
View answerDepartmental Correspondence
Questions (116)
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.
Civil Registration Service
Questions (117)
James Lawless
Question:117. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine a case as regards a notification of intention to marry appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9600/24]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (118)
Robert Troy
Question:118. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the required orthodontic care is provided to a person (details supplied) without further delay. [9402/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (119)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the most up-to-date information regarding specialist bras and prosthesis available to women; the number of items they are sanctioned for; how often they are sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9410/24]
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.
Official Engagements
Questions (120, 121)
David Cullinane
Question:120. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his engagements with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board since 1 January 2023; the number of engagements; the types of engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9419/24]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:121. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his engagements with the chair of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board since 1 January 2023; the number of engagements; the types of engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9420/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am fully committed to ensuring the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) on the campus shared with St James’s hospital in Dublin, is completed as quickly as possible, on behalf of children, young people, and their families.
There is ongoing engagement between officials within my Department and the key stakeholders involved in the project including HSE and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) Executive. Updates are regularly provided to me regarding the project and its delivery.
I have met with the Chair of the Board of the NPHDB, in person, on several occasions since the beginning of 2023 to the present day. I have also been in contact with the Chair by phone.
I most recently met with the Chairperson and the members of her Board in February 2024 following Government’s approval for the enhanced capital budget for the project.
Official Engagements
Questions (122, 123, 124)
David Cullinane
Question:122. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his engagements with Children’s Health Ireland since 1 January 2023; the number of engagements; the types of engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9421/24]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:123. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his engagements with the chair of the Board of Children’s Health Ireland since 1 January 2023; the number of engagements; the types of engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9422/24]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:124. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his engagements with the chief executive officer of Children’s Health Ireland since 1 January 2023; the number of engagements; the types of engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9423/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123 and 124 together.
I have had a number of engagements with the Chair of the Board of Children’s Health Ireland, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and clinical staff from Children’s Health Ireland since the beginning of 2023 to the present day. During these engagements a range of matters were discussed, including the provision of services to children and young people, progress with the new children’s hospital, and corporate governance matters.
My officials are also in regular contact with their counterparts in the HSE and CHI on the provision of/access to care.
Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 122.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 122.
Official Engagements
Questions (125)
David Cullinane
Question:125. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his engagements with the chair of the Board of the Health Service Executive in relation to children’s health services since 1 January 2023; the number of engagements; the types of engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9424/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have met with the Chair of the Board of the HSE, in person, on several occasions since the beginning of 2023 to the present day. I am also in regular contact with the Chair by phone. During these engagements we discussed the provision of health services, to adults and children. I also engage regularly with the CEO on these matters, as do my officials and Secretary General.
Correspondence regularly issues between my Office and that of the Chair and Chief Executive on a variety of topics, including children’s healthcare. My officials are also in regular contact with their counterparts in the HSE on the provision of/access to care.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (126)
Brendan Howlin
Question:126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if a capital allocation to construct the new 97-bed block at Wexford General Hospital, which has full planning permission, is included in this year's capital programme for the HSE; when he expects construction to begin on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9426/24]
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 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 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.
Mental Health Policy
Questions (127)
Patrick Costello
Question:127. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the reason the understanding and managing adult ADHD programme was not chosen for funding by the HSE for 2024, and what supports he intends to provide to it in its place. [9427/24]
View answerWritten answers
ADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
It can cause many issues in areas such as personal and social relations, education and occupation, managing money and organising life in general. There is also an increased risk of having other mental health difficulties with it such as anxiety and depression.
Children can access ADHD assessments through the National Educational Psychological Service. In addition to this, as per the CAMHS Operational Guidelines, CAMHS take referrals for children and adolescents up to age 18 with moderate to severe ADHD.
I am aware that prior to the inception of the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD which I launched in 2021, there were no specific ADHD public services available for Adults in Ireland.
The National Clinical Programme for ADHD is delivered as part of the HSE’s mental health service provision to ensure an integrated, person-centred response to adults with ADHD. The programme includes both assessment and treatment of the disorder and works collaboratively with voluntary agencies. It envisages a national service of ADHD teams, with each Team comprised of Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health, and an administrator.
Enhancement of specialist mental health services such as ADHD is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole and the HSE. Since 2021, over €3 million has been made available for funding ADHD posts from Programme for Government funding. This has enabled the set-up of 5 ADHD Teams with recruitment of over 25 posts, and two more teams are currently in development with posts funded for them.
In addition, as part of the National Clinical Programme adults funding of €150,000 was allocated to facilitate a collaboration with ADHD Ireland and the UCD School of Psychology to develop an ADHD app and the UMAAP Programme (Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme). Both the ADHD App and the UMAAP Programme have proven to be two very positive resources for people with ADHD.
The UMAAP Programme is delivered as a 5-week workshop, and its aim is to provide education and tools for adults on how to manage ADHD.
I am pleased to confirm that further to recent discussions between the Department of Health and the HSE to finalise 2024 mental health funding, ADHD Ireland will be provided with funding for provision of the UMAAP Programme in 2024 and beyond. I look forward to launching the UMAAP Programme in April as agreed with ADHD Ireland.
Health Services
Questions (128)
Patrick Costello
Question:128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 30 January 2024, the specific medications and dosages that are commonly prescribed by the National Gender Service for trans women seeking progesterone. [9429/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (129, 130)
Patrick Costello
Question:129. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 14 February 2024, which in particular of the over fifty references in the mentioned interim report are the relevant clinical studies. [9430/24]
View answerPatrick Costello
Question:130. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 317 of 14 February 2024, which specific autism supports are needed by the National Gender Service, and what issues the lack of same leads to. [9431/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.
As this is a service matter I am referring to the HSE for further response.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 129.
Home Help Service
Questions (131)
Matt Carthy
Question:131. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 8 February 2024, the time within which home support teams are obliged to respond to communications from those being provided with care; the notice they are obliged to provide to those in receipt of care should they be unable to meet agreed levels of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9441/24]
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 recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Home Care Packages
Questions (132)
Matt Carthy
Question:132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of people in receipt of home care in County Monaghan; the number of people, and number of weeks, where the agreed level of support was not received in the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9442/24]
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 recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (133)
Róisín Shortall
Question:133. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the date on which a decision on funding for this organisation will be taken, given the urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9443/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Gender Recognition
Questions (134)
Duncan Smith
Question:134. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on his commitment to meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9447/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated Model of Care for transgender services, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The Deputy will be aware that the position of Clinical Lead for Transgender Services has been offered to an applicant. This person, once in place, will lead a team in the development of the Model of Care and Implementation Plan for Transgender Care.
As I said in the Dáil on 19th January, I am happy to meet with advocacy groups but ultimately, they need to be talking to the people who are developing the Model of Care. There is a clear and well-established approach to the development of this model of care which will incorporate best available clinical evidence and input from healthcare professionals, patient advocates and those with lived experience.
Medicinal Products
Questions (135)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:135. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the current number of whole-time equivalent staff working in the pricing and reimbursement system for medicines; the number in the HSE's corporate pharmaceutical unit; the number in the NCPE, the NCCP and the HSE's Medicines Management Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9448/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) has 20.5 whole-time equivalent staff.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible, providing the requested information on the number of staff in the Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU), the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), and the Medicines Management Programme (MMP).
Medicinal Products
Questions (136)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:136. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to outline the Governance arrangements in place by his Department to ensure schedule 1 of the framework agreement with the pharmaceutical industry is complied with by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9450/24]
View answerWritten answers
Schedule 1 of the Framework Agreements on the Pricing and Supply of Medicines (FASPM) outlines the principles and processes for the assessment of new medicines in Ireland. The HSE has statutory responsibility for the assessment of new medicines is accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act, 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on the reimbursement of medicines.
In 2024, there will be significant investment in additional staff resources to enhance the HSE’s medicines pricing and reimbursement process. This is a recommendation of the working group I established following the publication of the Mazars ‘Review of the Governance Arrangements and the Resources in place to support the HSE’s reimbursement and pricing decision-making process’ in February 2023.
Investing in this capacity will support agencies to operate to the fullest of their ability, providing timely and efficient evaluation of medicines for reimbursement.
More detail on the measures to be implemented in 2024 are set out in the HSE’s National Service Plan (NSP). These include a commitment to deliver increased visibility on the steps / progress made by each individual medicine through the HSE assessment and approval processes. My Department will monitor the performance of the HSE in delivering the NSP through an established DoH-HSE performance engagement model. The model provides for structured engagement at various levels within both organisations to identify service delivery challenges and agree and implement improvement actions.
Medicinal Products
Questions (137)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:137. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE’s systems can extract spending on reimbursements in respect of orphan drugs; and if so, the amount spent in this respect in each year 2014-2023 inclusive, in tabular form. [9451/24]
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.
Departmental Staff
Questions (138)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:138. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will supply data detailing the staffing breakdown of the National Rare Diseases Office, by grade and WTE rating; and the monetary allocation to and outturn spending of the NRDO for the period 2015–2023, in tabular form. [9452/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Obesity Levels
Questions (139)
Colm Burke
Question:139. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people currently waiting on obesity clinic appointments since 2019 to 2023; and the average waiting time to access services once a referral has been made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9454/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Obesity Levels
Questions (140)
Colm Burke
Question:140. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on obesity clinic appointments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9455/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Obesity Levels
Questions (141)
Colm Burke
Question:141. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of obesity clinics operational in the health service; and the number of consultants specialising in this area. [9456/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.