Brian Stanley
Question:31. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the expected final cost of the National Children's Hospital; and whether it will meet the deadline for completion. [8119/24]
View answerNational Children's Hospital
Questions (31)
Written answers
On 13 February 2024, Government approved enhanced capital and current budget sanctions for the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) project and programme, bringing the total approved budget to €2.24billion.
Included in this is the capital budget of €1.88 billion for designing, building and equipping the NCH and the two satellite centres. A separate €362 million budget is in place for the programme of integration and transition of services to the NCH, including commissioning, ICT, and the Electronic Health Record system.
The approved increase in the capital budget will address risk areas identified in the 2019 PwC report, which had the potential to place further cost pressure on the approved capital budget, including the impact of construction inflation greater than 4%. The Government considers that the project now has sufficient funding to address identified risks and see the hospital completed and opened.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board has advised that delay is the biggest contributor to cost but that the main contractor has set out its programme for the completion of the construction and fit-out of the hospital by Q4 2024. I expect the contractor to fully and appropriately resource the project to complete the hospital in line with its own programme commitments. Following this, Children’s Health Ireland will undertake the operational commissioning period to prepare the hospital for opening.
Climate Action Plan
Questions (32)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the work his Department is conducting to tackle, mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change on the health sector; to report on any delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9554/24]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department
Hospital Overcrowding
Questions (33)
Gino Kenny
Question:33. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a recent ESRI report that found there is an immediate 1,000 bed deficit across public hospitals and an additional 330 beds are required each year for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9503/24]
View answerWritten answers
This Government is committed to strengthening the capacity and resilience of our health system through delivery of key infrastructural investments.
Since 2020, 1,150 acute beds have been opened across the country, which is more acute hospital beds delivered than in any comparable period since the HSE was established.
I, and my officials, have worked closely with the HSE to develop a capital programme for the coming years with significant ambitions in terms of health infrastructural investment and adding capacity.
Infrastructure & Construction priorities for 2024 include:
• Constructing the National Children’s Hospital
• Advancing the National Maternity Hospital
• Progressing the Surgical Hubs
• Progressing Elective Hospitals
• Progressing acute capacity projects including both Limerick Ward Blocks, Beaumont, Sligo, and completion of construction of acute beds throughout the country in 2024
• Continued investment in primary and community care, with 413 community beds due to complete construction throughout the country in 2024
• Continued investment in Mental Health infrastructure in community and acute settings.
• Continued investment in infrastructural risk, ambulance bases, equipment and ambulance replacement programmes
• Investment in Climate Action programme
I am currently reviewing the HSE Capital Plan 2024. Once approved, the Capital Plan 2024 will be published in line with established procedures.
I and my officials are engaging with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to funding support for additional acute bed capacity. This engagement is in the context of the updating of NDP ceilings that are under review.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (34)
Mark Ward
Question:34. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update the movement of elderly residents out of the willow and sycamore units in Cherry Orchard Hospital; if he will provide a progress report on works carried out at the units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9582/24]
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.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Questions (35)
Gino Kenny
Question:35. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health following the steps his Department will take on the recommendations of the Health Research Board's clinical review of the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9507/24]
View answerWritten answers
At the outset I must stress to the Deputy that the Health Research Board (HRB) did not conduct a clinical review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP).
The HRB, at the request of the Department of Health, was requested to ascertain whether there is sufficient evidence to broaden the scope of the 3 conditions which could be treated with cannabis-based products under the MCAP. The exercise consisted of an initial evidence gathering and a subsequent evidence synthesis, the results of which were published in January.
The HRB’s publication does not make any recommendations, as explained above that was not its purpose. A clinical review group will examine the findings of the evidence synthesis publication to determine if there is sufficient evidence to expand the range of conditions covered by the MCAP. In these circumstances it is appropriate to wait for the recommendations of the clinical review group.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (36)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:36. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposed changes to the funding model for post-mastectomy products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9368/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case. The Community Funded Schemes (CFS) is the collective name for the provision of these products and services.
The Community Funded Scheme service improvement programme recently published two new national procedures for the provision of an allowance for cancer treatment in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products. The HSE advise that the intention of the new procedures was to standardize provision across the country.
I instructed the HSE to ensure that no patient, either currently availing of the scheme or accessing it in the future, should be at any financial loss as a result of the proposed changes.
The HSE has since communicated to each CHO advising them to revert to the pre-existing level of contributions to patients in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products until such time as the new procedures can be reviewed in terms of the proposed allowances to be provided. CHOs were also instructed to contact any member of the public who received an email/communication advising them of the new procedure to inform them it has been withdrawn. This communication also reiterated that no person should be disadvantaged in any way in the intervening period.
I want to reiterate that progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services over the last few years. I want to ensure that the necessary supports are put in place so that every woman has the same level of access to appropriate healthcare no matter where they live in Ireland.
Medicinal Products
Questions (37, 47)
David Stanton
Question:37. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the State's position with respect to the EU revision of pharmaceutical legislation ahead of EU Parliamentary Committee votes expected in March 2024; if he supports proposals to reduce regulatory data protection for manufacturers; the impact that such a reduction will have on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9568/24]
View answer
James O'Connor
Question:47. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the Government's position in respect of the European Union's revision of pharmaceutical legislation, given that EU Parliamentary Committee votes are expected in March 2024; if he supports proposals to reduce regulatory data protection for manufacturers; the impact that such a reduction will have on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 47 together.
On the 26 April 2023 the EU Commission published its proposal to revise the general pharmaceutical legislation - this is in the form of a Directive and a Regulation. This is the first full revision of the pharmaceutical legislation in over 20 years and is significant to all stakeholders involved in the medicines’ ecosystem.
The aim of the pharmaceutical revision is described as ensuring access to affordable, available medicines, while maintaining the competitiveness of the EU pharma industry sector, combating antimicrobial resistance, and providing for compliance measures which reinforce environmental protections ( the ‘3 A’s and 3C’s’).
Ireland is currently deliberating these legislative proposals with national stakeholders to inform the national position. My Department is the lead Government department tasked with responding and engaging nationally and at EU level, as the proposal is negotiated by all EU-27 and progresses through the ordinary legislative process.
Belgium, during its Presidency, have confirmed that they will focus their efforts in January and February on shortages/security of supply. They will then move to deliberate on the theme incentives during the planned Working Party meetings taking place in March.
To recognise the importance of this EU file, I established the Cross Government and Cross Agency Pharmaceutical Strategy Working Group (PSWG) to support the development of Ireland’s response to the proposal from a national perspective and facilitate this position to be informed by a whole of government view.
The PSWG continues to meet to discuss this package regularly and is actively involved in considering the detail of the proposed package of legislative measures, ensuring a well informed and balanced Irish position.
The Department of Health conducted a consultation exercise on shortages with key external stakeholders from various backgrounds at the end of 2023 to help in informing the national position and this will feed into the Irish negotiation mandate.
Furthermore ,the Department has just completed a consultation on incentives and again this information will feed into the preparation of an Irish position. RDP is included in this review. Officials in the Department have started reviewing and analyzing this data. It is vital that the Irish position is fully considered and a balance is found that ensures improved access to medicines to patients in Ireland while also addressing industry concerns.
I look forward to working collectively with all stakeholders as the package continues to be deliberated in Europe and I would like to thank key stakeholders for their continued engagement with this important file.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (38)
Gino Kenny
Question:38. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years who are on NTPF treatment waiting lists; and the number of these who are waiting for over 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9504/24]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised 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 and the NTPF 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.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached information, provided to my Department by the NTPF provides the number of children under 18 years who are on NTPF treatment waiting lists, and the number of these who are waiting for over 12 months.
Emergency Departments
Questions (39)
Willie O'Dea
Question:39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of reductions of attendances in emergency departments in each public and voluntary hospital in 2023 relative to 2022 following on from his positive statement of a 20% reduction in ED attendances overall in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9550/24]
View answerWritten answers
In reference to Deputy O’Dea’s PQ 9550 (details below), Unscheduled Care are not able to provide data in direct response to the query raised. Deputy O’Dea states that Minister Donnelly made a recent statement regarding a 20% reduction in emergency department attendance figures in 2023 when compared to 2022. The data available to the Department currently shows that overall emergency department attendances were broadly similar in 2023 and 2022. It must be noted that due to recent industrial action, the attendance figures for both CHI Crumlin and CHI Temple Street are not available for Q4 2023. If the emergency department presentation metric was referred to in error by the Deputy’s PQ, the unit will provide the data on another metric, at site-level, if available. The unit has attempted to contact the Deputy’s office by email and telephone without success to clarify the PQ.
|
Emergency Department Attendances |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Beaumont Hospital |
63,660 |
61,467 |
|
Cavan General Hospital |
37,308 |
37,704 |
|
CHI at Crumlin* |
42,392 |
28,387 |
|
CHI at Tallaght |
36,240 |
33,835 |
|
CHI at Temple Street* |
50,606 |
32,671 |
|
Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown |
50,111 |
50,943 |
|
Cork University Hospital |
72,948 |
78,174 |
|
Letterkenny University Hospital |
47,667 |
52,714 |
|
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital |
99,035 |
96,217 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
38,332 |
39,860 |
|
Mercy University Hospital |
41,876 |
32,489 |
|
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise |
42,417 |
42,686 |
|
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore |
39,407 |
41,594 |
|
Naas General Hospital |
29,595 |
31,227 |
|
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda |
69,703 |
71,133 |
|
Our Lady's Hospital, Navan |
25,216 |
24,907 |
|
Portiuncula University Hospital |
29,700 |
30,360 |
|
Regional Hospital Mullingar |
41,578 |
42,479 |
|
Sligo University Hospital |
43,805 |
44,074 |
|
St. James's Hospital |
52,825 |
54,867 |
|
St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny |
45,143 |
47,910 |
|
St. Vincent's University Hospital |
62,089 |
62,930 |
|
Tallaght University Hospital |
52,414 |
55,476 |
|
Tipperary University Hospital |
33,499 |
34,792 |
|
University Hospital Galway |
75,524 |
75,597 |
|
University Hospital Kerry |
39,029 |
41,774 |
|
University Hospital Limerick |
79,784 |
80,000 |
|
University Hospital Waterford |
62,736 |
71,759 |
|
Wexford General Hospital |
48,082 |
37,275 |
|
National |
1,452,721 |
1,435,301 |
|
*Incomplete data for 2023 |
Mental Health Services
Questions (40)
Duncan Smith
Question:40. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide an action plan to address CAHMS waiting lists in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/24]
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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (41)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:41. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the planned developments at Belmullet and Ballina District Hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9700/24]
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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (42)
Marian Harkin
Question:42. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the establishment of a dedicated intestinal failure unit in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9482/24]
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.
Home Help Service
Questions (43)
Alan Dillon
Question:43. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health what measures are in place to increase the number of home care providers and home help professionals in community healthcare networks versus the level of demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9723/24]
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.
Ambulance Service
Questions (44)
Thomas Pringle
Question:44. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his Department's plans for the role out of the community paramedics position within the Ambulance Service; the impact they can make on casualty admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/24]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) utilises a range of different practitioner grades to deliver a broad range of prehospital services. This includes Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Advanced Paramedic and Specialist Community Paramedic. Training for staff in the NAS at basic and specialist levels is generally undertaken at the NAS College in partnership with academic partners.
Due to the changing demographics and the clinical needs of an ageing population, the NAS in collaboration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) are developing a number of practice frameworks which will guide the future direction of NAS specialist prehospital care. This includes community paramedicine as a form of community-based health care, in which paramedics respond to low acuity calls outside of their normal emergency response role to facilitate more appropriate use of emergency response resources.
I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy with any further pertinent information it may have in this matter, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (45)
Pauline Tully
Question:45. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the reason for lengthy waiting times for MRI scans at Temple Street Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9715/24]
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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (46)
Colm Burke
Question:46. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made in the delivery of the new surgical hub for Cork University Hospital; the up-to-date position with regard to the new elective hospital in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hubs and elective hospitals to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
Question No. 47 taken with No. 37
Vaccination Programme
Questions (48)
John Lahart
Question:48. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if RSV vaccines will be available to sections of the population this winter; if so, how such a vaccination programme will be rolled out; how the vaccines will be procured in light of the State's experience of the pandemic vaccine procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9376/24]
View answerWritten answers
NIAC has submitted advice to my Department which advises that RSV vaccines, which have recently received EMA authorisation, for infants and persons over 65yrs, are safe and effective and should be considered for use in Ireland. In its advice NIAC also noted that further analysis of cost effectiveness and programmatic considerations is required to determine the most appropriate use of RSV vaccination in Ireland.
Following consideration of NIAC's advice, my Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to determine firstly, whether infant or adult vaccination would provide the greatest benefit in reducing healthcare utilisation due to RSV infection, and secondly, what the most cost-effective RSV immunisation strategy for Ireland would be.
The request was revised in light of current RSV season and in December, my Department requested that HIQA initially undertake a rapid HTA of infant immunisation against RSV in Ireland. This will be followed by a full HTA technology of immunisation against RSV in Ireland, which will include infant and older adults.
By prioritising the HTA for infants my Department wishes to ensure that there is an evidence base for the implementation of a programme for the group where the burden of disease is most significant. The outcome of the full HTA will inform the development of any RSV immunisation programme, including what age groups should be offered a vaccine.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (49)
Pauline Tully
Question:49. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health for an update on the issue of the GP service in Swanlinbar, County Cavan; if the HSE has agreed to meet with the residents to discuss potential solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9714/24]
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, 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.
Health Service Executive
Questions (50)
Brian Stanley
Question:50. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the total spend on agency staff in the HSE in 2022 and 2023 in CHO8. [8118/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to expenditure at an operational level, I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.