Written Answers Nos. 270-284
272. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if salaries of Section 39 organisations are paid by the State/his Department; if so, how many organisations have this in place; how this is determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23417/24]
View answerSection 39 organisations are not public bodies. They are privately operated, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
Although not the employer, the Department of Health does provide funding to those Section 39s organisations that fall under its remit, which in many cases will be used by these organisations to fund the salaries of their staff.
Following many months of extensive negotiations in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), an agreement was reached in October 2023 which saw an increase in funding for pay of staff in Section 39 organisations. An overall increase of 8% was agreed, with an initial increase of 3% backdated to April 2023, a 2% increase from 1st November 2023 and a further increase to be implemented on 1st March 2024.
It is important to acknowledge the vital role that these organisations and their staff play in our health and social care sectors. They continue to have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children, older people and in other social care settings. Government has a clear interest in ensuring the stability and sustainability of these services.
273. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the grounds on which an organisation (details supplied) was granted funding; if this will be extended to other similar organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23418/24]
View answer274. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given for the State/his Department to take on the payment of salaries of two staff members of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23419/24]
View answer275. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an organisation (details supplied) which is providing essential supports and services to cancer patients and their families and receive an amount; his views on this funding amount; his views on whether it is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/24]
View answer276. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an organisation (details supplied) providing much-needed free supports and services to cancer patients and their families across several counties struggling financially to continue providing these supports and services due to a lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23421/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 276, inclusive, together.
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recognises cancer support centres as a valuable resource, providing access to support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) works closely with a network of Community Cancer Support Centres, particularly in regard to the psycho-oncology models of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Community cancer support centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities. The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for CCSCs was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.
The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres & Services. Funding for current expenditure, including cancer services, is allocated on an annual (single-year) basis through the Estimates process with future levels of funding considered as part of the national estimates and budgetary process. Some centres and groups currently receive funding resources as Community Health Care Organisations through the HSE.
I have allocated additional funding of €3 million in 2024, which will support members of the NCCP Alliance of CCSCs. This funding will be allocated by the NCCP this year.
The Department of Health is not in a position to fund salaries of individuals working in third sector organisations beyond the recognised funding streams.
277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he is considering new measures in respect of vaping and the use of vaping products; if he is considering an outright ban on vaping; if so, the legal challenges and impediments that exist in this regard; the timelines he anticipates in respect of any actions he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23430/24]
View answerI have no plans to introduce an outright ban e-cigarettes, which is not permissible under the EU Tobacco Products Directive. However, I intend to develop legislation to further regulate nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes or vapes.
I recently held a public consultation to inform this process which sought views on areas such as flavours, appearance and point of sale advertising and display for nicotine inhaling products. The consultation received 15,822 responses. These responses are being analysed and will inform the development of legislation alongside evidence reviews, regulatory impact assessment and legal advice to ensure that any regulation is effective.
278. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/24]
View answerThe amounts outlined in below table were spent on traditional and online advertising over the years 2013-2023 and reconciled spend to date in 2024. This includes Healthy Ireland campaigns, departmental notices, departmental COVID-19 public health guidance and other departmental campaigns.
The overarching aim of Healthy Ireland to bring about a healthier population by supporting people to enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing. It is the Government-led initiative aimed at delivering the Sláintecare objective of preventing ill-health and keeping people well. Since 2018, Healthy Ireland developed a number of citizen engagement campaigns designed to raise public awareness of Healthy Ireland supports under three themes – healthy eating, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Further campaigns were also delivered to raise awareness of the expansion of the Free Contraception Scheme, the expansion of the GP Visit Card scheme, as well as raising awareness of various public consultations and public notices.
The Department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes a comprehensive advertising campaign across both traditional and online media channels for the purposes of informing the public and promoting the latest public health guidance. The level of advertising spend varies depending upon the public health requirements at the time.
The table below provides the information requested in this Parliamentary Question.
|
Year |
Supplier |
Total (VAT incl) |
|
2019 |
|
€23,683 |
|
2019 |
|
€8,881 |
|
2019 |
INFLUENT |
€5,100 |
|
2019 |
PHD PMP* |
€51,129 |
|
2019 |
PHD PROGRAMMATIC* |
€23,192 |
|
2019 |
|
€4,110 |
|
2020 |
|
€31,530 |
|
2020 |
PHD PMP* |
€95,702 |
|
2020 |
PHD PROGRAMMATIC* |
€40,315 |
|
2020 |
|
€12,243 |
|
2020 |
|
€35,824 |
|
2020 |
DIGITIZE |
€15,344 |
|
2020 |
MAXIMUM |
€4,121 |
|
2020 |
MEDIACENTRAL |
€13,002 |
|
2020 |
SHEOLOGY |
€16,550 |
|
2021 |
|
€99,363 |
|
2021 |
|
€45,276 |
|
2021 |
PHD PROGRAMMATIC* |
€52,736 |
|
2021 |
TWITTER* |
€14,676 |
|
2021 |
DIGITIZE |
€35,860 |
|
2021 |
PHD PMP* |
€25,987 |
|
2021 |
DAFT DISTILLED & JOURNAL |
€6,273 |
|
2021 |
MAXIMUM |
€615 |
|
2021 |
|
€646 |
|
2022 |
|
€132,665 |
|
2022 |
|
€68,793 |
|
2022 |
PHD PMP* |
€29,088 |
|
2022 |
PHD PROGRAMMATIC* |
€7,700 |
|
2022 |
|
€53,226 |
|
2023 |
|
€103,207 |
|
2023 |
|
€1,529 |
|
2023 |
|
€97,262 |
|
2023 |
PHD PROGRAMMATIC* |
€25,191 |
|
2023 |
DMG |
€20,910 |
|
2023 |
MEDIACENTRAL |
€17,774 |
|
2023 |
PHD PMP* |
€39,982 |
|
2023 |
DIGITIZE |
€6,273 |
|
2024 |
|
€6,656 |
|
2024 |
|
€26,712 |
*Purchased as a package deal from a media buying agency, these are used to purchase display advertising on websites.
The Department of Health engages the services of various agencies for the purposes of advertisement placement and reaching audiences across a range of mediums including online, print media, radio, outdoor and TV. A media buying agency secures advertising space on behalf of the Department. They develop media plans selecting a media mix which will reach as large as group as possible among the target audience and make them aware of the message. Their selection of media is based on the most effective use of budget guided by the reach of media matched to the target audience.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if, following a knife attack and attendance at A&E, the A&E charge of €100 is still applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23514/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a full medical card has not been restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23515/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an electric wheelchair is available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23516/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason the daughter of a person (details supplied) was admitted to Tallaght Hospital on 16 May 2024, without her mother’s knowledge (guardian) and was discharged without any explanation or attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23518/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23520/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate control and regulation of vape outlets is universally and adequately applied, having particular regard to the concern of those who are anxious to comply with all regulations and the elimination of harmful or addictive ingredients in the products and who have never sold cigarettes at their outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/24]
View answerAs this is an enforcement matter, this has been referred to the HSE.
