Written Answers Nos. 188-209
189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of his planned amendment Bill to the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 to deal with outstanding matters, as committed to during Report and Final Stages of the 2024 Act; the timeline for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39544/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President on July 2nd 2024, having passed all stages in the Oireachtas.
The issues covered by the legislation have been widely discussed and examined, including during Committee Stage and Report Stage in the Dáil and by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on International Surrogacy. Some of the issues which arose require further consideration and, in this regard, I committed to bringing forward a Supplementary Bill for inclusion in the Dáil’s autumn legislative programme.
Following extensive engagement with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I intend to seek Government approval for the drafting of this Supplementary Bill in the coming weeks.
The Deputy will appreciate that, contingent on the Government’s decision, the formal drafting process for the Supplementary Bill will be led by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, in conjunction with the three Departments, and subject to further consultation with and legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General. Moreover, the legislation will of course be subject to debate and consideration in both Houses of the Oireachtas, and it is the Oireachtas which will determine the final provisions of the Bill.
190. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a date for an operation will be scheduled immediately for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39555/24]
View answerUnder 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, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
191. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a cataract operation will be arranged immediately for a person (details supplied) where they have been on the list for a considerable length of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39558/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
192. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if speech therapy and all other services required to support the care of a motor neuron disease patient (details supplied) will be fast-tracked; and if an ambulance or other transport will be provided for them and a carer for the purpose of attending specialist appointments in Dublin hospitals. [39559/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the way his Department creates long-term projections of need to meet the needs of persons with autism, in order that their families can have some confidence in the long-term prospect of appropriate support and accommodation. [39564/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39569/24]
View answerUnder 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, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will furnish all details of capital investments in hospitals (details supplied) since 2011. [39573/24]
View answerAs 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.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card might be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39596/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of GP visit cards, medical cards and discretionary medical cards issued in each year over the past four years to date; the number of GP visit cards, medical cards and discretionary medical cards withdrawn in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39609/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the plans to enhance transport assistance for patients who require same to attend critical health appointments for treatments for cancer and other medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39612/24]
View answerThere are two services, funded by the National Cancer Control Programme and administered by the Irish Cancer Society, which offer financial supports towards travelling for cancer treatment.
The first of these services is the Travel2Care Scheme, which is a limited transportation assistance fund. This is available to patients travelling distances above 50km to a designated cancer centres, approved centre, or an approved children’s hospital and will cover part of the associated costs for said travel.
The second scheme available aiding those travelling for cancer treatment is the Volunteer Driver Service. This is a volunteer delivered transport service wherein patients are driven to and from treatment in designated partner hospitals and centres. Drivers are interviewed, trained, Garda-vetted and must attend annual Support & Supervision sessions run by the Irish Cancer Society to participate in the service.
The service is free to the patient, with all costs paid by the Irish Cancer Society, and applications are conducted by approaching a healthcare professional in a partnered hospital who will then discuss the suitability of it for the patients' needs and make a decision on referral. Once referred, the patient must book appointments in advance with the Irish Cancer Society to arrange transport.
Further information on both schemes can be obtained from the Irish Cancer Society, via their website, cancer.ie, emailing travel@irishcancer.ie, or by calling 01 2316643 or 01 2310522 to request information. I am advised that the Irish Cancer Society is happy to receive requests outside the guidelines on an exceptional basis.
In 2024, I have also allocated €50,000 in funding to Cork Cancer Connect, including €25,000 capital funding and €25,000 in operational funding. Cork Cancer Connect offers transportation free of charge to patients travelling from Cork County to cancer appointments in Cork City.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken within the past 12 months to counter the difficulties of obtaining and retaining professional staff throughout the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39613/24]
View answerAs this is a matter for the HSE, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of residential placements available for minors with eating disorders; the extent to which the number of placements has increased over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39614/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if it is recognised that the location of a primary care centre in Maynooth, County Kildare, is urgently required to accommodate the burgeoning population, given that a site was already earmarked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when it is expected to provide a modern health primary care centre in Leixlip, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39617/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps now being taken to provide all the anticipated necessary services at the new children's hospital, given the necessity to advance the extent and quality of services in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
206. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the provision of funding for full-time practice tutors in the area of radiation therapy to ensure adequate tutor-to-student ratios in the relevant universities, as recommended in the Radiation Therapist Review Working Group report of July 2024, to help address the staffing deficits and service provision in radiation oncology centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39518/24]
View answerMy Department is engaging extensively with the Department of Health, the HSE and the Universities to expand provision in radiation therapy programmes. The recruitment of appropriately qualified staff as Practice Tutors is, in the first instance, a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health, as the employer. I am aware there is a skills shortage in this area and will continue to actively engage with all relevant officials and stakeholders to facilitate more places on these programmes.
207. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase places for radiation therapists in universities, given their inclusion on the critical skills list, and to help address the staffing deficits and service provision challenges in radiation oncology centres across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39520/24]
View answerExpanding the number of places available on Health and Social Care Profession (HSCP) programmes, including radiation therapy, is a priority for my Department. Currently there is one undergraduate programme in Trinity College Dublin, and a post graduate programme in University College Cork. Both Universities have met with officials in my Department and the Department of Health and the HSCP office in the HSE, to explore options to increase capacity on these programmes.
There are some issues, which are in the control of the health sector which need to be considered in any proposal to expand places on programmes like Radiation Therapy. These relate to guarantees of clinical placements and qualified practice tutors for students on placements. This requires the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure there are suitable placements and personnel available.
I understand that some funding has been allocated by the Department of Health to support the development of sustainable practice education broadly for the Health and Social Care Professions. The National Health and Social Care Professions Office in the HSE is coordinating this process and leading on a number of programmes to support practice education for Health and Social Care Professions which will include identifying essential requirements.
My Department will continue to engage actively with relevant officials in both the health and education sectors to facilitate expansion of places on these programmes.
208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the status of plans for a community hotel in Roscrea, County Tipperary, in light of a proposed site being recently put up for sale; her plans for the proposal; if expressions of interest are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39477/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the property referred to is a privately owned property and as such any decision in relation to its sale, the timing of any such sale or the future use of the property remains a matter for the owner. However, with a view to informing any options, I can confirm, that in July of this year, I approved funding of €150,000 (exc. VAT) for Tipperary County Council to carry out a feasibility study as to any potential sustainable future use of the property referenced by the Deputy. This is with a view to identifying viable and financially sustainable long term options that may support the revitalisation of Roscrea and improve the living and working environment for the community and increase the potential to support economic activity into the future.
209. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when consideration of the review of CLÁR areas nationally, undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data, will be concluded and additional areas added; and if additional areas across County Donegal are being considered. [39500/24]
View answerMy Department's CLÁR programme provides targeted investment funding for small scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.
The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme in 2001 were those which suffered the greatest level of population decline from 1926 to 1996. The average population loss in the original CLÁR areas over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002.
A national review of CLÁR areas was subsequently undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census data. From the review it is clear that many areas have seen population growth in the relevant period rather than decline, and indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office points to further population growth across all counties since 2016.
The details of the review continue to be considered by my Department. In addition, the implications of the latest Census data would need to be evaluated before any decisions are made in relation to changing areas eligible for funding under the CLÁR programme. I believe that the current designation has served us very well and I don’t want to make changes unless they add value to the scheme.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the context in which CLÁR now operates. I have developed a suite of supports for communities in rural areas so that there is a range of different funding options available to rural communities, be they in CLÁR areas or otherwise. This includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the Community Recognition Fund, and the Community Centres Investment Fund.
