Parliamentary questions

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

273. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists per grade in primary healthcare; the number per capita of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10665/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

283. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is a process by which a person who holds a medical card who has paid privately for cataract surgery due to long waiting lists can claim reimbursement from the State in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/21]

Consumer Rights

Mark Ward

90. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the provisions in place for air passengers who are not being offered refunds or vouchers from their carrier despite following Government directives not to fly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9447/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

238. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the treatment available to patients who present to the accident and emergency department of Tallaght Hospital with a mental health issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9017/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

239. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who presented to the accident and emergency department of Tallaght Hospital with a mental health issue in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9018/21]

Disability Diagnoses

Mark Ward

240. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the impact for a parent in obtaining the additional treatments for the development of their child in a public setting in cases in which the parent obtained an assessment of needs report privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9019/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

243. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for Jigsaw; the average waiting time in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by community healthcare organisation, CHO, area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9029/21]

Tax Reliefs

Mark Ward

132. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered providing tax relief for counselling and psychotherapy services on the same basis as is provided for other medical expenses. [8762/21]

Defence Forces Veterans

Mark Ward

347. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Irish veterans' charter; and the number of meetings held between the Defence Forces, his Department and the two nominated veterans' organisations (details supplied). [8300/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

441. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if a small class in a school (details supplied) will be permitted to return when other special needs classes are returning. [8594/21]

Counselling Services

Mark Ward

449. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she has considered increasing access for children to therapeutic mental health supports via the introduction of a counselling support service for second-level schools. [8765/21]

Social Insurance

Mark Ward

468. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered extending the benefits under the PRSI system to include counselling and psychotherapy. [8764/21]

Naturalisation Eligibility

Mark Ward

593. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the naturalisation process for persons who were married to Irish citizens for over ten years but have now faced bereavement. [8128/21]

Naturalisation Eligibility

Mark Ward

594. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if a naturalisation application is unnecessary after a period of time which has passed if a person is married to an Irish citizen for over that extended period of time. [8129/21]

General Practitioner Services

Mark Ward

728. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care will be extended to all children under 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8181/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

915. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he has considered extending medical card services to include counsellors and physiotherapists. [8763/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

979. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the facilities and services in place for patients suffering with long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8960/21]

Maternity Services

Mark Ward

249. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the inpatient perinatal facilities available for mothers and babies for mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7463/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

251. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will commence specialist mental health services for the deaf community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7469/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a consultant psychiatrist was appointed for specialist mental health services for the deaf community; if so, the date of the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7470/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

253. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the date on which consultation will commence for patients of specialist mental health services for the deaf community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

313. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans in place to ensure that the over-70s receive vaccines in a prompt manner if Covid-19 vaccines are deemed not suitable for over-70s. [7784/21]

Disability Allowance

Mark Ward

497. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the provisions in place for persons that are suffering from mental health issues which are affecting their ability to work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6713/21]

Hospital Data

Mark Ward

702. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have presented for self-harm to accident and emergency departments by CHO area and month in 2020 to the latest date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6365/21]

Hospital Data

Mark Ward

703. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented for self-harm to accident and emergency departments; the number that were referred for psychiatric evaluation; the number of persons that received a biopsychosocial assessment, by CHO area and month in 2020 to the latest date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6366/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

788. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the pilot telepsychiatry service as set out in the programme of Government (details supplied); if the service has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/21]

HSE National Service Plan

Mark Ward

881. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the HSE service plan will be released given, that many organisations in the charity sector are waiting to find out if they will have sufficient levels of funding in 2021 to be able to provide essential mental health services in communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/21]

Departmental Reports

Mark Ward

964. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the persons or bodies who are members of the implementation committee for the recommendations in Sharing the Vision; when they will commence; and if the committee is a separate entity to the monitoring committee. [7430/21]

Disability Support Services

Mark Ward

971. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when and the location of the children’s disability teams that will be set up in CHO 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7446/21]

National Postcode System

Mark Ward

49. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the provision of the correct Eircode for Steeple House, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5298/21]

Naturalisation Applications

Mark Ward

580. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants waiting for a decision on naturalisation; the average wait on a decision; and the top five nationalities that have applied for naturalisation in tabular form. [5516/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

680. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals of adults and children that have been made to community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5276/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

681. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children who were referred to community specialist eating disorder teams from hospital medical or community mental health teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5277/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

682. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children by gender who were referred to community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5278/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

683. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were referred to community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5279/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

684. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children who were assessed and had case consultations on community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5280/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

685. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to community specialist eating disorder teams that had other mental health conditions who had self-harmed and who had a medical diagnosis from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5281/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

686. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to acute hospital who were referred for inpatient mental health care from community specialist eating disorder teams from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

687. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to community specialist eating disorder teams who were assessed within one, four and eight weeks from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5283/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

688. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children referred to community specialist eating disorder teams who had waiting times from assessment to treatment started within four and eight weeks from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5284/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

689. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the expansion of the adult eating disorder team in St. Vincent’s University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5285/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

690. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of specialist eating disorder staff and community eating disorder staff employed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/21]

Primary Care Centres

Mark Ward

691. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a primary care centre on Booth Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5295/21]

Primary Care Centres

Mark Ward

692. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a primary care centre in Adamstown, Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5296/21]

Primary Care Centres

Mark Ward

693. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a primary care centre in Rolagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5297/21]

Dental Services

Mark Ward

694. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children who had dental screening in second, fourth and sixth class in primary school in each of the years 2016 to 2020, by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5304/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

697. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated for mental health services by CHO area in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

699. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he considered piloting a 24/7 mental health ambulance service similar to Sweden to assist with suicidal behaviour and other mental health incidents within communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5315/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

704. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the health budget that is dedicated to mental health provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5334/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

705. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the specific mental health services available to persons who do not have English as a first language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5335/21]

Mental Health Policy

Mark Ward

762. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of the 41 short-term recommendations in the policy Sharing the Vision, A Mental Health Policy for Everyone which have been fully implemented since it was launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5537/21]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Mark Ward

838. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the CORU registration process for psychotherapists under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; when he will indicate his plans to give proper and meaningful priority to the Shared Vision recommendations on access to counselling services in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5752/21]

Departmental Legal Costs

Mark Ward

845. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State in legal fees since late 2018 in defending the 115 court cases brought by parents whose children did not receive an assessment of need in a timely manner set out in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

855. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a comprehensive report on the mental health budget for 2020; the budget allocated; the way in which it was spent; the services it was spent on; the details of overspends or underspends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/21]

HSE Staff

Mark Ward

858. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of psychotherapists employed directly in the HSE; the educational criteria required for psychotherapists to work for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5864/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mark Ward

673. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the position of mental health workers, specifically counsellors and psychotherapists in the Covid-19 vaccine allocation group; when they will be vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3617/21]

Education and Training Provision

Mark Ward

797. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a course (details supplied) can be delivered online whilst Covid-19 restrictions are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4125/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

853. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the plan will be put in place to have eight adult eating disorder teams across the country in line with the model of care for eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4368/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Mark Ward

262. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a comprehensive list of mother and baby homes was compiled; if so, the criteria for inclusion on same; and the location in which the list can be accessed. [3214/21]

Criminal Assets Bureau

Mark Ward

300. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the amount of assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau since its inception in each of the past ten years. [3231/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

388. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 contact tracers are conducting a positive patient assessment with healthcare professionals, the breakdown of transmission sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

389. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 contact tracers are conducting a positive patient assessment with healthcare professionals, the number who indicated that the transmission source was in relation to inadequate PPE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

390. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 contact tracers are conducting a positive patient assessment with healthcare professionals who have indicated that the transmission source was in relation to inadequate PPE, the hospitals or other care facilities they work in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

391. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers on leave due to a positive Covid-19 result; the breakdown of the settings they work in; and the CHO areas of each. [3230/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Mark Ward

194. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the provision of a social housing passport to enable persons to move between local authorities without losing their time on the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2216/21]

National Childcare Scheme

Mark Ward

380. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost in 2021 if the affordable childcare scheme universal subsidy increased by 50 cent per hour to €1.50 per hour having regard to 2019 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2807/21]

Science Foundation Ireland

Mark Ward

407. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the location of each Science Foundation Ireland research centre; the amount of funding allocated to each such centre in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2808/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

527. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented with eating disorders to community healthcare teams relating to referrals in each of the years 2018 to 2020; the gender, age profile and county of residence of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2452/21]

Disabilities Assessments

Mark Ward

550. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for an assessment of need in each CHO; the length of time they have been waiting from 2016 to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/21]

National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics

Mark Ward

640. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalents in the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics in 2019 and 2020; the budget allocation for same in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2804/21]

Home Care Packages

Mark Ward

641. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional 250 intensive home care packages for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2805/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Mark Ward

642. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the waiting times by CHO areas for suprapubic catheter surgery to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2806/21]

Motor Tax

Mark Ward

30. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if there has been a delay in the administering of tax books for cars; and if this has affected tax renewals. [2018/21]

Seized Property

Mark Ward

163. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if there is an increase in cars being seized by An Garda Síochána due to lack of tax renewals. [2019/21]

Youth Services

Mark Ward

608. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the process for a community centre to apply for funding for a youth service worker to be employed directly by it. [44683/20]

Departmental Legal Costs

Mark Ward

744. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State in defending the 115 court cases brought since late 2018 by parents whose children did not receive an assessment of need in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44814/20]

Patient Files

Mark Ward

825. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his plans to have a computerised patient record system that is integrated across all health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44959/20]

Patient Files

Mark Ward

826. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost in 2020 in transporting patients record across health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44960/20]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

827. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when a national director of mental health will be appointed; the remit of the director; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44961/20]

Counselling Services

Mark Ward

875. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the services in place to allow persons to receive therapy and counselling on a face-to-face basis under the current restrictions. [45119/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

948. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the visiting procedures for HSE nursing homes in view of the new restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1161/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

1025. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the possibility for PaediaSure in the powdered form to be added to the list for medical card holders (details supplied). [1464/21]

Speech and Language Therapy

Mark Ward

1097. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the waiting list time for first and review assessments for speech and language assessment and speech and language therapy from 2016 to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1812/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

267. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the new protocols in place to guide best practice in the Covid-19 context for public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44443/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

457. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the new protocols in place to guide best practice in the Covid-19 context for special minibuses, special education and supported work environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44443/20]

Disability Support Services

Mark Ward

498. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the HSE or the Department of Health has drawn up national guidelines for resuming the full range of supports for persons with disabilities and their careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44442/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

499. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the new protocols in place to guide best practice in the Covid-19 context in respect of home-based care, personal assistants, transport to disability day services, respite and attending for specialist assessment and-or therapy.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44443/20]

Disability Support Services

Mark Ward

500. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the additional supports in place for persons with special needs and their families to help persons return to a structured day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44444/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mark Ward

501. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the plan for persons with disabilities who live with their partners, spouses, parents and families in the HSE roadmap to reopening; the person they or a concerned other contact should apply for reassignment of pre-Covid-19 supports; the additional supports available to these families to support everyone establish daily and weekly routines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44445/20]

Disability Support Services

Mark Ward

502. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the plan for re-establishing respite supports for persons with disabilities, both emergency and planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44446/20]

Disability Support Services

Mark Ward

503. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the process for families to flag their need for respite or additional supports for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44447/20]

Disability Support Services

Mark Ward

504. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the plan for adults with disabilities that live alone in the HSE roadmap to reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44448/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mark Ward

505. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the process to apply for reassignment of pre-Covid-19 supports for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44449/20]

Disability Services Provision

Mark Ward

506. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the person or body being prioritised for home-based supports at the present time; the criteria being applied to determine priority; the way in which this is likely to change over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44450/20]

Disability Services Provision

Mark Ward

507. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the resumption of care and support of the person with the disability in order that families can return to work and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44451/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Mark Ward

508. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list time for first and review assessments for speech and language assessment and speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44452/20]

HSE Staff

Mark Ward

509. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if all HSE disability services staff that were redeployed to other duties during the lockdown have now fully returned to their own team and are operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44453/20]

Disability Services Provision

Mark Ward

510. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if support packages for persons with dementia, acquired brain injuries and or chronic mental health difficulties is included in the brief for HSE disability services; if not, the person or body that are the relevant local managers responsible for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44454/20]

Disability Services Provision

Mark Ward

511. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way in which the community sector can improve its cooperation with HSE disability services in the best interests of local persons of all ages that have disabilities, their families and those who work with and for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44455/20]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

530. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for appointments in CAMHS; the average waiting times by community healthcare organisation, CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44241/20]