Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 432-455

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (432)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

432. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47679/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (433)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47680/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (434)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47688/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Home Help Service Data

Ceisteanna (435)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

435. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the maximum waiting time for home help services in each county in tabular form; and the number on the waiting list by county. [47692/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Misuse of Drugs

Ceisteanna (436)

John Curran

Ceist:

436. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the steps he plans to take to reduce the number of persons starting drug use in view of the recent findings from a report by the Health Research Board that indicates a 50% rise in the number of persons seeking treatment for the use of cocaine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47693/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The National Drugs Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’ emphasises a health-led response to drug use, providing person-centred services that promote rehabilitation and recovery.

Expenditure on HSE addiction services increased from €94m in 2016 to over €100m in 2018, which has resulted in additional services in communities throughout the country.

The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) is an epidemiological database of treated drug and alcohol cases in Ireland. It records episodes of drug and alcohol treatment during the calendar year. The latest NDTRS data for 2018 show that over 10,274 cases were treated for problem drug use, an increase of 15 per cent on 2017. Thirty nine per cent of cases were new, with 57 per cent previously treated.

Opioids continue to be the most commonly reported main problem drug at 42 per cent, followed by cannabis and cocaine at 23 and 22 per cent respectively.

Among new entrants to treatment, cannabis is the most common drug at 38 per cent, followed by cocaine at 31 per cent. Two-thirds of treated cases are provided in outpatient facilities, with 14 per cent in inpatient settings.

The episodes of treatment captured in the NDTRS for 2018 include a very wide range of interventions and settings from services in the community to specialist residential units. Partnership between the health services and the community and voluntary sectors is key to providing support for people as close to home as possible and at the level of complexity that best responds to their need.

The Department of Health works with the HSE to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drugs through the Drugs.ie website. In 2019, the HSE developed and promoted two national campaigns aimed at students and the festival goers, who may not present at traditional addiction services.

Next year, the HSE will commence a targeted national campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug use and recommend steps on how people can reduce the harms. This work will include information about club drugs, festival drug use, newer drugs, as well as cannabis.

A new educational resource ('Know the Score') on drug and alcohol use is due to be launched shortly for senior cycle students. This was jointly developed by the HSE, the Department of Education & Skills, and Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, as an action in the National Drugs Strategy.

I believe that the increase in numbers seeking treatment is encouraging from a public health perspective, especially as many also use other drugs. Mixing drugs can impact on recovery and increase the risk of overdose. I firmly believe that addressing the drug problem requires a multi-pronged approach, providing harm-reduction and prevention initiatives in tandem with treatment services.

Addiction Treatment Services

Ceisteanna (437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442)

John Curran

Ceist:

437. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of medical detoxification units provided directly by the HSE in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47694/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

438. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of community based residential detoxification beds provided by the voluntary sector in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47695/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

439. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of residential rehabilitation beds provided in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47696/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

440. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of adolescent residential detoxification beds in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47697/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

441. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of drug stabilisation beds in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47698/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

442. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the criteria for entry into community based residential detoxification and residential rehabilitation beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47699/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 to 442, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Alcohol Treatment Services

Ceisteanna (443)

John Curran

Ceist:

443. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 16 years of age admitted to hospital due to alcohol intoxication in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47700/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Drugs-related Deaths

Ceisteanna (444, 445, 446)

John Curran

Ceist:

444. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of drugs-related deaths in 2016 in which the persons had heroin in their system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47701/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

445. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died with methadone in their system of the drugs-related deaths in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47702/19]

John Curran

Ceist:

446. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died while on a methadone treatment programme of the drugs-related deaths in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47703/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, together.

The National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) is an epidemiological database which reports on poisoning deaths (also known as overdose) which are due to the toxic effect of a drug, or combination of drugs, and on non-poisonings which are deaths as a result of trauma, such as hanging, or medical conditions, such as cardiac events, among people who use drugs.

The NDRDI is administered and maintained by the Health Research Board and is jointly funded by the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and Equality.The NDRDI records data from four sources: the Coroner Service, the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry scheme (HIPE), the Central Treatment List (CTL) and the General Mortality Register (GMR) via the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in order to ensure that the database is complete and accurate.The NDRDI data for 2016 show 72 poisoning deaths in which heroin was implicated and 103 poisoning deaths in which methadone was implicated, of which 66 were among persons on the methadone treatment programme.

Thirty-one overdose deaths occurred among people who inject heroin, the majority of these occurred in Dublin city.

I strongly believe that overdose deaths are preventable and must be addressed as a public health issue. In particular, establishing a medically supervised injection facility in Dublin city centre would provide healthcare for those who inject drugs and save lives. This would also make our city streets safer for residents, children, tourists and workers.

I strongly support the appeal by Merchants Quay Ireland to An Bord Pleanála to overturn the decision by Dublin City Council to refuse planning permission for this critical health care facility in Dublin city.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (447)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional care support hours will be provided to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47708/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (448)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

448. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment for a person (details supplied); when the next appointment will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47715/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Hospital Staff Data

Ceisteanna (449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

449. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47716/19]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

450. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Ramelton Community Hospital, Stranorlar , County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47717/19]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

451. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Killybegs Community Hospital, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not currently advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47718/19]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

452. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal ; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47719/19]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

453. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Falcarragh Community Hospital, County Donegal ; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47720/19]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

454. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47721/19]

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

455. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Donegal Community Hospital, Donegal Town, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47722/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 455, inclusive, together.

I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply to you.