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Tuesday, 19 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 856-875

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (857)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

857. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when respite will be reinstated in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason the respite has not been reinstated; if all options have been considered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51142/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Disease Management

Ceisteanna (858)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

858. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if it is planned to include chronic kidney disease in the HSE Integrated Care Programme for Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51149/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Integrated Care Programme for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (ICPCD) leads out in the development and implementation of a model of care for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease in Ireland. The ICPCD focuses on improving the standard of care for four major chronic diseases, Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Cardiovascular disease. The Chronic Disease Management programme, introduced by the 2019 GP agreement, provides GP led care for GMS patients with one or more of those chronic diseases.

The HSE National Renal Office is responsible for planning, co-ordinating and managing renal services across the country. The National Renal Office is embedded within HSE Clinical Design and Innovation team and fosters the integration of renal services with Acute and Community Chronic Disease management Programmes. Patients are treated under the clinical governance of the Parent Renal Units and may receive treatment in one of the National Haemodialysis Facilities across the country or via home therapy in their own home.  There are currently no plans to combine these services.

Disease Management

Ceisteanna (859, 860)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

859. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to improve access to the home dialysis pathway for those with chronic kidney disease in Ireland; if the provision of digital health solutions for home dialysis patients is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51150/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Colm Burke

Ceist:

860. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures that are currently in place to elevate the importance of chronic kidney disease in the context of long-term conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51151/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 859 and 860 together.

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

Question No. 860 answered with Question No. 859.
Question No. 861 answered with Question No. 712.

Substance Misuse

Ceisteanna (862)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

862. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that additional funding is provided in 2022 for the North East Regional Drug Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51153/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2021, the North East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NERDAFT) received funding of €937,813 to provide drug and alcohol services.

I have allocated €80,000 to improve access and provision of community-based drug and alcohol services. This part of an overall allocation of €1 million in Budget 2021 to support community-based drug and alcohol services. The Department of Health will shortly be announcing details of this funding programme. The funding will be allocated by community healthcare organisations in conjunction with drug and alcohol task forces based on a population needs assessment.

Additional funding for drug and alcohol services is provided in Budget 2022. A factsheet on the new funding provided for in Budget 2022 which can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/ . Further details on this funding will be set out in the HSE national service plan 2022. 

I am committed to improving the availability of community-based drug and alcohol services in Drogheda and the North East region of Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. I encourage service providers to engage with the task force and the HSE to determine how best to allocate the additional resources in Budgets 2021 and 2022 to enhance services for the people affected by drug use issues in the region. 

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (863)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

863. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when he expects free general practitioner care for children under seven announced as part of Budget 2022 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51156/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Increasing access to GP care without charges for children is an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop.

The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under.  The expansion of GP care is planned on a phased basis to limit the impact the expansion might have on GP capacity; the initial stage of the expansion is the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8. 

The appropriate date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context. This date will be determined following consultation with the IMO.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (864)

James Lawless

Ceist:

864. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to employ more neurology nurse specialists in Tallaght Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51168/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (865)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

865. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when he intends to publish the report into the payment of student nurses as sent to him on 12 August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51169/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I directed an independent review of clinical placement allowances for student nurses and student midwives take place and I was pleased to receive this report.  As the Deputy will be aware the agreed terms of reference for this report were to examine:

1. Existing Clinical Placement Allowances payable to Student Nurses and Midwives on Supernumerary Clinical Placement,

2. Pandemic Placement Grant as specified in Professor Collins' Report, and

3. Pay for 4th Year Nurses and Midwives on Paid Internship Placement.

The independent review was conducted by Mr Sean McHugh and submitted to me in August 2021. I am currently reviewing Mr McHugh's Report and all the recommendations, along with my officials. I intend to outline my plans in this regard shortly.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (866)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

866. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an appointment. [51185/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (867)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

867. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the percentage breakdown of Covid-19 vaccination uptake in each county; the number of persons in each county that have availed of the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51187/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

Ceisteanna (868)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

868. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the ITBS established Advisory Committee for Social Behaviours Review will be concluded; when he expects changes to be approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51188/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) established an independent Advisory Committee for Social Behaviours Review to review the evidence base for donor selection, deferral and exclusion in Ireland in relation to social behaviours that may increase the risk of acquiring specific blood-borne infections. 

The IBTS has advised my Department that the Advisory Committee has completed its work and submitted its recommendations to the IBTS Medical and Scientific Committee and IBTS Board. My Department has not yet received a copy of the Advisory Committee's Report.  However, the work of the Advisory Committee is the subject of consideration between my Department and the IBTS and a meeting will shortly be arranged to discuss the detail of the Report.

Question No. 869 answered with Question No. 712.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (870)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

870. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding funding for the Cleary Centre capital project in Donegal Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51197/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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. 

Disease Management

Ceisteanna (871)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

871. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 262 of 29 September 2021, the steps that are in place to ensure that private patients do not receive differing medical advice from different consultants due to consultants following different testing criteria or accreditation standards in relation to diagnoses of Lyme disease; if measures will be taken to ensure that all consultants dealing with private patients work within or follow the same testing criteria and accreditation standards in relation to diagnoses of Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51215/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Ceisteanna (872)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

872. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the recruitment process undertaken by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for senior positions (details supplied) in tabular form; the platforms on which these positions were advertised; the dates advertisements were placed on these platforms; if the positions were communicated via email alert to internal NMBI staff; the number of applications received for each position; the number of applicants shortlisted and interviewed for each position; the number of panel members on each interview panel; the title and or position of each panel member; and the relationship, that is, staff member, board or committee member, contractor and external member of each panel member to the NMBI in tabular form. [51225/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is seeking information regarding operational matters of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) I have referred her question to the NMBI to respond directly to her. 

Question No. 873 answered with Question No. 828.
Question No. 874 answered with Question No. 829.
Question No. 875 answered with Question No. 830.
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