Written Answers Nos. 807-823
807. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting for an appointment with CAMHS by CHO; the number of children awaiting an appointment by length of wait time (details supplied) in tabular form; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of this information by age cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52102/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
808. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if an urgent appointment will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52103/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
809. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce individual risk assessments for blood donations as per the policy in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52104/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
810. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when the assisted human reproduction Bill will be introduced into the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52108/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra851. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of the forthcoming legislation on the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52218/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra853. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52220/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1024. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the introduction of the proposed assisted human reproduction Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52949/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1042. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the assisted human reproduction Bill; when it will be advanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52989/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 810, 851, 853, 1024 and 1042 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This comprehensive and far-reaching piece of legislation encompasses the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a wide range of practices, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; domestic surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The legislation also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
I can assure the Deputy that publication of this legislation is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. Officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General continue to prioritise the drafting of this complex legislation and will continue to engage intensively to finalise the Bill. Overall, the provisions outlined within the Bill will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight.
811. 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. [52111/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
812. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on orthodontic treatment for the 2007 patients transferred to private providers under the Framework Type Agreement 3983 as referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 747 of 15 September 2021 in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the services provided by those private operators on behalf of the HSE; if those private operators provide dental assessments as well; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52114/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
813. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of each emergency transfer request detailing the time of ambulance service request raised at St. Luke's Hospital; the time of clinical handover to the ambulance team in St. Luke's Hospital; the time of clinical handover at St. James's Hospital for each request made in each of the years in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, distinguishing between echo and delta responses in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52115/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra814. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of each emergency transfer request to the National Ambulance Service from Wexford General Hospital to St. James's Hospital detailing the time of ambulance service request raised at Wexford General; the time of clinical handover to the ambulance team in Wexford and the time of clinical handover at St. James's for each request made in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, distinguishing between echo and delta responses in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52116/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra815. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of each emergency transfer request to the National Ambulance Service University from University Hospital Waterford to Cork University Hospital detailing the time of ambulance service request raised at Waterford; the time of clinical hand over to ambulance team in Waterford and the time of clinical hand over at Cork for each request made in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, distinguishing between echo and delta responses in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52117/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 813 to 815, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
816. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when respite services will resume in Youghal Community Hospital, Youghal, County Cork. [52120/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
817. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when respite services will resume in Midleton Community Hospital, Midleton, County Cork. [52121/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
818. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). [52122/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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
819. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is in receipt of funding applications to appoint a consultant endocrinolist, a clinical nurse specialist for diabetes and a dietician for diabetes in pregnancy to Mayo University Hospital; if he will pursue the appointment of these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52123/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
820. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will pursue an application for capital funding to the HSE for the construction of a new modular building at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ballina. [52124/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
821. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the process involved in identifying the patients who qualify to be transferred from the HSE to private providers under the framework type agreement 3983 for orthodontic treatment; and the way patients can secure such a transfer given the lengthy waiting lists. [52127/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
822. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposals and work that have been carried out to ensure safe access zones are available to those accessing abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52133/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services. The issue is included in the Programme for Government Our Shared Future (2020), and it remains an ongoing priority.
It was originally intended to provide for safe access to termination of pregnancy services in the 2018 Act. However, a number of complex legal and policy issues were identified which necessitated further consideration.
Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or any other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy. In addition, it is likely that the settings in which services are being offered – in general practice and in maternity hospitals – have contributed to protecting patient privacy. However, we are aware of reports of some protests which have caused distress to those accessing and providing services.
My Department is in regular contact with the HSE and has liaised with An Garda Síochána on safe access to services. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda stations raising awareness about the issue. It directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with.
I plan to have proposals for safe access on the legislative programme as soon as possible.
823. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists participating in the dental treatment services scheme per HSE CHO region per year from inception; the number of dentists that have withdrawn from the scheme since 2017; the number of new dental treatment services applications currently being processed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52134/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
