Tuesday, 2 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 933-950

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (934)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

934. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be issued with an appointment for an assessment with the ASD services in counties Galway and Roscommon; the reason for the delay in issuing this person with an appointment given that they have been on the waiting list for a significant period of time and that they were due to be issued with an appointment earlier in 2021; his plans to reduce the waiting times experienced by children and families waiting for ASD assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52523/21]

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 to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (935)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

935. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 13 July 2021, if an update on funding of a permanent public MRI scanner at Wexford General Hospital through the 2022 Estimates process can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52531/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE has advised that the installation of a permanent MRI Scanner at Wexford General Hospital is a priority capital investment for the Ireland East Health Group. Engagement is continuing between the Hospital Group and the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the funding of this initiative.

The HSE has also advised that there is currently an MRI service available at Wexford General Hospital, which is being provided in a mobile unit on site.

The HSE has been advised that the Friends of Wexford General Hospital have raised €250,000 seed funding for the MRI and are continuing to hold these funds in good faith.

I trust that this information will be of assistance to you.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (936)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

936. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the staffing and management of the current MRI service at Wexford General Hospital is wholly funded through the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52532/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (937)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

937. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 19 October 2021, if the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed. [52534/21]

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.

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.

Home Help Service

Ceisteanna (938)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

938. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours approved but not yet provided in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [52573/21]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (939)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

939. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent report (details supplied); if additional funding and resources will be provided to the organisation and other entities that work with those in need in the midlands to address this sharp increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52593/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The National Drugs Strategy ‘Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery’ sets out the Government’s strategy to address the harm caused by substance misuse in Ireland up to 2025. The Department of Health provides over €150 million to drug and alcohol services every year to support the strategy.

I am committed to increasing access to and provision of drug and alcohol services in line with the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 under the national drug strategy.

I secured an additional €6m in Budget 2022 for new measures to support the implementation of the national drugs strategy. This funding will be used to strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use and to support the strategic priorities for 2021-2025 identified in the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy (to be published shortly).

The Department of Health has published a factsheet on new funding provided for in Budget 2022 which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/001fc-budget-2022-factsheet/.

€1.7m of this additional funding is allocated for measures to increase the availability of HSE drug and alcohol services on a nationwide basis. This will include services for people with alcohol addiction, people under 18 years, families affected by drugs, as well as rehabilitation and recovery programmes.

I am aware of Merchants Quay Ireland's (MQI) Annual Review 2020. I have seen at first hand the commendable work by MQI providing services to those who are the most marginalised. I was honoured to speak at the formal launch of the Cavan Monaghan Drug and Alcohol Service on behalf of Merchants Quay Ireland in September.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a time of uncertainty and anxiety for everyone and particularly for those who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction. I acknowledge the challenges faced by service providers during Covid-19 and will continue to support service providers to fully resume services.

Transport Costs

Ceisteanna (940)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

940. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the cost per year for the past five years for each hospital to ferry or deliver blood, blood samples, breast milk or tissues or organs between hospitals and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; if that was spent on taxis, courier companies, HSE or other emergency service vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52594/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Ceisteanna (941)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

941. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the funding provided annually to charities (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the vital work of same as an aid to hospitals during and before the Covid-19 pandemic. [52595/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Home Care Packages

Ceisteanna (942)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

942. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home support in an area (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52600/21]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (943)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

943. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for a speech and language therapy appointment broken down into assessment waiting list, initial assessment waiting list and further treatment waiting list in an area (details supplied); and the number waiting fewer than 4, 4 to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively in tabular form. [52601/21]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 944 answered with Question No. 781.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (945, 947, 948)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

945. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have used the Keltoi facility for isolation from 1 August 2021 to date by week in tabular form. [52610/21]

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

947. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the isolation facilities available for persons who are vulnerable such as those who use the HSE Keltoi Rehabilitation Unit in each CHO in tabular form. [52612/21]

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

948. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to utilise the HSE Keltoi Rehabilitation Unit as an isolation unit from its closure to date. [52613/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 945, 947 and 948 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Health Organisation Dublin North City and County. This was part of the Dublin Covid-19 response for people who are homeless.

The HSE has advised that there is still a very significant ongoing demand for isolation in this facility and that it will be maintained as a Covid Isolation Facility for the coming winter period. The HSE has further advised that the use of this facility is being reviewed on an ongoing basis in line with national guidance.

As the specific queries raised by the Deputy are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (946)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

946. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the continuum of care pathways available to persons given the closure of the HSE Keltoi Rehabilitation Unit. [52611/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy is aware, the Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Health Organisation 9.

It is vital that individuals receiving rehabilitation services from Keltoi are supported to continue their recovery path. I welcome that fact that the Keltoi counselling staff based in the HSE Stanhope Centre, are continuing to provide appropriate support services to clients under the Keltoi Aftercare programme.

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

Question No. 947 answered with Question No. 945.

Question No. 948 answered with Question No. 945.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (949)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

949. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if progress has been made in relation to the HSE taking control of a nursing home (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52629/21]

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 to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Birth Certificates

Ceisteanna (950)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

950. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when parents of a newborn baby (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will be given an appointment to register the baby’s birth; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52631/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter for the HSE, who provide this service on behalf of the Department of Social Protection, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.