Niall Collins
Ceist:811. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5106/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services
Ceisteanna (811)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (812)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:812. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the amount Cork University Hospital has paid to patients for preventable incidents in the past three years in tabular form. [5107/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (813)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:813. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason that private patients who cannot gain access to a general practitioner cannot have a general practitioner nominated to them in the same way as medical card patients; the options open to private patients in this situation; his plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5108/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
GPs are private contractors, most of whom hold contracts with the HSE for the provision of medical services such as contracts under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme for the provision of medical services without charge to patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Under the terms of the GMS contract, the HSE National Medical Card Unit has the power to assign a medical card or GP visit card holder to a GP's GMS patient list where that person is unable to find a GP to accept him/her as a patient.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. The HSE has no role in assigning private patients to a GP practice.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those working in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (814)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:814. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the process being put in place as part of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to gather data on the experiences of women who have had to travel outside of the State to access abortion services since the commencement of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
As I have stated previously, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review.
Research to inform the service user strand is being carried out by Dr Catherine Conlon, Associate Professor, Trinity College, who is progressing a large qualitative study to analyse unplanned pregnancy and abortion care. The study, which was commissioned by the HSE’s Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme, will generate an in-depth understanding of the experiences of women who have accessed abortion care services since the commencement of the Act. As the Deputy may be aware, I have appointed Ms Marie O'Shea B.L. as the independent Chair to lead the second phase of the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.
The independent Chair will assess the extent to which the objectives of the Act have been achieved, analysing in that regard the findings of the three strands of information on the effectiveness and operation of the Act. The Chair may also consult with stakeholders to gather information on their experiences as well as their observations on the operation of the legislation and draw on the findings of other relevant peer-reviewed research.
I look forward to receiving the Chair's final report, incorporating her conclusions and any recommendations, in due course.
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (815)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:815. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the in-hospital charges for children will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Funding was provided in Budget 2022 for measures to alleviate the financial burden of statutory hospital charges incurred for children accessing care in a public hospital. This allocation of funding follows on from the commitment given in the Programme for Government to abolish statutory acute public in-patient charges for children over the lifetime of the Government.
My Department is currently working on preparing draft Heads and the General Scheme of legislation and it is the intention to bring the legislation before the Oireachtas this year.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (816)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:816. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 18 November 2021, the reason a detailed response was not received in relation to medical practitioners with Irish in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5156/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I regret that the reply to the Deputy's question was delayed in this case. Following contact with the HSE, I have been informed that the HSE have advised that a response to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 18 November 2021 issued to the Deputy via email on January 31st.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (817)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:817. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to fully implement the recommendations contained in reports (details supplied) and all other reports into CervicalCheck. [5165/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to fully implement the recommendations contained in Dr Scally’s Report of the Scoping Inquiry, and all other reports into CervicalCheck.
Significant progress has been made in implementing the recommendations and associated actions from Dr Scally's report. The Department of Health engages on an ongoing basis with the HSE and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland to oversee implementation the recommendations.
At the end of quarter three 2021, 164 of the 170 actions, arising from 58 recommendations, are completed. Work is well underway in completing the six remaining actions, which are all 'in progress'. The Department will publish the Quarter 4 2021 implementation report shortly.
Since Quarter 1 2019, the Department of Health has been publishing quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations made in Dr Scally’s 2018 report; the full archive and previous quarterly progress reports are available on the Department of Health website.
Dr Scally last reported on the implementation of the recommendations of his Scoping Inquiry in April 2020. In this review report, Dr Scally says that substantial progress has been made, the vast majority of actions were on track or were completed, and he is satisfied with the approach and structures in place for implementation. In addition, the CervicalCheck Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Anne Scott, and which includes representatives from 221+ Group and patient advocates in its membership have a role in oversight of the implementation of the remaining recommendations.
I have asked Dr Gabriel Scally to conduct a final progress review of implementation of the recommendations of his Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck screening programme. Dr Scally has agreed it is now timely to conduct a final progress review and is commencing this work in January 2022.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (818)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:818. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to support the CervicalCheck Screening Programme and to promote the uptake of the HPV vaccine. [5166/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commits to fully implement the recommendations contained in Dr Scally’s Report of the Scoping Inquiry, and all other reports into CervicalCheck.
Significant progress has been made in this regard. The Department of Health publishes quarterly progress reports on implementation of Dr Scally's recommendations, and at the end of quarter three 2021, 164 of the 170 actions, arising from 58 recommendations, are completed. Work is well underway in completing the six remaining actions, which are all 'in progress'. Dr Scally last reported on the implementation of the recommendations of his Scoping Inquiry in April 2020. In this review report, Dr Scally says that substantial progress has been made, the vast majority of actions were on track or were completed, and he is satisfied with the approach and structures in place for implementation. I have asked Dr Gabriel Scally to conduct a final progress review of implementation of the recommendations of his Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck screening programme. Dr Scally has agreed it is now timely to conduct a final progress review and is commencing this work in January 2022.
I am pleased to advise that despite the impact of COVID-19 on our health services, CervicalCheck is currently up to date with invites for screening. In addition, in 2021 there has been a significant uptake of cervical screening, ahead of their targets by 14%. During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17 – 23 January), CervicalCheck promoted how women can reduce their risk of this disease and the steps they can take to look after their health. CervicalCheck took this opportunity to highlight the importance of women over 50 accessing their services. They are continuing to promote such throughout this year and are planning targeted media campaigns for specific age groups and geographical locations to encourage women to attend. Further information can be found on the HSE website.
Regarding the current recorded uptake rate for the first dose of the HPV vaccine, in the 2020/2021 academic year, is 76%. The current recorded uptake rate for the second dose of the HPV vaccine in this academic year is 65%. It should be noted that some areas are yet to input some, or all, of their data for both dose 1 and 2 so these figures are expected to increase. The roll-out of the 2021/2022 HPV vaccination programme is underway and its delivery remains a priority for the HSE.
The HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) promote HPV vaccine at key opportunities in order to achieve an increase in uptake rates. For example, during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week the NIO actively utilised social media to promote the facts surrounding HPV vaccination. In addition, when the immunisation school teams are offering the 2nd dose of HPV vaccine during this school term, the HSE will again support their work through campaigns using social and traditional media channels.
It may be of interest that the HSE has begun working with stakeholders and academics in Australia to develop a model to set a target date to work towards cervical cancer elimination in Ireland. We are in a fortunate position in Ireland to aim for this type of cancer to become a rare disease due to the combination of HPV vaccination programme and the CervicalCheck screening programme.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (819, 820)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:819. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the role of the liaison officers appointed to work with the persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:820. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will make the document concerning liaison officers for persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5168/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 819 and 820 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. 820 answered with Question No. 819.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (821)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:821. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the retrospective audit that will be offered for persons affected by the CervicalCheck scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5169/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (822)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:822. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to involve persons and groups affected by failures of the State to provide proper healthcare such as a group (details supplied) in the development of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5170/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 provides the legislative framework for a number of important patient safety issues, including the mandatory open disclosure of a list of notifiable patient safety incidents and the notification of same externally to the Health Information and Quality Authority, Chief Inspector of Social Services and the Mental Health Commission, as appropriate, to contribute to national learning and system-wide improvements. This mandatory requirement for open disclosure will ensure that patients and their families receive appropriate timely information in relation to an incident that may have occurred in relation to their care. The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 will also bring private hospitals within the remit of the Health Act 2007. The relevant provisions extend the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority, allowing it to set standards for the operation of private hospitals, to monitor compliance with them and to undertake inspections and investigations as required. The Bill also contains provisions to support clinical audit within the health service.The Bill was introduced into Dáil Éireann on the 12 December 2019 and passed Second Stage in the Dáil at that time. The Bill is a Programme for Government commitment and is expected to go to Dáil Committee stage in the near future, after which it will be progressed to Dáil Report Stage and through all Stages in the Seanad.The Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 is part of the broader programme of legislative and policy initiatives to improve the ability of the health service to anticipate, identify, and respond to patient safety issues, and to improve the quality and safety of health services for patients. Creating a culture of open disclosure and learning from the things that go wrong is the bedrock of making services safer.The Department of Health is committed to ensuring and supporting the central role that patients play in working with the public health service to develop health policy and in designing and reforming health services. Patient representatives participate on a number of committees and working groups across the Department of Health, the HSE and health agencies, and make a significant contribution to the strategic decision-making work of those committees and groups, including members of the 221+ Group as part of the CervicalCheck Steering Committee.In developing the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019, which builds on the Civil Liability Amendment Act (2017), my Department has taken part in extensive stakeholder engagements, including with Dr Gabriel Scally and members of the 221+ Group. The intention behind these engagements is to ensure that the lessons learned from users of our health and social services inform the provisions of the Bill. This includes additional provisions made following consideration of recommendations made by Dr Gabriel Scally. These provisions place specific obligations on health services providers and health practitioners to ensure that all relevant information is provided to the patient and their family in the course of making an open disclosure of a notifiable incident.
Question No. 823 answered with Question No. 632.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (824)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:824. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the longest duration experienced by a CHO4 mental health service staff member in a formal grievance case in 2020 and 2021; the total number of weeks from the submission of the grievance by the staff member to feedback being received following a stage 2 hearing; and the average duration of a HSE grievance case from the time of submission to the receipt of feedback by the staff member from a stage 2 hearing. [5174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 Staff
Ceisteanna (825)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:825. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the conditions under which the nationally agreed recruitment panel process for HSE adult mental health psychologists can be bypassed by management for particular appointments either through local interviews or unadvertised appointments by transfer; the human resources policies that may enshrine these exceptions to the recruitment process; and if these exceptions have been agreed to by trade unions. [5175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 Staff
Ceisteanna (826)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:826. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the proportion of appointments to HSE adult mental health psychology posts projected to bypass current national recruitment panels through local interviews or unadvertised appointments by transfer; the sanctioning process involved in these exceptions to the nationally agreed recruitment panel process; and the lines of management responsible. [5176/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (827)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:827. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on and response to a key conclusion in the Cost of Disability in Ireland research report finding, that measures to address the additional costs of disability should be based on a multi-faceted approach involving increased cash payments, enhanced access to service provision and specific targeted grant programmes (details supplied). [5177/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Indecon Report on the Cost of Disability was commissioned by the Department of Employment and Social Protection. Please see the relevant press release here:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b013c-government-publishes-the-cost-of-disability-research-report/
The report suggests the need for a multi-faceted approach involving measures to support additional income, targeted grants, and better services or supports free of charge. The Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG), for its consideration and future monitoring of actions. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) is a whole-of-government strategy, chaired by the Minister for Disabilities, that brings together relevant departments and agencies to develop coordinated policy and action on improving the lives of persons with disabilities. Members of the NDISSG have been asked to look at the implications of the report for their own areas of service delivery and the Report will be further discussed at the next meeting of the Strategy’s Steering Group.
This 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. Our determination to improve services and supports for people with disabilities and their families is clear in our Programme for Government. The Health Budget 2022 provides an additional package of €115m (including €10m one-off Covid funding for specialist community-based disability services which are delivered or funded by the HSE, and builds on the €100m funding allocated in 2021 to enhance these specialist disability services.
The Disability Capacity Review to 2032 sets out the Disability Social Care Demand and Capacity Requirements up to 2032. This review has carefully drawn on best available evidence and information to estimate the scale of current outstanding need for HSE-funded disability services, and how the scale and shape of need is likely to evolve over the years to 2032.
Work is underway on preparing an Action Plan for Disability Services 2022-2025, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to work towards implementing the Disability Capacity Review.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (828)
Robert Troy
Ceist:828. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 328 of 20 January 2022, the reason that his Department is reporting an appeal was not received in relation to the query (details supplied). [4255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to Parliamentary Question No. 328 of 20th January 2022, where the Deputy asked when the GLAS appeal for the person named would be decided, as stated previously, there was no record of an outstanding appeal in respect of the person named and the GLAS Scheme on 20th January 2022.
The document referred to from the Department dated 15th October 2021 acknowledged the request for a review of the Inspection findings. As stated in Parliamentary Question No 328 of 20th January 2022, this review was finalised and notification issued to the person named dated 16th November 2021.
The review decision letter dated 16th November 2021 outlined the option to appeal the decision of the Regional Inspector Review to the Agriculture Appeals Office. This is an entirely separate process to a review. As stated previously on Parliamentary Question No 328 of 20th January 2022, there is no record of an appeal being submitted to the Agricultural Appeals Office in relation to this matter to date.
Teagasc Activities
Ceisteanna (829)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:829. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc as a State body is answerable to him as laid out in the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988; if Teagasc is in fact a charity run by its trustees answerable to the Charities Regulator as laid out in the Charities Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4256/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Teagasc was established under the “Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act”, 1988, as the national agency with responsibility for the provision of research, training and advisory services to the agriculture and food industry. It operates as a non-commercial state body under the aegis of my Department in the areas of agri-food, rural development etc. The day to day running of the organization is the responsibility of the executive and its governing board, the Teagasc Authority.
I am advised that Teagasc registered for charitable status in 1988 within the meaning of Section 207, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 under Charity Reference Number 2002275. The registration was progressed having regard to the principal functions of Teagasc as outlined in Section 4 of the Teagasc Act regarding the provision of educational and training services in agriculture and the dissemination of scientific information to the agricultural industry.
Having charitable status enables Teagasc to avail of certain tax exemptions granted by the Revenue Commissioners to efficiently manage its tax affairs in compliance with tax law and regulations.
It should be noted that approval for charitable status is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the Charities Regulator who regulates charitable organisations operating in Ireland to ensure compliance with the Charities Act and to support best practice in the governance and management of charities.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (830)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:830. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is taking to protect the endangered old Irish goat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been proactive in terms of its engagement with the Old Irish Goat Society for over five years in assisting in a range of activities designed to conserve this breed. These include;
- funding for characterisation work such as defining a breed standard for the Old Irish Goat (OIG). This involves assessing a large number of animals physical features and characteristics.
- genotyping/DNA sampling a range of animals from across the country to assess at a molecular level whether they are OIG animals, or are of a more modern imported breed.
- Education/training/awareness raising of the unique cultural and historical aspect of the OIG
- funding studies to assess the potential benefits of the OIG in conservation grazing activities
- Funding to assist in maintaining a flock of OIG animals in a number of centres, and to carry out a targeted mating plan.
Financial support has also been provided to the Society for specific projects under the Rare breed Conservation Scheme. The Society have received €7,000 for various conservation projects since 2018.
In addition, officials are currently providing the necessary supports in assisting the Society meet the requirements of EU Animal Breeding legislation which will result is them achieving official recognition as a breed society and approval of a breeding programme for the Old Irish goat breed under this Regulation.