James Lawless
Ceist:633. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the severe shortages of general practitioners in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10911/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (633)
Freagraí scríofa
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. As of February, there are approximately 28 GMS vacancies in the State, approximately 1 percent of all GP GMS panels, and currently no GMS vacancies in County Kildare.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see the Government increase investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those 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. The transfer of responsibility for training to the ICGP, completed last year, will result in further increases in the coming years.
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.
Care of the Elderly
Ceisteanna (634)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:634. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he intends introducing personalised budgets for older people; the timeframe for this to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10913/22]
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 (635)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:635. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of additional staff who were employed in the community for the Echo Programme; and whether it is the case that the same staff that do this work in the hospitals also do this in the community. [10915/22]
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (636, 637, 638)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:636. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the vaccine coverage rate for the HPV national immunisation programme for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic year; his plans for a catch-up programme including any targets set for 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Kelly
Ceist:637. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the free HPV national immunisation programme to women treated for CIN2+ lesions as recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Council in May 2021, which could reduce the incidence of recurrence by up to 40%; if he will indicate his target date for the extension of this programme and implementation of the recommendation; the funding that he intends to allocate to implement this recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Kelly
Ceist:638. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he has requested the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to males up to the age of 25 year in a similar manner to his request relating to women up to the age of 25 years; if not, the reason and if he plans to; the involvement of the HIQA in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 636 to 638, inclusive, together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in their first year of secondary school.
In June 2017, on foot of the NIAC’s recommendation that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school. HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys. This started in September 2019 with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. As part of the HTA to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme to include boys, it also examined the potential for a catch-up programme for boys up to sixth year in school. It concluded that such a programme would not be cost effective, and it was not introduced at that time. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
In July 2018, NIAC recommended the HPV vaccine for people living with HIV up to and including 26 years of age and for all gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), including gbMSM living with HIV, up to and including 45 years of age. A policy decision was made to implement this recommendation and the vaccine is available through many STI and HIV clinics.
As you will be aware, my Department has asked NIAC to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
If NIAC conclude that there is sufficient evidence to support providing the HPV vaccine to one or both groups, HIQA will undertake a cost-effectiveness assessment on that basis.
Once this work has been completed, my Department will consider the recommendations made by NIAC and HIQA following which my Department will make future policy decisions in this area.
On the issue of NIAC recommendations more generally, I can advise that currently, there have been no decisions made to extend the HPV national immunisation programme to include those receiving treatment for CIN2+ lesions on foot of the NIAC recommendation. My Department will, of course, continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence in the future.
In relation to HPV vaccine uptake rates, the National Immunisation Office have advised that the latest available figures show a 76% uptake for dose 1 and 65% uptake for dose 2 in the 2020/2021 academic year. 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 World Health Organisation has a HPV uptake rate target in place of 90% to eliminate cervical cancer. I can confirm that Ireland is committed to achieving this objective of a 90% uptake rate.
Question No. 637 answered with Question No. 636.
Question No. 638 answered with Question No. 636.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (639)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:639. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the partnership led by the National Screening Service that will allow Ireland to set a target date for the elimination of cervical cancer; when he expects the work of this group to conclude; the number of times this group reports to him; if his Department has allocated funding for the group’s recommendations: if so, the amount of funding that has been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am fully committed to advancing the work in Ireland as part of the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer.
The HSE project which involves collaboration between the National Screening Service, the National Immunisation Office, the National Cancer Control Programme and others, to progress baseline modelling and structures in preparation for Ireland setting a target for the elimination of cervical cancer, is an important step forward in this area.
Funding for this initiative is included in the HSE Budget and National Service Plan for 2022. In this regard, and for details of the project, I have referred your PQ to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (640)
Joe McHugh
Ceist:640. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health if drugs (details supplied) are certified for prescription at pharmacies in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10927/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (641)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:641. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters regarding a service (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (642)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:642. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the role of an organisation (details supplied) in the provision of mental health services for public patients; the oversight in place for the service; the amount paid by the State to the service in each year for the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10929/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Register
Ceisteanna (643)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:643. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) to register with the Medical Council Ireland; and if the application will be expedited urgently in order that they can work in the health service in Dublin. [10935/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Medical Council is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of medical practitioners in Ireland, I have forwarded this question to the Council who will respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (644)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:644. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for a nationwide audit of child and adolescent mental health services; if independent oversight arrangements have been agreed; the current timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10936/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the full nationwide audit of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams, I have written to the HSE to direct them to commence it immediately.
In relation to the further independent-led audit of case files in North Kerry, the HSE is finalising the details of this audit.
I am in ongoing discussions on the independently-led prescribing audit for each of the CAMHS teams, which I sought as an additional action, beyond the recommendations set out in the Maskey report. It is important to me that this audit is comprehensive and robust. It will cover community and inpatient teams and it will be independently led.
I have also requested that the CAMHS Experience Study by the HSE commence immediately so that no further time is lost.
In addition to these audits, the Mental Health Commission has commenced a separate review.
Finally, the Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report and the details of the operation of such a scheme are being finalised.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (645)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:645. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department have undertaken a full review of CAMHS services nationwide with a view to ensuring that an adequate and modern service is provided in each area regardless of the size of the population; the extent to which a proper diagnosis of conditions exists; if the appropriate medication or no medication is prescribed following a diagnosis; if steps have been taken or are in the course of being taken to investigate various complaints that have been made throughout the country regarding the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10937/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the full nationwide audit of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams, I have written to the HSE to direct them to commence it immediately.
In relation to the further independent-led audit of case files in North Kerry, the HSE is finalising the details of this audit.
I am in ongoing discussions on the independently-led prescribing audit for each of the CAMHS teams, which I sought as an additional action, beyond the recommendations set out in the Maskey report. It is important to me that this audit is comprehensive and robust. It will cover community and inpatient teams and it will be independently led.
In addition to these audits, the Mental Health Commission is undertaking a separate review, to commence in the coming weeks. I have also requested that the CAMHS Experience Study by the HSE commence immediately so that no further time is lost.
Finally, the Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report and the details of the operation of such a scheme are being finalised.
The Deputy can rest assured that I, and the Department of Health, will continue to closely monitor the development of CAMHS nationally, including enhancing Quality and Safety, in line with the objectives of Sharing the Vision and the HSE Service Plan.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (646)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:646. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the full extent of investigative or remedial programmes arising from shortcomings or complaints in relation to CAMHS services; if new or ongoing procedures have been put in place as a result of complaints; the response that has been given to various complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10938/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Maskey Report made 35 recommendations which the HSE has accepted in full. 6 of the 35 recommendations in the Maskey Report have been implemented with 13 currently being implemented. Some of the recommendations can be implemented straight away and others will take time. The HSE has committed to implementing them all as quickly as possible. I have sought fortnightly updates from the HSE on progress.
In relation to the full nationwide audit of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams, I have written to the HSE to direct them to commence it immediately.
In relation to the further independent-led audit of case files in North Kerry, the HSE is finalising the details of this audit.
I am in ongoing discussions on the independently-led prescribing audit for each of the CAMHS teams, which I sought as an additional action, beyond the recommendations set out in the Maskey report. It is important to me that this audit is comprehensive and robust. It will cover community and inpatient teams and it will be independently led.
In addition to these audits, the Mental Health Commission is undertaking a separate review, to commence in the coming weeks. I have also requested that the CAMHS Experience Study by the HSE commence immediately so that no further time is lost.
Finally, the Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report and the details of the operation of such a scheme are being finalised.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (647)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:647. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if the service situation of a person (details supplied) can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10948/22]
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 Strategies
Ceisteanna (648)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:648. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of the membership of the Food Reformulation Task Force; if there will be NGO representation on the taskforce; the exact membership of the Oversight and Monitoring Group overseeing the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10955/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
“A Roadmap for Food Product Reformulation in Ireland” was launched on 3rd December 2021 by Minister Donnelly and myself. The establishment of a Food Reformulation Task Force to implement the Roadmap was also announced. The publication of the Reformulation Roadmap fulfils a key element of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 and of the Sláintecare Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025. It was prepared by the Reformulation Sub-Group of the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG).
As stated in the Roadmap, the Food Reformulation Task Force is situated within the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). It is being funded by the Department of Health and will consist of a small number of technical and administrative staff specifically recruited to the Task Force, and therefore will not have NGO membership. Recruitment to the Task Force is well advanced, with the position of Scientist (Task Force Lead) among those having been filled. A detailed workplan for the Task force is in development. As also stated in the Roadmap, the Task Force will be overseen by an Oversight and Monitoring Group chaired by the Principal Officer of the Health and Wellbeing Programme, Department of Health, and will include representatives of the Department, FSAI and OPIOG.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (649)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Ceist:649. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the ongoing concerns with the clinical services for pupils with ASD and intellectual disabilities in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (650)
Niall Collins
Ceist:650. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he can advise the plan going forward for a Covid vaccinations centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/22]
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 (651, 782)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:651. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if there is a workforce plan in place for children’s disability network teams that identifies future staffing needs within children’s disability network teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPauline Tully
Ceist:782. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the details of each staffing role within children’s disability network teams; the number working within each role in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11673/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 651 and 782 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to operational matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (652)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:652. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the large backlog of needs assessments for children in the CH06 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.