Tuesday, 1 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 653-672

School Facilities

Ceisteanna (653)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

653. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in transferring ownership of the old HSE house on the Old Road, Cashel to a school (details supplied). [11010/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (654)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

654. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the total number of children waiting for assessments of need, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and psychology support in Dublin west and south west community health network; and the length of time children are on these waiting lists before securing these interventions in tabular form. [11012/22]

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.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (655)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

655. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the case of mental health in communities in a post-pandemic era and the funding requirements which will be required for future services to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11025/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

All aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed, through implementation of our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision in the short to longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030. 

 A whole-of-government National Implementation Monitoring Committee (NIMC) was established in December 2020 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the policy and to monitor progress. The NIMC is made up of the NIMC Steering Committee, supported by a NIMC Reference Group of Service Users and Family Members, which is in the process of being established, and NIMC Specialist Groups, which have been established in priority areas of development including CAMHS, Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity development and also in Women’s Mental Health.

 There is work ongoing across Government that aligns to the recommendations of Sharing the Vision. I am satisfied that the Committee is progressing well in this initial stage of its work, by building on the following initiatives already underway: 

-   Many significant recent developments in online mental health service provision and positive mental health promotion have been expedited in response to the ongoing pandemic. These initiatives exemplify the holistic, whole-of-population approach to mental health service development that Sharing the Vision  promotes and seeks to advance, in parallel with the development of specialist supports. 

-   Sharing the Vision recommends the continued phased implementation and evaluation of existing national clinical programmes in mental health, including Dual Diagnosis, Early Intervention in Psychosis, and Eating Disorders. The clinical programmes, which are in various stages of design and implementation, are at the heart of service improvement. 

-   Sharing the Vision additionally recommends that, in keeping with the evolving understanding of human rights to empower people and improve quality of care in mental healthcare facilities, legislation must be updated and additional supports put in place. This is currently being addressed in the review of the Mental Health Act, 2001, which was completed, and a General Scheme approved by Government on 13 July 2021. Following the Government decision to approve the heads of bill, a formal Bill will be drafted by the Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Health. 

The policy rollout will be further enabled by the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024, which is presently being finalised for publication in March 2022. Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, the Plan will provide detailed 3-year plans for each of the policy’s 100 recommendations, is the next step in ensuring the continued momentum needed for a successful policy implementation. Additionally, HSE National Service Plan 2022, which is currently being finalised, will set out a plan to enhance mental health services in the short term, on the basis of the priorities set out in Budget 2022 and in line with Sharing the Vision.

With regards to funding, a total of €1.149 billion has been allocated to mental health in Budget 2022. This is an additional €47 million for next year and comprises €24 million for new developments, €13 million for existing levels of service and €10 million in once off funding for COVID-19. 

The additional investment provided for in Budget 2022 will ensure the continued development of mental health services, including out of hours supports, child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and the national clinical mental health programmes. An additional €1.15 million will be allocated to the Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders to continue the roll out of specialist eating disorder teams in CHOs 1, 3, 5 and 6. New mental health services for older people will be developed, in line with the model of care for specialist mental health services for older people and will be piloted next year. Two new CAMHS telehubs will be funded under Budget 2022 and funding will also be allocated to enhance the capacity of CAMHS teams across the country. Crisis resolution teams will continue to be developed with an allocated budget of over €1.4 million in 2022.  An additional €10 million was announced on Budget Day as a once off funding measure to provide further investment in mental health services, with a particular emphasis on community and voluntary based supports. 

 As the question also concerns HSE services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (656, 657)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

656. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increasing the income threshold for the medical card for those aged under 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11055/22]

Colm Burke

Ceist:

657. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increasing the income threshold for the medical card for those persons aged over 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 657 together.

Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.

Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card.

In addition, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, it should be noted that this Department keeps medical card issues such as existing income thresholds under regular review, having regard for Government policy, increases in the Consumer Price Index and other issues which may be relevant.

Separately, since 2015 every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.

Question No. 657 answered with Question No. 656.

Gender Equality

Ceisteanna (658)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

658. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the equality objectives of his Department specifically relating to women. [11076/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department is committed to the fulfilment of its Public Sector Duty. Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 imposes a statutory obligation on public bodies in performing their functions to have regard to the need to:

- Eliminate discrimination;

- Promote equality of opportunity and treatment for staff and persons to whom it provides services; and

- Protect the human rights of staff and services users.

In fulfilment of our obligations under the Public Sector Duty we are currently undertaking a detailed self-assessment with the following objectives:

1. To better understand how the Duty is currently understood and implemented within the Department.

2. To identify the key equality and human rights issues for the Department of Health to prioritise during the strategic period 2021-2023.

3. To prioritise these issues and develop an action plan.

4. To increase awareness of the Duty amongst Department of Health staff.

Consideration of equality is threaded through all activity within my Department. With specific regard to Women's Health, my Department has made significant progress in discharging the commitments under "Promoting Women's Health" in the Programme for Government. Progress to date includes:

- A Women’s Health Action Plan for 2022-2023 is currently being finalised and is expected to be published in the coming weeks.

- The inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group was established in 2021 and has met twice, with additional bilateral meetings. €0.71m has been allocated to support initial period poverty implementation measures in Budget 2022. 

- In May 2021, the Minister announced funding of €1.58m to provide an additional 24 Lactation Consultants across hospital and community settings.

- Almost €9 million to fund access to contraception for women aged 17-25 was allocated in Budget 2022. The Contraception Implementation Group meets regularly and is working towards the projected start date of August 2022, in laying the groundwork for implementation.

- All three national cancer screening programmes continue to operate, CervicalCheck are screening at pre-Covid levels. New initiatives progressing, e.g., the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory, three new mobile screening units for BreastCheck, one is now operational, two are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.  A proposal for a collaborative initiative between WHO-IARC/DOH/NSS has commenced to support Ireland in delivering an exemplar Cervical Cancer Screening Programme for their population.

- The CervicalCheck Steering Committee has held seven meetings to date. 166 of 170 recommendations made in the Scally report are now complete with the remaining 4 in progress. Minister 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 and work on this commenced in  January 2022.

- The Schools Immunisation Programme 2021/2022 (including HPV programme) is underway.

- The Assisted Human Reproduction Bill is on the spring legislative programme and is expected to be published in the coming weeks. The review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in 2021 and a final report is expected to be submitted to the Minister later in 2022.

- The Minister for Health has appointed Ms Marie O’Shea B.L. as the independent Chair of the Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. The Chair will assess the extent to which the Act’s objectives have, and have not, been achieved and will make recommendations to address any barriers identified. Research is currently underway to support this Review.

- The implementation of the National Maternity Strategy has been underway for 5 years and significant progress has been made to date. Under Budgets 2021 and 2022, almost €16m in new development funding has been allocated to maternity services, in line with the Programme for Government. This investment is ensuring the continued roll out of the Strategy’s model of care, including increased choice for women and an increase in access to allied and specialist care across the system.

- In accordance with a recent Review of Maternity Services, project briefs are being developed for each of the relocation of the Coombe Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, and the relocation of Limerick University Maternity Hospital. Completed project briefs are expected end 2022.

- The project for the relocation of National Maternity Hospital Holles St. to the St. Vincent’s University Hospital Campus is progressing. Enabling Works & Decant Project are ongoing, with main works on site expected to commence end 2023.

In addition, the Department of Health Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 commits to “a culture of respect, collaboration and innovation, where staff feel empowered in their roles and supported in the pursuit of a healthy work/life balance.”

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (659)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

659. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for the dexcom continuous glucose monitoring sensors by the long-term Illness scheme or the primary care reimbursement service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11085/22]

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 Admissions

Ceisteanna (660)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

660. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through the UL Hospitals Group accident and emergency departments or the acute medical assessment unit due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons with pre-existing diabetes; the number of admissions that were due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons who were diagnosed with diabetes after admission in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11086/22]

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 (661)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

661. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes as of 31 January 2022 who are awaiting a first appointment to the adult outpatients diabetes clinic in any of the UL Hospitals Group hospitals; the number of persons waiting for time periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/22]

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 Services

Ceisteanna (662)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

662. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the timeline for when University Hospital Limerick will become a dose adjustment for normal eating, DAFNE, accredited diabetes centre; the current total number of whole-time equivalent posts for consultants (details supplied) currently in place in the adult outpatient diabetes clinic in each of the hospitals in the UL Hospitals Group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11093/22]

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.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (663, 664)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

663. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of CHO 4 mental health service management staff who were offered priority first-dose Covid-19 vaccinations in January 2021 ahead of patients and nursing staff of St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire and the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11096/22]

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

664. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the person or persons in the HSE that authorised the offering of priority first dose Covid-19 vaccinations to CHO4 mental health service management staff ahead of patients and nursing staff of St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire and the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, County Cork in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11097/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 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. 664 answered with Question No. 663.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (665)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

665. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of each new specialist eating disorder team being developed; the services that will be provided by each team; the number of staff, the type of staff and the capacity in each team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11098/22]

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 directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (666, 667, 668, 669)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

666. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists in the CHO 4 HSE mental health services who were informed of opportunities to transfer into posts for each of the years 2014 to 2021; the context and means by which these opportunities were communicated; the number of psychologists in CHO 4 who expressed an interest in writing in availing of opportunities to transfer into posts for each of these years; the number of psychologists in CHO4 wjp were facilitated in each of these years to transfer into posts that were not first advertised to eligible candidates on the relevant national recruitment panel. [11111/22]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

667. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the way appointments by transfer for psychologists in the CHO 4 mental health services were adjudicated; the process involved in allocating these posts; the rationale for their approval by senior management in each of the years 2014 to 2021 given the national panel process that applies to psychology recruitment and the absence of a transfer policy within the discipline; if unadvertised transfers which are not preceded by attempts to fill those posts through the relevant recruitment panel will continue as a form of recruitment for psychologists in CHO 4 in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11112/22]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

668. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the percentage of appointments to permanent contract psychology posts in the Cork adult mental health services between August 2017 and January 2021 that took place through unadvertised transfers; if he will identify each psychology appointment and the recruitment method in that period for the CHO 4 adult mental health services; and the date of the appointment and the service location of each. [11113/22]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

669. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the reason a local interview was used as the method of recruitment to a senior psychologist adult mental health post in the St. Stephen's Hospital, Fermoy home-based crisis team in March 2017 instead of the relevant national recruitment panel; the reason the relevant national recruitment panel was later used in October 2017 when the post was vacated and again advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11114/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 667, 668 and 669 together.

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

Question No. 667 answered with Question No. 666.

Question No. 668 answered with Question No. 666.

Question No. 669 answered with Question No. 666.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (670)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

670. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the availability of STI testing kits in each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11115/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

STI/HIV testing is currently available for symptomatic infections through the national network of STI clinics. Asymptomatic testing is available through an HSE home testing service, through a pilot originally funded in 3 counties by the Sláintecare Integration Fund. In response to demand, this service has been expanded and is currently offered in 20 counties, with roll-out nationally envisaged later in 2022.

Further information regarding how to access STI testing is available on the HSE's sexualwellbeing.ie website

€3.3m has been allocated in Budget 2022 for expansion of online STI testing and for continuation of two other Sláintecare Integration Fund projects supporting sexual health services in Athlone Institute of Technology and north inner-city Dublin.

With regard to the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (671)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

671. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [11124/22]

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.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (672)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

672. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the medical protocols that are in place to deal with a suspected victim of drink spiking and date rape drugs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11127/22]

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.