Thomas Gould
Ceist:752. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the Sexual Health Strategy; and the timeline for publication [11515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Strategies
Ceisteanna (752)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Sexual Health Strategy, 2015-2020 was launched in October 2015. It takes a life course approach, acknowledging the importance of developing a healthy attitude to sexuality in young people and of building on that foundation for positive sexual health and wellbeing into adulthood and older age.
Current priority deliverables under the Strategy are HIV prevention, including the continued expansion of a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, which commenced in late 2019, and the HIV Fast Track Cities programme, involving Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
Other key areas of work include expanding access to contraception, free of charge, through the National Condom Distribution Service; expanding sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, progressing a population survey on sexual health and improving sexual health education, training and resources, including in schools, higher and further education.
A review of the Strategy began in 2021, having been postponed as a result of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Focus group meetings were held with key stakeholders, including clinical and public health staff, the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme team, those working in the STI clinics, the education sector, the Department of Health and Women’s Health Taskforce, the research and academic sector and organisations representing the LGBTI+ community.
The detailed feedback from these meetings has been collated and will inform the future direction of the next iteration of the strategy. An external review of the Strategy has been approved and will progress, following a standard procurement process. Once the results of the Review are available, drafting of a refreshed version of the Strategy will commence in Q3, 2022 with completion of the Strategy envisaged in Q4, 2022
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (753)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:753. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the approval of reimbursement of CAR-T. [11516/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cells or CAR-T therapy is a novel cellular approach that uses genetic engineering to alter a patient’s own T-cells to produce unique receptors on their cell surface that recognize a specific protein.
In the absence of access to CAR-T in Ireland, an exception was made in 2019 for patients to be allowed access to this drug treatment under the Treatment Abroad Scheme, where the HSE cover the cost of treatment in another country in the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in December 2021 this service became operational for adults at St. James's Hospital, and that the use of CAR-T therapy for paediatric patients is expected in the first half of this year. This is the result of more than three years of collaborative work between the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), the Department of Health, St James’s Hospital, and CHI Crumlin.
Three CAR-T therapies are licensed as medicines by the EU and are already approved for reimbursement by the HSE, with two further indications currently under consideration through the HSE reimbursement process.
It is expected that use of CAR-T cell therapies will grow in coming years. The NCCP continues to work towards improving patient outcomes by leading on the establishment of new and innovative services, such as CAR-T, in designated cancer centres.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (754)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:754. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time services by CHO addressing hepatitis-C. [11517/22]
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.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (755)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:755. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the engagement and discussions between his Department and an association (details supplied) on matters relating to the provision of services for medical card holders under the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My immediate priority is to seek to address the current situation of medical card patients experiencing problems in accessing treatment.
In that respect, officials from my Department and from the HSE have held two rounds of discussions with the IDA, the most recent on 17 December last when my Department and the HSE presented proposals to invest additional resources in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme, including €10m provided in the Budget, on top of the 2022 Estimate allocation of €56 million.
The Department / HSE has offered increased fees across a number of items and proposed the reintroduction of the Scale and Polish item.
These proposals were expedited to address not only the problem of access for patients, but also concerns expressed by dentists about the viability of the DTSS, and to some extent, to bring about alignment with the Dental Treatment Benefits Scheme, which is widely operated by dentists for PRSI patients.
The Department wishes to move the process on, in the interests of patients, and a further round of discussions with the IDA is scheduled for the 2nd March.
In the meantime, I have been assured that the HSE Public Dental Service is seeking to provide emergency cover for any medical card patients who are experiencing problems in accessing a service from their local dentist.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (756)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:756. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average response time for ambulances in Ballincollig, County Cork. [11523/22]
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.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (757)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:757. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason that persons with Huntington’s disease with the exception of a small number of persons in the late stages of the condition have no specialist services in Ireland; and if he will commit to establishing a working group within six months under the joint auspices of the National Dementia Office and the integrated care programme as a necessary first step to improving care for those suffering. [11540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (758)
James Lawless
Ceist:758. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a specialist service for the families of those affected by Huntington’s disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11542/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (759)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:759. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the lack of diabetic nurses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (760)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:760. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in County Wexford who are accepting medical card patients; if he is satisfied with the provision of dental care in County Wexford for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11547/22]
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 (761)
David Cullinane
Ceist:761. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to review service statements compiled following assessments of need conducted pre-2021 following the Court of Appeal decision in C.M. v HSE [2021] IECA 283 (details supplied) to ensure that these service statements have adequately addressed the educational need of the child in view of findings that this section of service statements completed before this decision is unlikely to have been completed in line with the legislation and statutory entitlements of the child considering the position of the HSE prior to this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11555/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (762)
David Cullinane
Ceist:762. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the last instance on which he was furnished with a report pursuant to section 13 of the Disability Act 2005; if any report has been compiled since 2009; if so, if these reports will be published as required under the Act; if he intends to ensure resumption of reporting under section 13 by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11557/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (763)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:763. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and a response issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I wish to confirm that correspondence was received by my Office from the group concerned and a reply was issued on 27th January 2022.
Question No. 764 answered with Question No. 699.
Question No. 765 answered with Question No. 617.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (766)
Mark Ward
Ceist:766. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the Keltoi rehabilitation centre in St. Marys, Phoenix Park will still be used as a Covid isolation facility given the current easing of Covid restrictions; when Keltoi will be able to resume addiction and dual diagnosis rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Healthcare Organisation 9.
There are significant numbers of homeless and addiction service users in this area, particularly in Dublin North City and County. The area also has a high migrant health population living in overcrowded accommodation and quarantine accommodation.
It is important to state that all these cohorts have specific challenges and that they need individualised supports to be put in place if they are Covid positive, as they cannot isolate in their existing accommodation on public health grounds.
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 under review by HSE CHO9 Public Health Department on a monthly basis.
The HSE has assured me that the use of this facility as a Covid-19 response is being reviewed on an ongoing basis in line with national guidance.
I am happy to confirm that the HSE remain committed to enhancing the residential addiction services in this area including the reopening of the Keltoi facility once it is no longer required as part of the Covid-19 response.
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.
Question No. 767 answered with Question No. 674.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (768)
David Cullinane
Ceist:768. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to act on the decision and findings of (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Significant additional staffing resources have been allocated to Children’s Disability Network Teams in 2021 and 2022 and prioritised by the various lead agencies. The latest position at the end of January last is that of the 185 posts approved in 2021, 101 posts have been filled or at an advanced stage of recruitment.
Furthermore, as part of the HSE's National Service Plan for 2022, significant additional funding has been provided for additional therapy posts and administrative support posts to further strengthen the capacity of Children's Disability Network Teams and enhance service delivery.
Question No. 769 answered with Question No. 674.
Question No. 770 answered with Question No. 674.
Question No. 771 answered with Question No. 674.