Written Answers Nos. 530-542
530. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list broken down by waiting times for the children’s disability network team in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
531. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members who are working from home on both a part-time and full-time basis in each of the following hospitals Connolly Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda and Beaumont Hospital. [22240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
532. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (detail supplied). [22242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in an individual case. However, as his question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
533. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the details of secondments from his Department to the university third level sector over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22253/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past two years there have been no secondments from my Department to the university level sector.
534. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an urgent review into the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will ensure that sufficient funds are released in order that they can avail of essential services at their day centre. [22262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
535. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the pandemic recognition payment to clerical staff working on the frontline vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 19th April, the HSE published additional details on this payment, including full eligibility criteria, particulars, and terms and conditions that apply to HSE and Section 38 organisations' employees. This information is available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
On the Deputy's particular question, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct answer and reply.
536. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the position titles and names of the persons currently working in the National Foetal Valproate Syndrome Assessment Team; the location they are geographically based; and the resources allocated to them. [22267/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
537. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the names of the foetal valproate syndrome liaison officers in each CHO. [22268/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
538. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the actions taken by his Department and the HSE to implement the 2014 EMA ruling in relation to Valproate specifically around educating general practitioners to the dangers of proscription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22269/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2014, the European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) completed a review of sodium valproate and recommended strengthening restrictions on the use of valproate in women and girls, and for women to be better informed of the risks of valproate during pregnancy.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. The outcome of the 2014 EMA review was highlighted in the HPRA Drug Safety newsletter of December 2014, and a direct healthcare professional communication (DHPC) was issued to all healthcare professionals at that time. The HPRA also provided information to prescribers on the availability of the HSE “Valproate toolkit” in its August 2016 Newsletter.
For its part, the HSE sought to support the safety messages of the HPRA and disseminate relevant information in many ways, including:
- development of a Valproate toolkit through the collaborative work of the National Clinical Programmes for Medicines Management and Epilepsy, with input from HSE Mental Health division.
- the National Director of HSE’s Clinical Strategy and Programmes sent letters to relevant organisations informing them of the availability of the toolkit. This communication campaign included letters to prescribers and patient organisations such as the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP), Irish Medication Safety Network, General Practitioners via the PCRS, Neurological Alliance Ireland, Epilepsy Ireland, College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, ICGP, etc.
- the National Clinical Programme for Epilepsy developed an extensive practice guide for the management of women with epilepsy, which covered the pathways of care associated with all aspects of pregnancy, contraception and menopause.
As the Deputy may be aware, the EMA conducted a further review of sodium valproate in 2017-18, and subsequently recommended additional measures to avoid valproate exposure in pregnancy. These recommendations have also been implemented by the HPRA and HSE.
539. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the pandemic recognition payment to caretakers and cleaners working in health centres around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 19th April, the HSE published additional details on this payment, including full eligibility criteria, particulars, and terms and conditions that apply to HSE and Section 38 organisations' employees. This information is available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
On the Deputy's particular question, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct answer and reply.
540. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason that County Donegal only received circa 10% of the recent funding approved by the HSE for congregated settings under the capital developments scheme across community healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo. [22281/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
541. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if the angiogram service will be retained in the cardiac unit at Letterkenny University Hospital and will be built upon at the hospital working on a cross-Border basis for the persons in counties Donegal, Derry and west County Tyrone. [22282/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of health cooperation services operating in the North West region between Donegal and Derry. These include the North West Cardiology Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Service (PCI). In place since 2016, the agreement provides for the provision of Primary PCI Service to Donegal patients at Altnagelvin Hospital. The cardiology service is provided to patients with a diagnosed ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction condition (heart attack).
The National Cardiac Services Review is in the final stages and is due to be published shortly. This review will set out the roadmap for the future delivery of cardiac services nationally. In the interim, University Hospital Galway will continue to support Letterkenny University Hospital in the delivery of acute cardiac services.
542. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason that the cardiac radiology unit that was donated to Letterkenny University Hospital by a group (details supplied) in 2018 has not been commissioned. [22283/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
