Written Answers Nos. 256-273
256. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for the Holles Street hospital site once the National Maternity Hospital has relocated; if it will be repurposed within the HSE; if not, if it will be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23704/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the legal framework that will underpin the relocation of the NMH to the Elm Park campus, the Operating Licence sets out that as part of its investment in the new hospital, the NMH will transfer its title to the current NMH buildings to the HSE.
This will provide the HSE with the flexibility to decide how best to utilise these facilities going forward. However, as this is an operational matter, the HSE would be able to provide more information in relation to this question and, as such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
257. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 521 of 4 May 2022, when the assessment of University Hospital Limerick’s patient pathways is expected to conclude; if the specialist team tasked with ascertaining the additional resources that will be deployed to alleviate the current pressures being experienced in the emergency department will have to wait until the hospital’s management assessment of patient pathways is concluded; and the way that the hospital’s managed assessment will differ to the recommendations of the specialist team. [23705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the UHL patient pathways assessment, and its output, are matters under the direct management of the hospital group, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
258. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will approve the reimbursement under the high-tech drug arrangements for kaftrio for children under 12 years of age; the reason for the delay in approval in view of the fact that it has already been approved for children aged 12 years and over; the date when the applicant company submitted a rapid review dossier of evidence to the HSE; the steps taken by the HSE to consider this dossier; the dates on which these steps were taken; if all outstanding queries have been addressed by the applicant company; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23711/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
259. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are currently notified as having long-Covid; if there is a national registry point for same; if so, the person or body that is in charge of the registry; the current arrangements for general practitioners to notify the public health system of patients with the condition; the data capture strategy that is allowing the adequate provision of services in quantum and location; the number of medical personnel who have been seconded or hired to deal specifically with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23742/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
260. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the current state of the installation of air filtration and-or air cleaning tools in hospitals and public buildings given that Covid is airborne and it is the third year of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraVentilation has remained a core element of the broader infection prevention and control (IPC) response over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ventilation should not be seen as a standalone measure, but rather a single component of the overall layered response required to reduce the risk of transmission, and an adjunct to the continued need for adherence to the full range of public health advice. The importance of ventilation as a measure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is embedded in Government communications on the pandemic.
The HSE’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Division (AMRIC) was established in early 2019, under the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer. It is led by the AMRIC National Clinical Lead and consists of a core multidisciplinary team with expertise across a range of relevant clinical domains.
The AMRIC provides expert advice on the practical and safe implementation and application of antimicrobial resistance and infection control measures in healthcare and non-healthcare settings. HSE AMRIC guidance promotes adequate ventilation as one of a number of measures to reduce the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, published online here:
Acute Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Precautions - HPSC
Buildings and Facilities Guidance - HPSC
Guidance on the sectoral application of the broad range of public health advice, including ventilation, is a matter for individual sectors. Individual government departments are therefore best placed to provide the Deputy with information on their respective sectors.
With regard to the healthcare sector, the Deputy is advised that the application of infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance as referenced above, including procurement of equipment as necessary, is an operational matter and as such, the Deputy’s question has been referred to the HSE for direct written response.
261. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if supports are in place for persons who are diagnosed with an eating disorder and require dental treatment as a result of their eating disorder but do not have the financial means and do not qualify for a medical card. [23761/22]
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.
262. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the position in respect of the reimbursement of the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system for those with type 1 diabetes; if consideration has been given adding FreeStyle Libre to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23774/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
263. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will assist a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLyme disease is a tick-borne infection that occurs when recreational or occupation activities result in tick bites from an infected tick. It is relatively rare with estimations that a small proportion of ticks in Ireland are infected.
The infection is known to be endemic in certain locations and in these areas GPs are very familiar with the most typical presentation which is a rash, often with a bull’s eye appearance. In this setting early treatment can be initiated by the GP and further testing is not required or recommended. More complicated cases require referral to Infectious Diseases clinics, which are currently present in all but one level 4 and all but two level 3 hospitals in Ireland.
The Infectious Disease clinical program, which has been in place for one year, has a workforce strategy to establish a network of Infectious Diseases clinics that will address any current geographic inequity. The publicly funded Infectious Diseases clinics all support the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines regarding the diagnoses and treatment of Lyme disease. These clinics do not currently have waiting lists and patients are seen in a timely manner.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland's specialist agency for the surveillance of communicable diseases. The HPSC provides guidance on protection against contracting Lyme disease and publishes significant amounts of information on its website - hpsc.ie - for the general public and health professionals.
In relation to medical cards, under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.
The issue of granting medical cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
264. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his Department classifies Alzheimer's disease as an official disability as this would allow people to attain the rights and entitlements that being declared a disabled person would allow them to have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23777/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE), funded by the Department of Health, provides and funds a range of services and supports for people with disabilities in order to 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.
These services include adult day services, respite, home support, personal assistant services, residential services and therapy services.
Access to services is provided for on the basis of individual need and not of any specific diagnosis.
I have asked to HSE to respond to directly to the Deputy with regard to pathways of care available for people with Alzheimer's disease, as soon as possible.
265. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23858/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's 'Green Team' are in a continual process of investigating options to encourage biodiversity within Miesian Plaza. The landlord of Miesian Plaza has installed the three commercial blocks with green sedum roofing. Sedum roofing is an organic blanket of seasonal flowers and succulent plants, ensuring year-round growth and biodiversity. In addition, there are low maintenance planted areas that encourage bee and butterfly activity as well as providing shelter and habitat space.
I have also forwarded your question to the HSE for direct reply. Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
266. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of trainee doctors trained within Ireland in each of the years since 2016; the number of persons who took up a post in Ireland; the average cost per trainee doctor in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23871/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
267. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when the respiratory physiotherapist post in St. Vincent's Hospital is due to be filled; if this professional will be available to those patients with bronchiectasis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23872/22]
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.
268. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will encourage the HSE to re-examine and improve the access pathway for patients with bronchiectasis in order to avoid them having to attend the emergency department in order to access care and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23873/22]
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.
269. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the details of staffing levels of the disability teams at HSE health clinics (details supplied) in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra270. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists available to service children with disabilities at local health centres (details supplied) in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23875/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
271. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of water birthing facilities available in HSE maternity hospitals and units; the number of water births which occurred in these facilities between 1 January 2015 and 30 November 2020, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
272. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent findings that members of the Traveller or Mincéirs community have high rates for self-harm presentations at hospital emergency departments. [23881/22]
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.
273. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the backlog in the issuing of felling licences will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23616/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe clearing of the backlog of licences is a priority for myself and Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector. Increased resources have been invested in dealing with files on hand and, under Project Woodland, a dedicated group, Working Group 1, is tasked with looking at the backlog.
Working Group 1 has, based on the Climate Action Plan & the timber harvest forecasts from the Coford Roundwood Production Forecast 2016-2035 recommended that in relation to felling 4,329 licences be issued.
My Department issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020, and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022.
The Forestry Licensing Plan was published and commenced in January 2022. The Plan sets out a range of forestry priorities set to run for the whole of 2022.
The main priorities are:
- A target of 5,250 new licences to issue, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%.
- A higher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a 107% increase in output up to 1,040.
- There will be a year-on-year increase of 48% of private felling, roads and afforestation files. Coillte felling licences will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021.
As can be seen in the table below, as of 29th April 2022 the projected target of year to date licences to be issued was 1,717 and the output of licences was 1,655.
|
Scheme |
Output YTD Licences |
Target YTD Licences |
Percentage Target YTD Licences |
|
Felling (Private) |
490 |
595 |
26.78% |
|
Felling (Coillte) |
709 |
510 |
46.34% |
|
Afforestation |
198 |
340 |
19.04% |
|
Roads |
258 |
272 |
30.35% |
|
Total (licences) |
1,655 |
1,717 |
31.52% |
Additional resources have recently been reallocated from Coillte felling to the private felling license process. My Department will continue to issue progress updates weekly through our forestry dashboard available here gov.ie - Forest Statistics and Mapping (www.gov.ie). In addition my Department will issue a quarterly progress report for a comprehensive KPI update on implementation of the Licensing Plan.
