Written Answers Nos. 315-329
315. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to address the backlog in the registry office, Naas which is causing delays in receiving birth and death certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23906/22]
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.
316. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the ban on water births will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23907/22]
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.
317. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the HSE services that are available to a minor (details supplied) who is experiencing severe suicidal ideation and engaging in self-harm in Lucan, County Dublin. [23908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
318. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the supports that he will introduce to support those with long-Covid throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23912/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
319. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce additional occupational therapy posts across the country to help deal with the numbers of those suffering with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied); his views on same; the steps that he is taking to assist those affected by long-Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 324 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
320. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a central mechanism for registered doctors to volunteer to help Ukrainian refugees access healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23915/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure you that the Government of Ireland stands ready to assist in any way that we can as part of the national humanitarian response to this terrible crisis in Europe.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response that allows people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland the ability to integrate into society as seamlessly as possible. To that end, I fully appreciate the importance of facilitating access to employment for doctors arriving in Ireland.
My Department, along with the Medical Council and the HSE will continue to ensure that all avenues are being explored with a view to enabling Ukrainian qualified doctors to apply for registration, always conscious of the need to ensure that patient safety is to the fore when any decisions are being taken. The HSE, through the National Doctors Training & Planning Unit (NDTP), in partnership with the Council and the Postgraduate Training Bodies, is coordinating an information gathering process which is collating information about healthcare professionals who are coming to Ireland. This data collection process is ongoing and will assist the relevant bodies in supporting these doctors and enable them to contact the individual doctors directly. The HSE is also looking at other options which these doctors can avail of while registration is pending, such as medical translation and access to CPD resources.
The Medical Council is the statutory agency responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in Ireland. In order to protect patients, it has a responsibility to ensure that all doctors registered to practice medicine in Ireland are safe to do so and meet the requirements to practice as set out in legislation. Officials from my Department have been in regular contact with the Council to examine the ways in which support can be provided to doctors arriving from Ukraine and to ensure that practitioners can be assisted and facilitated in gaining registration where possible. The Council is working with a range of stakeholders in this regard including the HSE, Postgraduate Training Bodies and the Irish Medical Schools Council.
321. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason that the identity of a person (details supplied) has not been made public; the reason that their advice has not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to patient safety concerns regarding the decision to locate the major trauma centre in the Mater Hospital; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the Mater Hospital helipad is still not operational; if he will outline plans, if any, to build a permanent helipad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, together.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
325. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the availability, eligibility and access to kaftrio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23922/22]
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.
326. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a child (details supplied); the status of a speech and language therapy appointment for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23927/22]
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.
327. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some older people may not be able to attend vital hospital appointments due prohibitive transport costs (details supplied); his plans to ensure that older people will be supported to attend hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for orthopaedic surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23932/22]
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.
329. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the date from which children under eight years of age will become eligible for general practitioner services without a means test. [23934/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and the HSE are engaged in preparatory work for the commencement of the initial stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are currently underway with the intention of introducing this service this year.
