Written Answers Nos. 345-359
346. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who are awaiting an appointment with a genetic counsellor in the department of clinical genetics, Crumlin Children’s Hospital. [24036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
The plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly.
This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. The Task Force meets regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
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.
347. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who are awaiting an appointment with a genetic counsellor in the department of clinical genetics, Crumlin Children’s Hospital in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [24037/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
The plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly.
This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. The Task Force meets regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
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.
348. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age who have diagnosis of ataxia telangiectasia; and the treatment that is available to them in Ireland. [24038/22]
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.
349. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the way a child with a diagnosis of ataxia telangiectasia can access clinical trials outside of Ireland. [24039/22]
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.
350. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the consultancy process regarding University Hospital Kerry and its systems and failures; if the process is complete or nearing completion; if so, the timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24047/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised me that direct actions have been ongoing since September 2021 which aim to address the issues being experienced at University Hospital Kerry (UHK). As an immediate response to concerns raised, the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) Interim Chief Operations Officer has been on site in UHK directly supporting management and clinicians in the hospital, initially on a 2 day a week commitment. This process has focused on the identification of delays within UHK patient flow streams and solutions which mitigate associated patient risks. This arrangement was put in place to ensure that the SSWHG will have the necessary assurances required regarding the on-going safe management of patients in UHK. The SSWHG Management team (within the individual managerial portfolio’s) is also providing support to the various members of the UHK Management Team on an ongoing basis.
The HSE has further advised me that the National Director for Acute Operations, Mr. Liam Woods, and members of the SSWHG Management Team met with the Executive Management Board of UHK, Clinical Directors, representatives of the Consultant Group and other key stakeholders in November 2021 in UHK to discuss the challenges facing the hospital. A Review Team has been established comprising members from Acute Operations, Special Delivery Unit (SDU), the National Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) as well as representatives from the SSWHG.
This multidisciplinary Review Team are tasked with identifying the improvements required to achieve and sustain effective operations at the hospital. The Review Team have been on site in UHK and have engaged with stakeholders in the hospital to identify these measures, as well as to provide support to clinical teams at UHK. The Team are developing an Action Plan that will further support the required changes at a local level.
The HSE has advised me that the draft Action Plan is very near completion, and it is the intention of the Review Team to share the findings and recommendations with the UHK and SSWHG. The HSE and SSWHG are committed to supporting the implementation of these recommendations and are keen to move on strengthening the governance, leadership and management arrangements at the hospital.
The HSE has assured me that they will continue to keep local representatives and the public informed in relation to the provision of services at the hospital.
351. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of new whole-time equivalent staff members hired at West Kerry Community Hospital since 1 December 2021; the specific details of these appointments; the number of whole-time equivalent retirements and sick and other leave in that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24048/22]
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.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current position in regard to the assessment of special needs in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24089/22]
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.
353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when supervised residential accommodation will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will retain their current level of home support hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24093/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the provision that will be made to provide respite support for a person (details supplied) who recently turned 18 years of age in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24094/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
As the issues raised are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when funding will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in Co. Kildare for a residential place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24095/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to an operational matter, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
357. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all applications under the current aquaculture licensing system undergoing statutory consultation are subject to fair and due process throughout the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The views of all Statutory Consultees, together with the views of the public submitted as part of the public consultation process, are taken fully into account in arriving at a determination in respect of an aquaculture licence application. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the comprehensive consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application. The licence application process is designed to strike a balance between the rights and obligations of all parties including the applicant(s), Statutory Consultees, relevant NGOs and the general public. I am satisfied that the current licensing system meets all of these requirements.
358. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were injured and killed in horse racing, horse training, point-to-point racing and show jumping in 2021 and to date in 2022, by racecourse in tabular form; and the names of the horses and the nature of their injuries. [23958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy regarding the number of horses injured and killed in horse racing, horse training and point-to-point racing is an operational matter for HRI who will respond directly.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a company limited by guarantee and is the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland. HSI has informed the Department that it is not aware of any incidences of fatalities in Ireland arising within national showjumping events.
359. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of thoroughbred foals born in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; the number registered to race on the track; the number of horses exiting racing over the same period; and the number of same that were sent to slaughter. [23959/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The parts of the question raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of thoroughbred foals born in 2020,2021 and to date in 2022, the number registered to race on the track and the number of horses exiting racing over the same period are operational matters for HRI. I have requested that my officials refer these parts of the question to HRI for direct reply.
Details of the number of thoroughbreds slaughtered at facilities approved by my Department for each year from 2020 to date in 2022 inclusive are given in tabular format attached.
It is important to note that these equines were issued with passports by Weatherbys Ireland, although not all of those would necessarily have been born in Ireland. Legislation allows for studbooks to issue passports for equines that are eligible for inclusion in the studbook but born anywhere in the EU.
