Sorca Clarke
Ceist:684. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of community optometrists contracted to provide services by CHO area in 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [26471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services Staff
Ceisteanna (684)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (685)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:685. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect further correspondence from the HSE in relation to a complaint that they submitted via Your Service, Your Say on 27 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26474/22]
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 (686)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:686. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation being reported in County Wexford in which no dentists are accepting new patients with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26479/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) during the pandemic and that this led to some medical card patients having difficulties accessing treatment under the Scheme. Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, I have approved new measures to provide for both expanded dental health care for medical card holders and increased fees for dental contractors. The changes to the Scheme, which came into effect at the beginning of this month, are interim measures designed to secure services for medical card holders pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. Work on that longer-term project has already commenced.
The HSE will assist anyone who is still experiencing problems accessing a service.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (687)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:687. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who have left the dental treatment services scheme in the past six months in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26480/22]
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 (688)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:688. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who are partaking in the dental treatment services scheme in County Wexford. [26481/22]
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.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (689)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:689. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss changes to the homecare tender and its potential impact on not-for-profit and community homecare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to refer to your meeting request for the Minister for Health to meet with Northside Home Care.
I am pleased to inform you the Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, T.D., met with Maria Jackson, Head of Operations, and Eamonn Dunne of Northside Home Care Services on Wednesday 18th May in Leinster House.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (690)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:690. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the engagement that has taken place with medical scientists in counties Roscommon and Galway with regard to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.
The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11th to consider this matter. They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.
While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC, they have not agreed to lift their strike action which is a breach of Building Momentum. This engagement between the parties took place on May 17th but, unfortunately, no resolution was reached.
While the Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA, and that disruptions have been caused across the health service as a result of the day of strike action held on May 18th, Health Management remains open to engagement with the MLSA.
As this is an ongoing IR matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (691)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:691. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if homecare packages will be expedited for older persons (details supplied) in an area; and if he is taking steps to address the lack of homecare package that are available for persons. [26488/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to the development of improved community-based services, shifting care to the home, and offering greater choice for older people. As Minister with responsibility for this area I have prioritised home support services so that additional funding secured in Budget 2021, to provide an extra 5 million hours, has been maintained under Budget 2022. In 2021 some 20.4 million hours were provided to over 55,000 people. This is about 2.9 million more hours compared to 2020, an increase of 17%.
It takes some time between funding approval and the actual delivery of home support hours, and certain regions are experiencing increased pressures due to staff availability. Preliminary activity data shows that at the end of March 2022 over 5.1 million home support hours were delivered nationally to 55,080 people. Also, as of this date, there were 286 people assessed and waiting for funding for new or additional home support, while 5,458 people were assessed and approved for Home Support but are awaiting a carer to be assigned. As of 17 May, the HSE reported 90 patients nationally who are waiting to be discharged with home support.
The demand for home support and its importance as an alternative to long stay care has grown considerably over the past number of years. Delivering this enhanced capacity requires substantial recruitment. This has been affected due to the strategic workforce challenges in the home support sector. The HSE is endeavouring to prioritise service for clients with the highest care needs, to ensure that the service can commence for those who require it most urgently. The HSE continues to advertise on an on-going basis for Health Care Support Assistants and to recruit as many suitable candidates as possible. Due to the nature of the role, this recruitment is normally conducted at a very local level.
I am very aware of the strategic workforce challenges in the home support and nursing homes sector, and I have held multiple meetings with relevant key stakeholders in recent months on these matters. I have established a cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group to examine strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes. The Group provides a forum for agreement on strategic approaches to address the workforce challenges in the sector nationwide. Later this year the Group will provide me with a set of recommendations based on its key findings, and a proposed action plan to support implementation of these recommendations.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (692)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:692. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the medically recommended number of homecare hours can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26506/22]
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.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (693)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:693. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason that he has selected a university from a non-European Union country has selected to carry out research into the experiences of Irish abortion providers as part of the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. [26508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
The Review is being led by an independent Chair and comprises of 2 main phases. As part of the first phase of the Review, information and evidence on the operation of the Act will be collected. There are 3 elements within the first phase of the Review; service user research, service provider research and public consultation.
The second phase of the Review is being led by an independent Chair who will assess the extent to which the objectives of the 2018 Act have been achieved, analysing in that regard the findings of the three strands of information. The Minister for Health appointed Ms Marie O’Shea B.L. as the independent Chair of the Review.
A request for tender to carry out the research into the views of service providers was published on eTenders. The objective of this research is to capture the views and experiences of service providers and will be a key input to the Review of the operation of the 2018 Act. A total of five responses were received and evaluated in line with procurement guidelines. The evaluation process has now concluded, and the successful tender was chosen in line with the published award criteria. This is in line with established competitive procurement processes.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (694)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:694. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of taxi or courier services that were hired in 2020 and 2021 by the HSE to transport abortion pills from a general practitioner to a person who opted to have an abortion since the introduction of telemedicine abortion service in Q1 2020; and the costings for these transport and courier services as budgeted for in 2020 and 2021. [26509/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (695)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:695. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 806 of 10 May 2022 and 708 of 17 May 2022, if his attention has been drawn to incidents in which abortions have taken place after an unborn baby has been misdiagnosed as having a fatal condition; and if so, the number of incidents to which his attention was drawn. [26517/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As noted in PQ response 24558/22, under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, services are legally obliged to notify the Minister for Health of the following information:
- Medical Council registration number of the medical practitioner who carried out the termination of pregnancy;
- The section of the Act under which the termination was carried out, i.e., section 9, 10, 11 or 12;
- Medical Council registration number(s) of the medical practitioner(s) who made the certification concerned;
- The county of residence, or place of residence (where the woman resides outside of the State) of the woman concerned;
- The date on which the termination of pregnancy was carried out.
With reference to terminations carried out under section 11 of the Act (condition likely to lead to death of foetus), the Minister was notified of 100 such terminations in 2019 and 97 in 2020.
The HSE may also advise the Department of major/significant patient safety issues and incidents through the HSE and the Department of Health Protocol – Communications in relation to major/significant patient safety issues and incidents. This is a formal mechanism by which the Department and the Minister for Health are informed by the HSE in an anonymised way of serious patient safety incidents that occur in health services. The Department of Health, via this protocol, is kept updated regarding the completion of incident reviews, the implementation of the recommendations and learning from reviews to improve services.
My Department has been made aware through the Protocol of one issue in relation to a termination under section 11 of the Act since 2019. On such sensitive matters, it is vital that confidentiality is maintained and the Department does not comment on individual cases.
Serious adverse events in health and social care services have a devastating impact on the families concerned. It is vital that our health services take steps to ensure serious adverse events are appropriately reviewed and responded to at a national level. I advise that anyone affected by any incidents related to termination of pregnancy services should raise their concerns with the HSE.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (696)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:696. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are registered as patients under the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26558/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (697)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:697. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of approved medical products that are now prescribable under the medical cannabis access programme; if he will provide details of each product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 16th May 2022, the Minister for Health signed SI 237/2022 the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 amending Schedule 1 of the 2019 Regulations (S.I. No. 262 of 2019) and adding a new product to the Schedule of products that meet the specifications as set out in the regulation. There are now a total of 7 products in Schedule 1 as set out in the table below.
Specified Controlled Drugs
|
Name of Cannabis product or preparation and brand name |
Dosage form |
Concentration of THC (percentage, weight/weight or weight/volume) |
Name of manufacturer |
|
Aurora High CBD Oil Drops
|
Oral solution |
Less than 3% w/v (< 30mg/ml)
This product also contains cannabidiol (CBD) 60% w/v (600mg/ml) |
Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc., 4439 Township Road 304, Cremona, Alberta, Canada, T0M 0R0 |
|
CannEpil ™
|
Oral solution |
0.5% w/v (5mg/ml)
This product also contains cannabidiol (CBD) 10% w/v (100mg/ml) |
MGC Pharmaceuticals d.o.o., Kamniška ulica 29, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia |
|
Tilray Oral Solution THC10:CBD10 25ml |
Oral solution |
1% w/v (10mg/ml)
This product also contains cannabidiol (CBD) 1% w/v (10mg/ml) |
Tilray Canada Ltd., 1100 Maughan Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9X 1J2, Canada |
|
Aurora Sedamen Softgels |
Capsules |
5mg/capsule
This product also contains cannabidiol (CBD) less than 0.2mg/capsule |
Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. 4250 14th Avenue, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 0J3 |
|
Oleo Bedrobinol |
Dried Flower |
13.5% w/w (135mg/g)
This product also contains cannabidiol (CBD) less than 1.0% w/w (less than 10mg/g) |
Bureau voor Medicinale Cannabis Postbus 16114 2500 BC DEN HAAG The Netherlands |
|
Oleo Bedrocan |
Dried Flower |
22% w/w (220mg/g)
This product also contains cannabidiol (CBD) less than 1.0% w/w (less than 10mg/g) |
Bureau voor Medicinale Cannabis Postbus 16114 2500 BC DEN HAAG The Netherlands |
|
Althea CBD12:THC10 (50ml) |
Oil |
1% w/v THC (10mg/ml)
This product also contains 1.25% w/v (12.5mg/ml) cannabidiol (CBD) |
Tasmanian Alkaloids pty Ltd T/A Extractas Bioscience, Westbury, Tasmania, Australia 7303 |
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (698)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:698. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the clinical review of the medical cannabis access programme will take place; if he will provide details of the persons who will sit on the review panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2016 the Minister for Health requested that the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), convene an expert working group to assist with its review of the potential medical use of cannabis. Following this review the HPRA published “Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review” in January 2017. Subsequently an expert group was convened to draw up clinical guidance to underpin the functioning of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme which was published in 2019.
In 2022, following completion of an updated evidence review, the Department plans to establish an expert group to further review the use of cannabis for medical use. Members have not yet been appointed to this review panel as work is ongoing on the research aspect of this work.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (699)
Robert Troy
Ceist:699. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will consider this patient for urgent treatment through the national treatment purchase fund. [26561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (700)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:700. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the measures that he is taking to resolve the issues which have led to industrial action being taken by medical scientists in public hospital laboratories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26562/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.
The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11th to consider this matter. They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.
While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC, they have not agreed to lift their strike action which is a breach of Building Momentum. This engagement between the parties took place on May 17th but, unfortunately, no resolution was reached.
While the Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA, and that disruptions have been caused across the health service as a result of the day of strike action held on May 18th, Health Management remains open to engagement with the MLSA.
As this is an ongoing IR matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Brexit Supports
Ceisteanna (701)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:701. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that has been allocated to date in direct-aid to farmers from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Within my Department to date, €40 million has been allocated in 2022 for Brexit-related purposes which is likely to be eligible for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Of this total, €32 million has been allocated to the fisheries sector, €1 million to the horticultural sector and €7 million to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing. This investment is being used to fund development of new products and markets as a consequence of Brexit.
The eligibility criteria for the BAR, as set by the European Union, are stringent, and a key criterion is that any proposed expenditure must demonstrate a direct link to negative impacts arising from Brexit.
In terms of the potential for further funding for the sector from BAR, including further funding for primary producers, my Department is currently assessing options for eligible measures, including in the context of future-proofing the sector against impacts of Brexit that may not have been fully realised yet.
These include the potential negative impacts associated with the additional costs that will arise for Irish exporters as a result of the introduction of new UK import controls when they are deployed, as well as the potential impacts that may arise from from future UK trade policy developments.
Such measures would seek to maintain the competitiveness of Irish products on the UK market, and support the sector in diversifying and building resilience as a response to these future negative impacts. I am committed to ensuring that our great sector is futureproofed and we will use any resource available to us.
The Department will continue to engage with stakeholders in this regard, as well as with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform - the designated body in Ireland to manage BAR funds - in order to confirm which impacts and measures meet the criteria for BAR funding.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (702)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:702. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reforming sale-of-livestock regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
New rules were introduced across the EU by the Animal Health Law (EU Regulation 429 of 2016), which came into force in April 2021. It lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases that are transmissible to animals or humans, including for diseases which are considered to pose a considerable risk of spread when animals are moved between Member States.
The provisions of this Regulation and Delegated Regulations made thereunder are directly applicable in Ireland, as they are in other Member States.
The new rules, which are imposed by the EU, are designed to give increased protection against the spread of disease through animal movement over and above the rules which were in place heretofore.
Animals are required to complete a 30 day residency in a single establishment (herd) to be considered eligible to be exported either directly from that establishment of origin where they have established their 30 day residency or through a maximum of three assembly operations prior to departure to another country.
There is a 14-day time limit from the date an animal departs its establishment of origin to its date of departure from the ultimate assembly centre in Ireland for another member state. Additionally each livestock animal subjected to assembly operations must be moved to their final place of destination in another Member State at the latest within 20 days after the date of leaving the establishment of origin. This allows a maximum six day period to complete its journey to destination in another member state.
In the case of the transport of animals by sea, this period of 20 days may be extended by the duration of the journey by sea (Article 43 (1)(a) of Commission Delegated Regulation 688 of 2020.
These rules apply equally to animals being imported into Ireland as it does in respect of exports, thus contributing to the protection of the high health status of the national herd.
The Department has issued detailed guidance to industry by way of a Trader Notice on 4th March 2022, 12th May 2022 and 16th May 2022 which outline the relevant requirements.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (703)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:703. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme approvals that his Department will approve in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25797/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to his Dáil question number 860 of 29th March, and to question 896 of 5th April that since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by disease through the Reconstitution Scheme (Ash Dieback) (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020.
Applications for RUS are received regularly, and decisions are issued as the assessment of the applications are completed.
Up until the 20th May, the Department has approved 46 RUS applications to date this year. These approvals are included in the weekly Forestry Licencing Dashboard available here www.gov.ie/en/publication/3b8b5-2022-forestry-weekly-dashboard/.
As the Deputy is likely to be aware, the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 was published earlier this year and deals with projected licensing output and approvals for support schemes and may be found here gov.ie - gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie).
A key target of the plan is to refocus on the delivery on approvals from the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback). However, as the Deputy is aware the 2022 Plan does not include an annual target as many RUS applications are screened in for Appropriate Assessment and are referred to ecology.
Of these, any that propose replacing the ash crop with conifer species currently require planning permission. My Department is continuing to engage positively with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who are drafting legislation with the objective of removing the planning permission requirement of broadleaf with conifers on sites under 10 hectares.