Brendan Griffin
Ceist:387. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a child psychologist will be provided for University Hospital, Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Staff
Ceisteanna (387)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Eating Disorders
Ceisteanna (388)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:388. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the efforts that are being made to improve the awareness of eating disorders and to provide local services for people suffering from these disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28686/22]
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (389)
David Cullinane
Ceist:389. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the authorisation of insulin pumps in CHO 5 to those under and over 21 years of age in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28703/22]
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (390)
David Cullinane
Ceist:390. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health Health the details of the authorisation of insulin pumps by CHO and LHO in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28704/22]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (391)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:391. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28711/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (392)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:392. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the details of the Covid-19 injury compensation scheme, in particular the commencement date remit and the procedures for applicants to follow. [28715/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation.
While some preliminary scoping work has been undertaken by the Department, during the Pandemic all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the Public Health response. This has meant that progress on the development of policy in this area could not be progressed as intended.
There is still significant work required to develop proposals for consideration by Government regarding vaccine damage compensation. As part of that work, it is anticipated that consideration will also be given to the inclusion of claims relating to alleged adverse reactions from COVID Vaccines.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (393, 394)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:393. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the provisions that his Department is making to provide multidisciplinary clinics with upskilled occupational therapists for post-Covid care in both acute hospitals and primary care services across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28733/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraVerona Murphy
Ceist:394. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place by his Department to ensure the upskilling of relevant medical practitioners in relation to long-Covid care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
Question No. 394 answered with Question No. 393.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (395)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:395. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department has made provision for the establishment of a central database to hold information for long-Covid sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
Pharmacy Services
Ceisteanna (396)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:396. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of pharmacists and the difficulty in sourcing locums; the reason for this situation; the steps that are being taken to address the matter, including increasing the number of training places available. [28736/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Pharmacists wishing to practise in Ireland must be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI – the Pharmacy Regulator). The number of registered pharmacists on the Register of Pharmacists held and maintained by the PSI has continued to grow steadily, with an average increase of 187 registrants each year over the past five years. As at 4 May 2022, 6848 pharmacists are currently registered with the PSI, under established processes based in Irish and EU law.
I understand that currently there are reports of a current acute workforce issue, particularly in relation to community pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has been liaising with stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), on efforts being taken within the sector to understand and address the issue. In February 2022, PSI met with a number of superintendent pharmacists and the IPU. The PSI also circulated a survey on behalf of the IPU to all registrants to support in efforts in understanding and addressing the issue in the short term, the results of which are pending. I understand that the IPU is seeking to establish a stakeholder group to examine the issue.
In developing its Corporate Strategy 2021-2023, PSI was aware through its work and through reports from stakeholders, of an increasing risk to the continued availability of a pharmacist workforce, with a focus on community and hospital pharmacy, with a concern being that the issue might be exacerbated into the future. It is currently undertaking a project, due to run across 2022-’23, ‘Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce’. In 2022, this project is set to “assess emerging risks to the continued availability of a professional pharmacy workforce within community and hospital pharmacy in Ireland”.
The European Commission is also currently supporting a health and social care workforce planning strategy and action plan, a health and social care workforce planning model, health and social care workforce projections and gap analysis project. Support includes recommendations for health and social care workforce reforms.
In relation to the number of training places available for persons wishing to obtain the qualification to practise as a pharmacist, the pharmacist qualification is a PSI-accredited five-year fully integrated Master’s degree programme in pharmacy (MPharm). There are three Schools of Pharmacy within universities in Ireland – TCD, RCSI and UCC. On successful completion of the five-year programme, graduates are then eligible to apply to the PSI for registration through the National Route of registration. As part of their Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce project, PSI have committed to share any relevant data emerging as part of that project with relevant Government departments, along with relevant first-time registration data with the relevant Government departments, particularly if trends are identified that indicate a future deficit.
This is a complex problem with many contributing factors and multiple stakeholders. Workforce challenges are being experienced in other sectors nationally, and in the community pharmacy sector in a range of other countries. However, robust data for Ireland is needed to be able to determine the current landscape, assess future health system needs and understand existing sectoral challenges now and into the future. It will be on the basis of gathering and analysing this up-to-date, robust and relevant data, that recommendations can be proposed to address Ireland’s needs as Ireland’s healthcare system evolves, and in the context of Sláintecare implementation.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (397)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:397. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the precise workforce planning that is being undertaken and the liaison with other Departments in order to ensure an adequate number of training places to cater for future projected need, in view of the shortage of suitably qualified healthcare staff across all disciplines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28737/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials from my Department engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector.
Ongoing discussions between both Departments are in relation to increasing domestic supply on health-related courses in the short term to medium term, through the immediate provision of additional places, and the longer-term planning being undertaken around future skills needs in the context of future demand for health and social care services.
Health and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a top priority for me, and for my department. These additional places will be targeted at areas of acute skills need and will include places on health-related courses such as medicine nursing and other health and social care professions.
This work is at an advanced stage, and it is hoped that a significant number of additional places will be provided by the Higher Education Institutions on health-related courses in September 2022.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (398)
Seán Canney
Ceist:398. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of dentists who are available to treat patients who have medical cards; if he will ensure that sufficient resources are put in place to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28781/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Both I and the Government have been concerned for some time that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services. The problem became particularly acute over the last couple of years as a significant number of contracted dentists chose to opt out of the DTSS.
I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to provide for expanded dental health care for medical card holders including the reintroduction of Scale and Polish. To address the concerns of contractors about the viability of the Scheme, I am also using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings and restorations.
The combination of these two measures represents an estimated total additional investment of €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, €40 million. Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May. I would hope that this substantial additional investment in the Scheme will encourage more and more dentists to provide care to medical card patients.
I understand that contractors are looking for more substantive reform of the Scheme and that is my intention. These measures that I have announced are interim measures, designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme, 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 and I have asked my officials and the HSE to undertake further engagement with all dental stakeholders in implementing necessary reforms.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (399)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:399. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the pathway for a medical card patient to extensive dental treatment under sedation, who cannot access dental care due to a lack of dentists in County Mayo treating medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28787/22]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (400)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:400. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that charges will no longer be imposed by the HSE on persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28811/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has no statutory responsibility for providing transport to Day Services, and transport to day services is not usually provided for service users. A variety of transport solutions are pursued nationally, including service provider transport, and I do acknowledge that transport to day services can be a significant issue for some service users.
In CHO1 however, as this is a particularly rural area with limited public transport options, and many service users require assistance to access their disability services, the HSE has developed a transport service in conjunction with Local Link and SITT, an Seirbhís Iompair Tuaithe Teoranta, the Rural Transport Service Ltd. in Co. Donegal.
There is a shared commitment in CHO 1 to provide a quality driven and person-centred health care service, within allocated resources, that meets the needs of service users as close to home as possible. There is also a history of partnership, working with local community and voluntary agencies, local authorities and the educational sector, all with a shared commitment to improve the health of the population living in those counties.
A process was initiated in Donegal in 2008 to create a partnership with Local Rural Transport Companies around transporting people to HSE services, and following a successful pilot this was rolled out on a phased basis to the rest of the county between 2009 and 2012, and there is now a transport service in place across all five counties within CHO1.
Service users from a number of HSE services avail of this dedicated transport service, including Older Persons, Disability and Mental Health services.
The HSE cover the cost of 90% of this service, and day service passengers in all areas of CHO1 have been asked to pay €4 return on these HSE transport routes as a contribution to the overall transport costs incurred. Passenger fares commenced in 2008 in Donegal, 2012 in Sligo and Leitrim and 2019 in Cavan and Monaghan.
Some service users in these counties are able to use public Local Link services to reach their day service, and they can use their Free Travel pass on these. However, these routes do not always meet the needs of service users in terms of routes available or supports needed, and so there remains a need for the closed, HSE funded, transport routes where the €4 return daily contribution charge is collected.
Passengers receive a high-quality, door to door service, provided by Garda vetted drivers and bus assistants, with the shortest possible journey times incurred. This dedicated transport service is safe and fully accessible and focused on the needs of those people with disabilities who use it every day.
This transport service is crucial in getting people to their day services and other HSE services, services which so many missed attending during the worst periods of the pandemic.
Given the increasing costs of providing transport, and to enable the continued delivery of this essential service, the continuation of the €4 charge is necessary to keep the service running. At a national level, the government is seeking to improve access to public transport, particularly in rural areas and for those with disabilities, and much work is underway to ensure that in the coming years more people will be able to avail of public transport services where they can use their Free Travel Pass.
There is no standard approach to transport throughout the disability services sector, some providers do not provide transport while others provide transport to some service users and not to others, due to the historical nature of many of the arrangements. In CHO1, this transport service is provided with the associated charge to service users, and I acknowledge that the varying approaches across CHOs have led to inequalities for service users. I will be engaging with the HSE on the matter.
At the start of this year I reconvened the Transport Working Group under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, which is leading a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities.
The government acknowledges that there are transport challenges for people with disabilities and it is determined to work towards addressing these challenges and to break down barriers to independent living and equal participation in society. That is my clear focus as Minister of State for Disabilities and it is the core objective of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy.
The government is committed to making progress on this issue and to developing the right solutions for people with disabilities.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (401)
David Cullinane
Ceist:401. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 60-74 and 75+ on hospital waiting lists for 0-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months and 18+ months by hospital and by speciality in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28815/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It 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 Lis Task Force. The Task Force will meet 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 by the Deputy, the attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, outlines the number of patients aged over 60-74 and 75 on Outpatient and Inpatient waiting lists at the end of April 2022. The NTPF have advised some of the requested time-bands have been widened because using some of the requested time-bands would cause the small volume data to become too diluted.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (402)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:402. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if detailed consideration will be given to issues outlined by a national representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Both I and the Government have been concerned for some time that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services. The problem became particularly acute over the last couple of years as a significant number of contracted dentists chose to opt out of the DTSS. The Government is committed to reform in oral health provision in accordance with the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte.
I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to provide for expanded dental health care for medical card holders including the reintroduction of Scale and Polish.
To address the concerns of contractors about the viability of the Scheme, I am using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings and restorations. The combination of these two measures represents an estimated total additional investment of €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, €40 million.
Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May.
These measures that I have announced are interim measures, designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme, pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy.
My Department is committed to an integrated health and social care workforce planning approach. This will include strong engagement with key stakeholders including the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority, the HSE, and other government departments to ensure that sufficient workers are being trained in the right disciplines to meet population needs and to agree new ways of training multidisciplinary teams.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (403)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:403. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the international recruitment campaigns that are underway at present for healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (404)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:404. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if any other residential facilities for people with disabilities in Ireland other than St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar in County Donegal requested additional funding for safeguarding reasons; and if so, the way that the HSE responded to these requests. [28863/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The quantum of services to be provided by the HSE is considered as part of the Budgetary and National Service Planning process. The HSE National Service Plan (NSP) for 2022, sets out, at a high level, the health and social care services to be provided within the HSE's allocated budget of €20.7bn.
The HSE manages its expenditure in line with its annual funding determination.
As the Deputy's question relates to the funding of a specific service, I am referring the question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Radon Gas Levels
Ceisteanna (405)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:405. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the policy of my Department to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors and members of the public who attend Departmental locations. This includes the identification of hazards in the workplace. This includes the requirement to assess the risk and eliminate, reduce or control the risk associated with Radon.
My Department previously carried out radon testing in all its Offices between 2007 and 2010. All Department offices, except one, were found to be below the reference levels for radon. Remedial works were carried out at this office and it was subsequently shown to be below the radon reference levels. My Department will now undertake a detailed review of the latest EPA radon map for all Department offices and will take any appropriate action that may be necessary”.
Hare Coursing
Ceisteanna (406)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:406. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has ever been a consultation between his Department and an organisation (details supplied) regarding hare coursing. [28606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There has not been a consultation between the organisation in question and my Department in relation to hare coursing.
Coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, hare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC). The organisation consists of 89 affiliated clubs from Ireland and Northern Ireland, all of whom are governed by the ICC’s rules and regulations.
The granting of licenses for the netting and tagging of hares is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service.
It is critically important that those involved in coursing operate in accordance with the regulatory framework and that the welfare of both hares and greyhounds is always at the forefront.