Written Answers Nos. 771-790
771. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the target response times for ambulances in Dublin; if he receives a regular report of performance against these; and his views on recent difficulties experienced in meeting these targets. [33712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, emergency ambulance services in Dublin are provided by the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) through a funding arrangement between Dublin City Council and the HSE. In the first instance, queries relating to the performance oversight of the DFB are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) also provides some emergency capacity within the greater Dublin area, where required.
There has been a sharp increase in emergency calls, including in Dublin, since the early summer of 2021. Last year a record of over 366,000 emergency calls were received and current demand in 2022 to the end of April is already over 12% higher than at the same period in 2021. Furthermore, necessary COVID-related infection prevention and control measures, have increased time spent with patients and posed challenges to meeting key response time targets.
772. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the status of legislation regarding housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised relates to Residential Support Services Maintenance and Accommodation Contributions (RSSMACs), which are payable under the provisions of sections 67A to 67D of the Health Act 1970. These statutory contributions must be paid by certain recipients of non-acute residential support services provided by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE), including in disability residential settings. RSSMACs are contributions towards accommodation and maintenance costs, not charges for care services.
The features of the RSSMACs framework ensure that it is reasonable and fair and that each service user's contributions are based on what they can afford, taking account of the service user's individual circumstances to ensure the avoidance of financial hardship, Rates are set at a level intended to ensure that each service recipient is guaranteed to retain sufficient income for personal use to support independence and participation in community activities.
The currently applicable contribution rates are provided for under the Health (Residential Support Services Maintenance and Accommodation Contributions) Regulations 2016. In each accommodation category, the contribution rates are based on sliding scales, with proportionally lower contribution rates applying to those on lower incomes. Standard RSSMAC rates are based on each service user’s personal weekly income band and their accommodation category. To make sure that contributions are affordable, the maximum a service user can be required to contribute each week is currently:
- €179 – if the service user is in Category A accommodation (24 hour medical or nursing care) and their weekly income is €228 or more;
- €134 – if the service user is in Category B accommodation (weekly medical or nursing care on a less than 24 hour basis) and their weekly income is €214 or more; or
- €74 – if the service user is in Category C accommodation (all other accommodation such as independent living) and their income is €208 or more.
If income is lower, the contribution payable will also be lower. For example, if a service user's only income is the Disability Allowance of €208 a week, the most they will contribute each week is €159 (in Category A accommodation), €124 (Category B) or €74 (Category C).
Additionally, section 67D of the Health Act 1970 provides for a waiver system in order to:
- avoid undue financial hardship on the part of the service user and/or on the part of the service user’s dependants,
- advance a service user’s identified needs (e.g. care plan objectives), or
- take account of separate contributions (if any) made by a service user towards his or her maintenance or accommodation costs.
To assist in the fair and consistent application of the framework, the HSE has published national RSSMACs implementation guidelines and comprehensive waiver guidelines (approved by the Ministers for Health and Public Expenditure and Reform) on the individual circumstances where such contributions may need to be reduced or waived. The guidelines specify that service providers must have regard to the individual circumstances of each service user and their dependants. The guidelines ensure that the applicable contribution may be reduced or waived where appropriate, taking account of each person’s income and necessary outgoings, including reasonable regular financial commitments, with a view to ensuring there is no unfair burden on the service user or on their dependants.
If a service user is unhappy with their level of contribution, they can:
- ask for the decision to be corrected if a mistake has been made in an assessment,
- ask for a the decision to be updated if their circumstances have changed,
- appeal in writing to the HSE's National Appeals Office, An Clochar, Ballyshannon Health Campus, College Street, Co Donegal F94 TPX4.
If service users are not satisfied with the outcome of the HSE's appeals process or are of the view that they have been unfairly treated, they may make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 D02 HE97.
Comprehensive information about the RSSMACs framework is published by the HSE at: www.hse.ie/longstaycontributions.
774. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE ambulance dispatches recorded in each county during 2021; the number of times ambulances arrived at scenes in which the patient had already passed away, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33751/22]
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.
775. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on delays to X-ray appointments at Roscommon University Hospital; if there is a specific process of referrals for radiology services at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33753/22]
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.
776. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an orthodontic appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [33762/22]
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.
777. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the partners that his Department will work with to ensure the availability of appropriate and timely fertility services for cancer patients as per the HSE Service Plan 2022; the fertility services that will be provided; the estimated timeframe over which persons living with and beyond cancer will be eligible to access these services; if this initiative will be integrated into the planned assisted human reproduction legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33774/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to introducing a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment as provided in the Programme for Government.
The model of care for infertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This model of care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF, and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out, envisaged before the end of this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Hospital Groups across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Substantial planning, development and policy work is required to establish the scope, design and requirements for this component of the model of care. At this juncture, the design and scope of this aspect of the model of care have not been finalised as detailed consideration of a range of issues including service and treatment design, eligibility and access criteria, and associated resource implications is required. This work will also need to be informed by the final Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act, the progress of this Bill – which passed Second Stage in the Dáil in March – and associated regulations that will be developed following the enactment of this legislation. My officials are continuing engagement with the HSE in relation to the necessary programmes of work required to further advance consideration of the issues which arise in respect of the commencement of Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care, including the current provision of fertility preservation services for cancer patients.
As the other parts of the Deputy’s question relate to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on these as soon as possible.
778. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the way in which cancer patients will be enabled to participate in clinical trials as per the HSE Service Plan 2022; the resources and channels which will be dedicated to this initiative; and the percentage of cancer patients expected to be enrolled in clinical trials as a result of this initiative. [33775/22]
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.
779. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department will support hospitals in meeting drugs costs and in implementing quality initiatives in delivery, as per the HSE Service Plan 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33776/22]
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.
780. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when the National Cancer Strategy Implementation Report 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33777/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 Implementation Report 2021 is currently under development and it is hoped that this Report will be published shortly.
The annual Implementation Report will detail progress made to end 2021, including:
- Implementation of new GP e-referral system for symptomatic breast disease clinics introduced;
- 26 acute oncology nurses in place in the 26 SACT hospitals to assist with ED avoidance for cancer patients;
- Adult CAR-T services repatriated to St. James’s Hospital;
- New radiation oncology facility in CUH fully operational, and construction continuing for the new Galway facility;
- Development and dissemination of best practice guidelines for community cancer support centres; and
- Continuation of the Together 4 Cancer Concern psychological service.
781. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners operating in Ireland on a monthly basis; and the proportion of these operating general practitioners who were using the Healthlink eReferral system on a monthly basis in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and date in 2022, in tabular form. [33778/22]
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.
782. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths relating to cancer for young people aged 0 to 24 years from 2016 to 2021 and date in 2022, in tabular form. [33779/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) has advised me that the official Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures on cancer deaths by year of death are currently only available up to 2019, and that the publication of 2020 figures is not expected until November 2022.
Based on age-specific details obtained from the CSO the NCRI's annual mortality figures for those aged 0-24 are as follows.
|
Year of death |
Number of deaths from all tumours |
|
2016 |
38 |
|
2017 |
37 |
|
2018 |
37 |
|
2019 |
38 |
These figures have been cross-checked against, and confirmed to match, those published on the CSO website in CSO Vital Statistics Annual Reports for those years.
783. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when external support services are to resume at the Central Mental Hospital given the fact that vulnerable adults are in need of support and external volunteer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33782/22]
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.
784. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason external support services have not resumed at the Central Mental Hospital, given that hospice services and other drop-in services around the country have resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33783/22]
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.
785. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if there are any closures of 24-hour staffed mental health residential services planned by the HSE in any CHO over the coming 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33785/22]
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.
786. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if there are records of meetings held by any HSE managers to discuss and agree funding for a renovation of the Carraig Mór mental health facility in Cork; the dates that these meetings took place; which managers attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33786/22]
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.
787. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 685 of 31 May 2022, the date that a meeting in relation to the placement needs of the residents of a centre (details supplied) and persons took place; the date that a second meeting took place; the reason that no minutes were taken of either meeting given the significance of the residents' situation; if any records outside of formal minutes exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33787/22]
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.
788. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reason that a planned closure of a 24-hour staffed mental health facility in County Laois (details supplied) was not pursued by the HSE; the differences between this planned closure and the planned closure of another centre from the point of view of HSE management; the date on which the closure of the facility was decided; the managers who made the decision; the reason for this planned closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33788/22]
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.
789. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time physiotherapists working in Roscommon University Hospital in each of the years from 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/22]
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.
790. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when construction of the Tullow primary care centre serving Tullow, Rathvilly and Hacketstown, County Carlow will commence; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33804/22]
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.
