Seán Sherlock
Ceist:1934. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount that she is seeking to allocate for mental health nurses in youth homeless programmes in the upcoming Budget. [43772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1934)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department is engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE in relation to the 2023 Estimates. Until these discussions are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. However, I am committed to ensuring the continued enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2023.
The Government’s clear commitment to enhancing mental health services, is shown by significant mental health funding increases in recent years. I would note for the Deputy that 2022 saw a record budget for mental health of €1.149 billion, comprising €24 million for new developments, €10 million for mental health initiatives in response to Covid and €13 million for existing levels of service. An additional once off €10 million was announced on Budget Day to further support the mental health sector.
I am pleased to have secured an unprecedented level of funding, totalling, €1.149 billion, for mental health in this year’s budget. This Budget, which is the largest mental health budget in the history of the state, is supporting the continued implementation of new developments under our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, including out of hours supports, CAMHS services, crisis resolution team, the national clinical programmes, and specialist mental health services for older people.
Budget Day also saw the addition of once off €10 million for mental health purposes. €1m of this was provided for MyMind to continue to deliver free of charge counselling sessions, to clients impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme has been extended to those affected by the Ukrainian crisis and defective concrete blocks in Donegal and Mayo. €1m was also provided to Mental Health Ireland to manage a grant scheme on behalf of the Department for community and voluntary agencies promoting mental health and wellbeing.
All aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed, through Sharing the Vision in the short to longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
Sharing the Vision A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020) sets out to create a mental health system that addresses the needs of the population, it is based on the principles of respect, compassion, equity and hope. The policy was developed in partnership with service users and families. Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024 has been published. Recommendation 58 and 59 in the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024 address homelessness. Actions include the completion of recruitment for outreach teams in CHO 7 and CHO 9 to widen access for those experiencing homelessness. It is necessary to carry out a needs analysis to define service deficit, develop an implementation plan in line with the stepped model of mental health support for the homeless population and advance the phased expansion of the existing service.
Currently, there are two specialist community mental health teams in Dublin for people who are homeless and experiencing severe or complex mental health issues.
People experiencing homelessness can also access general community mental health teams and mental health supports in primary care. A range of dedicated mental health supports for people who are homeless are also delivered through HSE-funded community and voluntary groups, including SafetyNet, Merchant’s Quay Ireland and Dublin Simon Community.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1935)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:1935. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount of CAMHS patients awaiting intervention by CHO and LHO. [43773/22]
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 (1936)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1936. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking into reviewing a recent report from a public body (details supplied) that found that residents in seven centres for disabled persons were not adequately protected from the risk of infection. [43798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 26th August, 2022, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published 36 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. The inspections assessed the centres’ compliance with Regulation 27: Protection against infection.
Two centres inspected were fully compliant and a further 27 substantially compliant, 7 centres were non-compliant.
HIQA has confirmed that the relevant providers havereturned compliance plans (which are included in the published HIQA Reports).
Inspectors continue to engage with the providers regarding non-compliance. ,monitoring the implementation of those plans. The inspectors will verify the effectiveness of those improvement plans in protecting residents from the risk of infection at the following inspection.
The HSE is aware that while there has been improvements, there are still areas of non-compliance to progress. The HSE continues to work with HIQA and service providers to improve compliance with particular emphasis on the physical infrastructure, governance and management processes.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1937)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1937. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the reason that a medication (details supplied) used for polycystic ovary syndrome was removed from the drug payment scheme; the steps that he is taking to ensure that it is covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1938)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1938. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on making a medication (details supplied) for hyperemesis gravidarum to be reimbursed on the drugs payment scheme and medical card. [43800/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed. Only licensed products are added to the formal GMS Reimbursement List in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. It is a matter for the Marketing Authorisation Holder to apply for licensing in Ireland through the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The HPRA have advised that Cariban is currently not licensed for use in Ireland. There are three similar products, Xonvea (doxylamine 10 mg and pyridoxine 10 mg), Navalem (doxylamine 10 mg and pyridoxine 10 mg) and Doxylamine/Pyridoxine Exeltis 10 mg/10 mg gastro-resistant tablets (doxylamine 10 mg and pyridoxine 10 mg) that are licensed for use in Ireland. However, the companies holding the authorisations/licences have not marketed the products in Ireland to date, and the HPRA cannot compel a company to market a medicinal product.
The HSE asked the Medicines Management Programme to examine the appropriateness and feasibility of a patient specific arrangement for the product. The HSE Medicines Management Programme assessment for Cariban has now been completed and its recommendation is under deliberation with the HSE at present.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (1939)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1939. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking in response to issues raised concerning access to prosthetics by an organisation (details supplied), including the cost that individuals have to pay. [43801/22]
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.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (1940)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1940. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on making a medication (details supplied) for morning sickness related to pregnancy eligible under the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (1941, 1942)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1941. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to recruit recent speech and language therapist graduates for roles in children’s disability network teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43803/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:1942. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to encourage speech and language therapists who are Irish nationals working in other jurisdictions to take up roles in children’s disability network teams. [43804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1941 and 1942 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 1942 answered with Question No. 1941.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1943)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1943. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to add spinal muscular atrophy to the newborn heel prick test. [43805/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As has previously been advised to the Deputy, the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot (NBS) Programme is a priority for me, and the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) has been progressing work on this expansion.
The NSAC is an independent, expert committee which makes recommendations to me and my Department on new screening programmes, as well as changes to existing population-based screening programmes, based on international processes and best practice.
The NSAC has been working closely with HIQA, clinicians and other stakeholders, including patient advocates, in setting out the best approach for Ireland in relation to the further expansion of newborn screening.
I am pleased to report recent progress in expanding newborn screening with a ninth condition, ADA-SCID (Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), being added to the NBS programme on 23 May 2022. The NSAC has commissioned HIQA to undertake a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) looking at the addition of other SCID types to the NBS programme. This HTA is underway and I am looking forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee on this condition after the HTA process is finalised later this year.
The NSAC is now well established and recently published its second annual report which detailed significant progress in 2021. The Committee's first Annual Call for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a significant response with a total of 53 submissions received, including on newborn screening. Submissions were received from various sources and are now undergoing consideration by the committee. The NSAC intends to publish its full work programme later this year once it has considered all proposals submitted.
Given that this is a complex area, careful consideration must be given to the expansion of the NBS programme and these things can take time, however, it is important that decisions are made based on internationally accepted criteria and scientific rigour.
Departmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (1944)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:1944. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the matter of when the disability capacity review will be published and included in the budgetary plan for 2023 to ensure that another year does not pass with families and individuals left without any indication of when or how the urgent needs that they are experiencing will be met; if he will make a statement on the matter. [43809/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised and is informing relevant engagement in the estimates process.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (1945)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:1945. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the measures that he is taking to address the difficulties that private patients are facing in accessing general practitioner services and registering with a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis in which the Minister has no role and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has to date been increased by €206.6m and is set to increase to €211.6m per annum next year when the Agreement is fully rolled out. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.
The number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (1946)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1946. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the disposal of land by the Department of Education to his Department to provide a primary health care centre in Collinstown, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43830/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1947)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:1947. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) cannot get a response from the HSE pensions section in relation to whether they are due a pension increase; and if this information will be provided. [43832/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter for the HSE, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (1948)
Michael Creed
Ceist:1948. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delay in the payment of the pandemic bonus to a cohort of student nurses (details supplied) and if he will arrange for immediate payment. [43841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1949)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1949. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on on-site clinical accommodation for perinatal mental health services in the maternity hospitals in Cork, Limerick and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43844/22]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1950)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1950. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the current plans by HSE estates to provide accommodation provision for a perinatal inpatient service at St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus in CHO6; if this site will be included on the national list of priorities for HSE estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have referred it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1951)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1951. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the plans that the HSE has to increase the level of psychiatry supports as recommended by the Women’s Health Task Force to the 13 perinatal mental health spoke units across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43846/22]
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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1952)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1952. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of seven new addiction midwife posts; when the posts will be filled; if the remit of these posts will be included with alcohol misuse and or substance misuse issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43847/22]
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.
Mental Health Policy
Ceisteanna (1953)
Mark Ward
Ceist:1953. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the funding for adults with ADHD in line with the model of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43848/22]
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.