Written Answers Nos. 217-237
217. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the adequacy of Health and Information Quality Authority inspection protocols of special care units; and if he will report on the standard criteria applied to such inspections. [47757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established under the Health Act 2007. HIQA was established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland.
The functions of HIQA are set out in the 2007 Act, as amended, and include functions in relation to special care. HIQA is independent in the performance of its functions, including in relation to the development of standards and monitoring compliance with those standards. The approval of standards is a function of the relevant Minister.
In the context of monitoring standards, HIQA may develop inspection protocols as tools to assist in the monitoring process. HIQA publishes inspection reports, including in relation to special care, which are reviewed by my Department as part of a general root cause analysis of services. It is important that, in conjunction with Tusla and other agencies, we identify what part policy, resources and local management contribute to the standard of services for vulnerable children and act on these findings. HIQA reports are an important and integral part of this process.
218. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial support available for students studying abroad in Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47620/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States. Student grant legislation was amended in 2020 to retain the status quo to allow maintenance grant funding for eligible students attending an approved undergraduate course in Northern Ireland/the UK to continue post-Brexit.
In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State or the UK.
The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday Agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions.
The student may wish to contact the institute attended directly to enquire about other supports provided.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website: www.revenue.ie
Building on bi-lateral meetings I have had with the Scottish Deputy First Minister, officials of my Department are working with their counterparts in the Scottish Department of Education to explore opportunities to build student mobilities, including scholarship schemes, which reflect the close links between higher education institutions in Ireland and Scotland.
219. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Educations Institutions are autonomous, and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Neither the Minister nor the Department has a role in these internal processes.
While I do not know the individual circumstances, I would strongly advise the student to avail of all the internal appeal processes in the institute in question.
HEIs are public bodies and as such recourse can be sought from the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman provides a free dispute and resolution service.
The contact details for the Ombudsman are as follows
Address: 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE9
Phone: +353 1 639 560
Email: info@ombudsman.ie
220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact Irish third level students who were studying in Ukraine have had to transfer to courses in other European Union member states and the students were not offered places in Ireland to complete their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47641/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I have been unwavering in my support to enable Irish students who studies were interrupted to continue with their education. Irish Medical Schools are ready and willing to facilitate Ukrainian Medical Schools as may be required with student evaluation and assessment or other supports. Such arrangements are however dependent on appropriate engagement with Ukrainian Medical Schools. While extensive efforts to establish relationships with Ukrainian Medical Schools have to date been unsuccessful, my officials are continuing in their efforts to make contact. Additionally, Ukrainian medical schools have made arrangements for international students to take their clinical placements in a number of third countries where they have academic medical links. My officials are engaging with colleagues in the Department of Health to see what flexibility, if any, can be provided within the Irish Health system. The vast majority of Irish students in Ukraine were studying Medicine or Dentistry and my Department has been in communication with them, both as a representative group and individually.
221. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 435 of 20 September 2022, the reason the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2016 to 2024 targets no additional student accommodation in Waterford over the eight-year life of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47644/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe PBSA bed-space projections in the National Student Accommodation Strategy considered the plans of higher education institutions, and planning permission applications from private sector developers. At the time the strategy was developed, the Department understands that there were no planning permission applications from private sector developers in Waterford, and no plans of the then Waterford Institute of Technology.
222. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider allowing the leaving certificate candidates of 2020 and 2021 who change courses to avail of free fees, given the disruption from Covid-19 is a factor in the difficulties in staying in a course. [47689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students exclusive of the student contribution. The assessment of eligibility under the FFI in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme, exceptions to the criteria cannot be made in individual cases by the Department.
A key principle of the scheme is to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. The objective of the progression policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the FFI in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or, having successfully completed a course, is progressing to another related course where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course (for example added years to attain a level 8 having completed a level 7 course).
A free fees eligible students that completed year one or year two of a free fees eligible course in 20/21 or 21/22, and departs the course of study without securing a qualification, is not normally eligible for free fees funding in year one of a new free fees course at the same qualification level in 22/23. However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may become eligible for free fees funding for the remainder of the course.
Full details of the scheme including the repeat period of study criteria are available at the following location: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/course-fees/
Where undergraduate students do not meet the qualifying criteria of the FFI they are required to pay tuition fees in full to their higher education institution. It is a matter for the higher education institution as an autonomous body to determine the applicable fee rate for students.
In general there is a real requirement to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways where a student’s study was impacted by COVID-19. I would encourage any student who is struggling with their course to contact their institution or access officer to be informed of the wide range of services which are available to them to support them on their journey, prior to making any decisions regarding the cessation of their studies.
223. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the status of visa applications by persons (details supplied) who have received work permits from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. [47645/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that my officials have conducted a search of the AVATS visa application system for records of any visa applications associated with the passport numbers provided.
An employment visa application was created, using the first passport number, on the 20 August 2022. Supporting documentation was received on the 8 of September 2022 and the application awaits examination.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications.
The Dublin visa office are currently processing applications of this type received, in the Dublin office, on the 26 July 2022. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. This applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
It should be noted that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has no bearing on whether a visa will be subsequently granted. There are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.
In relation to the other passport numbers submitted, my officials have confirmed that visa applications were approved for the individuals holding the passports concerned on 1 October 2021 and 8 November 2021 respectively.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
224. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí attached to the K district traffic division in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47653/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, this includes the allocation of resources and personnel. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed that many factors are taken into account with regards to allocation of resources including local and national crime trends and workloads, policing arrangements and operational strategies, minimum establishment statistics, local population and trends, geographical area and size, transfer applications, including welfare/personnel issues and concerns.
The table below, provided to me by Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí attached to the traffic division in DMR West, of which the K District is part.
|
D.M.R.West |
Sergeants |
Gardaí |
Total |
|
31/12/2017 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
|
31/12/2018 |
2 |
13 |
15 |
|
31/12/2019 |
3 |
17 |
20 |
|
31/12/2020 |
2 |
17 |
19 |
|
31/12/2021 |
2 |
16 |
18 |
|
31/08/2022 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
225. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí employed; the number of gardaí on sick leave; and the number who are not fit for duty, in tabular form. [47738/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of Gardaí as of 31 August 2022 was 14,283.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Garda members unavailable for duty due to sick leave as of August 2022.
|
Ordinary Illness |
Injury on Duty |
Total |
|
1,593 |
192 |
1,785 |
226. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of new gardaí recruited in each of the years 2020 and 2021 and from January to August 2022, in tabular form. [47739/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Budget allocation for 2023, announced earlier this week, increases funding to An Garda Síochána by over €78 million, bringing the total allocation for next year to €2.14 billion. This unprecedented amount will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of August this year, there are 14,283 Garda members, supported by over 3,117(WTE) Garda staff. This represents an increase of almost 12% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country.
The recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána in 2022 saw more than 11,000 people apply to join the service – and we will open another campaign next year to help us guarantee that there are 200 new recruits entering Templemore every three months over the coming years.
This will provide a clear pipeline of recruits.
Garda management have indicated that tranches of 200 trainees will enter the college in February, May, July, October and December – 1,000 recruits into the college next year.
It should be noted that while Garda Members numbers have continued to grow over recent years, this growth has understandably been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions in the Garda College for much of 2020 and 2021, in common with other organisations.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of new Gardaí recruited in 2020, 2021 and up to 31 August 2022.
|
2020 |
255 |
|
2021 |
385 |
|
2022 to 31 August |
24 |
The following revised reply was received on 5 January 2023.
The Budget allocation for 2023, announced earlier this week, increases funding to An Garda Síochána by over €78 million, bringing the total allocation for next year to €2.14 billion. This unprecedented amount will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of August this year, there are 14,283 Garda members, supported by over 3,117(WTE) Garda staff. This represents an increase of almost 12% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country.
The recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána in 2022 saw more than 11,000 people apply to join the service – and we will open another campaign next year to help us guarantee that there are 200 new recruits entering Templemore every three months over the coming years.
This will provide a clear pipeline of recruits.
Garda management have indicated that tranches of 200 trainees will enter the college in February, May, July, October and December – 1,000 recruits into the college next year.
It should be noted that while Garda Members numbers have continued to grow over recent years, this growth has understandably been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions in the Garda College for much of 2020 and 2021, in common with other organisations.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of new Gardaí recruited in 2020, 2021 and up to 31 August 2022.
|
Year |
*Number of new Gardaí recruited |
|
2020 |
275 |
|
2021 |
385 |
|
2022 to 31 August |
24 |
* The above figures refer to the number of Garda Trainees who start in the Garda College. There after the recruit must undertake Phase 1 successfully before they are attested.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Phase 1 takes around 6 months to complete.
I am also informed that due to the gap from recruitment to attestation, it is often the case that a person would be recruited in one year and attest the following year.
227. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the number of probate applications that had to be withdrawn due to circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Probate is an operational matter for the Courts Service. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and-or expected residency position in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by my Department on 7 June 2022, and continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The person named by the Deputy would have held a permission in line with the his parents immigration permission at the time of his birth. On being granted citizenship it was open to his parents to submit an application for citizenship on his behalf.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Applications are processed in chronological order by date received. Due to the high volume of applications currently on hand, regrettably, processing times can be up to 19 months.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
229. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a service will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47622/22]
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.
230. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate the transfer of a healthcare employee (details supplied) to an alternative location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47627/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
231. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the engagements with stakeholders with regard to the appointment of a chief pharmaceutical officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff and does not have plans to appoint a chief pharmaceutical officer at the present time. The matter will be kept under review in the context of wider workforce planning considerations.
I am aware that there is interest currently in discussing the potential post of Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and I have asked my officials in the Medicines, Controlled Drugs and Pharmacy Legislation Unit to engage directly with the Irish Pharmacy Union in the first instance, to offer the IPU an opportunity to outline their position and to listen to their perspective and insights on this matter.
232. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47630/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) chair the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
233. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his views with regard to the potential of early cancer screening in community pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47631/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.?
The HSE National Screening Service (NSS), encompasses three national population-based cancer screening programmes, BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and BowelScreen. These programmes aim to reduce morbidity and mortality in the population through early detection of disease and treatment, both of which greatly improve health outcomes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the HSE established a Community Pharmacy Contingency Planning working group with relevant stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmaceutical Union and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, to support the implementation of all COVID-19 support measures. This group – now called the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum – had examined the operational and clinical challenges confronting community pharmacists during the COVID-19 emergency and played a key role in resolving them to the benefit of the people of Ireland.
The work of the Forum has now transitioned to discussing the strategic direction of the community pharmacy profession. These discussions will bring clarity to the role to be played by community pharmacy in the context of Sláintecare. The central objective of Sláintecare is providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This means providing more care to patients in the communities in which they live. Community pharmacists will play a vital and increasing role in delivering this care. The ongoing work of the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum will also prove invaluable in the context of future contractual reform. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
Finally, it is important to note that any decisions about changes to screening programmes, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
234. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to address pay and conditions issues within community pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47632/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to reiterate my recognition of the key role of Pharmacy in the Community, and the very significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public in responding to their health needs during the course of the pandemic. I also acknowledge the vital role that community pharmacy will play in the development and implementation of future healthcare reform, especially in regard to the aims and vision of Sláintecare.
I understand that there are reports of a current acute workforce issue, particularly in relation to community pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator, has been liaising with stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), on efforts being taken within the sector to understand and address the issue. This a complex problem with many contributing factors and multiple stakeholders. Workforce challenges are being experienced in other sectors nationally, and in the pharmacy sector in a range of other countries. This re-enforces the need for robust data for Ireland to be best able to determine the current landscape, assess future health system needs and understand existing sectoral challenges now and into the future.
The PSI are currently undertaking a project, titled ‘Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce’, which is set to “assess emerging risks to the continued availability of a professional pharmacy workforce within community and hospital pharmacy in Ireland”. As part of this project, the PSI have committed to share any relevant data emerging with relevant Government departments particularly if trends are identified that indicate a future deficit. The PSI has also committed in its Service Plan 2022 to complete a review of the Third Country Qualification Route (TCQR) and propose changes to the Council.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the Health Service Executive established a Community Pharmacy Contingency Planning working group with relevant stakeholders, including the IPU and the PSI, to support the implementation of all COVID-19 support measures. This group – now called the Community Pharmacy Planning Forum – had examined the operational and clinical challenges confronting community pharmacists during the COVID-19 emergency and played a key role in resolving them to the benefit of the people of Ireland.
The work of the Forum has now transitioned to discussing the strategic direction of the community pharmacy profession. This will prove invaluable in the context of future contractual reform. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
235. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health his views on the shortage of staff for community pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47633/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra237. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department is taking to tackle the shortage of qualified staff in an industry (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the calls from the industry for more third level places and a reduction of needless paperwork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47658/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 237 together.
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), the pharmacy regulator, has been liaising with stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), on efforts being taken within the sector to understand and address the issue.
This is a complex problem with many contributing factors and multiple stakeholders, with workforce challenges being experienced in other sectors nationally, and in the pharmacy sector in a range of other countries.
In February 2022, PSI met with a number of superintendent pharmacists and with the IPU. The PSI circulated a survey on behalf of the IPU to all registrants to support efforts to understand and address the issue in the short term with the fieldwork on the research undertaken between 22 March and 8 April 2022. The results of this have been finalised and a report generated, containing specific recommendations, and this has been drawn to the attention of my officials who are currently reviewing the content; they will continue to liaise with relevant stakeholders on this matter.
In developing its Corporate Strategy 2021-2023, the PSI was aware of reports of an increasing risk to the continued availability of a pharmacist workforce. The PSI are currently undertaking a project, due to run across 2022-’23, titled ‘Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce’. 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.
As you will be aware there are currently three Schools of Pharmacy within universities in Ireland – TCD, RCSI and UCC who each provide an accredited five-year fully integrated Master’s degree programme in pharmacy (MPharm). 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.
A number of agencies and stakeholders are now beginning to review this topic holistically and consider the impact, role, responsibility and accountability from their own perspectives, and the contributions they might make to mitigate the issue. The Department is engaging both internally, and with external stakeholders, including the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology to fully assess the reported issue of shortages in the pharmacist workforce and to identify any necessary actions to be taken in the short, medium and longer term, and will continue to do so.
Pharmacy is a clinical service provided by highly qualified health care professionals within the community and hospital sectors. I continue to recognise the key role played and the very significant contribution made by this sector to patients and the public in responding to their health needs during the course of the pandemic. There is in any clinical service a requirement for the robust retention of data, both from a clinical and administrative perspective. My department has responsibility for the legislative framework for medicines, while other entities have requirements for other records. The department is committed to working on enablers to facilitate enhanced methodologies of data management including the Individual Health Identifier (IHI) and Shared Care Record as well as eHealth infrastructure. In Ireland, the HSE ePharmacy Programme has initiated the National e-Prescribing Project to plan, resource and implement e-Prescribing.
I will continue to engage as necessary with government colleagues, including with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in addressing relevant issues as they arise.
236. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the services available for young adults over 16 and 18 years of age with severe eating disorders; the number of beds available in Ireland to deal with severe eating disorders; his plans, if any, for nursing specialists in this area to be employed nationwide; and his plans, if any, to secure and increase funding for same. [47648/22]
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.
