Wednesday, 5 Oct 2022

Written Answers Nos. 342-363

Health Services

Ceisteanna (342)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

342. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the planned funding for Drug and Alcohol Taskforces in 2023. [48953/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Frankie Feighan)

In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drugs strategy and inclusion health. The funding will be used to expand HSE healthcare services and to support community & voluntary organisations to improve access to health and social care services.

It includes an allocation of €0.5 million for community-based drug and alcohol services to address new and emerging patterns of drug use. There is a further allocation of €3.5m to maintain existing levels of service for community and voluntary organisations providing drug and alcohol and inclusion health services. Details of the additional funding are outlined in the attached factsheet.

The additional funding for the national drugs strategy reflects the 6 strategic priorities I have identified for the remaining four years of the Strategy, 2022-2025. It will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, through reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery for people who experience addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Budget 2023

Health Services

Ceisteanna (343)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

343. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding in Budget 2023 for gambling addiction harm reduction, prevention and treatment. [48954/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Frankie Feighan)

In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drugs strategy and inclusion health. This includes €0.5m to introduce a pilot treatment programme for gambling addiction. A factsheet on Budget 2023 is attached.

This initiative is aligned with the Government’s commitment to establishing a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being. Minister of State, James Browne, T.D., has been leading the progression the Gambling Regulation Bill to establish the regulator, and the recent appointment of a CEO designate is an important development. The Bill will establish a social fund to finance research and information, to support public education and awareness raising measures in relation to problem gambling and to appropriately support problem gambling treatment.

I believe that gambling should be treated as a public health concern and that measures are required to mitigate the negative social impact of gambling. The allocation of dedicated funding for gambling addiction is the first step in a coordinated public health contribution to the regulation of gambling.

Budget 2023

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (344)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

344. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of evusheld to immunocompromised patients in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48959/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (345)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

345. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the measures and additional supports that the HSE is putting in place to assist general practitioner practices and others across County Donegal with supporting Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48971/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services. Ukrainian refugees will be able to access the equivalent health services as people who are already ordinarily living here.

There is a simplified and streamlined medical card application process for Ukrainians granted temporary protection status. For those placed in temporary accommodation, the HSE and local healthcare workers are providing GP and primary care services and connections to more specialist services as needed.

As the provision of health services to Ukrainian refugees in County Donegal is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (346)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

346. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the publication of the Action Plan for Disability Capacity Review; if details of the action plan will be included in the forthcoming plan for Budget 2023; his views that immediate action on this plan is required in order to meet the essential needs of service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48972/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

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 has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised for approval. 

In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services. This year, the overall Budget for disability services in 2023 will be €2.4 billion, including a significant level of funding for specialist disability services. Building on the previous year, this is an unprecedented level of funding for Disability services. It follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.  

The following funding has been provided for 2023

Funding	Measure
€109m	To support existing levels of service
€4.3m	Digital Initiatives/Disability Awareness and Participation Fund
€25m	Building Capacity (Core Services)
€39m	One off Costs associated with activity during Covid-19

A significant fund of up to €100m has been allocated this year to support community based voluntary organisations who are such an essential pillar in the provision of Health services across country.  This fund is being made available in recognition of the challenges being faced by the sector in delivering and maintaining key health and social care services against a backdrop of increased inflationary pressures affecting energy, heating and related costs.  These organisations are funded through the HSE to deliver a range of health and social care services on behalf of the HSE to communities around Ireland. This includes residential, day and ancillary services for people with a disability, older people, mental health services, palliative care services, addiction services and other health and social care services provided in the community. Details of the fund including its administration are being finalised.

The HSE, in preparing its National Service Plan, will examine how services, including relevant KPIs, can be progressed in 2023 within the overall increased envelope of funding for disability services.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (347)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

347. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed disability support breakdown as part of the Budget 2023 announcement; and if he will ensure that information is provided on existing and new residential supports, day places and respite supports that will be provided for in Budget 2023. [48973/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

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 has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised for approval. 

In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services. This year, the overall Budget for disability services in 2023 will be €2.4 billion, including a significant level of funding for specialist disability services. Building on the previous year, this is an unprecedented level of funding for Disability services. It follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.  

The following funding has been provided for 2023

Funding	Measure
€109m	To support existing levels of service
€4.3m	Digital Initiatives/Disability Awareness and Participation Fund
€25m	Building Capacity (Core Services)
€39m	One off Costs associated with activity during Covid-19

A significant fund of up to €100m has been allocated this year to support community based voluntary organisations who are such an essential pillar in the provision of Health services across country.  This fund is being made available in recognition of the challenges being faced by the sector in delivering and maintaining key health and social care services against a backdrop of increased inflationary pressures affecting energy, heating and related costs.  These organisations are funded through the HSE to deliver a range of health and social care services on behalf of the HSE to communities around Ireland. This includes residential, day and ancillary services for people with a disability, older people, mental health services, palliative care services, addiction services and other health and social care services provided in the community. Details of the fund including its administration are being finalised.

The HSE, in preparing its National Service Plan, will examine how services, including relevant KPIs, can be progressed in 2023 within the overall increased envelope of funding for disability services.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (348)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

348. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when Section 39 HSE staff can expect to receive the €1,000 HSE bonus payment. [48976/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.  

It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in: 

Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.); 

Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities; 

Agency roles working in the HSE; 

Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE; 

Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;  

Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.  

The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.  

Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (349)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

349. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49000/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department has had no services or contracts with the company detailed for the period 2015 to date.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (350)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

350. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the Exchequer to bring the pay of workers in Section 39 organisations in line with public service pay agreements including Building Momentum and its potential successor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49029/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department acknowledges the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector.  They have a key role in providing services to older people and people with disabilities.

While the Government does provide assistance, under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to services that the HSE may provide, it must be acknowledged that these organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees.

These organisations were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements. Consequently, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on pay or terms and conditions of employment within the private sector.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (351)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

351. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions with a representative organisation (detail supplied) in relation to pay parity for medical scientists with similar workers in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49095/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I acknowledge the valuable role medical scientists play in our health system.

Following strike action on May 18th and 24th, Health Management and the MLSA attended an exploratory engagement at the Labour Court on 25 May, for the Court to establish whether or how it might assist the parties in finding a resolution to the matters in dispute. 

Following engagement at the Labour Court, parties agreed to reconvene at the WRC for a final engagement process.  This process took place over a three-week period. Parties agreed that any outstanding issues which couldn’t be resolved through the WRC process would be referred to the Labour Court for a final recommendation. During these talks, an agreement was reached on a process to assess this longstanding claim. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this point.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (352)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

352. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if remaining supplies of the original mRNA vaccines will continue to be used in the Covid-19 booster campaign in view of the recommendation that the authorised adapted bivalent mRNA vaccine is preferential for booster vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49097/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Covid immunisation programme in Ireland is predicated on the independent advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee makes recommendations to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.

The NIAC has consistently advised, given the considerable uncertainty that prevails (regarding the future disease trajectory, waning immunity etc.), that the covid vaccination programme retains sufficiently capacity, flexibility and responsiveness, in order to ensure the State is positioned to execute a range of plausible vaccination scenarios that may be required (including a whole of population programme).  

On 15 September, the NIAC advised that authorised bivalent mRNA vaccines are preferentially recommended for all those aged 12 years and older eligible for a booster vaccination. 

You can view the latest NIAC recommendation online here:

rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220915-NIAC-Recommendations-re.-Bivalent-COVID-19-vaccines.pdf

The original vaccines will continue to be offered to children aged 5-11 years and adults who come forward for primary vaccination. Additionally, the original vaccines continue to offer a valuable contingency to Ireland should there be any supply chain issues impacting deliveries of the recently authorised bivalent vaccines. It is important to note that, although bivalent mRNA booster vaccines may offer some advantage compared with the original vaccine, a booster dose of original mRNA COVID-19 vaccine continues to offer significant protection against hospitalisation, severe illness and death.  

My Department will continue to work with the HSE to actively manage Ireland's vaccine portfolio

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (353)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

353. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of original mRNA vaccines currently available for administration in Ireland; the number ordered; the schedule of delivery date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49098/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (354)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

354. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of adapted bivalent mRNA vaccines currently available for administration in Ireland; the number ordered; the schedule of delivery for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49099/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (355)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

355. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of adult medical card holders in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49105/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. 

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (356)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

356. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of private general dental practitioners who are currently operating the dental treatment services scheme in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49106/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

 

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (357)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

357. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of private general dental practitioners in County Wexford currently operating the dental treatment services scheme who have restricted access to new patients and are only seeing existing patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49107/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

 

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (358)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

358. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the provisions that his Department is making in County Wexford for adult dental emergency services where an eligible medical card holder is unable to access care with a private general dental practitioner through the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49108/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Both I and the Government have been concerned that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services.

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. 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.

Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May. The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have started to increase in recent months. Patients are also accessing the preventative scale and polish which has been reintroduced, which is a positive development.

In addition, further funding has also been provided in Budget 2023 to assist the HSE in providing care to adult medical card holders who meet the HSE’s criteria for emergency care.

These are interim measures designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme pending a more substantive reform of dental services. It is my intention that this is addressed in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which sets out a body of substantial services reform. Work is underway to design a governance framework to oversee and facilitate root and branch service reform.

Medical Inquiries

Ceisteanna (359)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

359. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current wait list for persons under 18 years of age awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Wexford; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of persons waiting 24, 36 and 48 months and longer respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49109/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Inquiries

Ceisteanna (360)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

360. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients over the age of 18 years awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Wexford who were identified as requiring treatment before 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49110/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (361)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

361. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current status of discussions and the progress made between his Department and an association (details supplied) in relation to the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49111/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Both I and the Government have been concerned that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services.

The Department consulted with the Irish Dental Association earlier this year regarding a package of fee increases that came into effect on 1st May 2022, as part of a substantial €26 million investment over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, to encourage more and more dentists to provide care to medical card patients.

The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have started to increase in recent months. Patients are also accessing the preventative scale and polish which has been reintroduced from 1st May, which is a positive development.

These are interim measures designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme pending a more substantive reform of dental services. It is my intention that this is addressed in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which sets out a body of substantial services reform. The Chief Dental Officer met with the Irish Dental Association on 29th July to discuss implementation of the Policy. Work is now underway to design a governance framework to oversee and facilitate root and branch service reform.

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (362)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

362. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current budget for the dental treatment services scheme; the total budget for the scheme in 2018; the total budget for the scheme in 2013; the total budget for the scheme in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49112/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (363, 364, 372)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

363. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any contracts with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49159/22]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

364. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the contracts that his Department has with top security. [49262/22]

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

372. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48987/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 363, 364 and 372 together.

I wish to advise the deputy my Department did not award any contract to the company specified from 2015 to present.