Written Answers Nos. 359-371
359. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will extend a medical card for a person (details supplied) in view of the exceptional circumstances arising throughout the process of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49211/22]
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.
360. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the additional €29 million announced in Budget 2023 for services and supports for adults with disabilities, including the amount that will go to additional personal assistants, home support, community-based services and other services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
361. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to a company that wishes to branch into a not-for-profit-service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
362. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of the new youth mental health lead, the functions of the role, the responsibility of the role, the salary of the role, the expected starting date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49236/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
363. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to emergency departments with mental health difficulties to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49237/22]
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.
364. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €10 million in Mental Health Capital funding announced at the health budget press conference; if he will provide an outline of the way this funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
365. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €4 million for improving regulatory compliance in mental health in-patient services in alignment with Mental Health Commission regulations, which was announced in the health budget press conference; the way the funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
366. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the establishment of the independent radiation therapist review; if the recommendations of this review will be implemented particularly in respect of the recruitment and retention of radiation therapists, service improvements, and safe and adequate staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair. Outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
367. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a surgery date for a person (details supplied). [49252/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
368. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he is considering increasing the minimum age to purchase cigarettes to 21 years following the publication of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49256/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the recent publication from the RCPI's Policy Group on Tobacco, which made the recommendation to raise the minimum age of the sale of tobacco from 18 to 21 years old. The work of civil society in identifying new potential policies that are backed up by evidence is vital as we work to lower Ireland's smoking prevalence to less than 5%, as set out in Tobacco Free Ireland.
My Department continues to monitor all emerging research and proposals for further potential tobacco control measures that would protect public health and lower smoking prevalence. This recommendation is welcome and will be taken under consideration.
369. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the contractors for the new children’s hospital will be able to recover the increased cost incurred resulting from the proposed tax on poured concrete and concrete products from the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. I have therefore referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
370. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the additional projected cost to his Department of the new children’s hospital resulting from the proposed tax on concrete and concrete products.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49260/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital, I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
371. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to get reimbursed for the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49269/22]
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.
