Written Answers Nos. 213-232
213. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the difference between organisations and entities in the context of pay rises for those working in the community and voluntary sector (details supplied); if data provided as part of the Dáil debate on the issue will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52098/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the latest publicly available data, Ireland's Community and Voluntary sector has at least 32,841 organisations. They operate in diverse environments, are structured in very different ways and provide a wide range of different services. The sector includes approximately 2,886 entities contracted and funded to provide services on behalf of the state with at least 83,714 staff (as of 2019).
214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health : if he will provide details of the €210,000 that was secured through Social Inclusion Ireland from dormant funds to fund a full time mental health post in Mosney, County Meath on a pilot basis for 3 years; if he will also provide the details on the date that the monies were secured and the expected timeline for commencement of the pilot programme; if he will make available any and all other details on the reason there have been for delays incurred to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52099/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should raise this matter with the Department of Rural and Community Development, which has responsibility for funding under Social Inclusion Ireland.
215. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the directive or clinical recommendations that the HSE gives its medical consultants for prescribing insulin pumps for adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52100/22]
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.
216. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the process employed by UL Hospitals Group in moving people from the waiting list to the adult outpatient's diabetes clinic list; the way the waiting list is monitored; the reason the number of people waiting up to two years has reduced but the number of people waiting in excess of two years is increasing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52103/22]
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.
217. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of times the adult diabetes clinic is run; the number of speciality diabetes clinics that are run, for example, a young adult clinic, type 1 adult clinic, type 2 clinic, a diabetes podiatry clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52104/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health how often the adult diabetes clinic is run and the number of speciality diabetes clinics that are run, for example, a young adult clinic, type 1 adult clinic, type 2 clinic, a diabetes podiatry clinic and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52105/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
219. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the research commissioned by his Department to inform the three-year review on the implementation of Termination of Pregnancy Services (the service providers' perspective) which was due to be completed in September 2022; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52106/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in line with statutory and Government commitments in December 2021. The Review will assess the effectiveness of the operation of the legislation and will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The Review has 2 main phases. The first phase is comprised of a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.
The second phase of the Review is being led by an independent Chair, Marie O’Shea BL, who will assess the extent to which the objectives of the 2018 Act have been achieved, analysing in that regard the findings of the three major research inputs.
A final report will be submitted to me in late 2022 for consideration.
220. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the IVF funding to be made available; and the criteria for acceptance. [52108/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy might be aware, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the Programme for Government. The Model of Care for Infertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary. This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF, and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out, envisaged before the end of this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Regional Health Areas across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, provided through the public health system. In this regard, funding was secured in Budget 2023 to support access to advanced AHR treatments, including, crucially, to allow the commencement of Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care.
This investment will facilitate the first steps to be taken towards the provision of a complete publicly-provided fertility service, which is the ultimate objective of Government. In particular, it will allow the historic development of the first National Advanced AHR Centre, delivering IVF and ICSI through a wholly public clinic. This is scheduled to open in the early part of 2024 and will provide a nationwide service, with all six Regional Fertility Hubs having equity of access for onward referral to it, via a shared care pathway. Subject to the provision of additional funding in future, it is envisaged that additional National Advanced AHR Centers will be developed and become operational on a phased basis elsewhere in the country.
The 2023 allocation will also be utilised to support the Regional Fertility Hubs in order to expand their scope of services next year by introducing the provision of IUI (intrauterine insemination), a significant, yet less complex and less intrusive, component of AHR treatment.
Separately, as an interim measure, I have instructed that some funding be made available to support access to advanced AHR treatment via private providers from September 2023.
My officials, in conjunction with NWIHP, are now planning for the operationalisation of both the publicly- and privately- provided service, including the development of a national eligibility framework, as well as determining how the interim funding for private treatments will be provided to individual eligible patients. I expect that this process will involve, where appropriate, engagement with relevant stakeholder groups.
Overall, my Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Infertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
221. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the research commissioned by his Department to inform the three-year review on the implementation of termination of pregnancy services has been completed; when this report will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in line with statutory and Government commitments in December 2021. The Review will assess the effectiveness of the operation of the legislation and will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The Review has 2 main phases. The first phase is comprised of a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.
The second phase of the Review is being led by an independent Chair, Marie O’Shea BL, who will assess the extent to which the objectives of the 2018 Act have been achieved, analysing in that regard the findings of the three major research inputs.
A final report will be submitted to me in late 2022 for consideration.
222. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health when the €750,000 funding for counselling psychology training places in 2023 will commence; if it will be accessible for current students or only for students present in the new academic year beginning September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52150/22]
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. It will enhance 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. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023.
223. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if current final year counselling psychology doctoral students will have access to the €750,000 announced to fund counselling psychology training places in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52151/22]
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. It will enhance 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. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023.
224. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the total number of beds available in Cork University Hospital in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022 by department. [52153/22]
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.
225. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time clinical pharmacists that are employed by HSE in CHO4 in the years of 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [52154/22]
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.
226. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total cybersecurity structures currently in place within the health service; the number of persons who are employed in cybersecurity in Ireland; and the annual budget. [52158/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52168/22]
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.
228. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the progress on introducing the proposed transport support scheme to replace the removal of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant which were removed in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of the availability of accessible public transport and is committed to this in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, a Transport Working Group has been established to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The commitment under Action 104 is to ‘lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and [to] develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources’.
The Working Group will consider proposals to inform the development of a coordinated plan for the enhancement of Government-funded transport and mobility supports available to people with disabilities.
Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:
The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's review of active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;
The Cost of Disability Study, commissioned by the Department of Social Protection, which will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;
The Department of Finance's review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when urgent cranioplasty surgery will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) who needs to move to the National Rehabilitation Centre in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52225/22]
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.
230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a follow-up appointment is pending or forthcoming for a person (details supplied) who was supposed to be recalled within two weeks, following their appointment on 3 May 2022, for cataract surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52234/22]
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.
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an orthopaedic bed can be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52247/22]
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.
232. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE’s performance management and improvement unit presented him with a report on its findings and recommendations, following its four-week visit to University Hospital Limerick; and if so, if he will publish the report. [52251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit (PMIU) has led an intensive engagement with University Hospital Limerick team members throughout the summer in response to my concerns about the hospital raised with the HSE earlier this year.
The PMIU has worked with UL Hospital Group and Mid-West CHO to support and oversee the implementation of rapid improvements in services in the region. These measures include a renewed focus on hospital avoidance, patient flow and discharge planning, and regular and frequent assessment of patients with long stays in hospital. Progress has been seen in recent weeks, including the removal of ward trolleys and an overall reduction in admitted patients waiting on trolleys.
The PMIU is still supporting the Hospital Group and is in the process of completing a report on the intervention.
