Written Answers Nos. 158-177
158. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of gardaí who have received training in dealing with reports of domestic abuse; if there is a plan to increase this percentage or to roll-out such training to all members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58375/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence in all its forms, and to supporting victims of such heinous crimes. I know this is a commitment which is shared by the Garda Commissioner.
As the Deputy will be aware, in June, I launched the new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual, gender-based violence. This new plan has a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It sets an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society for domestic violence.
I know from engaging with the Commissioner that An Garda Síochána also attaches the highest priority to combatting all forms of domestic abuse and to helping and protecting those that are victims of this hideous crime. Operation Faoiseamh, launched at the start of the pandemic, is an ongoing proactive initiative designed to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected. It ensures domestic abuse incidents receive the highest priority response from Gardaí.
In addition, Divisional Protective Service Units have been rolled out across the country and are now available in every Garda division. This means that specially trained officers are available nationwide who will be responsible for engagement with, and interviewing of, vulnerable victims. This ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with specialist professional and expert assistance.
In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, I am informed by An Garda Síochána that a domestic violence course went live in April 2021 and is mandatory for all sworn members of An Garda Síochána, Reserve Gardaí and other relevant sections including some unsworn Garda Staff. The training consists of nine (9) sessions as follows:
- Understanding Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence Act 2018 & Domestic Abuse Orders
- High Risk Indicators
- Coercive Control
-Call Procedure
- Post Incident Engagement
- Criminal Process - Bail
- Garda Investigation File Preparation and
- PULSE (data quality).
Additional training is also being delivered to personnel on the use of a ‘Risk Evaluation Tool’ by Garda members when assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of victims to ensure they receive the service and supports they need. As of November 2022, over eighty-one percent (81%) of applicable Garda personnel (of various ranks/grades) have completed these modules in domestic violence and this training initiative is ongoing.
159. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of refugee spaces for victims/survivors of domestic violence/gender-based violence currently being funded by her Department in each county. [58458/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for the allocation of funding for domestic violence services continues to be channeled through Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply
160. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Clare on a waiting list for speech and language therapy services, by age and length of time that they have been waiting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58401/22]
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.
161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further details regarding the proposed process to address thalidomide survivors’ longstanding concerns; the timeline that he is working towards; and if a chair will be appointed by 1 December 2022. [58447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach and I had a constructive engagement with the Irish Thalidomide Association last Thursday, 17 November 2022.
Following a lengthy discussion, both sides agreed to enter into a process on a range of issues.
Engagement is underway on the format of that process, including the appointment of an independent chair, with a view to its commencement on 1 December 2022.
I want to assure survivors of thalidomide of the Government’s commitment to provide survivors with the necessary health and personal social service supports to meet their related needs. There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and on request assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the grounds upon which evusheld which is used to prevent Covid-19 was not considered for emergency authorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58186/22]
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.
163. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 591 of 15 November 2022, when he expects discussions to be completed and a decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no update at present on the position set out in Parliamentary Question No. 591 of 15 November 2022.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 'Fair Deal', is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means, while the State pays the balance of the cost. Under the rules of the scheme, 80% of a person’s income (including pensions) and 7.5% per annum of the value of their assets is contributed towards the cost of their care.
The Department understands from the HSE that there are a small number of cases in which the HSE has received claims from the Estates of deceased clients previously supported by Fair Deal for a recoupment of client contribution, on the basis of a review and subsequent determination by DEASP that a non-contributory pension was incorrectly claimed in part or whole.The issue arises because the HSE establishes the level of client contribution based on the information and evidence provided by applicants on the Fair Deal application form, including details of DEASP allowance. If NHSS-funded residents over-claim DEASP allowance this can result in a situation where their NHSS contributions are higher than they would be if they claimed the correct amount (typically 80% of the amount over-claimed). The Department understands that the DEASP routinely reviews payments when an individual has passed away; where an over-payment has been made by the DEASP, the overpaid amount is recouped by the DEASP from the individual’s Estate. In certain cases, the Estates of deceased NHSS-funded clients have contacted the HSE to seek a re-calculation of the client contribution based on the fact that the Estate has had to make a repayment of over-claimed DEASP allowances. To date the HSE has not allowed such claims, with no basis in legislation (NHSS Act 2009) for such repayments to be made. However, noting a small number of recent cases, cross-governmental engagement is currently taking place on this issue in order to establish a long-term position.
164. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when an adult ADHD clinic will be established in Dublin north city and county (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current gap in service is resulting in adults not receiving their medication and required doses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58197/22]
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.
165. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an issue in Tipperary CHO3 and CHO5, in which diabetes-related lower limb amputations and in-patient foot ulceration treatment have increased significantly between 2020 and 2021 (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the number of permanent full-time podiatry posts in CHO3 and CHO5; the number of posts that remain unfilled in CHO3 and CHO5; if his attention has been drawn to reports that a shortage of podiatrists in these areas is causing extensive waiting lists for community-based therapy and is resulting in no local referral pathways for GPs, which eventually leads to hospitalisation if left untreated; the measures being taken to recruit podiatrists in these CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58211/22]
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.
166. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of settlements that have been made with women who alleged that their CervicalCheck smear tests were misread in each of the past ten years; and the number of these settlements that involved non-disclosure agreements. [58226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has received 378 CervicalCheck claims as at 1 November 2022, including psychological claims brought by family members, and 25 of these claims were for the CervicalCheck Tribunal. Of the 378, 225 are active and not yet concluded, 153 are concluded.
The SCA has never sought NDAs in CervicalCheck cases.
More generally it is not the practice of the SCA to seek or introduce NDA in cases handled by it save in very limited instances where an NDA is expressly requested by a plaintiff in any individual case.
The more specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the State Claims Agency to provide this. I will respond directly to the Deputy on receipt.
167. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cases taken against the HSE which were settled in the past ten years and to date in 2022 that have involved non-disclosure agreements. [58227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has advised that it is not the practice of the SCA to seek or introduce NDA in cases handled by it save in very limited instances where an NDA is expressly requested by a plaintiff in any individual case.
The SCA does not formally record on its IT system the instances where an NDA has been expressly requested by a plaintiff ; therefore this information is not readily available.
168. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cases which have been processed by the CervicalCheck Tribunal to date; the number that have been concluded; the number of judges sitting on the Tribunal; the number of staff employed to work in the CervicalCheck Tribunal; the rates of pay for these staff; the current ongoing cost of the Tribunal, including costs associated with office space and equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTwenty-six (26) cases, in total, have been lodged with and processed by the Tribunal. Fourteen (14) cases have concluded.
Nine(9) of the concluded cases were resolved between the parties following which final orders were made by the Tribunal.
Five(5) concluded cases ended on the basis that the Tribunal issued notifications pursuant to s. 12 (3) of the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act, 2019.
The Minister appointed three (3) judges to serve on the Tribunal. The Chairperson and one Ordinary Member of the Tribunal are currently serving Judges of the Court of Appeal and of the High Court, respectively. The other Ordinary Member of the Tribunal is a retired Judge of the Court of Appeal.
The Tribunal currently retains one staff member, namely, the Tribunal Registrar.
The costs of staffing the Tribunal from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 was €212,008. This figure is inclusive of employer's PRSI and it reflects the salaries paid to 3 staff members up to June 2021 and 1 staff member thereafter.
Operational costs of the Tribunal for 2020 were: €217,123.41, while for 2021 these were: €83,328.00.
Details of the Tribunal's cost type including staffing costs are available in the Tribunal's Annual Report 2020 and its soon to be published Annual Report 2021.
169. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to add conditions requiring long-term warfarin therapy to the list of medical conditions that qualify under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to add autoimmune disease to the list of medical conditions that qualify under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
While there are no plans currently to extend the list of illnesses covered by the LTI scheme, the scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
171. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on the waiting list for surgery in a hospital (details supplied) in order to treat a specific condition. [58244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
For 2023, funding of €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists. This includes:
- €123 million in funding for delivery of the HSE Waiting List Action Plan, including priority areas such as Obesity/Bariatrics, Spina Bifida/Scoliosis and Gynaecology, as well as progressing longer-term reforms to sustainably enhance capacity. Other actions in the Action Plan will streamline and reconfigure care pathways.
- €150 million for the NTPF to procure additional capacity to reduce waiting lists.
- €90m for additional short-term measures to address acute scheduled care waiting list backlogs.
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.
172. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric urology surgeries that have been carried out at a hospital (details supplied) to date in 2022; and the number of those that have been undertaken in order to treat a specific condition. [58245/22]
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.
173. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if a vacant position in a hospital (details supplied) has been advertised and filled; and if not, the reason for the delay. [58246/22]
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.
174. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for a person (details supplied) to be admitted to a residential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of a new GP to Ballymore Health Centre, Ballymore, County Westmeath. [58262/22]
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.
176. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58277/22]
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.
177. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of GP services in a town (details supplied) and the surrounding area; the details of any initiatives that are proposed in order to increase the supply and retention of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58278/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,529 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the 1st of November 2022, 27 GMS panels (or just over 1%) are vacant, and there are no GMS vacancies in Wicklow.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement the additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has to date been increased by €206.6m and is set to increase to €211.6m per annum next year when the Agreement is fully rolled out. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.
In addition, a steady increase has been seen in the number of doctors entering GP training over recent years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Furthermore, my Department and the HSE are preparing to commence shortly a strategic review of GP services to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. The review will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice in general and in rural areas specifically, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a sustainable general practice.
