Written Answers Nos. 504-524
504. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to banning or limiting the advertisement of junk food on State-owned transport, buildings and amenities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60333/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe WHO European Regional Obesity Report, published earlier this year, warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. In the European Region, overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions, with prevalence levels higher among males (63%) than among females (54%).
In Ireland, overweight and obesity pose an increasing challenge, with one in five children and 56% of the adult population now living with overweight or obesity, according to the Healthy Ireland Survey, 2022. The Survey was published on Monday, 5th December and provides an update on overweight and obesity levels in Ireland, following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Survey is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f9e67-healthy-ireland-survey-2022/.
The policy instrument for addressing obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016, under the umbrella of the Healthy Ireland Framework, our national policy for health and wellbeing in Ireland.
The OPAP covers a 10-year period, up to 2025, and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. Implementation of the OPAP is overseen by a cross-sectoral and cross-Departmental group, the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG), chaired by the Department of Health. Deliverables under the OPAP are also reflected in a number of key policy documents, including the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan and the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan (HI SAP).
The OPAP recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted issue and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. This is also emphasised by the 2022 WHO European Regional Report. The OPAP also includes most of the recommended policy actions in the WHO 2022 report. Childhood obesity is a key priority under the OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities underlying obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have not only higher levels of obesity but are also facing challenges in accessing healthy food in the current cost of living crisis. Many initiatives and policies which address different aspects of the complexity of obesity have been developed and progressed over the last number of years. A review of the OPAP is scheduled to be published in the coming weeks, alongside an evaluation of the OPAP undertaken by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork for the Department of Health.
In relation to the issues around advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods aimed at children, significant work is ongoing at both EU and national levels to restrict such marketing.
At an EU level, since 2020, Ireland and Portugal have co-led a Work Package on Restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and adolescents under the EU Joint Action “Best ReMaP” (Best practices in Reformulation, Marketing and public Procurement), working with 15 other Member States which is due to complete its work in 2023. This includes proposing a revised WHO Nutrient Profiling Model for use throughout Europe in implementing the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive. This model will also be used in the EU Codes of Practise templates, adaptable by Member States, for use with non-broadcast media, including digital media; product placement (including multi-buy options) and sponsorship. As part of this Work Package, a Digital Media Monitoring Framework is being developed for EU-wide use.
Member States have also recently established National Intersectoral Working Groups, to facilitate the implementation of the food marketing tools developed by the Joint Action Best-ReMaP and the integration of policies into national legislation after the end of the Joint Action.
An EU Protocol aimed at monitoring unhealthy food marketing to children is well underway which is expected to draw on existing WHO Protocols, address gaps that may exist, and create substantive guidance and hands-on materials to support Member States and institutions wishing to carry out food marketing monitoring.
The EU Framework for Action is the final deliverable of the Joint Action Best-ReMaP Work Package 6, expected to be finalized by September 2023. This framework will contain all the tools developed by the Work Package, including the WHO/EU harmonized Nutrient Profiling Model, the EU coordinated monitoring protocol and technical guidance to implement best practices when restricting marketing of unhealthy foods to children as mentioned above.
With regard to current rules in Ireland regarding advertising, sponsorship, product placement and other forms of commercial promotion aimed at children or broadcast in or around children’s programming, these are contained in the Childrens’ Commercial Communications Code (CCCC). This is a statutory broadcasting code issued by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland pursuant to section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
In relation to specific legislation which seeks to address the promotion of “junk food”, my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, is currently bringing a Bill through the Oireachtas which will do just this. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022, which has completed all stages in the Seanad and has passed the first three stages in the Dáil, will dissolve the BAI and establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. It is also understood that it is hoped the Bill will be enacted before year end.
Under the Bill, broadcasting codes will ultimately be superseded by media service codes, which will apply to both video-on-demand and broadcasting services. Furthermore, An Coimisiún will be enabled to make online safety codes which apply to designated online services, such as video-sharing platform services (e.g. YouTube). Similar to broadcasting codes such as the CCCC, media service and online safety codes may provide for the regulation of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages which may be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children. The consultation process for a new CCCC is expected to be undertaken by the new Media Commission, Coimisiún na Meán, following the enactment of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. As the Department responsible for public health policy, the Department of Health would expect to contribute to, and be consulted on, the making of any codes by Coimisiún na Meán relating to the advertisement of food or beverages at children.
505. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 808 of 29 November 2022, if further details of the schemes (details supplied) referred to in the response will be provided. [60992/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA once-off fund of €100m for 2022 has been allocated from Budget 2023 to support community-based health and social care service providers for cost increases. This funding includes the €10m Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme for private nursing homes and a larger fund for voluntary community-based providers, which is being made available in recognition of the challenges being faced 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.
The details of the plan are being finalised. It is proposed that the inflation support fund will be administered by the HSE utilising the mechanisms in place for funding eligible organisations in receipt of Service Level Arrangements and Grant Aid Agreements. These arrangements are already in place with organisations that provide key health and social care services for people in Ireland. It is proposed that payments will be made to eligible organisations in the final quarter of 2022 to meet the pressures of this coming Winter. Many eligible organisations may be already operating within a context of increased inflationary pressures.
506. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recently published report from the Health Research Board, National Drug Treatment Reporting System: 2015-2021 Drug Treatment Data, showing rapidly increasing drug use in Ireland; and if he will consider a different legal approach based on decriminalisation. [61089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra507. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recently published report from the Health Research Board, National Drug Treatment Reporting System: 2015-2021 Drug Treatment Data, showing rapidly increasing drug use in Ireland; and if he will consider a different legal approach based on decriminalisation. [60570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together.
The Department of Health has a variety of sources to monitor drug trends including the National Drug and Alcohol Survey, which is conducted every four years to survey the general population aged 15 years and over, about the prevalence of drug use in Ireland.
The survey examines the use of a variety of drugs including alcohol and tobacco. The results of the 2019/2020 survey show that overall, the use of illegal drugs has remained at a similar level to that recorded in the 2014/15 survey. An increase has been seen, however, in the use of cocaine and ecstasy.
The most recent report from the National Drug Treatment Report System (NDTRS), published by the Health Research Board in June 2022, presents trends on treatment for problem drug use (excluding alcohol) for the seven-year period from 2015 to 2021. The data are compiled by the national surveillance system that records and reports on numbers and types of cases presenting for drug and alcohol treatment in Ireland.
Significant numbers continue to access treatment for cannabis, 2,299 episodes were provided to people in 2021. Cannabis, behind opioids and cocaine, was the third most common main drug reported by people accessing treatment in Ireland, accounting for 21.3% of cases treated in 2021. In addition, presentations to Child and Adolescent Addiction Services indicate that cannabis is the main substance causing harm for those under the age of 18.
The increase in number accessing treatment demonstrates the continuing demand for health services to address the harmful effects of drug use, the types of drugs that are most impactful on people who require treatment, and the social factors associated with problematic drug use.
The increase in treatment services reflects the government’s commitment to a public health response to drug use and the additional resources committed to services. The total numbers receiving treatment in the community has increased, with 70% of cases now treated in outpatient facilities.
In Budget 2023 I secured €4 million in new development funding to expand the provision of drug and alcohol services to meet changing patterns of drug use and emerging trends. This investment will expand community-based drug and alcohol services, ensure the sustainability and increase the capacity of residential treatment services, mitigate the impact of drugs on children, families and communities and strengthen drug monitoring and harm reduction. Full details are set out in the Budget factsheet health.cloud.gov.ie/apps/ePQ/Lists/ParliamentaryQuestions/2022/52630-22/Final%20version%20Budget%202023%20Factsheet.pdf?web=1.
We cannot be complacent about the risk to health posed by illicit drugs. The Government is committed to a public health approach to drug use, that will lead to better outcomes for individuals and society.
508. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if an update will be provided in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA considerable number of cases, including that of the individual concerned had to be processed and that has been completed. I wish to confirm that a final determination in respect of this case and all related cases is expected from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform shortly.
509. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being taken to ensure that the persons who used the Dunkineely general practice will be affected as little as possible given its closure; and if he will ensure that there is sufficient cover in the region. [60147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this issue, as soon as possible.
510. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that have brought patients with Meath addresses to the accident and emergency department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in each of the past five years; the number of ambulances that have brought patients with a Meath address to the accident and emergency department of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan in each of the past five years; the number of patients that have attended the accident and emergency department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda in each of the past five years and the number of these that where brought by ambulance; the number of patients that have attended the accident and emergency department Our Lady's Hospital, Navan in each of the past five years; and the number of these that were brought by ambulance. [60148/22]
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.
511. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be provided in CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra512. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in establishing dedicated community neuro-rehabilitation teams for each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60153/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.
As the issues raised are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
513. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of the commission to examine care and supports for older people committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60156/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to supporting healthy and positive ageing throughout the life course as well as to ensuring that older persons can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. At present, this objective is supported by the National Positive Ageing Strategy (2013), which provides a blueprint for whole of government policy making and service delivery in partnership with the community and voluntary sector.
However, acknowledging the disproportionately negative impact of the pandemic on older persons, the Programme for Government (2020) commits to the establishment of a commission on care that will ‘assess how we care for older people and examine alternatives to meet the diverse needs of our older citizens’, learning the lessons from COVID-19.
Desk based research has been undertaken within my Department in preparation for the establishment of a commission on care. The findings of this initial scoping exercise will inform planning for the commission next year. A proposal for the commission will then be drafted for my consideration.
It is envisaged that the commission will support a whole of government approach to examining the plethora of existing policies and strategies which are of relevance to supporting positive and healthy ageing. Drawing on lessons learnt internationally as well as on stakeholder engagement, it is also anticipated that the commission will make recommendations to effectively address the gaps which currently exist in the policy landscape.
514. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct his Department to set up a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO7 given that only 15% of persons have access to community neuro-rehabilitation teams; if will he ensure that his Department delivers a team for each CHO area as promised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60161/22]
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.
515. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the provisions that are in place for the establishment of a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60162/22]
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.
516. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO8 area; if so, if he will provide a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60163/22]
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.
517. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the steps that the Government is taking for immunocompromised persons who continue to cocoon to avoid Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60165/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra518. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO2 and in each CHO area in which a neuro-rehabilitation team has yet to be established; the date by which each neuro-rehabilitation team will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60171/22]
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.
519. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current position in respect of the appointment of a replacement GP for the GP who has tendered their resignation in Blarney, County Cork; the action that his Department and the HSE are taking to recruit additional GPs for areas of growing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60172/22]
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. 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. In the interim the HSE puts in place a locum or other appropriate arrangement to maintain GP services to the communities in question.
As the issue of GMS vacancies is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly regarding the potential closure of a GP service in Blarney, County Cork, as soon as possible.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, 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 enhance the attractiveness of general practice in Ireland and will see an increase in the number of GPs working here, 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.
520. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the replacement of a general practitioner service in Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60187/22]
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. 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. In the interim the HSE puts in place a locum or other appropriate arrangement to maintain GP services to the communities in question.
As the issue of GMS vacancies is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly regarding the potential closure of the GP service concerned in Cork, as soon as possible.
521. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the talks held with an organisation (details supplied) regarding medical card holders and their access to dental care; his views on the actions taken by his Department to ensure these persons get medical cover under the scheme. [60192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019).
Work has begun on this review and officials in my Department are engaging with stakeholders, including the Irish Dental Association. The Chief Dental Officer met with the Irish Dental Association on 29th July and 2nd December to discuss implementation of the Policy. I expect significant further progress to be made in 2023 and have made an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to support this work and enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year. This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the DTSS, the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE.
On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.
In recognition of the issues that have been experienced in some parts of the country in accessing oral healthcare, the €15m award includes €5 million to support the HSE to provide care to its patient cohorts in 2023, including adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still struggling to access a local dentist. This is intended to protect patient access to oral healthcare services while the transformative reform programme progresses.
These further measures come on top of a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022, following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors. The numbers of patients being seen, the numbers of treatments being provided and the number of claims being submitted under the DTSS have all increased in recent months.
522. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action that is being taken by his Department and the HSE relative to a complaint made by the family of a person (details supplied); if a comprehensive response to each of the issues raised will be provided to the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for submitting this question. We require further information to progress this question further.
523. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) will be provided with respite care as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60198/22]
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.
524. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be provided a consultation appointment with a paediatrician at Cavan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60199/22]
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.
