Written Answers Nos. 700-719
700. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been previously diagnosed with bowel cancer who are currently recommended to undergo regular follow-up colonoscopies; the number and proportion of this group currently waiting for a follow up colonoscopy appointment, by each waiting time period, in each of the designated cancer centres, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8817/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
701. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reviewing the contracts for private homecare companies currently contracted by the HSE for home help hours (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8837/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
702. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will take urgent action to provide the resources to bring the current level of 80 neurological nurses to the European norm of 100 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8839/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2023 provided funding for an additional 23 nursing staff for Neurology services. These posts will be based in neurological centres across the country and cater to the needs of patients with a range of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease.
Further detail on the allocation of these posts will be included in the HSE National Service Plan as it becomes available.
703. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will identify the seven audits into CAMHS that were referenced at the Oireachtas sub-Committee on Mental Health recently; the stages they are at; when are they due to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8841/23]
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.
704. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who received voluntary and involuntary electroconvulsive therapy from 2020 to 2022; the hospitals that perform this therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8842/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is published by the Mental Health Commission in their annual activity reports on administration of electro-convulsive therapy in approved centres. The latest figures available can be found on the Commission's website at The Administration Of Electro-Convulsive Therapy in Approved Centres: Activity Report 2021 | Mental Health Commission (mhcirl.ie).
The Mental Health Commission has not yet published its Activity Report for 2022 but this is expected to be published later this year.
705. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the interim ICT system that CAMHS will be operating for electronic case file management; when this will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8843/23]
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.
706. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the rollout of integrated case management system within CAMHS; when the system will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8844/23]
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.
707. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address urgent concerns relating to the dental health of a child (details supplied) and delayed access to treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8850/23]
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.
708. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if services currently situated at a site (details supplied) are to be moved to an alternative location; and the reason this is the case, given a guarantee was provided to the initial site in relation to retention of services. [8851/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
709. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 853 of 14 February 2023, if a timeline will be provided for the review of the implementation of the PDS service model. [8852/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the consideration being given to enhancement of services, the PDS Roadmap will seek to examine the implementation of the CDNT model of service by way of progressing an independent review. The Department is in fully engaged with the HSE in relation to finalising the Roadmap document.
This process will include an examination of timelines for all actions within the Roadmap. The detailed actions will form a programme of activity across 2023 designed to enhance access to services. The assessment of the CDNT model of service will form part of this programme and it is expected that once the Roadmap is finalised the specific timeframe for the assessment will be agreed.
710. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if it is acknowledged by his Department that the PDS service model is not delivering consistent services to all children who require them; if it is accepted that many of these children have been regressing in recent months as a consequence; if the attention of his Department has been drawn to reports that parents feel forced to obtain services from private providers at much cost; and the action that is being taken to ensure the PDS model is delivering for these children. [8853/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Progressing Disability Services for Children & Young People (PDS) programme is agreed Government and HSE policy and seeks to address the previous inequity in service provision whereby there may have been an excellent service for some children and little or no service for others. However, it has been acknowledged that the transition to policy-based Children’s Disability Network Teams under the PDS Programme has been challenging for many families and staff.
Funding has been provided by Government in recent years for over 600 additional posts to enhance CDNT capacity and the HSE continue to progress a range of measures to recruit staff, having regard to the challenges that currently exist in the recruitment of health and social care professionals.
I can advise that following a meeting between the CEO of the HSE and Ministers Donnelly, O’Gorman and I last year, it was agreed by that an overarching roadmap would be developed to support all stakeholders to progress the next phase of implementation of PDS model. The roadmap document will set out the actions being proposed by the HSE to improve services for children with disabilities and developmental delays as well as their families.
As part of the consideration being given to enhancement of services, the Roadmap will seek to examine the implementation of the CDNT model of service by way of progressing an independent review. The review of the implementation will consider issues such as:
- The current literature with regard to health and social care supports for children with disabilities
- The competencies and skill mix required to support children with disabilities
- The establishment and development of the CDNTs
- An evaluation of the experience of children and families in accessing CDNT services
- An evaluation of the experience of service providers and staff, including primary Care, CAMHS staff and Disability Act Office staff, in delivering children’s service
The Department continues to engage with the HSE in relation to finalising the Roadmap document so relevant actions can be agreed and commenced.
It is envisaged that the detailed action in the Roadmap will form part of a series of initiatives across 2023 designed to enhance access to services.
711. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the details of the supports that his Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported, where relevant; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and HSE are coordinating the provision of healthcare services for more than 75,000 Ukrainian refugees under the Government's coordinated humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. As beneficiaries of temporary protection, Ukrainian refugees are entitled to access healthcare services, on the same basis as for Irish residents.
There is a simplified and streamlined process for Ukrainian refugees to automatically qualify for a medical card. Having a GP is not a requirement for applying for the card, as one can be assigned afterwards. The HSE has issued more than 56k medical cards to Ukrainian refugees to date.
In addition, the HSE has developed an integrated refugee health service delivery model to provide healthcare services for refugees. A range of bespoke services and supports have been developed specifically for Ukrainians, including :
National Transit Centre
- The National Transit Centre in Citywest continues to operate as the main entry point for Ukrainian refugees (>90% of all arrivals) accessing the health system.
- The HSE has put in place a health assessment model for Ukrainian refugees in Citywest which identifies individual health needs that can be tracked as refugees are assigned to accommodation centres across the country.
- The Citywest health model continues to evolve in line with the emerging needs of the population
Community healthcare
- The HSE has established Area Crisis Management Teams in all community healthcare areas, which complement existing community services. The Crisis Management Teams are coordinating local service responses supported by National Public Health guidance and health needs assessment tools. The teams work closely with with the community response forums to co-ordinate interagency services at the local level.
- Community healthcare services include multidisciplinary teams that are providing in-reach services to assess urgent health needs and are referring refugees to the appropriate services. The teams conduct risk assessments in relation to Covid and other health issues including infectious diseases.
GP Services
- The HSE, in consultation with the IMO, has prepared a range of bespoke options for those accommodated in hotels and other settings. The exact model for each site varies depending on numbers and geographical distribution, all have access to GP Out-of-Hours services.
- The HSE has issued an updated GP Framework which includes guidance on maternity and infant care and the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme. It also provides greater clarity on options available for those in emergency accommodation across the country.
- Work is ongoing with Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) to maximise the allocation of Ukrainian refugees to the General Medical Services (GMS) panels where feasible.
- The HSE is working to overcome known GP availability capacity challenges across the country but most particularly in areas with single GP Practices, existing dense populations, and in rural areas where many Practices are already at maximum capacity.
Acute Services
- Acute referral pathways and operational processes for urgent referrals are in place to respond to priority Ukrainian groups.
- The National Cancer Programme is viewing, on a case-by-case basis, those coming into the country with a treatment plan which does not align with that provided in Ireland.
- HSE Acute Services is progressing an approach to ensuring continuity of care/safe discharge from Emergency Dept for Ukrainian refugees without an assigned GP.
Public health
- Ukrainian refugees have access to COVID-19 vaccinations through GPs, pharmacists or HSE vaccination centres. HSE is developing a screening and vaccination ‘catch up’ service for Ukrainian refugees to mitigate risks of infectious disease outbreaks.
- A Catch Up Immunisation Programme for Migrant Children and Young Adults will have commenced in all CHOs before the end of February.
- Targeted public health communications are delivered to refugee populations advising them of how to keep themselves and their families safe from respiratory illnesses across the winter period and how to access Covid and Flu vaccinations. The ‘Keep well in winter’ message resources are available on the HSE Health Protection and Surveillance Centre website.
Ireland is also supporting EU solidarity with Ukraine
- Ireland has completed 28 medical evacuations of patients from Ukraine and neighbouring countries, under the EU-wide coordinated system for medical evacuations of patients from Ukraine requiring urgent medical treatment.
- The health service has donated medical humanitarian supplies with a total value of over €9.4 million, including life-saving medicines, medical equipment, consumables, and ambulances.
The HSE has spent an estimated €24m on healthcare services for refugees in 2022. The Department of Health has allocated an additional €50 million to the HSE to provide healthcare services in 2023. Additional resources may be required depending on the level of demand.
The healthcare service is playing a critical role in the Government's humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. The planning, management and allocation of health resources has been challenging due to the arrival of 75,000 Ukrainian and 15,000 other refugees since 2022. I am confident that the health system will continue to respond to the health needs of the refugee population in 2023 and subsequent years.
712. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of discrimination cases taken and won against his Department over the past ten years, under each of the grounds as applicable, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8903/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no discrimination cases taken and won by staff of the Department against the Department over the past ten years.
713. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the decision basis on which of the 24 integrated consultant posts in enhanced community care hubs, only 12 were funded, with 12 unfunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8906/23]
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.
714. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the locations of all enhanced community care hubs; their purpose; the full staffing list of each hub, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8907/23]
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.
715. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of matings in the greyhound racing and coursing industries that involved surgical artificial insemination in each of the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form; the number of those matings that involved the use of semen obtained from a sire deceased at the time the surgical artificial insemination occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8068/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further underpinned by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Below are the figures in tabular form for the years 2019 to 2021 as provided by the ICC. The ICC has informed this Department as a manual search is required through all matings, the 2022 information is not readily available. The information for 2022 Frozen Semen Insemination (FSI) Matings/Surgical Implant/Deceased Sires will be forwarded to the Deputy once supplied by the ICC.
|
FSI Matings |
By Surgical Implant |
Deceased Sires |
|
|
2019 |
310 |
139 |
15 |
|
2020 |
367 |
142 |
24 |
|
2021 |
456 |
133 |
27 |
716. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons greyhounds trained by a person (details supplied) were allowed to compete at coursing competitions in Loughrea, County Galway and Clonmel County Tipperary, resulting in a win in the coursing derby final, considering that they received jail terms and very large fines in court following searches for illegal substances carried out of their property by his Department’s investigations unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8069/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
717. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effective date and duration of an exclusion order imposed by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
718. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and registered names of Irish greyhound sires that are used to breed both racing greyhounds and coursing greyhounds as confirmed by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8071/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further underpinned by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Below in tabular form are the figures for 2019 to 2022 for sires which produced track and coursing dogs.
|
Year |
No. |
Name of Sire |
|
2018 |
1 |
Ballymac Best |
|
2019 |
1 |
Ballymac Best |
|
2020 |
1 |
Ballymac Best |
|
2021 |
14 |
Ballymac Anton, Ballymac Best, Ballymac Eske, Ballymac Kingdom, Bull Run Bolt, Cushie Jet, Droopys Syndey, Farloe Rumble, Grangeview Ten, Paddys Magic, Pestana, Soul, Swahaili Eile, Belles Direction. |
|
2022 |
2 |
Ballymac Best, Blame the Game |
719. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide Greyhound Racing Ireland's costs to sponsor the greyhound derby semi-finals on a programme (details supplied) on 17 September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8072/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
