Written Answers Nos. 664-686
664. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the reason allowances in all disability day care centres were stopped by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11490/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
Under the New Directions day service policy, all HSE funded Day Services are expected to be provided on an equitable basis, while also ensuring that the use of finite resources is maximised. There is a strong overlap between the day supports now provided as part of the New Directions approach and the programmes being offered by Rehabilitative Training.
The clear policy rationale of not making the Rehabilitative Training bonus payment to new entrants is to ensure access to high quality services to those who need them, on an equitable basis. Since September 2019, new entrants no longer receive the bonus payment, in line with those attending similar training programmes.
Individuals already in receipt of the bonus payment will continue to receive it for the duration of their course. Most people with disabilities are now in receipt of the Disability Allowance (€220 per week) paid through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The savings made from the phasing out of the Bonus payment are ring fenced to facilitate provision of additional full and part time day placements nationally, based on priority need.
The HSE has advised the Department that by January 2022, service users had commenced in 55.8 new adult day placements and 78 people received an uplift to their day service, using the ring fenced monies saved by the phasing out of the RT bonus. Some RT bonus savings monies were also used during the period of COVID-19 restrictions in day services on a once off basis to support the resumption of day services.
Each of these places has enhanced the lives of people, and their families. Enhanced service hours are enabling service users to be part of their local communities and enjoy greater choices about how they spend their time, while providing valuable social opportunities for families. In addition, adults who were heretofore not in receipt of any service are now engaging with their communities and experiencing new opportunities, having previously been socially isolated.
665. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will reopen the motorised transport grant to new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11491/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative Schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, a Transport Working Group was established to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The commitment under Action 104 was 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, which I chaired, considered proposals to inform the development of a coordinated plan for the enhancement of Government-funded transport and mobility supports available to people with disabilities. The Report was published in February 2023 and is available on the website of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
666. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the publication of the 2023 HSE Service Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a review of the 2023 National Service Plan, the HSE is currently revising the plan in line with consideration and feedback provided by my Department and other stakeholders. On that basis, I expect to receive a revised NSP shortly for consideration.
In line with the Act, the NSP, when approved, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days. After this the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.
667. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the commitment to eliminate the use of all single-use plastic in HSE-operated canteens and other food service outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/23]
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.
668. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if there is any consideration being given to the reduction in single-use plastic as part of his Department’s procurement policy for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/23]
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.
669. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if he will take action regarding the level of single-use plastic in Ireland’s healthcare system; if any review of this has been carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11500/23]
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.
670. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if there has been any progress in relation to eradicating the €80 charge for venesection procedures for people with haemochromatosis, in view of the grave financial implications for haemochromatosis sufferers given the number of times they have to undergo this procedure per year; if any recent discussions have taken place on this matter; the plans there are to eradicate the charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11505/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.
671. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11511/23]
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.
672. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive the pandemic special recognition payment. [11534/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
673. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the existing staffing levels in each of the long-Covid clinics and post-acute clinics by role, in tabular form; and the number of vacant posts. [11535/23]
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.
674. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for each of the long-Covid clinics and post-acute clinics by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [11536/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
675. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to including ADHD medications in the long-term illness scheme for persons over the age of 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11537/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The first of these regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 277 of 1971, put a limitation on Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, in respect of the provision of medicines to those suffering from mental illness:
"Arrangements for the supply of drugs and medicines to persons suffering from mental illness in pursuance of section 59 (3) of the Act shall be made only in respect of persons under the age of 16 years."
There have been no recent changes to the legislation underpinning the LTI scheme. However, my Department is currently examining all of the issues around the scope of the Scheme.
It is also important to remember that the LTI scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
In 2022, a range of measures were delivered including the abolition of public inpatient charges for children, reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, and the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17-25.
The significant investment in Budget 2023 will facilitate better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on everyone.
In 2023 this will mean:
- an expansion of GP care without charges to people earning no more than the median household income.
- all public inpatient hospital charges will be abolished.
- an extension of free contraception to 26-year-old women since 1 Jan 2023, and further extension to 27-30 years old women from 1 September 2023.
These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
In addition, 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.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
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%.
676. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the mechanism and decision process used for projects related to Covid-19 where acceleration of capital projects delivery was prioritised for additional acute hospital capacity, critical care capacity and intermediate care within the HSE; how delivery of critical emergency department capital expansion projects can follow similar accelerate programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11538/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital projects related to the Covid-19 response were accelerated under emergency legislation through the use of established planning derogations passed by the Minister for Housing (S.I. Nos. 93, 112 and 113 of 2020) as part of the whole-of-government response to the national public health emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, all projects were delivered under the guidance of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidance document, “Note on procurement and contractual matters associated with the Covid-19 Response Measures”, which supported contracting authorities in managing procurements in cases of extreme urgency as the pandemic unfolded and that used emergency mechanisms allowed for in European Procurement Regulations. This note has since been updated by the OGP and emphasises a return to the use of competitive procedures. In summary, it is EU law rather than national legislation that establishes many of the important steps to delivering capital projects, including environmental impact assessments as part of planning consents.
Significant progress has been made. Over the past three years, record numbers of new hospital and ICU beds have been added (25% increase since before the pandemic), along with many new Primary Care Centres around the country. The health service is ahead of Health Service Capacity Review targets on day/inpatient beds and ICU beds. The Government continues to recognise the need to invest in permanent increases in health capacity. The HSE is delivering on an ambitious pipeline of infrastructural investment, with €1.145B invested in 2022. In 2023, core capital funding has increased by 11%, in line with National Development Plan allocations agreed in October 2021, to €1.177B.
The Department of Health is looking at options to speed up urgent capital projects including new surgical hubs, additional hospital beds, theatres, diagnostics, clinics and other infrastructure needed to improve access for patients. The Minister for Health has engaged with the Attorney General to determine whether any of the exemptions that were effectively applied during the pandemic and Brexit could be utilised to deliver health infrastructure more quickly and this consideration is currently underway. Officials from the Department of Health are working with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to consider revisions to the current Public Spending Code and how it might be more pragmatically applied in order to deliver appropriate projects whilst ensuring value of money is maintained.
677. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the 96-bed ward block at Wexford General Hospital is in the HSE Capital Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11539/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm the 96 bed ward block at Wexford General Hospital project is included in the Capital Programme for 2023, and funding has been allocated in 2023 to progress the project.
A design team was appointed in September 2022 by HSE, progressing the proposal for a 96-bed medical ward block at Wexford General Hospital to preliminary stage one design. This is expected to be completed, and the stage 1 report to be issued, in Q1 2023.
The HSE is compiling a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for this proposal to be submitted to my Department for assessment in line with the Public Spending Code (PSC) requirements. The SAR is expected to be submitted to my Department in Q2 2023.
Given recent events at Wexford General Hospital, both my Department and the HSE are focused on repairing fire damage and restoring the hospital to full functionality. We will be exploring opportunities to expedite the 96 bed ward project in the context of the overall works to restore capacity at Wexford General Hospital as soon as is possible.
678. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths recorded in the State for each quarter since 1 January 2019, in tabular form. [11576/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes official statistics on deaths in Ireland through Vital Statistics publications. Vital Statistics reports are prepared by the CSO for the Minister for Social Protection in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of the Vital Statistics and Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, 1952 and Government Order SI 831 of 2007.
The CSO publishes quarterly and yearly statistics on registered deaths. All publications are available at this link, www.cso.ie/en/statistics/birthsdeathsandmarriages/. The latest published data is for Quarter 2 2022. Data for 2021 and Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 2022 is provisional. Provisional data for deaths registered in Quarter 3 2022 will be published on 24 March and the Vital Statistics Quarterly report for Quarter 4 2022, as well as the 2022 Yearly Summary, will be published by the CSO in June. Final data on deaths by date of occurrence for 2021 will be published by the CSO in the Vital Statistics Annual Report 2022 in October 2023 and final data on deaths by date of occurrence for 2022 will be published by the CSO in October 2024.
The Table below provides CSO data on the number of deaths registered in Ireland per quarter for the period 2019 to Quarter 2 2022. Data for 2021 and 2022 is provisional.
When comparing quarterly data over this period it is important to note the following data caveat provided by the CSO. ‘Due to the HSE cyber-attack in May 2021, General Register Offices (GRO) were closed meaning the registration of Births/Deaths/Marriages were not possible at that time. As a result, the total Births/Deaths/Marriages registered in Q2 2021 is not comparable with previous and/or subsequent quarters... ’
Total deaths (all causes) registered by quarter, 2019 – Quarter 2 2022
|
Statistic |
Quarter |
ICD 10 Diagnostic Group |
Deaths |
|
Deaths Registered |
2019Q1 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
8,618 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2019Q2 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
7,519 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2019Q3 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
7,358 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2019Q4 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
7,639 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2020Q1 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
8,674 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2020Q2 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
8,582 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2020Q3 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
7,111 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2020Q4 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
7,398 |
|
Deaths Registered |
2021Q1 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
9,564 (p) |
|
Deaths Registered |
2021Q2* |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
6,700 (p) |
|
Deaths Registered |
2021Q3 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
8,165 (p) |
|
Deaths Registered |
2021Q4 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
8,626 (p) |
|
Deaths Registered |
2022Q1 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
9,535 (p) |
|
Deaths Registered |
2022Q2 |
Total deaths (A00-Y89) |
9,326 (p) |
Source: Central Statistics Office, Vital Statistics, Deaths Registered, data.cso.ie/table/VSQ20
*Due to the HSE cyber-attack in May 2021, General Register Offices (GRO) were closed meaning the registration of Births/Deaths/Marriages were not possible at that time. As a result, the total Births/Deaths/Marriages registered in Q2 2021 is not comparable with previous and/or subsequent quarters.
679. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the condition 16p12.2 microdeletion is accepted as being on the autism spectrum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11586/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
680. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant positions in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of those filled on a wholetime equivalent basis; the number of those vacant as of 28 February 2023 or the latest date available; and the number of those filled on locum or non-specialist basis in tabular form. [11598/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with the information sought as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has ceased funding under the treatment abroad scheme for young persons suffering from brittle bone disease who have been undergoing treatment abroad in the UK for many years, as in a particular case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11603/23]
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.
682. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the rationale for why crossover breeds would pose a difficulty, or in any way act as an impediment to, Rasáíocht Con Éireann setting up its own dedicated stud book for racing greyhounds, as committed to in its Strategic Plan 2018-2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10814/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra685. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific reasons crossover breeds would pose a difficulty, or in any way act as an impediment to, Rásaíocht Con Éireann setting up its own dedicated stud book for racing greyhounds, as committed to in its Strategic Plan 2018-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10828/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 685 together.
Rásaíocht 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.
683. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 761 of 31 January 2023, if he will provide a breakdown of the point-to-point figures into name of hunt/year/and amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10826/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
684. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns around the rules excluding robotic farmers as proposed for the new TAMS scheme; if the new rules exclude farmers who received support for one robot under the previous TAMS from accessing supports for an essential additional unit; the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10827/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra689. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the rationale for excluding farmers who received support for one robot under the previous TAMS from accessing supports for an essential additional unit under the proposed new TAMS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10958/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 689 together.
I was pleased to recently announce the new and expanded range of investments under TAMS 3. This makes it our largest ever on-farm capital investment scheme. I have introduced some changes under the TAMS 3 scheme to continue with our overall agriculture and environmental priorities.
On the dairy sector, the list of potential investments is larger than ever before. In addition to the investments being carried over from TAMS II there is a wide range of additional investments being introduced for farmers, including farm roadways, bovine fencing, health and fertility monitoring systems, automatic drafting systems, public road underpasses and milk recording systems.
When a farmer is planning to update their dairy system, investment in the milking machine is only a portion of the required investment. It is important that dairy farmers also invest in animal housing, slurry storage, fodder storage and making their holding more accessible. To this end, TAMS is designed to encourage farmers to invest in these animal welfare and environmentally beneficial investments before investing in additional milking equipment. It is for this reason that there are limits on robotic milkers where farmers have previously benefited from this under the TAMS scheme.
686. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is currently a plan in place to develop the research on the impacts to farmland birds regarding the loss of winter stubbles; when such research is due to be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10864/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra687. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be data available on the impacts to farmland birds regarding the loss of winter stubbles, to inform the Interim Review of the Nitrates Action Programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra688. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the event of insufficient evidence on the effects of the loss of winter stubbles on farmland birds at the time of the Interim Review, if the requirement to shallow cultivate is to be withdrawn until such a time as there is data to show that this measure is not adversely impacting farmland birds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10866/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 686 to 688, inclusive, together.
In Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) approved on 11th March 2022, a measure was introduced for the shallow cultivation post-harvest of tillage land. Tillage is identified as a pressure source on water. The objective of the measure is to promote germination post-harvest within the soil-seed bank to establish a green cover that will take up residual soil nitrogen.
Following the public consultations on the draft 5th NAP it was identified that over-winter stubble is a potentially important feed source for seed-eating birds, but that research in Ireland is limited. However, based on best available research, it was considered a percentage of post-harvest stubbles should be maintained uncultivated to support relevant bird species while ensuring adequate mitigation is provided to protect water quality.
Shallow cultivation is to be completed within 14 days of harvesting. This measure is not required in all counties, but limited to Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. This measure has been targeted to ensure its effectiveness is maximized from a water quality perspective, while ensuring the minimum impact on biodiversity. As part of this, a minimum of 20% and a maximum of 25% of cereal land on each holding must not be subject to shallow cultivation post-harvest to preserve food sources for farmland birds.
A commitment has been made in the GAP (Amendment) Regulations (S.I. No. 393 of 2022), to review the effectiveness of the Shallow Cultivation measure in contributing to the protection of relevant bird species, as provided for in the Birds Directive. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) coordinated in collaboration with both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) (both Water Advisory Unit and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)) formally requested Teagasc in October 2022 to develop a research project to undertake specific work on this measure, to support Ireland’s newly adopted Nitrates Action Programme and to assess the impact of this measure on farmland bird species. DAFM, DHLGH and the NPWS are working together and jointly funding this research project which is planned for five years.
My officials working alongside colleagues in DHLGH (who are the lead authority of the NAP), and the NPWS, are in the stages of finalizing the research project and it will be in place for the 2023 season.
