Written Answers Nos. 1387-1402
1387. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure pay parity for employees of Section 39 organisations providing healthcare services with comparable workers in the HSE. [16510/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.
While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
The Department notes that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.
1388. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of lactation specialist roles and-or public health nurses with a specialisation in lactation that it is planned to establish and fill in each LHO in CHO4 during 2023. [16511/23]
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.
1389. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the staffing and locations for the provision of lactation services in each LHO in CHO4. [16512/23]
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.
1391. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review an application for nursing home support by a person (details supplied). [16519/23]
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.
1392. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health when the €1,000 workers pandemic recognition payment will be paid to agency workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16524/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1393. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently reassess transgender healthcare; if he will consider the model of informed consent led by GPs in local communities; the consultations he has had with the trans community about trans affirming healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16525/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department welcomes the Cass report and will consider the implications and learning. The Department understands that based on the recommendations of this report, the HSE has identified the need to develop an updated and integrated model of care for transgender services in Ireland, informed by the best evidence-based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria.
The HSE is working to identify an alternative pathway for children/young people experiencing protracted waiting times. Discussions are underway with the paediatric endocrinology service at CHI and also with a psychology service to work on an interim solution until a full dedicated multidisciplinary service is established for Ireland.
Throughout this process, the HSE will address the waiting times faced by those who wish to access care for gender dysphoria. A key part of this work will see the HSE consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care. Including those who provide and use these services, and advocacy groups.
I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children with gender identity issues.
1394. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the appointment of a new GP to a surgery (details supplied) in Blarney, County Cork. [16528/23]
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.
1395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to review the pay of Section 39 workers, given that they have not received a pay rise since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16530/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.
While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
The Department notes that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.
1396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for fair deal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16533/23]
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.
1398. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland; the status of the development of the promised National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16537/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In line with the principles of Sláintecare, we will continue to support the enhancement of genetic services across the Regional Health Areas (RHAs). This service will be supported by a National Office for Genetics and Genomics, who will work with RHAs to ensure the effective delivery of a national service at a local level.
The Strategy also outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. By the year end, the HSE will begin developing a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics, which will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait time.
1399. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, the status of recruitment of the recently approved posts of National Director for Genetics and Genomics, Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of key staff. Staff appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.
The National Genetics and Genomics Strategy was identified in the HSE' 2023 Letter of Determination as a key initiative to be delivered. This was reinforced in the HSE's National Service Plan, which identifies the publication and roll out of the Strategy as a key objective this year.
National Office for Genetics and Genomics Posts
To accelerate the establishment of the National Genetics and Genomics Office, interim appointments will be made for the senior positions. The Interim Director for the National Genetic and Genomic Office has now been appointed. The recruitment process for the Interim National Laboratory Director, Interim National Clinical Director, and Interim National Bio-Informatics Director for the National Genetic and Genomic Office have commenced, all three of these posts have been advertised and interviews are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. Recruitment for management and administrative posts for the National Genetics and Genomics Office also funded will be advertised in the coming weeks.
Front-line Resources
As part of the implementation plan, one of the key outputs for 2023 is the development of a model of care for genetics and genomics. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this model of care. Recruitment for some front-line posts allocated for 2023 will begin in tandem with the development of the model of care. Once the model of care is developed, it will inform where additional front-line resources are allocated.
1400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to develop a revised National Rare Disease Plan; the timeline for the development of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16539/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and I are fully committed to doing everything possible to assist people living with a rare disease.
I intend to bring forward a successor plan to the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018. However, there is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic slowed our progress up until now.
Nonetheless, various actions have been implemented and significant resources invested in this area in recent years.
Principal among those actions was the establishment of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and a National Rare Disease Office.
Last year the HSE was nominated as the National Competent Authority in an EU Joint Action of European Reference Networks for Rare Diseases, which enables greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing.
As a result of this collaboration, we have entered in 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) on Rare Diseases. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities and is coordinated by the National Rare Disease Office. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. Through the European Reference Networks, the National Rare Disease Office is leading out on the development of optimal care pathways across a range of rare diseases.
My Department is seeking to appoint, through the usual recruitment channels, an official to progress the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a new National Rare Diseases Plan.
In terms of medicines for rare diseases, I have during my term of office significantly increased the level of funding available for new innovative medicines including medicines for rare diseases; a combined €100 million in the last three Budgets. Over one hundred new medicines have been approved including thirty-four for orphan medicines that are used to treat rare diseases. However, I accept that a new Plan is needed.
1401. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment for braces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16542/23]
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.
1402. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied); the actions he is taking to address the concerns raised in relation to the diagnosis of rare conditions amongst others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16548/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is fully aware of the Get Rare Aware campaign and the findings from Rare Disease Ireland’s research report, Rare Reality: Living with a Rare Disease in Ireland informing this campaign. We have received and responded to several letters and questions related to this campaign over the past weeks. The Government and I are committed to supporting Rare Diseases in Ireland, as outlined in the Programme for Government. We are supportive of the campaign’s call to expand genetic services in Ireland and have taken several important steps to help progress this ambition.
A core objective of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In line with the principles of Sláintecare, it will continue to support the enhancement of genetic services across the Regional Health Areas (RHAs). This service will be supported by a National Office for Genetics and Genomics, who will work with RHAs to ensure the effective delivery of a national service at a local level.
The Strategy also outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. In 2023, the HSE will begin developing a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics, which will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait time. The Strategy also outlines a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. To start implementing the Strategy in 2023 I approved €2.7 million including the appointment of key staff. These appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.
In addition to expanding a broad genetics and genomics service, I have also supported several key measures in rare diseases. The government has substantially increased funding for new innovative medicines for rare diseases, investing €100 million over the last three Budgets. My Department has worked with the National Rare Disease Office to facilitate Irish entry into 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases and support an EU Joint Action for the integration of ERNs into the national system. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. The Department has also progressed Irish entry into Horizon Europe Partnerships on Rare Disease and Personalised Medicine. Participation in ERNs and Horizon Europe Partnerships ensure greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing with European partners. Finally, I have recently announced a plan to develop a revised National Rare Disease Plan. This Plan will be a key step in progressing an improved overall service for individuals living with a rare disease.
