Thursday, 1 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 21-40

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Ceisteanna (21)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

21. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he can clarify the position in relation to a person carrying prescribed medicinal cannabis products from an another state, specifically in relation to Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention, which states that it is permissible to transport drugs and psychotropic substances needed as part of medical treatment if the person concerned has a certificate issued by a competent authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26688/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Statutory Instrument 156/2023, the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 provides for Schengen residents travelling into Ireland with prescribed Schedule 2 or Schedule 3 (under the Irish Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017) narcotics or psychotropic substances for their own personal use while in possession of a certificate pursuant to Article 75 of the Schengen Acquis. Currently Ireland does not permit the importation from the Schengen area of a prescribed cannabis-based product as that is a Schedule 1 controlled drug. The decision on what prescribed products may be allowed enter a country is a decision for the destination Schengen country and not one for the Schengen resident's country of origin within the zone.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (22)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

22. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the injury clinic unit for Carlow town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26700/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE National Emergency Medicine Programme (EMP) Model of Care includes the development of Injury Units, allowing for the safe provision of care for many injuries that are unlikely to require same-day hospital admission.

Approximately 130,000 patients attend 12 Local Injury Units (LIUs) in the country each year. They are designed to provide the same level of care as would be available at an Emergency Department (ED), but more locally and with a shorter waiting time. This care includes direct referral to specialties such as Orthopaedics or Plastic Surgery. A named Consultant in Emergency Medicine in an ED provides the clinical governance and other professional supports to an Injury Unit. Injury Units also require access to appropriate clinical space and on-site access to x-ray facilities.

A HSE review of Injury Units and Medical Assessment Units looked in detail at the activity, capacity, staffing and operations of existing Units across the Model 2 Hospitals, as well as areas having the most potential need for additional injury units. An Implementation Plan for the recommendations from the review is now being developed.

The HSE will be considering this and other recommendations as part of the implementation plan for Injury Units. Implementation will be subject to resource and other considerations.

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (23)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

23. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he anticipates that legislation to reform the abortion law will be passed within the lifetime of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26705/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware, I commenced the Review of the operation Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 at the end of 2021. The Review was comprehensive and included a wide range of perspectives on termination of pregnancy services. The final Report of the Review was submitted to my Department on 28th February 2023.

The Report made a range of recommendations most of which are operational in nature, with some proposing legislative change. It was considered by Cabinet on 25th April. The Government agreed that the HSE will establish an implementation group to progress the operational recommendations, while those requiring legislative change have been referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration.

Given the Committee’s cross-party composition and oversight role in relation to the health service, it represents an effective and appropriate forum to consider the changes proposed. It is important now to allow the Joint Committee on Health the time and space to complete its deliberations.

Question No. 24 answered orally.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (25)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

25. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health when the current contract for the provision and repair of wheelchairs is due to end; if he will detail the procurement process involved in selecting the company that gets the contract; if a monitoring process is in place to examine the efficiency, value for money and outcomes delivered for wheelchair users by the contract holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26725/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, including wheelchairs, free of charge to eligible people following assessment by a relevant health professional.

The HSE has a contract in place for managed services for diverse medical equipment, including wheelchairs, provided by the community health services.

These managed services include logistics, decontamination, cleaning, maintenance, repair and end of use.

The current contract for managed services is due to end in September 2023.

However, there is a provision for the HSE to extend these contracts for a period of six months or one year.

The procurement process that the HSE will follow will be in accordance with the procedures and standards set out by the Office of Government Procurement for the undertaking of public procurements.

As part of the preparation for undertaking a new procurement process, the HSE is currently undertaking a review of the functioning of the existing managed services, which will inform the specifications for the new tender process.

The HSE advise that any new tender and subsequent Service Level Agreement with a successful third-party provider will include management reporting and the use of performance indicators to facilitate the monitoring of the contracted performance.

Eating Disorders

Ceisteanna (26)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

26. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to increase access to eating disorder services in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26405/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders (NCPED) aims to establish an eating disorder network. This network will consist of 8 adult teams and 8 CAMHS teams in line with the agreed Model of Care 2018. These multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) will provide specialist eating-disorder assessment and treatment in the community.

Over €8 million has been allocated for eating disorder posts through our Programme for Government funding. This investment funded the set-up of eating disorder teams (CHO7, CHO4 (CAMHS), CHO9, CHO6 (Adult)). This funding has also enabled the establishment of teams at varying stages of recruitment (CHO4, CHO5, CHO1 (Adult), CHO2, CHO6 (CAMHS)). Recruited clinicians for these teams are currently delivering eating disorder care and receiving training via the NCPED. The NCPED continues to support these 9 teams to further develop services to increase access to both assessment and treatment for eating disorders.

In total, 96.3 WTEs have been funded. To date more than 60% of WTE positions have been filled. It is a challenge to recruit Consultant Psychiatrists and dieticians.

Levels of funding continue to allow the HSE to fund existing teams and to recruit for outstanding posts. In 2023, work will continue to develop staff skills and provide expert training and supervision in line with the agreed Model of Care.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (27)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

27. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health what oversight he has of pandemic special recognition payments to ensure that those who are entitled to this payment have received it; if there is a process in place for healthcare workers who believe they are entitled to the pandemic special recognition payment but have not received a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26724/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In January last year, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for eligible frontline healthcare staff in the HSE, Section 38 organisations, and other specific cohorts as follows:

• Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

• Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

• Agency roles working in the HSE;

• Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;

• Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;

• Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.

For the public health service, rollout is now substantially complete, with over 90,000 HSE staff and 52,500 Section 38 staff paid.

Funding was transferred to the Department of Defence and to Dublin City Council in November, and payment to these groups is understood to be complete.

Regarding the non-public cohorts, funding has been made available in respect of 64,000 staff. To date 92% of organisations’ first claims have been evaluated.

If any eligible staff of covered employers are yet to receive the payment, I would advise that they get in touch with their relevant HR contacts to find out about their employer's implementation of the payment.

Finally I would like to thank all healthcare workers for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (28)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

28. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason HSE enhanced community care consultant posts will only be allocated to model 4 hospitals; if he will address concerns by consultants in the area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26590/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In line with Sláintecare, the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme aims to deliver increased levels of health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services, with a focus on implementing an end-to-end care pathway that will care for people at home, enabling a “home first” approach to service delivery.

Annual funding of €195 million was allocated in Budget 2023 to the ECC to enable the continued recruitment of 3,500 additional staff, implementation of 96 Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs), and 60 Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Older Persons and for the Management of Chronic Disease. Over 2,600 additional staff have already been recruited, including an additional 47 new Specialist Integrated Care Consultant Posts for Cardiology, Respiratory and Endocrinology in the Acute Hospital system across the Country.

A comprehensive consultation process was undertaken with stakeholders in development of the ECC model, including clinical advice from the National Clinical Programmes and the operational system. The model provides an end-to-end care pathway across the CHNs, CSTs for Older People and Chronic Disease, as well as the Front Door and in-patient Services in the Acute Hospitals, with clinical governance being provided through the relevant Model 4 or 3 hospitals, but with services being delivered locally in community-based settings.

Mallow Hospital, as a Model 2 hospital, is part of the Model 4 CUH Group and operates as part of the well-established Clinical Directorate Model which provides the required corporate and clinical governance in line with HIQA standards. While clinical governance is provided in this way through the Model 4 and Model 3 Hospitals, the clinical guidance and operational arrangements provided as part of the ECC enable sufficient local flexibility to allow the consultants to work across the Level 4/3 and Level 2 hospitals.

Consultants appointed to the North Cork post will have a role in Mallow, and in the Ambulatory Care Hub for chronic disease, while at the same time operating under the overall clinical governance of the CUH Group.

Such arrangements already apply in other parts of the country. Detailed arrangements in respect of such individual post-holders can be addressed through the South-Southwest Hospital Group (SSWHG), which encompasses the CUH Group, with the HSE ECC National Programme providing assistance and guidance to ensure that arrangements comply with the relevant HIQA Standards and National Clinical Guidance.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (29)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

29. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will review the funding and resourcing ofLetterkenny University Hospital to reflect the fact that the hospital is the sixth largest in the State with reference to the number of inpatients each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26392/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to the ongoing development of regional hospitals, such as Letterkenny University Hospital. LUH is a large, busy hospital and this Government has allocated significant resources in order to meet the needs of patients using the hospital.

There has been additional investment in staffing and facilities at LUH in recent years. There has been an 18% increase in staffing numbers since 2020, bringing the total staffing at the hospital to 2092.

The budget for the hospital has increased from €142.7m in 2019 to €177.8m in 2023, an increase of 24.5%. Since 2020 there have been 28 new beds opened in the hospital, bringing the total to 378. Since 2021, hospital capacity has been further improved by the expansion of gynaecology services, the opening of the acute stroke unit, the provision of an additional endoscopy theatre and the opening of a new maternity theatre.

There are several capital projects underway which will add additional capacity in services for patients. Projects planned and underway include the expansion of the Renal Department, the expansion of the Oncology Day Unit and the Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade.

This Government will continue to support the HSE in providing for the needs of patients in the Donegal region, through investment in LUH and other health services in the region.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (30)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

30. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the action he intends on taking to speed up the delivery of smaller capital health projects and to simplify the processes laid down by his Department to do so, in view of the inordinate time it is taking to provide the new ambulance base in Recess, Connemara, the new community nursing unit in Clifden, Connemara, a new health centre in Inishbofin and a new permanent health centre in Árann, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25487/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I agree with the implication in the Deputy’s question that, despite historic investment by this government to date, we can do more to increase the pace of delivery of capital health projects.

The approach to date has simply been far too slow, had too many stages and projects have been too susceptible to delay.

I am working with my Department on this matter and have met with the HSE to ensure that the internal processes on infrastructure are streamlined across the board. I have been encouraged by the response from all to this challenge.

The positions on the specific projects referenced by the Deputy are:

A dynamic deployment ambulance base in Recess, Connemara is being progressed. Due to Connemara’s status as an area of special conservation particular care and engagement with Galway County Council has been required. Planning permission is anticipated to be applied for by early Q3.

Regarding Clifden Community Nursing Unit (CNU), a Stage 1 design report is completed and submitted for review due to substantial associated cost increases. A due diligence review is expected to conclude shortly.

Delivery of a Primary Care Centre (PCC) on Inisbofin remains a priority for HSE. This project has been delayed due to several property transactions. Galway County Council have advised that a final survey is currently being completed to allow for the progression and approval of the proposed land transfer. Once all land transfer activities are completed this project can progress.

A proposal to provide a health campus including a primary care centre and community nursing unit (CNU) on Inis Mor is being examined. The HSE are engaging on the future service requirements for the CNU element of this proposal.

Pharmacy Services

Ceisteanna (31)

James O'Connor

Ceist:

31. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the national ePrescribing system to reduce the administrative burden currently faced by community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26674/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Thank you for your question Deputy. The HSE has established a national ePharmacy programme with several key initiatives being pursued in parallel. These include the replacement of legacy pharmacy systems with hospitals, the establishment of a national medicinal product catalogue (required to enable several ePharmacy initiatives) as well as an ePrescribing project that will transform the way in which medications are prescribed and dispensed within the community care setting. Further extensions of this project will also address prescribing at outpatient clinics and hospital discharge.

The ePrescribing project is now well established and is being led by pharmacists with experience in working in hospital and community pharmacy settings.

A significant exercise in stakeholder engagement took place in Q1 this year and will inform the technical and operational requirements for a system to be procured in 2023. As well as the formal governance structures being established for the delivery of this project (which includes clinical professionals responsible for prescribing and dispensing), a separate Pharmacy eHealth Group (similar to the long standing and well regarded GPIT group for GPs), has been established and will be useful also in providing the voice of the pharmacist to important eHealth developments such as ePrescribing.

The pandemic led to the introduction of Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions using a secure email system to assist in social distancing. That will be replaced by the ePrescribing solution once up and running.

Not only will ePrescribing streamline processes for prescribing and dispensing, it will also make care safer by addressing some of the deficits of information when people are admitted and discharged from hospital and. with the delivery of a patient portal/ app as part of the wider eHealth programme, provide patients with access to a digital copy of their medications - both prescribed and dispensed. This will empower patients and lead to safer, better care.

Substance Misuse

Ceisteanna (32)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which persons in need of drug rehabilitation programmes have access to same, with a view to reducing their dependency on drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26658/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Over €136 million in labelled public expenditure is spent on measures to address substance use every year by my department. Much of this funding is channeled through the HSE to support the implementation of the national drug strategy.

In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €10.5m for the national drug strategy and inclusion health. The funding will be used to expand HSE healthcare services and to support community & voluntary organisations to improve access to health and social care services. Details of the additional funding are outlined in the attached factsheet. I believe this additional funding will strengthen the health-led approach to drug and alcohol use, through reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery for people who experience addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Supporting recovery is key to the National Drug Strategy, which aims to minimise the harms caused by the use and misuse of substances and promote rehabilitation and recovery. Recovery is a personal journey, and rehabilitation a process, that supports and encourages the individual at each stage along the pathway to recovery.

As the question relates to the availability of rehabilitation programmes which is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.

Factsheet

General Practitioner Services

Ceisteanna (33)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

33. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his views on the measures being taken to address the issue of attracting general practitioners to rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26707/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

GPs 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.

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 that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.

Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. The Agreement provides for an increase in capitation fees for participating GPs, additional services, improved family arrangements as well as a targeted €2 million fund to support practices in deprived urban areas.

The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased approximately ten percent year on year from 2019, rising from 193 in 2019 to 258 in 2022, with 285 new entrants places made available for this year. Working with the ICGP, it is aimed to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.

In addition to the more general measures taken to increase the number of GPs in the State, specific supports are in place for GPs in rural areas.

The practice support package for rural GP practices which was introduced previously has been increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Specific fees are also in place for dispensing doctors (who operate in rural areas), these have been increased by 28% under the Agreement.

The HSE is working with the ICGP on a programme to bring 100 non-EU GPs to Ireland in 2023 to help improve access to GP services, particularly in areas with limited access. These new additional posts will work in general practice for a 2-year period following which they will be able to take up a General Medical Services contract. The programme commenced with 25 posts having started in January and is progressing to meet the target of 100 additional non-EU GPs placements by year end.

Furthermore, I recently published the Terms of Reference for a Strategic review of General Practice which will commence shortly and is to be completed this year. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues around GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a better general practice. The provision of GP services in certain rural and urban deprived areas that are underserved, and the possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to these locations, is a specific issue that will be examined under the review.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (34)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

34. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are only ten beds for haematology patients in Cork University Hospital to serve the whole south/south west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26694/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (35)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

35. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that 309 children are waiting for scoliosis-related surgery and that just 12 spinal fusions have been completed to date in 2023 in Temple Street and Cappagh hospitals, a third of the number completed in the same period in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26575/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment and remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.

Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. Some €19 million of current and capital funding was committed to implement the plan.

This funding is providing additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, diagnostic MRI capacity and enabling further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital or Cappagh Kids.

As of the 30th of December, 509 scoliosis procedures had been carried out, compared to 380 for the same period in 2019 a 34% increase and an increase of 47% compared to 2021.

The National Orthopaedic Hospital in Cappagh completed 549 (non-complex) orthopaedic surgeries and 68 surgeries for Spina Bifida patients transferred from CHI exceeding the target of 61 for the year.

Despite undertaking a record number of spinal procedures in 2022 corresponding reductions in the waiting list were offset by significant increase in demand and referrals compared to previous years with a 30% increase in additions to the spinal surgery list compared to 2021. In addition, due to an unprecedented increase in demand through ED’s and Urgent Care Centres and the resulting pressure on its hospitals capacity, CHI had to reduce planned elective and routine inpatient admissions over the winter period.

A new Scoliosis / Spina Bifida Plan is expected to be finalised shortly to continue and build on the work done in 2022 and as of the 28th of April CHI and Cappagh had completed 151 spinal procedures.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (36)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 20 April 2023, if he will provide an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; the expected timeline for the design team to be in place; the expected timeline for the site investigations to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Elective Hospital in Galway, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (37)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

37. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he can detail any plans to review the criteria for medical card eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26687/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.

Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.

Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.

I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues, including the current medical card income thresholds, under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (38)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of illegal units of medicine that have beendetained by the HPRA; if plans are in place for the HPRA to be given more powers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26695/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) detained some 940,000 dosage units of falsified and other illegal medicines in 2022. The HPRA warns of the serious health dangers posed by sourcing prescription medicines online and from unauthorised sources. Supply of these products into and within Ireland is illegal and consumers can have no guarantees about the safety or quality of prescription medicines they are seeking to buy outside of the regulated pharmacy setting.

In the 12 months of 2022, the most significant categories of illegal products detained included sedatives (26%), anabolic steroids (22%), erectile dysfunction medicines (9%), analgesics (7%), and Stimulants (5%). The breakdown is:

• Sedative medicines – 247,737 units detained

• Anabolic steroids – 207,220 units detained

• Erectile dysfunction – 84,038 units detained

• Analgesic medicines – 63,776 units detained

• Stimulants – 46,547 units detained

• 639 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages amended or shutdown.

• 7 voluntary formal cautions issued and one prosecution case initiated relating to the importation or distribution of anabolic steroids

The HPRA is responsible for prosecuting cases where it considers that there is a significant risk to public health or where there are persistent non-compliances. One such prosecution case initiated in 2022, relating to the unauthorised supply of anabolic steroids. In addition, there were seven voluntary formal cautions (VFC’s) relating to the unauthorised supply of medicines. The HPRA also supports prosecutions brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the illegal supply of medicines.

The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service with whom there is significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. There are no plans to give the HPRA more powers at this time. The HPRA also co-operates and shares intelligence with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies across Europe and worldwide to prevent the illegal manufacture, importation and distribution of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics. Members of the public are also encouraged to report any reports of suspicious activities linked to the supply of medicines and other health products on a confidential basis to the HPRA – contact details are available on the HPRA’s website.

Hospital Overcrowding

Ceisteanna (39)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

39. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the ongoing overcrowding in Tallaght Hospital's emergency department; the steps that are being taken to address it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26704/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in hospitals throughout the country.

This Government is doing a huge amount to increase capacity in our health service by funding an unprecedented increase in staff and beds.

On 29th May I announced the publication of the HSE’s Capital Plan for 2023. There are currently over 500 health capital projects underway across the State.

Overcrowding is now a year-round challenge and I have asked the HSE to address it as such.

The HSE are finalising two planned approaches to urgent and emergency care: a plan for the remainder of 2023, this will be published in Q2, and a 3-year plan which will be published in Q3.

These plans will focus on:

• Continuing the sustainable initiatives implemented during major congestion and escalation events this winter.

• Developing a framework to enable high impact operational improvements.

• Enhancing performance management to strengthen operational grip with a focus on key areas such as patient flow and length of stay.

A key priority for my department is the improvement of Patient Experience Time and reform of service delivery across the entire health system is a key part in achieving this.

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.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (40)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

40. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the date when the four-storey building attached to Mallow Hospital will be completed, taking into account that it is to accommodate 48 hospital beds on floors two and three; if he will confirm that the 40 rooms between the ground floor and the first floor will be utilised for patients that require rehabilitation; when it is expected that same will come into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26604/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The HSE have confirmed that construction of the new four-storey building at Mallow Hospital is due to be complete by the end of Q2 2023. This will include the 48 beds on floors two and three. The project will provide a mix of replacement beds and new beds. The wards will then be equipped and commissioned in early Q3.

The use of the two “shell and core” floors, between the ground floor and first floor, is still under consideration by the South/South West Hospital Group and a determination will be made in due course as to the optimum use of those floors in the context of clinical needs at the hospital group.