Written Answers Nos. 277-286
277. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the registration of psychotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45666/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council and Registration Boards, collectively known as CORU, are responsible for protecting the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competence amongst the professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act (2005). The Act is being implemented on a phased basis as registration boards and their registers are being established.
Regulations under SI No. 170 of 2018 were made by my predecessor in 2018 to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the 2005 Act and to establish one registration board for both professions. Members were appointed to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board in February 2019 and they held their inaugural meeting in May 2019.
The work of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) includes consideration of the titles to be protected and the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and the qualifications that will be required for future graduates. The work of the CPRB is significantly more challenging than it is for registration boards for some of the more established professions owing to the different and complex pathways into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers.
To date, the following progress has been made by the CPRB:
• Identification, verification and comprehensive assessment of legacy/historical qualifications to determine if they are appropriate for transitioning existing practitioners onto the respective registers (when open);
• Scoping and research on the regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists internationally has been conducted;
• Drafting of separate and distinct Standards of Proficiency for counsellors and psychotherapists and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes has been finalised.
A public consultation on the draft Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes has been launched and will run until 5pm on Friday 1st December 2023. As part of this consultation, the CPRB welcomes feedback from stakeholders, including members of the professions, education providers, employers, professional and representative bodies, as well as members of the public.
Further information on the consultation process is available on the CORU website here: www.coru.ie/public-protection/public-consultations/current-consultations/public-consultation-psychotherapists-standards-of-proficiency-and-criteria-for-education-and-training-programmes-for-psychotherapists.html
I am advised by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science that the main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme, which are applied impartially to all eligible applicants.
Maintenance grant and fee grant funding is available under the Scheme to students pursuing approved courses within the State. A maximum of 4 years funding is available at undergraduate level 8 (except where the normal duration of the course exceeds 4 years). Further information on eligibility is available at www.susi.ie.
Students who are returning to full time education and have been in receipt of a social welfare payment may qualify for the Back to Education Allowance. Further information on this scheme is available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/418e3f-back-to-education-allowance/
In addition, I understand that tax relief may be available on tuition fees paid for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The list of approved courses and further information is available on the Revenue website here: www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/education/tuition-fees-paid-for-third-level-education/approved-colleges-and-courses.aspx
278. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health can he give a full update on the completion of the day care centre in Monasterevin; and a timeline on a projected opening date for same. [45712/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
279. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to address issues in relation to children, already previously assessed for autism, but due to errors identified in those assessments, are now required to be reassessed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45716/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
280. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical cards of children under seven years coming up as invalid at GP surgeries, when they are still well within their expiry date, causing considerable expense, as in the case of the parent of the child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45717/23]
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.
281. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an urgent appointment to have both cataract surgeries completed at University Hospital Limerick, given that this person is waiting since last March and has practically no sight in either eye; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45729/23]
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.
282. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to clarify the new funding provided for mental health in Budget 2024; to provide a breakdown of the allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45751/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This significant investment will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2024.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health.
283. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an urgent medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/23]
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.
284. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is a process within the HSE where a person (details supplied) can access the long-term illness card for treatment of hereditary spastic paraplegia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45760/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
285. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health how the people of Clare will benefit from his Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45776/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2024 allocated an additional €808 million (4.2%) Core Current funding to the Health Vote, bringing the total Core Current allocation for 2024 to €20,238 million. In addition, Non-Core funding of €1,032 million has been allocated on a non-recurring basis, bringing the total Current allocation to the Health Vote for 2024 to €21,270 million. The Capital allocation for the Health Vote in 2024 in line with the National Development Plan is €1,231 million.
The additional allocation for 2024 is broken down on a Service Area basis rather than county by county. The specific allocation of funding to individual locations is an operational matter for the HSE, to be determined as part of the National Service Plan 2024 process, which is yet to be concluded, as well as in accordance with operational requirements throughout the year.
286. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the mental health supports in place for adults with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45787/23]
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.
