Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1188. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently attending the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital Mullingar. [47872/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (1188)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1189)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1189. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list, per age, for community psychology in Mullingar primary care centre, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47873/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1190)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1190. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current staffing number of the community psychology team in Mullingar primary care centre. [47874/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1191)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies that exist in Mullingar Regional Hospital, per post; and the length of time each has been vacant for. [47876/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Employment Rights
Ceisteanna (1192)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1192. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 in relation to fertility treatment and miscarriage leave. [47879/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1193)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1193. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women awaiting gynaecology appointments, by hospital, in tabular form. [47880/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the NTPF and is available on their website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1194)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1194. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 17 October 2023, when the document approved by the National Trauma Programme Steering Group in December 2022 which states "TU's should have the availability of at least one paediatric nurse per shift" and "recommends one WTE nurse per paediatric attendance annually" was updated and this recommendation removed. [47889/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1195)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:1195. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current staffing of the paediatric diabetes service in the Regional Hospital Mullingar; the current vacancies within that service; and how long each post has been vacant for. [47890/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (1196)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider extra funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47907/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare, life-long genetic condition which causes fragile, blistering skin. There is no doubt that Epidermolysis Bullosa places a substantial medical, social, and financial burden on patients and carers. I fully appreciate the difficulties experienced by patients suffering from this painful condition.
Earlier this year I received a pre-budget submission from Debra Ireland detailing their proposals for increased funding for patients with EB. I would, at the outset, like to acknowledge the brilliant work carried out by Debra Ireland on behalf of patients and families impacted by EB in Ireland.
Regarding funding, following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of new development expenditure will be available.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (1197)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1197. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if signage will be erected in areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47911/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1198)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:1198. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason management roles (details supplied) are being replaced and tradespeople doing the work on the ground are not as regards HSE maintenance teams in an area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47913/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (1199)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:1199. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the significant cost of circadin could be covered under the medical card scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47914/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (1200)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47935/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (1201)
Ged Nash
Ceist:1201. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on access to green space (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47950/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (1202)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:1202. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he intends to create a chief pharmaceutical officer position in his Department; his views on the matter; if his Department has examined similar roles operational in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47953/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I thank the Deputy for their question.
Currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health.
I recognise the substantial role pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform. The Department of Health recognises the value and importance of pharmacists and pharmacies in conserving, protecting, and enhancing the health of our citizens. Pharmacists are health care professionals who are experts in the use and management of medicines to treat and alleviate ill health and maintain good health.
To this end, on the 24th of July 2023 I established an Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland. The Taskforce had their first meeting on August 29th and has met fortnightly since. In the last few days, the Taskforce have submitted a recommendation and report for their initial phase of their work, and my officials are working to ensure this is implemented into practice over the coming months. The Taskforce will continue to work together over the next few months to make further recommendations to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy.
Several units within the Department have responsibility for advancing policy in key areas of our health system including pharmacy and medicines. There are a number of professionally qualified pharmacists among the staff in these units. These units continue to work and engage with key sectoral stakeholders such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the Irish Pharmacy Union to support ongoing workstreams in the pharmacy sector.
They are cognisant of potential deliverables that can be realised by and through pharmacists and pharmacy services, and the management of medicines supplies to deliver patient-centred care in line with the vision of Sláintecare.
There are complementary workstreams ongoing both within the Department of Health and the relevant agencies and stakeholders in relation to pharmacy and pharmaceutical care. Continuation of this collaborative approach is imperative to strengthen our medicines and pharmacy service delivery. At this time, the Department does not consider the appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer to be a prerequisite to delivery of these aims.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (1203)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:1203. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the regional health area implantation plan; the level of consultation that took place with HSE management; if south Tipperary and Cork will remain part of CHO4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47954/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE Health Regions Implementation Plan was approved by Government and published in July 2023. This plan was jointly produced by the Department of Health and HSE. This plan has had the benefit of significant input from staff of all levels across the HSE, the Department and the wider health sector. In addition, the Plan commits to continuing an ongoing schedule of engagement with HSE staff at all levels, patient and service user representatives, voluntary service providers, GPs, and others.
HSE senior managers have been involved in all aspects of the design and implementation of the Health Regions. The HSE have appointed senior managers specifically to the HSE Health Regions Implementation Team. In addition, there has been HSE representation on an Implementation Team which oversaw a number of working groups dedicated to determining relative roles and responsibilities under key functional areas such as workforce planning, capital and ICT infrastructure and finance. The outputs of these working groups are evident in the Implementation Plan.
In addition, the Deputy may be aware that I established an independent Health Regions Advisory Group which has representatives from across the health and social care sector in September 2021. The Advisory Group has provided significant input and insight into the development of the Implementation Plan, as part of their role in guiding, supporting, and advising on the overall design and implementation of Health Regions to my Department and HSE officials.
In relation to the alignment of the areas of South Tipperary and Cork, I wish to confirm that the map previously approved by Government has the South Tipperary region as part of the HSE Dublin Southeast Region. Cork is part of the HSE Southwest Region. The map can be found at www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=assets.gov.ie/266172/46f33ac2-0f6c-4a4b-bacf-7ec4b22d5daf.pdf#page=null.
A detailed series of research, analysis, and consultation was undertaken by the Department and the HSE to support the identification of the optimal boundaries of the new regions. This included a review of approaches taken internationally and in previous reforms, a public consultation process, and a detailed analysis of service usage patterns.
I might note for the Deputy that a significant component of the Health Regions Implementation Plan is that CHOs and Hospital Groups will be stood down at the end of 2024.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (1204)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:1204. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on European Reference Networks funding; if funding was committed to in Budget 2024; if he is aware of consultants concerns that they will lose ERN's due to failure to maintain records and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47955/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of new development expenditure will be available.
My Department is currently in the process of reviewing the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018. In parallel to this review, work has commenced on the development of a new Rare Disease Plan and is progressing with due consideration being given to how it can best meet the needs of patients and families affected by a rare disease. It is expected that a Steering Group will be established in the coming weeks to drive the development of a successor to the National Rare Disease Plan 2014-2018
My Department has also recently secured co-funding for Ireland’s involvement in the EU Joint Action on Rare Diseases (JARDIN). The Joint Action aims to support European Reference Networks (ERNs) integration to the national healthcare systems of Member States by providing direct grants to Member States’ authorities.
The expected results of this Joint Action are exchange of best practice and concrete proposals, guidelines, models, and recommendations for better integration of ERNs into national healthcare systems, including well-defined patient pathways, referral procedures, development of national networks on rare diseases, and guidelines for development of national teleconsultation tools.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1205)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:1205. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of winter flu vaccines that have been administered to different cohorts to date in October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47956/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.During the 2023/2024 flu season, the flu vaccine is available free of charge to adults over 65 years, individuals in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 12 years of age. This programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to the flu vaccination without a charge. Full detail on the eligible groups is available on the HSE website. The HSE will deliver school based nasal flu vaccinations (LAIV) to one year group of children in mainstream primary schools and all children in primary age special schools between October & December 2023. GPs and Pharmacies will continue to offer free flu vaccination services to all eligible children, as in previous flu seasons.I am advised that vaccination uptake rates for the current flu season are not yet available. Uptake rates will be published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in due course.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (1206)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:1206. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the hepatitis C home testing kits; the number of kits that have been dispatched; if the scheme is proving successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47957/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (1207)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47960/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.