Written Answers Nos. 534-544
534. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when enabling works on the second 96-bed block will be completed; and when the 2nd 96 bed unit will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3950/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and the HSE is committed to accelerating the delivery of a second 96-bed inpatient block at UHL. Planning for the enabling works for this block was granted in Q4 2023. These enabling works will be carried out directly adjacent to the 96-bed block currently under construction at UHL. This will create the lower part of the next block over which the proposed second 96-bed block can be developed.
This Government has invested significantly in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in recent years, including in major capital projects. In 2019, UHL had a Budget of €265m. The current closing budget for 2023 is €383m, representing a growth in budget of €118 million – or 45% - in just 4 years.
535. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when will the surgical hub planned for Limerick and the MidWest become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3951/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the surgical hub planned for Limerick to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
536. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3965/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Recruitment Pause is still in place except for Disability services, Consultants and Graduate Nurses and Doctors. The reality is that the HSE exceeded its 2023 funded workforce targets, which is neither affordable or sustainable.
As of the end of December 2023, there were 145,985 staff working in our health service. This was an increase of 8,239 since the start of January 2023. The HSE was funded to hire an additional 6,010 staff – meaning it was over by almost 2,200.
It was essential that controls were put in place in the latter part of 2023 in order to protect the HSE’s ability to continue to recruit essential roles in 2024. Funding for an additional 2,268 staff has been secured by the Minister for Health for 2024. Plans for the immediate recruitment of these staff are currently being put in place by the HSE.
537. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a update on a matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3966/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
538. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health to comment on the current delays being experienced by patients waiting for an appointment for mammograms and ultrasounds at Beaumont radiology department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3969/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
539. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of recent protests outside of Limerick Maternity Hospital and their impact on women attending the hospital for terminations; if he is also aware that this is still happening in other areas where women need to access healthcare; if he will give a clear indication of when the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 will complete the legislative process and recognise the urgency and necessity of its enactment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3995/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2022 is to ensure safe access to TOP services for women, and service providers and their staff throughout the country.
The Safe Access Zones Bill has passed all stages in Dail Eireann and is awaiting Committee Stage in the Seanad, I am committed to progressing this legislation as expeditiously as possible subject to the parliamentary timetable.
540. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 586 of 3 October 2023, if he is comfortable with the governance approach in raised therein, if he can further clarify who undertakes performance appraisals and signs off on any expense claims in relation to the executive roles in the SSWHG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4042/24]
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.
541. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists working in the primary care system within CHO5 in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [4056/24]
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.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
542. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health to outline the current service in relation to the provision of physiotherapy and occupational therapy in a location (details supplied) for adults and separately for children; how many wholetime equivalent staff are providing this service; the number of people on the waiting list; the time of the longest waiting on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4061/24]
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.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
543. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the establishment of the sodium valproate inquiry; the current status of the appointments to the inquiry; when the inquiry will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4063/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra552. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the appointment of the sodium valproate inquiry chair; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4138/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide definitive information on the establishment of a promised inquiry into sodium valproate; when a chair will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 543, 552 and 556 together.
Government approval has been secured for the establishment of an inquiry which will examine the licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State. This inquiry will be designed to give a voice to patients and their families while looking at the use of sodium valproate in Ireland since it was first licensed.
There is more work to be done to establish the inquiry and it is important that enough time and resources are invested in completing this work. There are many factors to consider, and I want to ensure that the inquiry, once established, delivers and allows those impacted to tell their story. My officials are working to ensure that this will be facilitated and are engaging with the relevant patient groups.
It is my intention to ensure the establishment of the inquiry is progressed. Work is actively ongoing in my Department in relation to sourcing an appropriate person to Chair the inquiry, and the Deputy will appreciate that this is a sensitive matter. The Chair is an essential role that needs careful consideration. The role requires and experienced person who will run a fair and independent process, and who can give the inquiry the time and attention it deserves.
I will be glad to provide an update on this matter once this work is finalised.
544. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant dermatologist with a special interest in skin fragility at Beaumont Hospital in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [4078/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
