Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:568. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff members required to sufficiently staff an ophthalmology department within model 4 Hospitals. [6159/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Services
Ceisteanna (568)
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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (569)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:569. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to CAMHS as a percentage of the health budget for each of the years 2021 to 2024, in tabular form. [6162/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (570)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:570. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to CAMHS as a percentage of the health budget for each of the years 2021 to 2024, in tabular form. [6163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Public Inquiries
Ceisteanna (571)
Ged Nash
Ceist:571. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a chair will be appointed to the promised inquiry into sodium valporate in Ireland; his response to those impacted (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6170/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 established delivers and allows those impacted to tell their story and my officials are working to ensure that this will be facilitated.
I will ensure the establishment of the inquiry is progressed. Work is 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 preparatory work is finalised.
My officials are engaging with OACS Ireland. The release of the Terms of Reference will be published in parallel with the appointment of the Chair, and work in underway to find a suitable person to serve as Chair for this important inquiry.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (572)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:572. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a gallium scanner will be installed in Cork University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6175/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In Ireland Gallium-68 (Ga 68) is used as the radionuclide for two different PET/CT examinations. These examinations are for patients with prostate cancer and for patients with neuroendocrine tumours.
St. James's Hospital currently provides this examination for patients with prostate cancer. The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) supports the use of an alternative, PSMA scans, in certain prostate cancer patient cohorts as outlined in the National Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Staging of Patients with Prostate Cancer 2022.
St. Vincent’s University Hospital is the National Centre for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). There are satellite centres for this tumour type in Cork and Galway. The centralisation of services is a key part of the National Cancer Strategy, ensuring that expertise and resources are concentrated to provide the best possible service for patients, as this has a direct impact on patient outcomes. The use of gallium PET/CT scanner for the diagnosis of NETs is only performed at St Vincent's University Hospital. Currently, patients at the satellite centres requiring this type of scan are referred St Vincent’s University Hospital for scanning. There is a prioritisation system for this based on clinical urgency.
The waiting time has improved for access to these scans, from 5 months to 3 months, and is expected to improve further by Q2 2024. This compares with an average wait time in Europe of approximately 2 months. The overall number of patients requiring these scans is small, with between 200 and 250 patients requiring the scan per year.
I am advised that the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is in the process of establishing an NCCP NETs National Clinical Tumour Leads Group. This group will help to ensure that the three cancer centres and associated hospitals build on robust local clinical governance arrangements, in order to operate as a cohesive national clinical network.
Question No. 573 answered with Question No. 562.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (574)
Pa Daly
Ceist:574. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of a minor injuries clinic for Kerry. [6228/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (575)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:575. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a surgical procedure rescheduled in Tallaght Hospital. [6232/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Under 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October 2023. 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
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (576)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:576. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists working for CAMHS in the Meath area; if there is a dedicated day that each centre has a psychologist in attendance at each centre; how many hours each centre is serviced by the psychologist each week/month; the average number of hours that service users attending each of these centres gets with a psychologists and other services supplied in each of the centres in Meath broken down into weekly figures; and the number of children waiting in each centre for the service in the past five years. [6234/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (577)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:577. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists working for CAMHS in the Meath area; if there is a dedicated day that each centre has a psychologist in attendance and is taking appointments; and the number of children waiting in each centre for service for the past five years. [6235/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Food Safety
Ceisteanna (578)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:578. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is obliged to inspect and approve of abattoirs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6239/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 obliges Member States to inspect and assess for approval slaughterhouses as part of Official Controls. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the central competent authority for enforcement of food legislation in all food businesses after the farm gate, including slaughterhouses. The FSAI discharges that responsibility through service contracts with a variety of official agencies, in accordance with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998.
The official controls on slaughterhouses are contracted by the FSAI to two separate official agencies, depending on the slaughterhouses’ throughput. Small slaughterhouses (as detailed in Statutory Instrument No. 22 of 2020) are supervised by Local Authorities; large slaughterhouses are supervised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Information on the official controls in all food businesses is contained in the FSAI’s annual reports, which are available on www.fsai.ie.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (579)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:579. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason a person over 70 years whose income comes solely from social welfare or HSE payments is entitled to a medical card even though they are over the income threshold, but a person who is over the income threshold due to private income is not entitled to a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6260/24]
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.
As 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.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (580)
James O'Connor
Ceist:580. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns relating to the delay in dental treatment of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6275/24]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October 2023. 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (581)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:581. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive an appointment date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October 2023. 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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (582)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:582. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the current number of GP doctors in County Meath; the current average number of people per GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6285/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (583)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:583. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a bed can be provided for a person in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (584)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:584. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the way that a person (details supplied) can get reimbursement for medical expenses from Norway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6297/24]
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.
As 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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (585)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Ceist:585. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health what services or financial supports are available from the State to patients in County Donegal who have to travel for hospital treatment outside of their county; and if he can clarify whether the transport for patients to Sligo Hospital Eye Clinic has now been curtailed or cancelled. [6318/24]
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
Ceisteanna (586)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:586. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the availability of private capacity to be used as a surge measure by a hospital group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6356/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (587)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:587. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health for the corporate structure of the full complement of a senior management team at a hospital group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6357/24]
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.
As 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.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (588)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:588. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all systems of confidentiality are used when tendering for the National Children’s Hospital; what controls his Department has over the process; if he is satisfied that no inappropriate influence is placed on the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6443/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health expects that agencies operating under its aegis undertaking procurements for any goods and services are in compliance with procurement law and regulations and with current procurement rules and guidelines as set out by the Office of Government Procurement. Confirmation of their compliance should be set out in their statement of Internal controls as required in Appendix D of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies: Business & Financial Reporting requirements.
Link below to Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies Business and Financial Reporting Requirements:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/138842/e76bf59c-d822-425d-9224-a921963460c6.pdf#page=null (www.gov.ie)
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the New Children's Hospital (NCH). In relation to contracts awarded for the NCH and the controls in place, I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has also undertaken procurements in respect of the NCH, and therefore I have also referred your question to CHI for direct reply.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (589)
Martin Browne
Ceist:589. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the need to repurpose the nightingale beds at University Hospital Limerick to provide a more immediate increase in capacity at the hospital, rather than decommissioning them; to outline any engagements he has had on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
As 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.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (590)
Niall Collins
Ceist:590. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health for an update on a medical card application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6487/24]
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.
As 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.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (591)
Robert Troy
Ceist:591. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the future plans for the old HSE-owned site at St Peter’s in Castlepollard, County Westmeath. [6488/24]
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.
As 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.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (592)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:592. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of a primary care centre in New Ross, County Wexford;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6505/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (593)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:593. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason a family has been refused payment for a long term illness card drug (details supplied). [6508/24]
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.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (594)
Mick Barry
Ceist:594. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health to provide the amount paid to a number of nursing home groups (details supplied) last year under the nursing homes support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6512/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.