Written Answers Nos. 675-685
675. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the lack of community rehabilitation and support services for stroke and heart failure patients; his plans to address the deficit in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
676. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of radiation therapists registered by CORU in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form. [17979/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra677. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of people who applied to CORU for registration as a radiation therapist in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form; and the number whose applications were refused. [17980/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra678. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for registration as a radiation therapist currently with CORU; and the average wait time for a decision on applications. [17981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 676 to 678, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will already be aware, CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator for regulating health and social care professionals. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), including setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards.
CORU currently regulates 27,120 Health and Social Care professionals across 12 professions. These include: Dietitians; Dispensing Opticians; Medical Scientists; Occupational Therapists; Optometrists; Physiotherapists including Physical Therapists; Podiatrists/Chiropodists; Radiographers; Radiation Therapist; Social Worker; Speech and Language Therapists; and Social Care Workers.
Professionals who qualify within the State can apply directly for registration, while professionals who qualify outside the State are required to have their qualifications assessed and recognised before they can seek registration. While the ‘recognition’ process and the registration process can run in parallel, they are currently distinct. CORU’s summer 2024 rollout of the new integrated application system to all professions (it currently operates for the recently opened Social Care Workers register only) will allow for a more streamlined and efficient process for all applicants and, in particular international applicants. This new system will offer a single integrated process and better sight of progress through the system for applicants, as well as enhanced reporting capabilities.
The data requested are therefore reported separately here for the two processes pending transition of the radiation therapy profession into the new system.
Number of radiation therapists registered by CORU in each of the years since 2017
|
Total Registrants |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
YTD (19 April 2024) |
|
Radiation Therapists |
383 |
405 |
437 |
477 |
499 |
514 |
535 |
522 |
Number of people who applied to CORU for registration as a radiation therapist in each of the years since 2017, and the number of applicants whose applications were refused:
|
Radiation Therapists |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Applications Received |
42 |
47 |
43 |
60 |
42 |
48 |
53 |
|
Applications Refused |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Applications Granted Registration**Please note decisions made in any year may relate to applications received in the years prior. |
43 |
43 |
49 |
57 |
41 |
50 |
47 |
International applications to CORU for recognition of qualifications in radiation therapy – outcomes to end 2023
|
Outcome/Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Overall Total |
|
Qualification Recognised |
8 |
20 |
17 |
26 |
11 |
21 |
17 |
120 |
|
Compensation measures required (not yet complete) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
12 |
|
Refused |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total Applications |
9 |
21 |
18 |
26 |
11 |
27 |
20 |
132 |
Number of applications for registration as a radiation therapist currently with CORU, and the average time for a decision on applications:
|
Radiation Therapist Applications as of 19 April 2024 |
29 |
|
Applications incomplete / pending outstanding documentation |
25 |
|
Current processing timeframe for Radiation Therapist Applications (19 April 2024) 90 days* |
*The 90 days refers to the time an application is received to completion time. An application may be delayed or on hold due to a requirement for additional information or if the applicant does not provide all documentation required for registration. If all documentation is received with the initial application, and there are no exceptions on the application, then this timeframe is shorter. |
Current applications for recognition of international qualifications in radiation therapy
|
In verification process |
3 |
|
Under Assessment |
2 |
Average time required (currently) for assessment and decision on recognition of International qualifications in Radiation Therapy
|
Profession/Year* |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 YTD |
|
Radiation Therapist |
90 |
59 |
86 |
83 |
53 |
74 |
679. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with type 2 diabetes who attend the adult diabetes service in Letterkenny University Hospital; the number of those who are waiting less than 12 months for an appointment; waiting between 12 and 24 months for an appointment; waiting more than 24 months for an appointment; the longest waiting time for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/24]
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.
680. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the funding of a fenfluramine for a child (details supplied) on compassionate grounds. [17985/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
681. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of the myalgic encephalomyelitis working group established by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18001/24]
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.
682. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of cuts to a vital service which is affecting patients with ongoing sight issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18003/24]
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.
683. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 29 November 2022, to provide an update regarding the boarding out scheme; and if his Department has considered this model of care in the context of its overall commitment to enhancing opportunities for older people to stay in their homes and communities for longer. [18005/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Boarding Out Scheme facilitates older people to remain in their communities where they may otherwise be accommodated in residential care. It can also help to reduce social isolation. While the use of the Boarding Out Scheme by the HSE has traditionally been small the potential of the scheme merits consideration and further exploration for use in the community setting especially within rural communities.
As I have previously advised the Deputy, I have requested that officials in the Department consider this model of care in the context of our overall commitment to enhancing opportunities for older people to stay in their homes and communities for longer.
Due to competing pressures, there has been a delay in commencing this piece of work. However consideration has been given to the next steps for reviewing this Scheme with the current Regulations and the financial arrangements in place and with the current providers of this service to be examined as part of this process.
684. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when and how did the HSE contact HIQA to inform them they were not going to be applying for registration of the new Nenagh community nursing home in 2024. [18016/24]
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.
685. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the reason there is currently no funding plan for a Healthy Food Made Easy programme in County Clare; the reason no facilitator is in place for the delivery of this programme in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18029/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
