Thursday, 2 May 2024

Written Answers Nos. 255-280

Health Services

Ceisteanna (259)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

259. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to speech and language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19931/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (260)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

260. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if a test for neurofibromatosis specifically can be added to the newborn screening system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) Programme continues to remain a priority of mine as Minister for Health, and I am pleased to note that progress continues to be made in this regard.

Significant progress has been made on the expansion of the NBS Programme since I became Minister for Health. As the Deputy will be aware, last year I approved recommendations from the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) for the addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the NBS programme, which will bring the number of conditions screened for in Ireland to 11, once the implemented. I would highlight that this will represent a 37% increase achieved under the lifetime of this Government.

The NSAC is an independent expert group that considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. Its role is crucial in ensuring that Ireland has rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

NSAC is conscious of the constantly changing landscape regarding screening and holds regular Calls for Submissions, which invite all stakeholders, including members of the public, HSE and other medical professionals, to make proposals for the introduction of new population-based screening programmes or changes to existing programmes in Ireland. The third and most recent Call for Submissions closed on 1 March 2024. I have been informed that the Committee has not previously received a proposal to add neurofibromatosis to the NBS Programme but that they would welcome such an application through the next Call for Submissions. All submissions are carefully considered by the Committee as per its work programme.

I am acutely aware of how difficult it is for parents, families and children who have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them. This is why I remain committed to the further expansion of screening in Ireland in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and best practice.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (261)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

261. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if the BCG vaccine is part of the current vaccination programme for infants; if it is not, if he will re-introduce it, given the rise in TB globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19933/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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. 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.

The BCG vaccine is given to protect babies against tuberculosis (TB). It is important to note that the number of cases of TB in Ireland is low. As of 2015, most European countries did not give the BCG vaccine routinely to all babies (Dierig et al, Vaccine, 2015).

In April 2015, due to a lack of vaccine from the sole EU supplier, the BCG vaccine became unavailable in Ireland. In 2015, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended that the BCG vaccine does not need to be given to all children in Ireland.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) published a Health Technology Assessment of BCG vaccine in Ireland in December 2015. This also concluded that BCG vaccination does not need to be given to all children in Ireland.

In 2022, NIAC recommended the introduction of the BCG vaccine programme on a selective basis for those at highest risk. The Minister has accepted this recommendation and asked the HSE to provide a tuberculosis control plan to include the measures required to establish a BCG vaccination programme in line with the NIAC advice.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (262)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

262. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will begin a public information campaign to advise people on how best to protect themselves from airborne infection with SARSCoV2 given the impact of long-Covid on those who develop it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19934/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (263)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

263. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will, or is already, liaising with the Ministers for Finance, Social Protection and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, in examining the impact of long-Covid on public health quality and services, on the public finances, the labour force and therefore the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19935/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is likely aware, Long COVID is a new clinical entity, characterised by a wide variety of symptoms, for which there is, as yet, no evidence-based treatment. It is the subject of ongoing research in Ireland and internationally and the HSE responded to the need by establishing clinics nationally to support this newly emerging condition.The FADA survey (Follow-up After Disease Acquisition) is a HSE-funded epidemiological study which aims to provide insight and understanding into the prevalence of Long COVID in Ireland and its impact on those affected. The study is led by HSE Public Health and supported by a team that includes infectious diseases clinicians, academics, health and social care professionals and patient representatives. The aim of FADA is to estimate the prevalence of self-reported Long COVID in Ireland, describe its risk factors, describe type of symptoms including their severity and impact on those affected, and measure health care utilisation and quality of life. Any further investigation into the impact of Long-COVID on the population will be informed by the results of this study, the results of which are expected later this year.

Disease Management

Ceisteanna (264)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

264. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will, or is already, liaising with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on current/future surveillance and preparation for a possible bird flu outbreak in livestock and for physical protections and testing for workers and produce in the dairy and related industries in the event of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (265)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

265. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there is a statutory limit on the time taken to receive CORU registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19940/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I can confirm that there is no statutory limit on the time taken to receive CORU registration.

However, I can provide information on the average time from when an application for registration is submitted on-line to the date an applicant is added to the register currently stands at 67 days as highlighted in the table below.

Average Processing Times (in days) by Profession

Register	Processing Time in Days (end Q1 2024)
Podiatrists	14
Dietitians	53
Speech and Language Therapists	53
Social Care Workers	54
Medical Scientists	57
Dispensing Opticians	71
Radiographers	72
Occupational Therapists	80
Social Workers	85
Physiotherapists	87
Optometrists	88
Radiation Therapists	90
Mean Processing Time (Days)	67
Median Processing Time (Days)	71.5

Professionals who qualify within the State can apply directly for registration after completing a programme of education approved by CORU, while professionals who qualify outside the State are required to have their qualifications assessed and recognised as equivalent to the relevant Irish qualification before they can complete the registration process.

The average timelines for a recognition decision tend to be longer than registration timelines. Delivering a recognition decision is a complex process and the initial phase includes checking and verifying of all evidence supplied such as: evidence of eligibility to practice; degree certificates; transcripts and course curriculums/syllabi/module descriptors; additional training and/or education; and relevant work experience. CORU require this information to be notarised/verified by the relevant body to ensure it is true and authentic.

For the recognition decision process to commence an application must be deemed file complete; this can take a number of weeks. Once a recognition application has been deemed ‘file complete’, there is a portfolio-style assessment of all information provided (including a qualification’s alignment with the standards of proficiency required in Ireland and an assessment of professional experience and lifelong learning where required) and a recommendation is formulated by the relevant assessors. The assessors’ recommendation is then considered by the relevant registration board and a final decision on recognition is made. The table below highlights the average number of days by profession, at end Q1 2024, from when an application went ‘file complete’ to a final decision being communicated.

File complete to decision Profession	Processing Time in Days (end Q1 2024)
Dietitians	72
Medical Scientist	139
Occupational Therapist	64
Optometrists	100
Physiotherapist	95
Podiatrist	31
Radiation Therapist	74
Radiographer	77
Social Worker	88
Speech Therapist	85
Average	92

Section 42A of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended) sets out the timelines in respect of the recognition process. A recognition application must be acknowledged within one month of an applicant submitting an application, indicating whether all required documents have been submitted or what missing information still needs to be provided by the applicant. Once a complete application has been acknowledged, CORU has four months to notify the applicant of the recognition decision.

While the registration process can commence before a recognition decision has been reached, they are two distinct processes and registration cannot be completed until a positive recognition decision is made. CORU’s 2024 rollout of a 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, 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. In addition, CORU are implementing additional initiatives which are expected to result in a further reduction in recognition timelines in the coming months.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (266)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

266. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health to outline if the decisions to move residents from the willow and sycamore units of Cherry Orchard Hospital was on recommendation from HIQA or by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19946/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (267)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

267. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Questions on Promised Legislation on 25 April 2024, if the Minister with responsibility for older people will meet with the families of residents of willow and sycamore units of Cherry Orchard Hospital who have been moved or asked to move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19947/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Department of Health has engaged with numerous representations from residents’ families and their representatives, and from local councillors and TD’s. I understand fully the upset and anxiety this has caused for the affected families. The HSE has assured me that they are doing everything possible to alleviate the distress this decision has caused.As Minister for Mental Health and Older People, I take the health and safety of residents in long-term residential care facilities very seriously. I will not ignore a directive from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) stating that there is a fire and safety risk in any facility that potentially jeopardises the welfare and wellbeing of nursing home residents and the staff who work there.HIQA is the statutory independent regulator for this sector and this responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards. In discharging its duties, HIQA determines through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing home meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status. I am fully supportive of HIQA and their capacity to visit any long-term residential care facility to ensure that the best practices are being implemented and the best supports are being provided to older people. It is important that we have the processes in place to ensure that standards are maintained. I have previously stated, and I wish to reiterate here, that while I am Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People there will be no diminution of HIQA’s role vis-à-vis standards and regulations.The Department of Health has maintained open and transparent lines of communication with the families of the residents, and with the HSE, at all times throughout the process of managing the issues at Cherry Orchard Hospital and accommodating residents elsewhere on a temporary basis.It is my understanding that the HSE has met with the families several times since the safety issues at Willow and Sycamore units were first identified and explained in full detail the nature of the problems and the rationale for the decision to temporarily transfer residents to alternative facilities to accommodate completion of the remedial works. While the Department and I have been kept fully informed and updated by the HSE at all times, the HSE are closer to the situation at Cherry Orchard and are in the best position to provide an accurate, immediate, informed evaluation of these matters.You should also note that I am precluded, as are all Ministers, by the provisions of Section 10B of the Health Act 2004 (as inserted by Section 6 of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013) from directing the Health Service Executive (HSE) as regards any function of the HSE relating to the provision of treatment or of a health or personal social service to any particular person, or as regards any decision whether or not a particular person is eligible for a particular health or personal social service or the extent to which and the manner in which a person is eligible for such a service. Under the Health Act 2004, the day-to-day operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health services remains a matter for the HSE.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (268)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

268. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Questions on Promised Legislation on 25 April 2024, if the Minister with responsibility for older people will allow an independent examination into the decision to move the elderly residents from the willow and sycamore units of Cherry Orchard Hospital from their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19948/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As Minister for Mental Health and Older People, I take the health and safety of residents in long-term residential care facilities very seriously. I will not ignore a directive from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) stating that there is a fire and safety risk in any facility that potentially jeopardises the welfare and wellbeing of nursing home residents.

In consultation with HIQA, the HSE has considered several plans to address the works required that would have allowed residents to remain on-site during completion of these remedial works.

After due consideration, the most expedient option is to close both Units and relocate the residents to Clondalkin Lodge, which is a private nursing home, on a temporary basis while the necessary structural works are completed. It is expected that the works will take a minimum of 12 months to complete.

If families and other representatives have concerns that residents with limitations on their capacity were not provided with sufficient support to make their will and preference known, this should be raised with the HSE directly.

As the question raised is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (269)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

269. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Questions on Promised Legislation on 25 April 2024, if the Minister with responsibility for older people will allow the remaining 16 Cherry Orchard Residents in the willow and sycamore units be moved to willow east; if the repair work in willow east has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19949/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (270)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

270. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a response will issue to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 29 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19956/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (271)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

271. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to invest in the endoscopy workforce capacity and hospital infrastructure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19958/24]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Cancer Services

Ceisteanna (272)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19959/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

Since October 2023, the National Bowel Screening Programme, invites men and women aged between 59-69 to take the free at-home screening test. This is an important part of a phased approach to expanding the screening age. When full expansion is complete, people aged 55-74 will be invited for screening.

It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes or expansion of our screening programmes will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This is an independent expert group that considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important that we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC is already progressing work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes. In 2023, the Committee asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to evaluate the evidence for the further expansion of the age range eligibility for the BowelScreen programme. Work has already commenced in this regard and a report is expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration in 2025.

April was Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and I would like to take this opportunity to ensure we continue to encourage everyone aged 59-69 to sign up to take the screening test. The BowelScreen test can help prevent cancer from developing. If bowel cancer is found early, it is easier to treat and there's a better chance of recovery. As with any cancer screening programme, BowelScreen is for healthy people without symptoms. It is vital that anyone who has symptoms they are concerned about contacts their GP for appropriate follow-up care.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (273)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on remedial plans to address the structural problems identified by HIQA within Cherry Orchard Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19960/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (274)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

274. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a service will be provided at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19964/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Care Services

Ceisteanna (275, 276, 277)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

275. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of patients seen by the SouthDoc service in Clonakilty, by month, from January 2022 to date in 2024, in tabular form. [19973/24]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

276. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs working in the SouthDoc service in Clonakilty currently; and the number of GPs that were working in the same service in April 2023. [19974/24]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

277. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of patients seen by the SouthDoc service in Clonakilty, by week, from 1 January 2024 to date, in tabular form. [19975/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 276 and 277 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 276 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 275.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (278)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

278. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health where on the campus of Cherry Orchard hospital the new coronary care unit will be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19977/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (279, 280, 281)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

279. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if she will assure the families of residents on both willow and sycamore units in Cherry Orchard hospital, that neither unit will be used to facilitate a new service, other than its prior use as a nursing home care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19978/24]

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

280. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the person or body that is currently undertaking the ongoing risk assessments of the 16 remaining residents’ rooms in Cherry Orchard hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19979/24]

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

281. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health to confirm the qualifications of the ongoing risk assessors to carry out this task with regard to health and safety; if the assessor also has another role at Cherry Orchard hospital in addition to their role of risk assessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19980/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280 and 281 together.

As these questions are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 279.