Written Answers Nos. 681-701
681. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a patient (details supplied) from County Donegal will be transferred from Sligo University Hospital to Beaumont Hospital for a second opinion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5457/25]
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 Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the medical-evidence basis for the investment by the HSE into an organisation (details supplied). [5458/25]
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 Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed new primary care centre for the town of Sixmilebridge, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5462/25]
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.
684. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE community nurses based in Meath in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [5471/25]
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.
685. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies across maxillofacial services across the public health service. [5472/25]
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.
686. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for families who have to go privately for psychology services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5482/25]
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.
687. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health about the case of a person (details supplied) who was referred in November 2023 to the gastroenterology section of University Hospital Limerick, and has yet to receive an appointment date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5483/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
688. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health what supports are available for those in need of home kidney dialysis wishing to purchase a generator, and who are in receipt of a disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5486/25]
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.
689. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health her views on the optimum number of critical care beds that should be available in the acute hospital system; the number of critical care beds and the location of such beds at present; her plans on a hospital-by-hospital basis to increase this number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5497/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategic Plan for Critical Care, noted by Government in December 2020, aims to provide for long term increases in critical care capacity to meet current and future needs.
The Plan is clinically-evidenced and aligns with the National Critical Care Clinical Programme “hub and spoke” Model of Care. This ensures that critical care services are provided in those hospitals where it is clinically appropriate to do so.
The Strategic Plan provides for 458 critical care beds by 2031 over two phases and this exceeds the recommendations of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review, which had set out a requirement for 430 critical care beds by 2031.
Before the Plan’s adoption, there were 258 adult critical care beds. Very significant funding of €78.2 million has been provided by Government since 2021 to add an additional 94 beds in Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan to bring funded capacity to 352 critical care beds.
340 of these Critical Care beds have already been delivered - an increase of 82 beds or 31.7% over the baseline. A further 12 beds are provided for in NSP25. This will bring capacity to 352 critical care beds and will conclude Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan.
Phase 2 of the Strategic Plan will provide an additional 106 critical care beds by 2031 with developments at five priority sites.
These additional beds are reflected in the assumptions underpinning the 2024 Bed Capacity Expansion Plan, indicated for delivery in 2029-2031.
The timeframe reflects the scale and complexity of the projects, decant of existing accommodation, design, approval processes, construction, equipping and commissioning.
690. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she will undertake a review of the current BreastCheck screening process to consider extending the breast check programme to both younger women, and those beyond the age of 70 years; if she will provide an update on the backlog of screening times for BreastCheck national breast cancer screening programme; and the steps being taken to deal with the backlog. [5501/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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. The current Programme for Government also commits to further extend the BreastCheck programme.
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, currently invites women aged 50 to 69 years at regular periods to have a mammogram. I would highlight that any decisions about further changes in cancer screening, including further extension of the age ranges, will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group 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 and has submitted a request to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to consider the evidence for a further expansion of the age range eligibility for the BreastCheck programme.
HIQA is currently focused on two Health Technology Assessment (HTA) processes underway to examine the expansion of the BowelScreen programme and the potential development of a population-based screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA). Work has already commenced in this regard and reports are expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration later this year. The evidence review for the expansion of the BreastCheck programme remains a key priority for NSAC and is expected to commence once the ongoing HTAs have concluded.
HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time intensive and rigorous processes.
It is important to emphasise that significant investment continues in our national screening programmes. This includes the allocation of an additional €2.9 million in full-year costs to BreastCheck for 2025. This funding will help to future-proof the programme, allowing for increased capacity and enabling service developments to meet women's evolving needs and ensure equitable access across the entire population.
In terms of your additional queries relating to screening time backlogs, these are a service matter and have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to you.
Finally, I would like to emphasise that population-based screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their medical professional.
691. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health regarding a building project (details supplied) the initial projected cost of this centres new entrance; the reason some construction work that was completed, relating to a wall that was built at the centre, was subsequently demolished; if there has been any further request for additional funding for this project; if so, the amount of additional money requested; when he expects this project to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5522/25]
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.
692. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan to re-instate respite care in Cheshire Homes, Shillelagh, County Wicklow, following its closure in 2024, and which impacted local service users (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5525/25]
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.
693. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in terms of a developing a new ambulance base in Gorey, County Wexford; its projected timeline for development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5528/25]
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.
694. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on CAMHS waiting lists in Wexford and Wicklow, broken down by the number of months they are waiting, in tabular form; the plans to address the crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5532/25]
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.
695. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the organisers of the consultation meetings for the new National Drugs Strategy do not know if alcohol will be included in a new National Drugs Strategy; if she will clarify if alcohol is a specific consideration for stakeholders taking part in the current consultations for the new strategy; and if alcohol will be included in a new National Drugs Strategy; and if not, if a new dedicated alcohol strategy will be developed. [5537/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use. The Strategic action plan for 2023-2024, contains 34 actions across six strategic priorities. Three of the strategic priorities include a focus on drug and alcohol prevention and treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use.
The Department of Health has commenced work on drafting a new national drugs strategy. To support this process, the Department has convened five in-person consultations with key stakeholders. The themes of the consultations include the strategic priorities for the new strategy, provision of drug services, lived and living experience of people who use drugs and their families, development of the drugs workforce and drug prevention. The consultations are being facilitated and reported upon by independent consultants. The proposed timeframe for the finalisation of the new national drugs strategy is the first half of 2025.
It is expected that drug and alcohol prevention and treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use will again feature in the new strategy.
I am committed to developing a new drugs strategy that addresses the challenges associated with societal drug use, responds to the report of the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use and is informed by the consultations with key stakeholders.
696. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Health the number of medical negligence cases currently being managed by the State Claims Agency; the value of such claims; the value of awards made in 2023 and 2024 and to date in 2025; and the number of cases these related to. [5541/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of State Authorities. The SCA has provided me with the information below.
Question 1: Total number of active clinical claims.
The number of active clinical claims being handled by the State Claims Agency, as at end January 2025, is 3,986*. Please note that the value of current active clinical claims is not provided. This detail is published annually by the State Claims Agency and, at year-end 2023, the estimated outstanding liability was €4.14bn.
Question 2: Amount of damages paid in clinical care claims for the period 2023-2025 (as of end January 2025) and the number of claims these payments relate to.
The below table shows all damages paid by the State Claims Agency between 01/01/2023 and 31/01/2025 in respect of clinical care*.
Transaction Reporting Year
|
- |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (YTD) |
Total |
|
Damages Amount Paid € |
€275,923,353 |
€210,465,483 |
€9,896,064 |
€496,284,900 |
|
Number of Claims |
576 |
525 |
35 |
1,087** |
* The information shows the cost of damages relating to all medical negligence claims, i.e. the transactional amount paid for damages under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (including Safety Net), SOS/SOIS, and CAPS.
** A claim may have payments for damages in more than one year. The total number of claims reflects the unique number of claims for which damages were paid in the period 2023-2025 YTD.
697. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if a clinical nurse manager (CNM2) will be allocated to the Carrickmacross adult mental health services at the Carrickmacross primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5549/25]
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.
698. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the last date in which a clinical nurse manager was allocated to the Carrickmacross adult mental health services; the reason this post was not continued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5550/25]
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.
699. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the WTE staff of different grades and positions currently in place at the Carrickmacross adult mental health services; the corresponding figures for January 2020, January 2021, January 2022, January 2023 and January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5551/25]
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.
700. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to take urgent action to address the crisis in mental-health care (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5557/25]
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.
701. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of the north Clondalkin primary care centre. [5561/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
