Written Answers Nos. 835-857
835. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 3 December 2021, if he will provide a copy of the Service Level Agreement between the HSE and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25296/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
836. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when respite services for the elderly will be returned to a centre (details supplied). [25298/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
837. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of new GPs in Kinnegad, Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25309/24]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
The Government is working to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services across the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors. Figures released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on the previous year and higher than any other year.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased significantly in recent years, with 286 new entrants in 2023 and 350 places planned for new entrants for this year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% from 2015 to 2023, and the number of new entrant places to be available this year is a 22% increase on last year's intake.
Furthermore, GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme between the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). 121 non-EU GPs were enrolled under the training programme last year and it is planned to recruit up to 250 more non-EU GPs to Ireland this year. The placement of GPs under the programme is targeted to rural and underserviced areas.
Lastly, a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
838. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the proposals for families living in rural areas if waiting lists for local GPs are full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25310/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card, experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, that person having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other GP practices in the surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that eligibility for a GP visit card was extended last year to all those who earn up to the median household income, which has greatly increased the number of persons eligible for a GP visit card. The qualifying threshold calculation takes into consideration the applicant’s particular expenses and the number of dependents as well as their income, allowing for those who have a higher income but also experience high expenses to potentially qualify for a card.
The Government is working to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services across the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors. Figures released by the ICGP show that 1,311 medical graduates applied for GP training in 2024, a notable increase on the previous year and higher than any other year.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased significantly in recent years, with 286 new entrants in 2023 and 350 places planned for new entrants for this year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% from 2015 to 2023, and the number of new entrant places to be available this year is a 22% increase on last year's intake.
Furthermore, GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme between the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). 121 non-EU GPs were enrolled under the training programme last year and it is planned to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland this year. The placement of GPs under the programme is targeted to rural and underserviced areas.
Lastly, a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
839. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there is anything in legislation which prohibits patients funding care using a mechanism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25312/24]
View answer840. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to speed up the process for the assessment for and issuing of wheelchairs to children in view of the regularity which a child needs to be issued a new wheelchair as they grow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25314/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
841. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a re-use system for wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25315/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
842. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the waiting list for shoulder surgery in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin. [25319/24]
View answerAdult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and is available on the NTPF website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
However, in relation to the particular query raised, the level of detail requested by the Deputy is not available in the published figures. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
843. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason people seeking mental health treatment in Kildare mental health day hospital are summarily discharged after only four weeks of treatment, with no follow-up community support, leaving patients with no alternative but to access very expensive private care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25326/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond Directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
844. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is still no consultant neurologist at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, despite one being promised since 2020, causing neurology patients to endure 60-112km journeys to access neurology services; and if the current recruitment embargo in force in the HSE will prevent that appointment being made in the near future. [25327/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
845. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25333/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
846. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the Naas Hospital injury unit, a recently opened pilot scheme for patients of Kildare and west Wicklow, will continue to operate as a permanent service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25344/24]
View answerIn 2023, a review of all Injury Units was undertaken by a HSE Working Group. This group made a series of recommendations to improve the functionality of Injury Units for patients. This report was adopted by the HSE EMT and has been shared with my Department. The aim of IUs are to provide unscheduled emergency care for patients with non-life threatening or limb threatening injuries, as conveniently as possible, while ensuring patient safety and equitable standards of care within an Emergency Care Network.
Two recommendations emerging from the 2023 National Review of IUs were 1) to expand geographical coverage and prioritise locations for the provision of Injury Units, and 2) to expand all existing acute hospital governed IUs to operate from 8am to 8pm.
An implementation plan for the expansion programme is under development with the Implementation Group and the expansion of IUs will be underpinned by a safe model of care as recommended by the Emergency Medicine Programme.
The criteria for this prioritisation included population, existing IU locations, and gaps in geographical coverage for the entire population, with more detailed work ongoing to confirm specific locations.
In relation to the particular query raised regarding Naas Hospital Injury Unit, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
847. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied) who, following a referral by University Hospital Limerick to CHI at Temple Street in October 2023 for an MRI and brain scan, has yet to receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25352/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
848. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding drawn down for the complex needs homecare package in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25353/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
849. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the percentage of funding drawn down in 2023 for the complex needs homecare package, out of the overall budget for the complex needs homecare package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25354/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
850. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding used in County Galway in 2023 for the complex needs homecare package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25355/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
851. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the current situation in Waterford city and county regarding the lack of respite facilities; if he is aware that currently St. Patrick's care facility has only one bed available (details supplied); if he is aware that families in the Waterford area have been informed that they will only be given one week’s respite; if he agrees that this is not acceptable; to confirm what plans his Department has in place to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25364/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
852. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25365/24]
View answerUnder 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.
853. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline for approval and publication of the HSE’s Digital Health Strategic Implementation Roadmap 2024-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25368/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
854. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the HSE’s savings target of €80 million on agency staff through the conversion of this staff to HSE employees, as outlined in the HSE Service Plan 2024; if a derogation from the HSE recruitment freeze will be sanctioned to progress this conversion of staff; if discussions with his Department have commenced; the status of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25369/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
855. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff who have been converted to HSE employees to date in 2024, under the €80 million agency savings target outlined in the HSE Service Plan 2024, by role, in tabular form. [25370/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
856. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the reason the Irish delegate at the World Health Assembly abstained last week on a motion demanding the release of Israeli hostages and condemning the abuse of Gazan civilian facilities by the Hamas terrorist organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25378/24]
View answerOn Wednesday 29 March, Ireland voted in favour of a Decision of the World Health Assembly addressing “Health Conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East-Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan". During the course of the debate, a number of individual amendments were proposed by States.
In its Explanation of Vote, Ireland recalled its clear position on the release of hostages. All hostages should be released immediately and unconditionally. The taking of hostages is a despicable act in any context. It is a war crime. Ireland opposes this horrific practice without qualification, and in all circumstances.
Ireland also noted that our justified outrage and condemnation of the terror attacks of 7 October and our empathy with the hostages and their families must not be presented in a manner that obscures the unacceptable nature of the Israeli response and its obligation to implement the measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.
Healthcare facilities are protected under international humanitarian law. Hospitals, ambulances, and medical professionals should be free to operate effectively and in safety.
This is a basic principle of international humanitarian law, one which binds all sides in the conflict. It should be respected in all circumstances by all.
These were the fundamental considerations that guided Ireland’s voting position on this Decision as a whole and the individual amendments proposed.
857. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to clear the backlog of children on the orthodontic waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25380/24]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment for patients who are referred by a HSE dentist for assessment before their 16th birthday and who are assessed by the HSE as having the highest level of clinical need.
The HSE has been supported through sustained investment to address orthodontic treatment waiting lists through private waiting list initiatives. Last year, €10m in one-off funding was made available to support two relevant initiatives. Over 2,000 patients nationally who were suitable for care in a community setting were removed from the HSE’s orthodontic treatment waiting list, through the continuation of an existing initiative.
In addition, a new orthognathic (jaw) surgery waiting list initiative commenced in September 2023. These are complex surgeries which require a lengthy hospital stay. This year, a further €3.35m is being invested on a one-off basis to support both initiatives. Up to the end of March this year, 20 patients have received orthognathic surgery to date and 156 patients have been transferred into private orthodontic care nationally.
My Department engages with the HSE on an ongoing basis to understand the challenges arising in the provision of oral healthcare services. Implementation of the National Oral Health Policy is proceeding and a plan for the 2024-2026 phase of implementation is in preparation between my Department and the HSE, for targeted consultation and then publication in Q3. The plan will set out a phased approach to the reorientation of the HSE’s oral healthcare and orthodontic services and the associated strategic workforce planning elements.
