Written Answers Nos. 181-201
181. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the effect demographic pressures are likely to have on demand for intensive support packages for children with disabilities who have high/complex support needs over the next five and ten years, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28419/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the English-language supports available to children who are international protection applicants (details supplied). [28444/24]
View answerIreland has a legal obligation to provide accommodation and associated supports to people who arrive in this country seeking international protection under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018.
While an international protection applicant’s application is being processed, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY) though the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation to that applicant should they require it. Currently, those who IPAS cannot offer accommodation to are receiving an increased expense payment in place of this.
The Department of Education provides additional educational resources to schools for pupils who are learning English as an additional language (EAL).
I am informed by colleagues in the Department of Education that it has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment. This has been particularly effective in the context of the pace and volume of newly arrived students fleeing the war in Ukraine and the ongoing increase in students who require EAL supports to fully access the curriculum. The Department of Education’s policy is to integrate school-aged migrant children and young people into existing mainstream schools as quickly as possible, in the interests of their wellbeing and education.
The Department of Education has prioritised enhancing EAL support, recognising the critical role of language proficiency in successful integration and academic achievement.
These supports to schools, based on application process, are provided for new-entrant pupils (i.e., pupils arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement). Similar to previous years, supports may also be provided for schools with a high concentration of pupils that are not classified as new-entrant pupils but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test.
The Department of Education's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow children in the event of them changing schools. Schools may also apply for further language support by an application process during the school year, should their circumstances change.
184. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the new data protection officer in Tusla can be independent if they are also a director of services within Tusla. [28458/24]
View answerThank you Deputy for raising this important matter. I have made contact with the Child and Family Agency, and Tusla has confirmed that it has appointed a Data Protection Officer who acts independently in their role.
In the interests of clarity the role referred to in the Deputy's question is not the precise job title of Tusla's DPO. The DPO's other duties relate to the support functions within Tusla rather than frontline services provided by Tusla.
With reference to the requirements of the legislation and associated guidance, I am advised by Tusla that a DPO has been appointed and the role encompasses all the tasks set out at Article 39 of the GDPR.
I am further advised by Tusla that Tusla’s DPO does perform other tasks and duties which as the Deputy will be aware is permitted under data protection regulations. Importantly, Tusla have advised me that they have been careful to ensure that no conflict of interest exists between these duties and those of DPO. Specifically in undertaking those other duties and tasks, the DPO does not determine the purposes or means of processing personal data within Tusla.
I am similarly advised by Tusla that Tusla’s DPO does not receive any instructions regarding the performance of her duties, is provided with staff, budget and resources in support of her duties and has the authority to investigate. Conditions for dismissal are set out in Tusla’s Disciplinary Procedure which applies to all employees. Furthermore, Tusla’s Data Protection Officer reports to the Audit and Risk Committee of Tusla’s Board and has direct access to the Chief Executive.
I am satisfied that this is in line with the prescriptions of the General Data Protection Regulation.
185. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of personal data breaches for residential care services, child protection and welfare services and for the adoption services that are under Tusla’s remit, broken down by the description of the breach, the risk rating and whether they have been reported to the Data Protection Commission and the affective data subjects. [28459/24]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla has any plans to change its reporting of data breach policies to the Data Protection Commission; and if so, to provide details of these changes. [28460/24]
View answerThis is an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
187. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health to provide details on a review his Department has undertaken with regard to cardiac services; if he intends to devise a new cardiovascular disease strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28377/24]
View answerThe cardiovascular policy, “Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010-2019”, built on the first national cardiovascular health strategy, entitled “Building Healthier Hearts” (Department of Health 1999). The reorganisation of care was reflected in the national cardiovascular strategy in 2010 which proposed the centralisation of cardiovascular services in order to maximise access, expertise and population coverage which formed part of the consideration of the current National Review of adult Specialist Cardiac Services.
The National Review of Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend configuration for a national adult cardiac service to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The Review is finalised and has been presented to Minister Donnelly's office. Minister Donnelly had some outstanding questions on the Review and department officials have provided the additional data required. The recommendations of the review will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
The HSE’s National Heart Programme (NHP) has a specific brief to ensure equity of access to hospital and community care structures. The NHP focuses on the design and delivery of the full spectrum of care for cardiovascular conditions, including prevention, health promotion, primary care, secondary and tertiary care, with particular attention on the development of partnerships between the acute hospital services, general practice-led community services, the patient and their family/carers.
Underpinned by a whole-system approach, in line with Sláintecare, the NHP aims to improve population health, reduce health inequalities, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the population. The programme is driving an integrated approach to prevention, early detection, slowing disease progression, providing optimal treatment towards enhancing quality and duration of life and will support the delivery of the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Cardiovascular disease is multifaceted and encompasses stroke as well as heart attack.
The government is fully committed to supporting improvements and advances in stroke services and has allocated a total of €7.3m to fund the HSE National Stroke Strategy over the last two Budgets.
The HSE’s Stroke Strategy (2022-2027) was developed to build upon the significant achievements already made in stroke care and to address the burden of stroke at a patient, organisational and system level with a clear direction for stroke care in Ireland in line with international standards. The strategy will assist in addressing the challenges faced in Ireland and Europe including the predicted increase in the total number of strokes over the coming decade, an ageing demography, and the rapidly changing milieu of acute stroke treatment.
The overall aim of the Strategy is to modernise and reform stroke services in line with Sláintecare policy, to help sustain and improve upon the significant achievements already made to date. The Strategy provides a blueprint for the required investment over a 5-year timeline (2022-2027) to deliver on key priorities under the pillars of Stroke Prevention, Acute Care and Cure, Rehabilitation and Restoration to Life, and Education and Research.
188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the presence of a new nicotine inhaling product type on the market (details supplied); to provide details of the regulations which apply to this product type; the agency responsible for the enforcement of these regulations; the enforcement actions, if any, taken to date; the taxation category which applies to this product category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28420/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the ongoing review into the surgical management of developmental dysplasia of the hip at Cappagh and Temple Street Children’s Hospitals; if he is aware that the review was instituted in response to concerns in relation to the number of procedures taking place that may not meet the generally accepted threshold for surgery; if he is aware that a recent FOI request revealed that approximately 40% of these procedures were funded privately in Cappagh; if he has any concerns in relation to profit being a potential driver in any of this surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28442/24]
View answerMy Department was informed by the HSE, on May 9th 2024, that a clinical audit of surgery for children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) was to be conducted by an external expert.
My Department was advised that this matter arose following raising of issues internally within CHI, and that the purpose of this audit is to assess surgical practice for this cohort across Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) and the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC), in line with international standards and practices.
The HSE has further advised that an international expert paediatric surgeon has been identified to conduct the audit and preliminary planning is underway. We await the outcome of the clinical audit before we can draw conclusions.
190. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when the adult ADHD clinics for the Dublin north, Dublin northwest, and Dublin north central catchment areas will be funded for the assessment and treatment of ADHD; when the recruitment of diagnostic staff will occur; when the waiting list opened for service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28472/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
191. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1338 of 20 March 2024, if the planning and statutory consents process has begun on the new emergency department at Beaumont Hospital; if the preliminary business case has been finalised; when a timeline will be provided for the project’s completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28474/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
192. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide data, broken down by CHO, on the number of day and night-time respite services available, compared with population per CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28475/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on a primary medical certificate application in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28476/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
194. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting on primary care psychology services by age and length of time waiting in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28494/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health what he intends to do to restore the chronic pain relief department in Sligo University Hospital and to ensure that it is adequately funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28495/24]
View answerThe two Consultants providing the Chronic Pain service in Sligo University Hospital (SUH) are both moving to new roles. Recruitment to fill these posts is ongoing and once these posts are filled the service will be restored. This is a specialised service which requires the correct expertise to benefit patients. The HSE has advised that all possible measures are being taken to minimise the impact on patients.
As an interim measure, and until the new consultants are in post, SUH are putting alternative arrangements in place for patients who are currently attending the service.
These arrangements include appointments being offered in Kingsbridge Sligo Private Hospital for procedures and exploring outsourcing with the National Treatment Purchase Fund. A locum Consultant will commence in July to oversee governance of the Pain Management and Education, a psychologically-based rehabilitative treatment for people with persistent pain.
196. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the remaining 58 beds in the Shiel hospital, Ballyshannon, will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28496/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a three year monthly break down of all deaths of residents in Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, inclusive of all people who relocated to another facility up to June 2024. [28497/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health for a complete and full record of all communication between his Office, the HSE and HIQA in regard to the relocation of residents from the Sycamore and Willow units in Cherry Orchard Hospital. [28498/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns raised with his office regarding issues in nursing homes in each of the years 2020 to 2023, and to date in June 2024. [28499/24]
View answer200. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the concerns raised by residents and families regarding their experiences in care during Covid; and the supports the Government has provided to bereaved families. [28500/24]
View answerI recognise how incredibly difficult it has been for the families who lost loved ones during the pandemic, which has presented one of the greatest and most wide-ranging public health challenges of recent times. Throughout the pandemic, the overall national response to COVID-19 had a specific and sustained focus on older people, particularly for those residents in nursing homes. There was also a strong national commitment to ongoing evaluation and learning to inform the evolving response.
The establishment of the independent COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel in May 2020, to examine the response to COVID-19 and to identify learnings and recommendations, is an example of this commitment. Work is ongoing across health agencies and stakeholders, and significant progress has been made in implementing the Expert Panel’s recommendations such as:
• The Patient Advocacy Service was extended to private nursing homes from November 2022.
• Revised Regulations to enhance and streamline complaints processes came into effect from March 2023.
• A Palliative and end-of-life programme for nursing homes which was launched in 2022, and continues to deliver education and training to staff.
• The results of the first Nursing Homes Care Experience survey were published in November 2022.
• Work is advancing on the development of a Safe Staffing & Skillmix Framework for the sector.
• The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Bill was published in April 2024 and is progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This new legislation will give the regulator further powers, including in relation to enforcement and data collection.
• The Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 includes a new provision giving the Chief Inspector of Social Services a discretionary power to carry out a review of serious patient safety incidents in nursing homes.
• New dedicated Infection Prevention and Control and Safeguarding Specialist Capacities for nursing homes have been established across the 6 health regions.
• Funding in budget 2024 has been provided to facilitate registered nurses working in private nursing homes to obtain a postgraduate diploma qualification in Gerontological Nursing.
• The Department of Health will undertake a focused piece of work on clinical governance of nursing homes in 2024 to respond to the findings and recommendations in the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel.
Four Expert Panel Progress Reports have been published to date, as well as an implementation progress update in October 2023, and all are available on the Department of Health website: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c7f5b-covid-19-nursing-homes-expert-panel-report-implementation-oversight-team/#progress-reports .
The Government is committed to the implementation of the Expert Panel recommendations and funding has been put in place in 2024 for their continued implementation and mainstreaming.
There are also a wide range of services provided across the health service to those experiencing difficulties and bereavement such as:
• Bereavement supports and services provided by the HSE
• Services and advice provided by Irish Hospice Foundation
• Advocacy services provided by SAGE Advocacy and the Patient Advocacy Service (PAS)
In addition to the Nursing Home Expert panel and its recommendations, the Taoiseach has indicated that a comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed Covid-19 will be undertaken and will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with the pandemic. It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar event were to occur. It will include a consideration of the health service response, covering hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with the wider economic and social response.
201. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of public beds that have closed in nursing homes since 2020; the number that have opened; and the efforts that are being made to secure additional beds. [28501/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
