Written Answers Nos. 301-320
301. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the training procedures that are in place for the use of dermoscopy as a clinical diagnostic within the model four hospital network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
302. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an immediate appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) at the urology department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, given the GP referred the patient two years ago and the case is deemed urgent. [40807/24]
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.
303. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén uair a thógfar ionad sláinte nua ar Inis Meáin, Contae na Gaillimhe; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [40811/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
304. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if further discussion has been held in relation to the naming of the National Children's Hospital given that the last attempt to name it Phoenix Hospital was turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/24]
View answer305. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if she has given further consideration to naming the National Children’s Hospital after Dr Kathleen Lynn (details supplied). [40816/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.
The New Children’s Hospital project remains the most significant capital investment programme undertaken in the healthcare system in Ireland. It will provide world-class, state of the art facilities where our healthcare professionals will deliver optimal care, leading to better health outcomes for all. This is a much-needed and much-deserved investment in our children and young people.
I acknowledge the importance of the naming of the New Children’s Hospital, which is a key enabler in the strategic reform of healthcare services for children and young people for generations to come.
Children’s Health Ireland engaged the services of a specialist marketing agency to undertake a branding exercise. The exercise methodology included engagement with patient families and youth groups.
This is currently under consideration by the National Oversight Group, following which the Government will be making a decision on the naming of the New Children’s Hospital in due course.
306. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the new national drugs strategy will include alcohol as a drug and the detrimental impact misuse of alcohol has on Irish life; if not, if it is intended to draw up a separate alcohol damage limitation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40817/24]
View answerThe national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use, and it runs from 2017 to 2025. The Strategic action plan for 2023-2024, contains 34 actions across six strategic priorities. Three of the strategic priorities have a focus on alcohol use:
• strengthen the prevention of drug and alcohol use and the associated harms among children and young people,
• enhance access to and delivery of drug and alcohol services in the community and
• develop harm reduction responses and integrated care pathways for high risk drug users.
The Department intends to commission an independent evaluation of the strategy in Q4 2024. It is expected that the evaluation will be completed in early 2025.
The recommendations of the Citizens Assembly will be critical in shaping the future development of drugs policy. Policy will also be guided by a) the views of people with lived and living experience of drug use and b) international collaboration on evidence-based policies and practices on drugs
The proposed timeframe for the finalisation of the new national drugs strategy is the first quarter of 2025.
Information on the Department's alcohol policy is set out on the Health & Wellbeing page on health.gov.ie.
I am fully aware of the harms of alcohol use and the overlap with other forms of drug use. It is my ambition that the next national drugs strategy will address the reasons why people use drugs and alcohol, reduce the harms associated with problematic drug and alcohol use and support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has conducted a capacity review of his Department’s ability to deliver services that they are responsible for in the past ten years to date; the same of State bodies and agencies under his Department’s aegis; if he published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews and same for State bodies and agencies under his aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40840/24]
View answerA Health Service Capacity Review was undertaken in 2018. The Review forecast future capacity requirements in acute hospitals, primary care and services for older persons (residential and homecare services) for the period to 2031. The report is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/26df2d-health-service-capacity-review-2018.
Given the time that has passed since the 2018 Review and changes that have taken place, including demographic, economic and policy, the Department of Health has commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to undertake a refresh of the Capacity Review. This will project future capacity demand and expenditure for: Public Acute Hospitals; Primary & Community Care; and Older Persons services out to 2040, at a National and Health Region level. The Review is currently underway with a final report to be published in due course.Monitoring progress of implementation in light of the Capacity Review was a key part of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy 2021-23. Progress and further details can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/0d2d60-slaintecare-publications.
308. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a medication (details supplied) is available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40851/24]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40855/24]
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.
310. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the work the HSE has undertaken to include those living with HIV in the IVF treatment scheme; the reason this has not been resolved to date; the reason those living with hepatitis can access IVF; and the timeline for the inclusion of those living with HIV in the scheme. [40861/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
311. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason people living with HIV, who are not in the IVF exclusion criteria, are not included under the treatment abroad scheme; and if he is aware of clinics offering IVF to those living with HIV abroad who can complete an E112/S2 form. [40862/24]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
312. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider making the administration of the flu vaccine free of charge to those working in education, given the large number of people working in such settings and the need to hire cover when staff are sick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40865/24]
View answerThe National Immunisation Programme in Ireland, which includes the influenza immunisation programme, 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. NIAC make recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health.The National Influenza Vaccination Programme ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza have access to the flu vaccine, free of charge. By providing vaccination to those most at risk, and those most likely to require admission to hospital should they contract influenza, the programme aims to prevent, as far as possible, the need for influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as to reduce the overall spread of influenza in the community.For the 2024/2025 flu season, the flu vaccine will be available free of charge to adults over 60 years, individuals in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 17 years. This approach ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to the flu vaccination without a charge.
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if all necessary back up and support services might be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40887/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40890/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
315. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any subsistence grants available for Irish students who travel across the Border to study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40759/24]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States.
Irish students who choose to study in Northern Ireland are, per the Memorandum of Understanding on Education in the Common Travel Area, entitled to access to education at no less equitable terms than UK citizens studying in Northern Ireland. They would be eligible for home fees and have access to the Northern Irish Student Finance system.
Student grant legislation was amended in 2020 to retain the status quo, thus allowing maintenance grant funding for eligible students attending an approved undergraduate course in the UK to continue post Brexit.
Funding under the Free Fees Initiative is only available in respect of approved courses within the State. The Student Grant Scheme does not and never has extended to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than the exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in four approved institutions in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions.
The Scheme does not extend to PLC courses outside the State or provide for maintenance grants for postgraduate courses pursued outside of the State.
Students seeking to pursue their studies in the UK are advised to contact the Student Finance agency in each of the Devolved Administration in the UK, as each jurisdiction may have variations in eligibility criteria. Students may also wish to contact the relevant Further or Higher Education Institution in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that may be available in any specific college.
316. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has conducted a capacity review of his Department’s ability to deliver services that they are responsible for in the past ten years to date; the same of State bodies and agencies under his Department’s aegis; if he published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews and same for State bodies and agencies under his aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40839/24]
View answerMy Department was established in mid-2020. Following its establishment, my officials contracted Crowe Ireland on a consultancy basis to assist with the development of the organisational structure and operations of the new Government. Department details are supplied below and are also published here: gov.ie - Department consultancy spending (www.gov.ie).
|
Company Crowe Ireland |
Date March 2021 |
Report Completed July 2021 |
Purpose Provision of consultancy services in support of the organisational design of the newly-formed department |
Publication Status Internal report |
Total Cost €122,754.00 |
In relation to agencies under the remit of my Department, my officials are currently finalising arrangements to conduct a Periodic Critical review (PCR) of SOLAS in 2024/25 and this will inform my Department's approach to conducting future PCRs for other agencies under my Department's remit.
317. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects to announce successful applicants for Cork county under the community centres investment fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40668/24]
View answerUnder the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland. In April, I approved funding of €30 million for the construction of 12 new community centres across nine counties.
In June this year, I was delighted to announce a further round of funding to support community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 will provide funding of between €10,000 and €100,000 towards capital costs for the refurbishment of existing community centres.
The scheme closed for applications on Thursday 5th September. I understand that approximately 130 applications were received for Co. Cork under CCIF 2024. All applications are now currently under assessment. I expect to start announcing the successful applicants in the coming months.
318. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce successful projects under the CLÁR programme in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40675/24]
View answer319. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce successful projects under the CLÁR programme in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40676/24]
View answer320. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce successful projects under the CLÁR programme in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40677/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 319 and 320 together.
My Department's CLÁR scheme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that experience disadvantage and significant levels of de-population.
The 2024 CLÁR programme was launched on the 12th April last. The measures being funded under CLÁR 2024 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (funding up to €50,000).
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (funding up to €100,000).
Measure 3: Our Islands (funding up to €120,000).
On 13 September 2024 I announced funding of over €2.1 million in respect of CLÁR measure 2 for 48 projects including over €101,000 for 2 vehicles for Donegal and over €46,000 for 2 vehicles in Sligo.
Earlier this week I was pleased to announce funding of over €11.4 million for 264 projects under CLÁR measure 1 to develop community facilities and amenities across the country. This included 15 projects in Donegal worth €750,000, 15 projects in Sligo worth over € 572,000 and 14 projects in Leitrim worth over €615,000.
Details of all projects can found on my Department's website.
Successful projects include supports for a vast array of projects which will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as astro-turf pitches, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, community gyms wheelchair accessible transport and meals on wheels vehicles.
My officials are currently assessing all applications under measure 3 of the CLÁR programme and I look forward to announcing the successful project in the coming weeks.
