Seán Sherlock
Question:581. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance paramedic staff assigned to the Kildare area, for 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41025/24]
View answerAmbulance Service
Questions (581)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (582)
Seán Sherlock
Question:582. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of all capital projects currently being constructed by the Government and the HSE, through any means, in tabular form, segmented by construction phase, design phase, planning phase, survey phase and cost spent to date with each project. [41026/24]
View answer
Awaiting reply from the Department.
Mental Health Services
Questions (583)
Brendan Griffin
Question:583. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a CAMHS assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41068/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Awaiting replies to Questions Nos. 584 to 587, inclusive.
Departmental Reports
Questions (588)
Michael McGrath
Question:588. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist review report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41086/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Radiation Therapist Review has published 16 recommendations it total which aim to help and support the Radiation Therapy profession into the future. These recommendations are currently being examined by my Department regarding implementation.
In Budget 2025, €33m has been secured for the National Cancer Strategy, including access to new cancer medicines, expansion of cancer screening, funding for community cancer support centres, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. This will mean over €110 million has been invested into the Strategy since 2017.
2025 funding includes 8 additional staff for radiation therapy services, and funding for 6 advanced practice posts for radiation therapy to implement one of the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review.
The National Radiation Therapist Review considered important issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning, and recruitment and retention strategies. Funding has been made available for advanced practice posts, additional training places are being made available, and CORU registration requirements have been changed to bring Irish training requirements in line with international comparators (practice hours have been reduced to 1000 hours from 1200 hours).
Over 460 additional student places were provided in the Higher Education Sector on health-related courses in the academic year 2023/24. This included 5 additional Radiation Therapy places.
The number of Radiation Therapists on the CORU register has increased steadily from 431 (2019) to 467 (2020) to 499 in 2021. The latest available data shows that there were 514 Radiation Therapists registered by the end of 2022. According to the HSE census, in July 2024, there were 228 Radiation Therapists employed within the HSE.
Capital funding of over €140m has been used under the National Cancer Strategy to provide state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Galway and Cork, to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities for the benefit of patients, as well as investment in the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
New treatments are being provided to patients requiring radiation therapy, and these now cover more than 10% of patients receiving radiation therapy. Methods such as CyberKnife and SABR mean that patients are receiving more targeted treatment which reduces potential side-effects. The use of these treatments is expanding.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (589)
Noel Grealish
Question:589. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed list of the diabetes care technologies that enable remote monitoring and early intervention to patients; the estimated annual cost of deploying these technologies to patients across the healthcare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41088/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (590)
Noel Grealish
Question:590. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health to outline, in light of current budget constraints, the steps being taken to remote monitor patients to keep them out of GP surgeries and reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes; his plans to balance these technological interventions with the need to manage healthcare expenditure efficiently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41089/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (591)
Noel Grealish
Question:591. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the specific measures he proposes to drive efficiencies in the expenditure on diabetes care; and to outline any cost-benefit analyses that have been conducted to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of diabetes management within the health service. [41090/24]
View answerWritten answers
In June I published the Terms of Reference for a Review of Diabetes Policy and Services. The Steering Group leading that process includes representatives from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and Diabetes Ireland.
The Steering Group is engaged in developing its report at the moment, and will submit a report within six months of the commencement of its work. This report will include key findings, recommendations, and set of actions to improve service delivery and patient outcomes. Its proposals will be costed and those costings will take a relevant cost-benefit analysis into account.
Home Care Packages
Questions (592)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:592. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a home care package will be put in place for a person in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41092/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Questions (593, 594)
Seán Sherlock
Question:593. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of collisions requiring ambulance dispatch in Kildare for 2023 and 2024; and the average time of dispatch, in tabular form. [41096/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:594. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance paramedic staff assigned to the Kildare area in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41097/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 594 answered with Question No. 593.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (595, 598)
Seán Sherlock
Question:595. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of all capital projects currently being constructed by the Government and the HSE, through any means, segmented by construction phase, design phase, planning phase, survey phase and cost spent to date with each project in Kildare, in tabular form. [41098/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:598. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of all capital projects currently being constructed by the Government and the HSE, through any means, segmented by construction phase, design phase, planning phase, survey phase and cost spent to date with each project in Cork, in tabular form. [41104/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 598 together.
As 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.
Ambulance Service
Questions (596, 597)
Seán Sherlock
Question:596. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of collisions requiring ambulance dispatch in Cork in 2023 and 2024; and the average time of dispatch, in tabular form. [41102/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:597. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance paramedic staff assigned to the Cork area, in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41103/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 597 answered with Question No. 596.
Question No. 598 answered with Question No. 595.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (599)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:599. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41113/24]
View answerWritten answers
“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
Addiction Treatment Services
Questions (600, 602)
Thomas Gould
Question:600. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the way the €2.3 million funding to community addiction services will be allocated. [41115/24]
View answer
Mark Ward
Question:602. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the €2.3 million funding for local and regional drug taskforces in September; if it has been allocated and drawn down; and if so, by whom. [41118/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 602 together.
In September 2024, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke announced the allocation of funding of €1.5 million to sustain existing community-based drugs services and €800,000 (per annum over four years, a total of €3.2 million) to support the recovery of people from drug dependency. www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1add4-minister-burke-announces-funding-of-23-million-to-sustain-community-based-drugs-services-and-to-support-people-in-recovery/.
€800,000 is provided to support the recovery of people from drug dependency and their integration into everyday life, with a particular focus on initiatives in areas such as employment, education, housing, and family. The funding will also support peer-based recovery support and coaching, and the development of recovery communities.
€1.5 million is being provided for existing community-based drugs services that face increased demand and/or rising costs. The funding will be available on a recurring basis from 2025. This funding acknowledges the increased demand for drug treatment. The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023, which is an increase of almost 50% from 8,922 in 2017.
The funding supports the strategic priority to enhance access to and delivery of drug services in the community, under the National Drugs Strategy for 2021-2025. It also meets the Programme for Government commitment to support drug and alcohol task forces in identifying local needs in communities and in providing targeted initiatives to address drug and alcohol use. It aligns with the Programme for Government commitments to strengthen community-based care, including primary care and social care, to advance Sláintecare reforms. The funding is for existing services. The expected outcome is to improve health outcomes for people who use community-based drugs services.
The funding is allocated using a population-based resource allocation model by health region as below:
|
HSE Health Region |
% of Total Pop |
% of National Disadvantaged Population |
2023 Drug Treatment Area of Residence (NDTRS) |
Funding for Drug Services |
**Funding for Recovery* ** |
|
HSE Dublin & North East |
23.1% |
23% |
4693 (35.8%) |
€300,000 |
€150,000 |
|
HSE Dublin & Midlands |
20.9% |
26% |
3063 (23.4%) |
€300,000 |
€150,000 |
|
HSE Dublin & South East |
18.9% |
17% |
2011 (15.3%) |
€300,000 |
€150,000 |
|
HSE South West |
14.4% |
11% |
1045 (8.0%) |
€200,000 |
€100,000 |
|
HSE Midwest |
8.0% |
8% |
907 (6.9%) |
€200,000 |
€100,000 |
|
HSE West & North West |
14.8% |
16% |
778 (5.9%) |
€200,000 |
€100,000 |