Robert Troy
Question:319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric nurses in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, and to outline how many of those posts are currently vacant. [42219/24]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (319)
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (320)
Robert Troy
Question:320. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies currently at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [42220/24]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (321)
Robert Troy
Question:321. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he intends bringing forward legislation on safe staffing. [42221/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based approach to determining nurse staffing levels that puts safety and patient needs first, focusing on delivering positive patient outcomes. The Framework is national policy in Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical wards since 2018 and in Emergency Care Settings since 2022. The Framework’s implementation has demonstrated positive impacts for patients, staff and organisations.
National implementation of the Framework is a priority for Minister Donnelly. The Government invested €56 million since 2020 to support implementation which has provided for approximately 1,500 additional Whole Time Equivalent Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants to date (August 2024). There are 27,901 more staff working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020, an increase of 23%, including 9,375 additional nurses and midwives.
OECD statistical data clearly shows that Ireland has more practising nurses per 1,000 population than nearly all other European countries.
Ireland’s approach to safe staffing is internationally recognised as highly effective, with other countries now looking to Ireland. Very few countries have legislated for safe staffing and according to the Office of our Chief Nurse, there’s limited evidence to show that safe staffing legislation makes it safer for patients or positively impacts implementation.
To identify the evidence base for legislating, the Department of Health engaged with international experts in safe staffing. These experts advised that it’s not the right time for Ireland to legislate for the Framework. The priority should be on implementation and further development of the Framework in other areas especially community care. Any further emerging evidence will be kept under review.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (322)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:322. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) will have spinal surgery carried out in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42223/24]
View answerWritten answers
I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when hospital appointments and procedures are cancelled.
While every effort is made to avoid cancellations or postponements, they can happen for a variety of reasons, including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand, and unforeseen circumstances that may impact a service.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals follow HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Cancelled hospital appointments and procedures are, where appropriate, rescheduled as early as possible with priority given to patients requiring time-sensitive and urgent treatment.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Admissions
Questions (323)
Martin Browne
Question:323. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be released from a hospital; if other accommodation will be considered further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42231/24]
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.
Social Enterprise Sector
Questions (324)
Carol Nolan
Question:324. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide details of all social enterprise organisations or bodies funded by his Department in each year from 2021 to date in 2024; the amount allocated in funding to each during this time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42274/24]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (325)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a procedure date for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42286/24]
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Under 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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (326)
Paul Kehoe
Question:326. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses in IBD in Connolly hospital over the past five years; the plans to increase and recruit them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42287/24]
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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (327)
Mark Ward
Question:327. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there is any consideration to include medication for adults with ADHD on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42302/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility. This includes reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
Abortion Services
Questions (328)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:328. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the financial support available to women who are unable to access abortion in Ireland so that they can access abortion care elsewhere; whether his Department takes responsibility for providing financial support to cover costs such as flights, clinic fees and local transport to women in the international protection system who need to access abortion care abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42303/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health(Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018. Expanded termination of pregnancy services have been available since 1 January 2019.
The Act allows termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
This is in line with the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which published its report and recommendations in December 2017.
Prior to the May 2018 Referendum on the 8th Amendment, the General Scheme of the Bill to regulate termination of pregnancy was published. The final legislation enacted is consistent with the published proposals.
Following the introduction of termination of pregnancy services, a free service, My Options, was established to provide information, support, non-directive counselling and clinical advice regarding unplanned pregnancy. My Options provides information about abortion services and medical support for anyone who is having or has had an abortion.
Judgement free counselling is also available to anyone having an unplanned pregnancy. Counselling can be provided over the phone or information can be provided for free face to face counselling services. The HSE funds these counselling services to provide unplanned pregnancy and post abortion counselling.
This service is available for 240 different languages and is free and confidential. There will be a 3-way call arranged between the individual seeking support, the My Options counsellor and the interpreter.
The My Options telephone service provides a 24/7 medical support service for anyone who is having or has had an abortion.
For those women who are unable to access abortion in Ireland, if they contact the My Options helpline they will be provided with contact details of the UK charity, the Abortion Support Network (ASN). Financial help is available to support with some costs including flights, etc but this would be assessed on a case by case basis.
My Department has no role in making arrangements for people to avail of the service outside of the jurisdiction.
Health Services Staff
Questions (329)
Róisín Shortall
Question:329. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the shortage of public health nurses and community registered general nurses across the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42305/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to thank the Deputy for her question. I want to emphasise that ensuring the delivery of the full range of services provided by Public Health Nurses, is a priority for me.
We are progressing several initiatives at a national level both within my Department and in the HSE to address challenges to the recruitment of healthcare professionals in general, and nurses, specifically.
In relation to Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses, the HSE established a National Oversight Group for Community Nursing Services, under the governance of the National Director of Community Operations, to develop proposals to improve recruitment and retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses.
This group set out their recommendations in the 'Report on Recommendations to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses in Community Nursing Services'.
The HSE subsequently set up a National Implementation Group in 2024 to progress the implementation of these recommendations. My Department is committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses and continues to engage with the HSE on these matters.
Health Services Staff
Questions (330)
Róisín Shortall
Question:330. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the work of the national implementation group established to implement the recommendations from a report on recruitment and retention of public health nurses and community registered general nurses (details supplied); if this report and its 39 recommendations will be published; if all 39 recommendations have been accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42306/24]
View answerWritten answers
A National Oversight Group for Community Nursing Services was established by the HSE, under the governance of the National Director of Community Operations, to develop proposals to improve recruitment and retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses.
This group set out their recommendations in the 'Report on Recommendations to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses in Community Nursing Services'.
The HSE subsequently set up a National Implementation Group in 2024 to progress the implementation of these recommendations. My Department is committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses and continues to engage with the HSE on these matters.
As the publication of the report is a matter for the HSE, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
Health Services Staff
Questions (331)
Róisín Shortall
Question:331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in each CHO at present, and in each of the years since 2020, in tabular form. [42307/24]
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.