Written Answers Nos. 309-330
309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he proposes to take to address any or all inequalities affecting children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43873/24]
View answerAddressing inequalities affecting children requires a cross government response.
That said my Department has taken steps to contribute to the addressing such inequalities.
Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, which I launched in November last year, envisions an Ireland which fully respects and realises the rights of all children and young people. The Framework was informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the concluding observations of the Committee published in February 2023 following the submission of Ireland’s fifth and sixth State Reports, and the hearing in Geneva in which I led a delegation of officials from Ireland in January 2023.
The Framework sets out actions to ensure that children and young people are a central part of everyone’s agenda. This requires a number of changes at a systemic level to place their rights and well-being as a core part of policy and decision-making. These actions are guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the General Measures of Implementation set out by the Committee to guide State’s implementation of the Convention.
The development of a child rights online training module for civil and public servants is one such action and work has commenced on this with a view to piloting in early 2025. Training on Children’s Rights Impact Assessments and their implementation in an Irish policy context is also currently under development by officials in my Department.
In its concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Ireland, the United Nations Committee recommended that the Ireland “fully incorporate the Convention into national legislation, conduct a comprehensive review of all its legislation to align it with the Convention.” This work is now underway following a procurement process and the award of contract to Prof Ursula Kilkelly in the Child Rights Centre in UCC who will carry out this review and determine Ireland’s standing in relation to the convention.
Hearing the voice of the child is an essential part of ensuring their rights and the achievement of good outcomes, and my Department recently published the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making Action Plan which aims to develop participation structures that are inclusive, accessible and safe for all children and young people including those who need additional supports in order to engage and participate.
Young Ireland identifies five National Outcomes which, if achieved, give a good indication that children and young people are doing well in Ireland. The framework sets out a number of actions which will be achieved to improve these outcomes for all children and young people.
Importantly, Young Ireland recognises that there are key areas where focused cross government attention is required. These areas have been highlighted by children and young people, as well as by data and research. We expect that by focusing attention on these Spotlight areas we can have a profound, positive impact on children and young people, especially those who are vulnerable.
My Department is also committed to tackling disadvantage through high quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible. The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) which enjoys uptakes rates in excess of 95% - has removed barriers to accessing preschool education- with data from Growing Up in Ireland showing that more than 60% of low income families would not have been able to send their child to preschool without this programme. A recently published independent review of ECCE indicates the impact of the Programme in tackling disadvantage. 90% of childcare providers surveyed agreed that the ECCE Programme has helped narrow the gap between more advantaged and less advantaged children.
In addition, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) – through a combination of universal and targeted subsidies, as well as sponsorship arrangements for vulnerable children, is substantially reducing the out of pocket early learning and childcare costs for families – with the highest levels of subsidies available to families on the lowest incomes. As of September, the NCS sponsor subsidy was increased to €5.30 per hour for all children over 1. This change will make it easier for families in receipt of an NCS sponsors subsidy to find a childcare place.
In September 2024, my Department commenced the roll-out of Equal Start, a major model of supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.
Equal Start includes a suite of universal supports, child-targeted supports, and setting-targeted supports to ensure every child and every early learning and childcare setting will benefit from a continuum of supports that reflects a continuum of need.
Targeted measures include a specific focus on key groups including children living in disadvantaged areas, Traveller children, Roma children, "sponsor" children availing of the National Childcare Scheme, children experiencing homelessness and children in the International Protection system.
790 services have been targeted with over 721 services have completed the sign-up process thus far.
For the 24/25 programme year this includes additional staffing supports providing for a 15% increase in staffing hours for Tier 1 services, and 8% for Tier 2 services based on the minimum staffing required under regulation.
I have also made provision for additional supports for Traveller and Roma families delivered through Better Start and Tusla, language and literacy measures including the roll-out of Early Talk Boost.
I was pleased secure a second wave of funding in Budget 2025 to provide for:
• An additional Nutrition Programme in priority ECCE only services that will target current gaps in provision in those services by replacing lunchboxes from home with a substantial meal to be provided in the target services.;
• The development of a Parent Community Coordinator post to enhance parental engagement in services;
• The update and roll-out of Diversity Equality and Inclusion guidelines and training.
310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department continues to receive updates in respect of children at risk and act upon same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43874/24]
View answer313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that adequate support exists for all children insofar as is possible as regards those who might be subjected to a threat from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43878/24]
View answer314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which services affecting the welfare and wellbeing of children continue to be readily and effectively available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43879/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 313 and 314 together.
As the Deputy is aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla and An Garda Síochána are the two agencies in the state with statutory responsibility for assessing (Tusla) and investigating (An Garda Síochána) allegations of child abuse and promoting the safety and welfare of children.
Tusla has a statutory duty obligation under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. In doing so, it relies heavily on individuals reporting concerns about children, in accordance with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Children First Act 2015.
The Children First Act 2015 places a legal obligation on certain people, many of whom are professionals, to report child protection concerns at or above a threshold to Tusla. These mandated persons must also assist Tusla, on request, in its assessment of child protection concerns about children reported to Tusla.
Following receipt of reports, Tusla has the statutory responsibility to assess all reports of child welfare/protection concerns. Tusla social workers carry out assessments in line with Tusla Standard Business Process an integrated child welfare and protection system to manage cases from receipt of referral to outcome of assessments/ case closures.
All referrals received by Tusla are screened within 24 hours of receipt of referral and assessments are made to determine next steps and safety of children remains of paramount concern throughout the process. If children are deemed to be at immediate risk measures are taken immediately to safeguard children, this can include applications to court for care proceedings etc.
Tusla work with many different services with children who come to the attention of the agency and this can include, CAMHS, Mental health services, disability services etc. Interagency co-operation plays a significant role in safeguarding children who are open to Tusla.
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children sets out the steps which should be taken to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm. This also outlines the roles of the main statutory bodies involved in child welfare and protection: Tusla - Child and Family Agency, and An Garda Síochána. The guidance is just one of the resources available to assist with child protection and Tusla have a number of additional child protection and safeguarding information resources.
311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which children’s rights continue to be maintained in accordance with the children’s rights referendum and subsequent legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43875/24]
View answerChildren's rights, and their enjoyment of these rights, are of paramount importance to me, and indeed across Government. The importance of child-centred policies and protections represent a core value in society where children can flourish and see a brighter future.
Ireland remains firmly committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a major international human rights treaty that sets out the specific rights of children. The UNCRC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and Ireland ratified it in 1992.
The UNCRC has four key principles:
• all the rights guaranteed by the Convention must be available to all children without discrimination of any kind (Article 2);
• the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (Article 3);
• every child has the right to life, survival and development (Article 6); and
• the child’s views must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her (Article 12).
The articles of the UNCRC are wide-ranging and cover a number of areas including health, housing, social security, education, leisure and play, child protection and welfare, criminal justice, international protection as well as access to information and participation in decision-making. Ireland is required to submit regular state reports on measures it has taken to progress the implementation of rights under the Convention, with the most recent report submitted in February 2022.
In January 2023, I led the State delegation for an oral examination before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on Ireland's combined 5th and 6th State Report and the Committee provided its concluding observations in February 2023.
One of the recommendations of the Committee was that Ireland “fully incorporate the Convention into national legislation, conduct a comprehensive review of all its legislation to align it with the Convention.” A legislative review has been commissioned to address this and will be published in early 2025.
Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 was written with the UNCRC’s Concluding Observations in mind, and responds to many of its recommendations. The UN’s recommendation for “a unifying, comprehensive and rights-based national strategy, rooted in the Convention” informed the need for a specific policy framework to promote the rights of children and young people. Young Ireland sets out work to create an environment to ensure that children and young people are a central part of everyone’s agenda, including spotlights to focus on the most significant challenges for children and young people, and identifies areas for new actions across Government.
The Government is also firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Following enactment of several legislative measures necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol, including the recent Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024, officials in my Department will be working with the Attorney General’s Office on the next steps to ensure readiness across all relevant Departments.
The holding of a Referendum on children's rights was an important commitment of the Government. As you are aware, the 31st Amendment, inserting Article 42A into the Constitution was signed into law on 28th April 2015. The fact that the Amendment now stands as part of our Constitution represents a considerable and symbolic advance in the identification of children as individual rights holders in our country.
312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he is satisfied that Tusla is free to carry out its statutory requirements in all situations which might emerge, without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43877/24]
View answerTusla has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. In doing so, it relies heavily on individuals reporting concerns about children, in accordance with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 and the Children First Act, 2015.
Under the Children First Act, mandated persons are required to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to Tusla. The list of mandated persons is set out in Schedule 2 of the Act and it includes teachers, An Garda Síochána and health care professionals.
Where child protection concerns have been reported to Tusla by mandated persons or by the wider community, Tusla will assess the concern in line with its policies, procedures and best practice. All reports to Tusla are screened to determine whether it meets the threshold for Tusla child protection and welfare services. If the threshold for social work intervention has not been met, Tusla will advise on other types of support services available to meet the child’s needs e.g. referral to family support services.
If there are ongoing child protection concerns, Tusla will take the necessary actions to ensure that a child is protected. Tusla has extensive powers under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 to take appropriate action to promote the welfare of any child who is not receiving adequate care and protection. If Tusla suspects that a crime has been committed and a child has been wilfully neglected or physically or sexually abused, it will formally notify An Garda Síochána without delay.
Tusla operates under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, a progressive piece of legislation with children at its heart and families viewed as the foundation of a strong healthy community where children can flourish. Partnership and co-operation in the delivery of seamless services to children and families are central to Tusla’s operations.
In Budget 2025, I have secured a significant increase in funding for Tusla of €145m. It should be noted that in 2014 Tusla's allocation was €609m and in 2025 the total allocation is expected to be approximately €1,250 million, which represents more than a 100% increase over the allocation for Tusla upon its establishment. This is the third consecutive year, that total Tusla funding will be over one billion euro and is reflective of the growing demand there is for Tusla services.
I am satisfied that Tusla is free to carry out its statutory functions, as set out in section 3 of the Child Care Act, 1991, as amended, in any given relevant situations which might emerge. To further assist Tusla to continue this good work and improve Child Welfare and Protection provisions, a draft bill is being prepared to amend the Child Care Act, 1991. Pre-legislative scrutiny has taken place on that Bill.
315. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for the up-to-date position from HIQA on a letter issued to them from his Department on the future role for foster carer's under the draft national standards for children’s social services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43587/24]
View answerHIQA has developed the Draft National Standards for Children’s Social Services, and these standards have been submitted for Ministerial approval. The aim of these standards is to increase the quality and safety of care for all children who are at risk in the community or who are living away from their families in the care of the State, regardless of their needs or stage of development. A draft assessment judgement framework and associated guidance have also been submitted by HIQA to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It has been agreed that additional guidance is needed for foster carers and this work has commenced.
316. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if there is funding available for people with multiple sclerosis who require motorised scooters in view of their mobility issues; what other financial supports can be made available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43683/24]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances free of charge to eligible people (such as those with medical cards or those on the Long-Term Illness scheme) following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided through community services known as Community Funded Schemes and play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning, and to remain living in their homes and local community.
The HSE provides these aids and appliances to a wide section of the community including older people, people with diverse chronic illnesses, and people with disabilities. Provision is based on an appropriate clinical assessment, the funding available within local budgets, and a determination of the most appropriate product that will meet the eligible person’s needs. Mobility scooters are among the many products provided. Further information regarding the Community Funded Scheme can be found at:
www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/primarycare/community-funded-schemes/ .
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE and is primarily based on an assessment of means. 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. Further information regarding medical cards can be found at:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/medical-cards/ .
The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in the 1970s prescribing 16 conditions covered by the Scheme. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Further information regarding the LTI Scheme, including the conditions covered, can be found at:
www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lti/ .
317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if dental and optical benefits on foot of medical cards in the case of a person can be progressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43832/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
318. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who had dentures made that were not fit for purpose, and who, having been advised by the HSE locally to contact a number of providers on a list, has been refused treatment by each provider; and to confirm the next step for this lady, who urgently needs a new set of dentures. [43594/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
319. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of dental practices that are operative in County Mayo; the number of these dental practices are accepting new patients; the number of the dental practices accepting new patients are accepting medical card patients; the number of medical card patients that are currently not registered with any dentist; to outline the procedure for individuals with medical cards who are unable to register with a dentist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43606/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
320. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine an issue where a person has been waiting for a hip replacement surgery for an extended period of time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43609/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
321. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to ensure that people can access GP care in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43613/24]
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 actively working to increase the number of GPs practising in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients 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.
In addition, specific supports are in place to support GPs in rural areas. The practice support package for rural GP practices was increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Specific fees are also in place for rural dispensing doctors, these were increased by 28% under the 2019 Agreement, and a ring-fenced fund of €0.6m was provided for under the 2023 Agreement to support the delivery of initiatives to support rural GPs, including assistance sourcing locum cover for leave taking.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% over the last 5 years. 347 new entrants commenced training this year, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286. Furthermore, the recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 75 IMG GPs commenced in practice under the programme in 2023; recruitment is continuing this year and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country next year.
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 and the consideration of mechanisms to attract GPs to rural and urban deprived areas. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
322. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if a person in County Cork (details supplied) can continue to be reimbursed for the same medication under the GMS rather than changing to generic medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43616/24]
View answerThe Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 permits community pharmacists to dispense generic medicines where a brand name medicine has been prescribed, provided they have been designated as interchangeable by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Generic medicines must meet the same standards of quality and safety and have the same effect as the original medicine. All generic medicines on the Irish market are required to be properly licensed and meet the requirements of the HPRA.
Reference pricing means a single reimbursement price, or reference price, for a group of interchangeable medicines. This is the maximum price that the HSE will pay community pharmacies for all medicines in this group, regardless of the price of the individual medicine.
Section 13 (1) of the 2013 Act allows a prescriber to indicate on a prescription that a branded medicine should, for clinical reasons, not be substituted.
Therefore, if a patient wishes to remain on a particular branded medicine, they should discuss this with their clinician in the first instance who may, for clinical reasons, write ‘do not substitute’ on the prescription. If the clinician decides to write ‘do not substitute’, then the patient will not have to pay the difference between the reference price and the branded product price.
323. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine a major lack in GPs in the Naas area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43618/24]
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.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,544 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the start of the October, there are no GMS vacancies in the Naas area.
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 there) 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.
The Government is actively working to increase the number of GPs practising in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients 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.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% over the last 5 years. 347 new entrants commenced training this year, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286. Furthermore, the recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 75 IMG GPs commenced in practice under the programme in 2023; recruitment is continuing this year and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country next year.
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.
324. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to provide the total budget allocation to the HSE (current and capital) in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43620/24]
View answerIn response to your question, the details requested are set out per the table attached.
Summary - Overall Budget and Supplementary 2015 to Present:
Dept. of Health funding to HSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Gross Current |
Health Gross Capital |
Health Gross Budget |
|
Year |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2015 |
12,295 |
382 |
12,677 |
|
2016 |
13,695 |
414 |
14,109 |
|
2017 |
14,152 |
454 |
14,607 |
|
2018 |
14,839 |
493 |
15,332 |
|
2019 |
16,365 |
667 |
17,032 |
|
2020 |
19,254 |
1,074 |
20,328 |
|
2021 |
21,081 |
1,048 |
22,130 |
|
2022 |
21,133 |
1,060 |
22,193 |
|
2023* |
20,170 |
1,161 |
21,332 |
|
2024 |
21,587 |
1,234 |
22,821 |
|
2025 |
24,300 |
1,460 |
25,760 |
Notes:
*Disability Services budget of €2.635bn was transferred out of D/Health budget in 2023. This figure has been excluded from the DOH funded HSE 2023 budget.
Disability services are included in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth affairs budget from 2023 onwards.
The rounding of figures in the above table mean some variances in numbers.
DCEDIY funding to HSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DCEDIY Gross Current |
DCEDIY Gross Capital |
DCEDIY Gross Budget |
|
Year |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2023* |
2,635 |
21 |
2,656 |
|
2024 |
2,886 |
23 |
2,909 |
|
2025 |
3,217 |
27 |
3,244 |
325. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to provide the total allocation, including supplementaries, to the HSE (current and capital) in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43621/24]
View answerIn response to your question, the details requested are set out per the table attached.
Dept. of Health funding to HSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Gross Current |
Health Gross Capital |
Health Gross Budget |
Supplementary Estimate |
Health Gross Final |
|
Year |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2015 |
12,295 |
382 |
12,677 |
589 |
13,265 |
|
2016 |
13,695 |
414 |
14,109 |
- |
14,109 |
|
2017 |
14,152 |
454 |
14,607 |
173 |
14,779 |
|
2018 |
14,839 |
493 |
15,332 |
571 |
15,903 |
|
2019 |
16,365 |
667 |
17,032 |
339 |
17,371 |
|
2020 |
19,254 |
1,074 |
20,328 |
485 |
20,813 |
|
2021 |
21,081 |
1,048 |
22,130 |
- |
22,130 |
|
2022 |
21,133 |
1,060 |
22,193 |
1,191 |
23,384 |
|
2023* |
20,170 |
1,161 |
21,332 |
1,034 |
22,366 |
|
2024 |
21,587 |
1,234 |
22,821 |
1,754 |
24,576 |
|
2025 |
24,300 |
1,460 |
25,760 |
N/A |
N/A |
Notes:
*Disability Services budget of €2.769bn transferred out of D/Health budget in 2023. This figure has been excluded from 2023 budget.
Disability services are included in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth affairs budget from 2023 onwards.
The rounding of figures in the above table mean some variances in calculations.
DCEDIY funding to HSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DCEDIY Gross Current |
DCEDIY Gross Capital |
DCEDIY Gross Budget |
DCEDIY Supplementary Estimate |
DCEDIY Gross Final |
|
Year |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2023* |
2,635 |
21 |
2,656 |
113 |
2,769 |
|
2024 |
2,886 |
23 |
2,909 |
162 |
3,071 |
|
2025 |
3,217 |
27 |
3,244 |
N/A |
N/A |
326. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the total number of staff working in the health service in June each year from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43622/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
327. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant doctors working in the health service in June each year from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43623/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants in emergency medicine working in the health service in June each year from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43624/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses working in the health service in June each year from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43625/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
330. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of midwives working in the health service in June each year from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43626/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
