Written Answers Nos. 896-916
896. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if she will consider emergency or interim measures such as temporary HSE-run clinics or locum supports to ensure continuity of care in areas where GP practices have closed their lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3385/26]
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 2,598 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. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care for the area concerned.
Where a person that holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned, having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area), can apply to the HSE Eligibility 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. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
As per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the number of practicing GPs in the State and thereby improving access for patients. Investment in general practice has been significantly increased under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements, providing for increased fees and supports for GPs, as well as for new services. The annual number of GP training places has been greatly increased in recent years, and new entrant places will increase by a further 50 this year to 400. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad continues under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme which targets the placement of participating doctors to practices in rural and underserved areas.
897. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health if her Department will review funding supports for GP practices, particularly in areas under severe pressure, to encourage additional capacity and prevent further closures to new patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3386/26]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide medical services to medical card and GP visit card holders on its behalf. GPs who hold a GMS contract are reimbursed for the services they provide through capitation payments and fee-per-item payments for certain services, they also receive a range of financial supports.
Under the GMS scheme, the financial supports available to eligible GPs/GP practices include practice staff supports, locum contributions for leave taking, rural practice supports, and there is a support for practices in urban areas of deprivation. A contribution to GMS GPs medical indemnity insurance is also paid.
GMS GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria receive an annual rural practice support allowance under the Rural Practice Support Framework. The 2019 GP Agreement increased this practice support package for rural GP practices by 10%. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking.
The 2019 GP Agreement also introduced a support for GP practices in disadvantaged urban areas. The funding may be used for additional health personnel costs or for the provision of additional services.
In addition, a new locum support initiative commenced in May last year, providing GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined locum sourcing service. While the GPs themselves will cover the cost of the locum, the HSE bears the cost of securing the locum.
Further potential measures to support GP practices are being considered under the Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, currently underway, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity and will consider possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to rural and underserved areas. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
898. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the most recent data on GP-to-patient ratios in the Wicklow and Wexford region; the way in which the shortages are being monitored and addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3387/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
899. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE registrar in respiratory medicine based at Wexford General Hospital in each of the years of 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3391/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
900. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners based within the accident and emergency department of Wexford General Hospital; the hours and days of the week when the general practitioner is available within the accident and emergency department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3392/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
901. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the establishment and operational status of the planned public adult ADHD teams nationally; the number of teams currently in place; the number actively being recruited; the expected timelines for full implementation of all 12 teams as previously committed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3414/26]
View answer902. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the development of adult ADHD services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3415/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 901 and 902 together.
ADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
This National Clinical Programme is based on multi-disciplinary community teams to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults. As Minister, I'm proud to have launched the Model of Care for Adult ADHD and to have resourced the establishment of the teams envisioned by the Model of Care. The ADHD Programme is funded with total funding of over €5 million on a recurring annual basis. As a result, there are 11 teams funded, with 7 teams are currently operational with 4 teams in recruitment. Funding was secured by myself as Minister in Budget 2025 to facilitate the rolling out of the total number of ADHD teams envisaged in the Model of Care.
In relation to the additional specific information requested regarding the operation of the ADHD National Clinical Programme, as this is an operational matter, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to you.
903. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of nursing homes receiving patients discharged from hospital to long-term nursing home care in Wicklow and Wexford from 2020 to date; and the number of patients discharged to each nursing home, in tabular format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3439/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
904. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Health the reason there is currently no consultant ophthalmologist or dedicated ophthalmology service based in Longford–Westmeath, including at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford or Mullingar Regional Hospital; the impact this lack of local provision is having on patients who are required to travel to Dublin, including to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, for assessment and treatment; and the steps being taken to improve access to ophthalmology services locally for patients in Longford–Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3441/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
905. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health to intervene to ensure a person (details supplied) receives the medical care they require as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3444/26]
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. The Minister for Health is prohibited 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.
906. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide CHO segregated annual figures for adults and children with a diagnosis of vision impairment who are engaged with health or disability services, for each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3447/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
907. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the body or bodies within the health system which are responsible for collecting data on vision impairment; if this function rests with the HSE, her Department, or any other statutory agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3448/26]
View answerSeveral State bodies collect data on vision impairment. The Health Service Executive collects data in respect of eyecare services provided to eligible patients. The Department of Social Protection collects data in respect of eyecare services provided under the Optical Benefit Scheme. The Central Statistics Office collects census data on disabilities prevalent in the Irish population, including vision impairment.
In addition, some voluntary organisations, such as Vision Ireland and Fighting Blindness, collect data in relation to vision impairment.
908. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the plans to improve the systematic recording of vision impairment within HSE health and disability services, including at CHO level, in order to support service planning and resource allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3449/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
909. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in the Dublin midwest area; the number of vacant positions for public health nurses in the area; when P2 and P3 developmental checks will be provided throughout the consistency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3453/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
910. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the percentage of children who received developmental checks carried out within 72-hours, at three months, at six months, at 12 months, at 24 months, at 48 months, across the state, in Dublin midwest, by year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3454/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
911. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the age intervals at which developmental checks of newborns and infants should be offered by public health nurses; the examinations done at each of these intervals; the intervals which are P1, P2 and P3 checks; if services up to P3 checks are being offered to children in Adamstown, Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Rowlagh, Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart, Citywest, Brittas, Fettercairn, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3455/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
912. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [3459/26]
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. The Minister for Health is prohibited 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.
913. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the reason that an organisation (details supplied) has had funding withdrawn which threatens the provision of their service and may lead to the closure of the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3488/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
914. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to clarify matters related to compensation for victims of the HSE cyber-attack (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3491/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
915. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a copy of the briefing provided to her, which is referenced in a media report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3493/26]
View answerI understand that officials from my Department have been in contact with the Deputy and it has been agreed that the information requested will be provided directly to him.
916. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants employed by the HSE, by contract type, principal clinical site and region, in tabular form. [3494/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
