Written Answers Nos. 313-324
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he intends to set up an emergency management team to deal with overcrowding and hospital emergency departments, with particular reference to ensuring that the highest possible standards prevail when dealing with the inflow of patients by facilitating their access to emergency treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20148/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Operational Plan 2023 supports the delivery and management of UEC by establishing clear integrated operational actions and targets alongside approved surge measures to mitigate the risks associated with high UEC demand pressures.
An integrated system of governance and accountability supports the delivery of this plan by providing ongoing monitoring and oversight of UEC activities and performance.
The oversight and implementation of the UEC Plan is facilitated by a monthly cycle of Taskforce meetings and associated Ministerial meetings. These groups are comprised of senior representatives of the Department of Health and HSE. The Taskforce drives and oversees the implementation of the UEC Plan each year and ensures effective communication and information sharing across all aspects of the UEC plan implementation, throughout the Department of Health and HSE with all key stakeholders. The Taskforce reports directly to the Minister for Health on UEC performance and the status of UEC Operational Plan activities. This system of governance compliments service delivery within the HSE.
The 2023 UEC Operational Plan is the foundation for the 2024 UEC Operational plan, providing continuation and sustainability to the improvements achieved thus far.
314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in dealing with the waiting lists of children seeking procedures for scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20149/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason that plans to meet the requirements of scoliosis patients cannot be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 316 together.
I acknowledge that waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida services are unacceptably long. I am acutely conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
I committed €19 million to children’s orthopaedics to tackle these waiting lists. This investment has led to the hiring of more than 200 healthcare professionals in Crumlin, Temple Street, and Cappagh. This includes nurses, consultants, anaesthesiologists, and radiographers. This investment has also funded a 5th operating theatre in Temple Street, a second MRI in Crumlin, and additional beds.
This has supported a significant increase in the number of spinal procedures carried out in 2022 and 2023, compared to 2019. While waiting lists remain too long it is important to acknowledge that our healthcare workers have delivered an increase in the number of procedures being carried out.
At my request, a dedicated Paediatric Spinal Surgery Management Unit has been established in Children’s Health Ireland. I recently allocated further funding of €1.34 million following a request from the clinical lead of the Unit, for additional staff, outpatient clinics, and MRI capacity.
I have also convened a dedicated stakeholder Paediatric Spinal Taskforce to collaboratively address concerns raised by families and advocacy groups.
I have asked, and expect the HSE and CHI to explore all options to increase capacity for this vital service, including international outsourcing, to reduce the waiting lists and ensure improved access for patients.
315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he can take steps to counter the difficulties of obtaining and retaining professional staff throughout the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20150/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which access to various medicines remains equally available to those in this jurisdiction as compared with the rest of the single market in Europe and at a similar price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20152/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority. In line with the 2013 Act, and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must first submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Two new Framework Agreements on Pricing and Supply of Medicines 2021-2025 were signed in December 2021. These Agreements provide stability to the medicines reimbursement market for the State and for Industry, thus facilitating sustainable and affordable access to medicines for patients in Ireland over the next 4 years.
Negotiations towards these new Agreements with industry began in May 2021, against a backdrop of a growing annual drugs budget, up from €1.95bn in 2016 to almost €2.25bn by 2020.
Between 2020 and 2023, 171 new medicines were approved for reimbursement by the HSE, to include 61 medicines for the treatment of cancer, and 47 for the treatment of rare diseases. To date in 2024, an additional 13 new medicines have been approved by the HSE for reimbursement.
The multiannual agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and Medicines for Ireland (MFI) represent an important step in facilitating access to innovative new medicines for patients. The IPHA represent the originator and on-patent biopharmaceutical industry; MFI represent the non-originator, and off-patent biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland.
There are a number of clauses set out in both agreements in detail, which provide clear pricing rules for applicant companies, that have been agreed between the State and main Pharmaceutical Industry representative groups in Ireland as appropriate and intended to provide a predictable environment for Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) to supply their products. These are grossly summarised as:
The pricing application form for new medicines is based on a basket of 14 countries (13 EU Member States and the UK). Pricing is permitted to be no more than the average price based on the pricing in these 14 countries.
The pricing of non-patented medicines (i.e., generic, biosimilar or hybrid medicine marketed in Ireland) is based on the originator medicine at a specific time point.
Under the terms of the agreement, there is scope for the Department of Health, the HSE, and industry to continue to maintain their engagement throughout the lifetime of the agreement on all matters pertaining to the agreement.
318. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the proposed expansion in the number of dentists to be trained in Ireland, if he will set out the optimum number he believes should be catered for annually in third level colleges in Ireland; his plans to expand the number of dentistry places available at University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin; the plans he has to provide a new dental school and hospital at UCC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19910/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning for current and future public sector skills needs is a priority for my Department. My Department is closely engaging with the Department of Health to expand and maximise healthcare workforce capacity, including oral healthcare workforce capacity, in Ireland. It is important to note that my Department is not in a position to specify the workforce planning demand requirements for any discipline – this must come from the relevant line Department.
Currently each year approximately 90 new graduates qualify to practise dentistry in Ireland. According to Department of Health figures, as of 2 April 2024 the number of dentists on the Dental Council register have increased, compared to March 2023. Currently there are 180 additional registered dentists (3,652 total) since this time last year. This reflects ongoing trends regarding registered dentists in the state, and compares favourably with the numbers in April 2019, when Smile agus Sláinte was published – 3,100.
There is no quota placed on dental courses by my Department, and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education institutions, in line with their autonomy. However due to the high level of practical work involved there can be material constraints on the number of students that can be accepted onto dentistry courses.
The Governing Authority of a University has responsibility under the Universities Act, 1997 for oversight of the governance and strategic direction of the university including the approval of expenditure for major capital and investment projects, and providing strategic direction and managing the financial affairs of the university to ensure value for money and its financial viability.
The Higher Education Authority recently undertook an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process to identify options for developing substantial medium-term additional capacity in a range of priority healthcare disciplines including Dentistry.
In June 2023 Minister Simon Harris and Minister Stephen Donnelly announced details of the potential options identified under this process. I am continuing to engage closely on this matter with Government colleagues to advance the process.
319. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will financially assist each Erasmus student to travel to their mainland European destination university by ferry and train (as opposed to by air which is often cheaper and incentivised); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19938/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Erasmus+ Programme promotes and funds Green Travel which is defined in the programme guide as “Travel that uses low-emissions means of transport for the main part of the travel, such as bus, train, bike or car-pooling.” In this definition, ferries are not considered to be more green than air travel. Irish participants of the programme are encouraged to prioritise green travel as their first choice when planning the trip by taking short (non-connecting) flights or ferries to the UK or mainland Europe and continuing their journey by land.
Given we are an island nation maintaining and developing meaningful connections to our continental European partners is essential to the development and growth of our educational systems and for Irish people to reach their full potential. Erasmus+ is the most extensive learning mobility and exchange scheme in the world, the programme moves thousands of pupils, learners, young people, students and staff and recognises the impact this has in contributing to carbon emissions.
The promotion of environmental sustainability and green practices in higher education mobility are a key priority of the Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027 and must be promoted by Higher Education Institutions as part of their obligations under the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education holders. This includes the promotion of more sustainable methods of transport, ensuring sustainability is a key consideration for organising events and conferences and facilitating the digital transformation of Erasmus+ through the European Student Card Initiative.
Students and recent graduates who do not receive travel support can opt for green travel. In this case, they will receive a single contribution of €50 as a top-up amount to the individual support and up to 4 days of additional individual support to cover travel days for a return trip, if relevant. If a student is in receipt of travel support (such as those who will be travelling under the current Erasmus+ call for funding 2024), they will receive travel support at higher rate if they are travelling by more sustainable methods of transport, ranging from €210 to €610 based on the distance they are travelling.
320. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the numbers of students expelled from courses at each technological university and institute of technology from 2020 to date; the reasons for the expulsions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous bodies in relation to their administrative and academic affairs as provided for in the Institutes of Technology Act (2006) and the Technological Universities Act (2018). This includes the administering of disciplinary matters such as expulsions, and neither I nor my Department have any role in this matter. As such, my Department does not maintain records relating to student expulsions. I would recommend that this matter be pursued directly with the individual Higher Education Institutions.
321. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for the full list of colleges of further education and training which providing off-the-job training for craft apprentices, excluding the Education and Training Boards and Technological Universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, all off-the-job training for craft apprentices is carried out through Education and Training Boards and Technological Universities.
€67 million was allocated for apprenticeship through the Estimates process, bringing total investment to €300 million in 2024. This is a vital step in building the capacity required in Education and Training Boards and Technological Universities to both reduce delays in apprenticeship training and meet future training requirements.
322. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19990/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my department are engaging with City of Dublin Education and Training Board in relation to this matter and will revert to the Deputy in due course.
323. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether new expressions of interest are being accepted at present by her Department for the community services project scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20035/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
Funding of €1m was made available for a Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services which issued in March 2023, which resulted in the approval of 14 organisations to enter the CSP programme on 13th December last. Some other applications that were not approved to enter the programme arising from this call may be considered at a later date, as funding becomes available.
While no further calls for proposals are anticipated at this time, my Department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the near future. Contact details for a nominated person can be provided to the email address csp@drcd.gov.ie. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.
It is also suggested that organisations should make contact with their Local Development Company or Local Authority who may be able to provide some guidance on supports available at this time.
324. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of funding provided in each county under the community centre investment fund, launched in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20082/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the range of capital investment programmes operated by my Department, I have prioritised the development and enhancement of community centres across the country as they are a vital resource for all of the community.
Under the 2022 Community Centre Investment Fund, which was the first year of the Fund's operation, over €45.8 million was committed for improvement and refurbishment works on over 860 existing community centres across Ireland in 2022.
Following on from this investment, I wanted to assist community groups who are striving to build their own community centre to service their local needs. That is why, in 2023, the focus of the Community Centres Investment Fund moved to new builds. I was very pleased last month to announce funding of over €30 million under the 2023 scheme which will now see the construction of twelve new facilities in nine separate counties across the country. These are listed in the table below.
|
County |
Group Name |
Lead Party |
CCIF Funding Awarded |
|
Carlow |
Tullow Road Community Hub |
Carlow County Council |
€4,135,178 |
|
Cork |
Rylane Community Centre |
IRD Duhallow |
€1,595,574 |
|
Galway |
Aras Lae , Maigh Cuilinn |
Údarás an Gaeltachta |
€6,000,000 |
|
Galway (City) |
Newcastle Community Centre |
Galway City Council |
€4,343,255 |
|
Mayo |
Ballina Scouting Den and Community Centre |
Mayo North East |
€1,152,193 |
|
Meath |
Kilcloon Community Centre |
Meath County Council |
€1,915,000 |
|
Monaghan |
Rockcorry Community Centre |
Monaghan County Council |
€2,667,785 |
|
Offaly |
Moneygall Community Centre |
Offaly County Council |
€1,407,660 |
|
Sligo |
Ballymote Community Centre |
Sligo County Council |
€2,650,991 |
|
Sligo |
Kilglass Community Centre |
Sligo County Council |
€1,163,710 |
|
Wexford |
Ballymitty Community Development |
Wexford County Council |
€1,398,035 |
|
Wexford |
Riverchapel Community Centre |
Wexford County Council |
€1,797,919 |
|
|
|
Total |
€30,227,300 |
