Brendan Griffin
Ceist:251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health what will happen with current HSE buildings in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22169/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Service Executive
Ceisteanna (251)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Qualifications
Ceisteanna (252)
Mark Ward
Ceist:252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health to explain the rationale behind CORU’s recommendation that observers sit in on psychotherapy sessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22171/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), including setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards.
Seventeen health and social care professions are designated for regulation by CORU. There are currently registers open for twelve professions and CORU is continuing the substantial work required to open the registers for the remaining designated professions of psychologists; counsellors and psychotherapists; clinical biochemists; and orthoptists.
Each profession designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act has its own independent registration board with statutory responsibility for:
• Establishing and maintaining the register of members for that profession;
• Recognising qualifications gained outside the State;
• Approving and monitoring education and training programmes for entry to the register;
• Setting the code of professional conduct and ethics giving guidance to professionals on Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Regulations to designate the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended) were made by the previous Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, in 2019. The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (CPRB) was established in February 2019. Its membership comprises practitioners, representatives from education and training, and lay members.
The work of the CPRB includes consideration of the titles to be protected and the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners and the qualifications that will be required for future graduates. The work of the CPRB is significantly more challenging than it is for registration boards for some of the more established professions owing to the different and complex pathways into these professions, the variety of titles used, and the variety and number of courses and course providers.
The CPRB undertook an extensive research process to inform the drafting of standards and criteria. This included a review of contemporary evidence-informed academic literature, an examination of comparator international professional standards, and understanding the contemporary practice of the profession in Ireland. Key stakeholders, including the public (through a public consultation process), are also part of the drafting process.
Throughout the course of 2022 and 2023, the CPRB drafted threshold level standards of knowledge, skills and professional behaviour – its Standards of Proficiency – and the systems and processes that education providers must have in place to ensure consistent and effective delivery of graduates who have achieved the Standards of Proficiency – its Criteria for Education and Training Programmes. Two sets of these requirements were drafted: one for counsellors and one for psychotherapists, representing the first attempt to establish distinct standards for each profession in Ireland and the first effort to standardise threshold level education and training requirements for entry to each profession.
The draft Standards of Proficiency include a requirement for direct observation, i.e. a specified amount of time in which an on-site supervisor directly observes a student in the practice of the profession. Practice education is an integral and central means through which a student is able to develop his or her professional proficiency towards being able to practice as an independent, autonomous practitioner. This determination of proficiency is made on the basis of the student’s achievement of the standards of proficiency which are assessed during the course of a student’s practice education.
Observation of a student in practice is essential for the assessment of whether a student is proficient in the practice of the profession. It would not be possible to determine whether a student has achieved a significant number of standards without direct observation.
There are a range of potential methodologies which could be utilised by a supervisor undertaking direct observation of a student during a practice placement. These methodologies may include observation; co-therapy; two-way mirrors; transcription; video/audio taping. It is recognised that there is particular sensitivity in undertaking this practice by the very nature of the therapeutic relationship dynamic developed between a counsellor or psychotherapist and a service user and that any method of direct observation will require the explicit informed consent of the service user.
The introduction of regulation to the psychotherapy profession is a top priority for CORU. Extensive work has already been carried out by the CPRB to achieve this. Most recently a public consultation was held on the Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes for the psychotherapy profession.
The CPRB is now reviewing the many responses received during this consultation. Following this extensive review activity, the Board will communicate the next steps in the process towards introducing statutory regulation for psychotherapists.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (253)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:253. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if a locum GP will be put in place at a health centre (details supplied) to cover a departure; what plans are in place for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22175/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (254)
John McGuinness
Ceist:254. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if section 39 funding will be put in place immediately for a project (details supplied) as the project is under considerable financial pressure.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22180/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (255)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:255. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to close the Galway training centre in Merlin Park hospital or to reduce its hours or functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22186/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Tobacco Control Measures
Ceisteanna (256)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:256. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if the detailed results of the public consultation on Further Regulation of Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products, which his Department conducted from 25 November 2023 to 5 December 2024, will be published in full before proposals for new legislation on raising the legal age for smoking are brought to the Government. [22192/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I received Cabinet approval on Tuesday 14th May to draft a Bill to raise the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21. The Regulatory Impact Analysis for this proposal incorporates the results of the question on possible changes to the current age of sale that was contained in my recent public consultation on proposed approaches to the regulation of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products. The consultation received 15,822 responses and analysis of those responses is ongoing.
Tobacco smoking causes catastrophic health harms and continues to kill an estimated 4,500 of our population every year. It is my intention to draft and enact the measure on raising the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products as soon as possible in order to reduce the disease, disability and death caused by this lethal addiction.
Tobacco Control Measures
Ceisteanna (257, 258, 259, 260)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:257. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if a detailed regulatory impact assessment will be prepared and published at the same time as the general scheme of proposed new legislation on raising the legal age for smoking. [22193/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Paul Phelan
Ceist:258. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he has consulted with retailers on the workability of raising the legal age for smoking, particularly given that differing age limits could apply to the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products; and if this matter will be assessed thoroughly in the regulatory impact assessment on the legislation proposing a change in the age for smoking. [22194/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Paul Phelan
Ceist:259. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if the current legislative provision for test-purchasing of tobacco by persons under the current age limit would be extended to allow 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to be used for test-purchasing if the legal age for smoking is raised to 21. [22195/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Paul Phelan
Ceist:260. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he has consulted with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission on the civil liberty and equality implications of his proposal to remove the right to smoke, which currently extends to all adults from over 190,000 Irish adults on the basis of age. [22196/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 260, inclusive, together.
The proposal approved by Government on 14 May relates to the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products rather than to a legal age for smoking or a legal age related to the right to smoke.
A Regulatory Impact Analysis was submitted to Government as part of the proposal.
As tobacco smoking continues to kill an estimated 4,500 of our population each year, my Government colleagues approved my proposal to take strong action to reduce our smoking prevalence and to do so as quickly as possible.
The proposal does not include measures in relation to test purchasing. Consideration will be given to such measures in future law and in consultation with the enforcement authority, the National Environmental Health Service of the HSE.
Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 257.
Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 257.
Question No. 260 answered with Question No. 257.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (261)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:261. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to address alcohol consumption by children, noting that the Irish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) Study 2022 found 31% of children have consumed alcohol, compared with 9% of children who have smoked cigarettes. [22197/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was developed to address the health harms arising from alcohol consumption and to date 28 of the 31 provisions have been commenced. One of the core objectives of the Act is to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people.
The Act introduces a suite of measures specifically designed to protect children from the harms of alcohol, including exposure to alcohol and alcohol advertising. These measures include restrictions on alcohol advertising in certain locations frequented by children including schools, creches and playgrounds, on public transport and in cinemas, other than for over 18's. Alcohol products and advertisements for same are now separated from other grocery products in retail outlets.
More recently, the Broadcast Watershed provision was introduced which restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol advertisements and will come into operation in January 2025. From May 2026, alcohol products must have labels containing health warnings setting out the risks associated with alcohol consumption including the cancer risk.
Financial mechanisms have been introduced regulating alcohol promotions where it is sold at low prices that promote alcohol consumption. Minimum unit pricing was introduced which sets a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold, thereby preventing alcohol being sold at pocket money prices so that it is out of the reach of children.
A further provision yet to be commenced will limit the content of alcohol advertisements, preventing them from conveying positive or healthy messages linked with alcohol consumption. In addition, alcohol advertisements will be required to include health warnings and health information.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (262)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will update the medical card to cover weekly lymph drainage massage for persons with lymphoedema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22202/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others).
People with full eligibility (medical card holders) can currently access a range of services including General Practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, public in-patient hospital services, public out-patient hospital services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card. Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (263)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:263. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a request for improved services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.