Written Answers Nos. 621-640
621. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the overall numbers of people aged 59 to 69 who are eligible for participation in the BowelScreen programme and who, as of the end of April 2024, have not been issued with a FIT test in the last two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22836/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
622. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the current state of the school dental service; if he is aware that in certain circumstances the service is only providing access for emergency cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
623. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the appropriate pathway for a GP to make a referral for surgery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22840/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
624. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of annual development funding specifically allocated to the National Cancer Strategy in each Government budget in each of the years since 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has made significant investments of over €50 million into cancer treatment and screening services under the National Cancer Strategy since 2020. There has been over €300m in cumulative additional funding for cancer treatment services allocated to the Strategy since 2017. This funding has enabled the recruitment of more than 670 staff to our national cancer services since 2017, including an additional 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. This means that our national cancer services have been strengthened, that more patients are receiving treatment, and that waiting times to access treatment are reduced.
There has been significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past seven years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) data shows substantial progress being made to control the four major cancers (prostate, breast, lung and colorectal), with mortality rates falling or stabilising for each. These comprise over half of all invasive tumours (not including rarely fatal nonmelanoma skin cancers).
The implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 is a Government priority and continued improvements in cancer services will be driven by both my Department and the NCCP. Priorities for 2024 will include the further centralisation of cancer services, which has a direct impact on positive outcomes for patients, and the implementation of models of care for areas such as medical oncology and psycho-oncology, which ensure continuity of care and support for cancer patients and their families.
New development funding allocated to the National Cancer Strategy for cancer treatment and screening services in each of the years since 2017 is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
New Development Funding Allocated |
€10.26m |
€4.96m |
€5.84m |
€4.75m |
€28m |
€20m |
€1.9m |
€75.71m |
625. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the reason for the lack of services in the south east, particularly for adults trying to access a diagnosis of adult ADHD and required services. [22856/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraADHD 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. It can cause many issues in areas such as personal and social relations, education and occupation, managing money and organising life in general. There is also an increased risk of having other mental health difficulties with it such as anxiety and depression.
Children can access ADHD assessments through the National Educational Psychological Service. In addition to this, as per the HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Servcie (CAMHS) Operational Guidelines, CAMHS take referrals for children and adolescents up to age 18 with moderate to severe ADHD.
Prior to the inception of the National Clinical Programme (NCP) for Adults with ADHD, which I launched in 2021, there were no specific ADHD public services available for Adults in Ireland.
The NCP for ADHD is delivered as part of the HSE mental health service to ensure an integrated, person-centred response to adults with ADHD. The programme includes both assessment and treatment of the disorder and works collaboratively with voluntary agencies. It envisages a national service of ADHD teams, with each Team comprised of Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health, and an administrator.
Enhancement of specialist mental health services such as ADHD is a key priority for me and for the HSE. The National Clinical Programme for ADHD is being implemented across the country by multidisciplinary teams on a phased basis. Since 2021, over €3 million has been made available for funding ADHD posts. This has enabled the set-up of 5 fully operational ADHD Teams with recruitment of over 25 posts, and two more teams are currently in development with posts funded for them. I am aware that it is important to have a geographical focus on the rollout of this Programme, and it is planned to announce the roll out of further Teams in due course. With this objective in mind, it is my stated intention to continue to deliver expanded services for people with ADHD, through reaching the planned 12 specialist teams as soon as possible.
In addition, as part of the National Clinical Programme,funding was allocated to facilitate a collaboration with ADHD Ireland and the UCD School of Psychology to develop an ADHD app and the UMAAP Programme (Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme). Both the ADHD App and the UMAAP Programme are two very positive resources for people with ADHD. The UMAAP Programme is delivered as a 6-week workshop, and its aim is to provide education and tools for adults on how to manage ADHD. This Programme can be completed online, while the ADHD App is a useful source of information on ADHD.
I am pleased to confirm that ADHD Ireland will be provided with funding for the UMAAP Programme in 2024 and beyond. I recently launched the UMAAP Programme in April with ADHD Ireland.
It should also be noted that, as part of the additional €10 million funding that I secured for mental health services in 2024, a number of new posts will be available to support the clinical programmes. This includes posts to support ADHD, and details are currently being finalised.
I want to reassure the Deputy that I remain firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for ADHD, including improved access and shorter waiting lists. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the provision of services in the South East.
626. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the approval of an increase in optometrists' fees given the lack of increase in fees over 20 years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) is a national fee-per-item scheme which was introduced in 1979. Under the COSS, medical card holders aged over 16 years can be seen by ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic physicians, optometrists or dispensing opticians.
Eligible patients can receive an eye examination and be provided with prescribed optical appliances in accordance with a national schedule of approved optical appliances.
The Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) Regulations 2013 (SI 274 of 2013) sets the fees for optometrists and dispensing opticians under the Community Optometric Services, Community Spectacle Dispensing Services and Health Amendment Act Card Schemes.
Increasing the fee payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the COSS (to ensure parity with that payable for the same exam under the Department of Social Protection’s Treatment Benefit Scheme) is a priority for my Department, and work with stakeholders is ongoing in this regard.
The Department has also been meeting with Optometry Ireland to discuss the contribution that optometrists provide to our healthcare service and how this contribution could be further expanded.
There will be engagement between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform during the Estimates 2025 process in regard to the funding needed to progress healthcare priorities.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community optometrists, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded ophthalmic service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs and improve access to public health services while ensuring value for money.
627. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health when a national programme for public eyecare for children over eight years of age will be approved to ensure equity of access to eyecare for all children of the State, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22860/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll children, including those not covered by a medical card, receive a vision screen while in national school from a Public Health Nurse. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides optical services free of charge to pre-school children and national school children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have sight problems. These children are referred to the appropriate consultant for treatment. In such circumstances, these services will continue to be provided until the child has reached the age of 16.
The HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group Report, published in June 2017, highlighted the limitations of the current model of service delivery and set out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be delivered in a primary care setting. The Report estimated that 60% of existing outpatient activity could be moved to primary care thus enabling hospital services to focus on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments.
The National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology developed a model of care, also published in 2017, detailing how the realignment of eye services from the acute hospitals to the community will be undertaken.
Included in current priorities is transferring the care of children aged 8+ years to the care of local private optometrists. A project team with a wide-ranging membership was established in late 2019 / early 2020 to progress this initiative. The work of the team was paused due to the requirement to focus resources on the COVID 19 pandemic. However, the project team has been reconvened and is progressing matters in relation to this initiative. Recently, I asked the HSE to prepare a detailed implementation plan in regard to this matter.
628. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the progress made on delivering a primary care centre (details supplied); and the date for the report's findings to be announced. [22861/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
629. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of Guillain-Barré syndrome cases in Ireland from 2018 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22872/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
630. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if Ireland is planning to introduce a vaccine injury fund similar to other countries in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22873/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working to develop a model for a vaccine damage scheme and officials in the department are working through related policy matters. The development of such a model needs detailed consideration to ensure that it is appropriately designed. Once the model is developed I will bring it to Cabinet for approval.
631. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the delays relating to the importation of mefenamic acid; the impact this delay has on women who suffer severe period pain without its availability; if steps will be taken to remove the delay and-or ensure the drug is manufactured in Ireland and-or imported from an EU country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22874/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraChemidex Pharma Limited, the company responsible for supplying Ponstan, has notified shortages of Ponstan 250mg Capsules and Ponstan Forte 500mg Film Coated Tablets due to a manufacturing delay. The company anticipates resupply at the end of May 2024.
Rowa Pharmaceuticals Limited, the company responsible for Mefac 500mg Film Coated Tablets, has notified a shortage of this medicine due to a manufacturing delay. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is awaiting an update from Rowa Pharmaceuticals Limited regarding the anticipated resupply date in Ireland.
I recognise that medicine shortages can be challenging for patients, carers, healthcare professionals and their teams. Medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide which have been exacerbated by recent worldwide events. There are a multitude of reasons why a medicine may not be available including: shortages of raw materials; manufacturing difficulties; sudden unexpected increase in demand; or product recalls due to potential quality issues.
The HPRA maintains a list of current and resolved shortages on its website, where the details, including the information above, are detailed. The webpage is updated daily as the HPRA receives new information.
Patients who have any concerns about availability of their medication are encouraged to speak to their GP or pharmacist, as in many cases, alternative medications may be available.
632. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ENT surgeons and WTE ENT registrars at the Mater hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22896/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
633. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric ophthalmology procedures, by type, ]carried out in either CHI Temple Street or CHI Crumlin in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22897/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
634. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the disparity in pay and conditions between section 38 and section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22907/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing many months of extensive negotiations in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), an agreement was reached in October 2023 which saw an increase in funding for pay of staff in Section 39 organisations. An overall increase of 8% was agreed phased with an initial increase of 3% backdated to April 2023, a 2% increase from 1st November 2023 and a further increase to be implemented on 1st March 2024.
It is important to acknowledge the vital role that these organisations and their staff play in our health and social care sectors. They continue to have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children, older people and in other social care settings. Government has a clear interest in ensuring the stability and sustainability of these services.
The objective of the HSE is to ensure all employees can access their entitlements under the WRC agreement. They have already made significant payments to qualifying organisations and continue to work with each of the organisations to ensure payments are made without delay. The Department is continuing to engage with the Unions on this process.
It is important to remember that these are private employers and, as such, the government has no authority or ability to change the terms and conditions for these workers.
635. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health for an update on the appointment of dermatology consultants at Letterkenny University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital; the stage the recruitment process is at; the timeframe for when consultants are to be in place if they are not already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22914/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
636. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason the Pathfinder programme based at Tallaght hospital has been wound down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
637. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior house officers in orthopaedics based at Monaghan General Hospital in the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22940/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
638. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of providing three additional critical care ambulances on a 24-7 basis in each HSE region. [22941/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of children who presented at the accident and emergency department of Cavan General Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22942/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
640. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health to identify the specialist vascular surgery treatments that are not provided within the State and for which patients are sent to the UK or elsewhere abroad; and the actions being taken to provide these surgeries within the State. [22943/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
