Tuesday, 2 Jul 2024

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (385)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

385. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated time for when a child (details supplied) will be in receipt of the speech therapy they urgently need following a recent diagnosis of level 2 autism; if early interventions are necessary to enable an autistic child to reach their fullest potential; if he will take steps to ensure this child receives the early interventions to help them do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28296/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

International Protection

Ceisteanna (386)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

386. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason persons (details supplied) were moved, with no notice, to Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, despite attending work and school in Carlow town; if they can be accommodated again locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28328/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not comment on the particulars of individual transfers.

Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking international protection, and is currently accommodating over 31,000 people in the IPAS system. In the first 25 weeks of 2024, over 9,700 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 389 people per week. This is more than five times the average from 2017-2019.

Transfers between different IPAS accommodation centres take place for a wide variety of reasons. In addition, individuals and families request transfers for a variety of reasons and IPAS facilitates those requests as appropriate and where possible. These transfers are more difficult in the current context of extremely limited available accommodation.

In the context of the current crisis, some of the emergency accommodation that comes on-stream is very short-term in nature and necessitates transferring people to alternative accommodation when its use for IPAS expires. In the same manner, when accommodation comes on-stream, IPAS will arrange transfers for international protection applicants to that accommodation.

The accommodation situation is currently very fluid and necessitates international protection applicants be moved, on occasion, to a number of different locations. IPAS works to minimise this as they understand the disruption this causes to international protection applicants. However, unfortunately, it has been necessary on some occasions.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (387)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

387. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection residing at a location (details supplied) have been served notices that they are to be moved to alternative accommodation by the end of June; what consideration has been given to sourcing alternative accommodation in the local area where many residents have spent two years integrating into local schools, sports clubs, employment and the local community; the reason for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28352/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its accommodation portfolio for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and is making decisions to end commercial contracts, in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with providers, on the basis of financial, administrative or other accommodation management reasons, including compliance concerns. Compliance concerns are when a provider is not meeting the required, contracted standards of service.

My Department is also reducing the number of contracts to return accommodation to the private sector where possible and to ensure value for money and greater oversight. This will result in people being moved to other locations.

All accommodation contracted by my Department is temporary in nature, and moves are often necessary, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation. As this is a temporary support, there is an onus on my Department to ensure that its portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.

In relation to the property to which the Deputy refers, my Department served notice of termination to the provider on 11 June. The residents were notified of this termination on 26 June.

The BOTPs who are currently resident at this accommodation will be offered placement at an alternative site in the near future if they still require accommodation. Given the number of moves that will take place over the next few months, it is unlikely that this accommodation will be in the same area. People affected who wish to stay in the area are welcome to make their own arrangements, including through pledged accommodation. Due to the scale of moves planned in the coming months, the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE assessed medical needs.

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at?registerofpledges@redcross.ie?or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.??

BOTPS may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, if eligible. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. Their local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on gov.ie (Intreo centres and local branch offices) .

International Protection

Ceisteanna (388)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

388. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any further plans to accommodate persons at a facility (details supplied); if so, to specify who will be accommodated; the number of persons due to be accommodated; the anticipated duration of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28353/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (389)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

389. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be provided to expedite a review regarding registration with CORU (details supplied). [28046/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Officials in my Department have been in touch with CORU and have asked that a response to the question raised be communicated directly to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (390)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

390. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if fee increases are being considered to (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The 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, including the provision of eyecare.

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.

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (391)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

391. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the number of individuals dismissed from the HSE owing to court sentences received by them, over the past ten years. [27820/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Gender Recognition

Ceisteanna (402)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

402. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health how the National Gender Service advises GPs when other providers request sex steroid blood tests. [27861/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Awaiting reply from Department.

Gender Recognition

Ceisteanna (403)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

403. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if the HSE transgender lead will be attending WPATH in Lisbon in September 2024 to meet with the world’s leading experts in the field and review the latest evidence. [27862/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (404)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

404. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is provided for a dedicated consultant neurologist and support staff at Letterkenny University Hospital, in line with the national model of care for neurology. [27866/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

At present, Letterkenny University Hospital has an outreach service for Neurology from Sligo University Hospital. The service is operated by 3 Consultant Neurologists and is supported by a wider team of clinical and social care staff. Specific diagnostic work ups and treatment are delivered from Sligo University Hospital as day cases or inpatients.

Officials in my Department have been in contact with Saolta University Health Care Group (Saolta) regards the progress of the Neurology Clinical Services Review 2024 .

Saolta has confirmed that the Review has been completed and is now in the process of being signed off. It is a strategic priority for the hospital group to develop and progress the Neurology Clinical Services Review 2024 once finalised.

Saolta have also stated that they are finalising the estimates for their Service Plan 2025 in the coming weeks.

As staffing at an individual hospital is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (405)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

405. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason the new amyloidosis model of care, submitted in August 2020 and approved in October 2022, has not been implemented or acted on to date; the reason a request for funding for phase 1, as well as funding for phase 2 of the model of care, has not been allocated by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27867/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (406)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

406. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27875/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

Under 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. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health 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.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (407)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

407. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when the ADHD in adults national clinical programme, covering Kerry and west Cork, will resume, having been paused in December 2023. [27886/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As you are aware, 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. 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 CAMHS Operational Guidelines, CAMHS take referrals for children and adolescents up to age 18 with moderate to severe ADHD.

I am aware that 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. I have been advised by the HSE the following is the position regarding ADHD services in Ireland.

The NCP for ADHD is delivered as part of the HSE’s mental health service provision 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 myself as Minister, the Government as a whole and 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 from Programme for Government funding. 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 it is important to have a geographical focus on the rollout of this Programme, and it is planned to announce the roll out of more 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 further to recent discussions between the Department of Health and the HSE to finalise 2024 mental health funding, ADHD Ireland will be provided with funding for provision of the UMAAP Programme in 2024 and beyond. I recently had the pleasure of launching the UMAAP Programme in April with ADHD Ireland.

It should also be noted as part of the additional €10 million funding secured by the Minister 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.

Finally, I want to reassure you that I remain firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for ADHD, including improved access and shorter waiting lists.