Written Answers Nos. 475-496
475. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of cases which recorded a primary diagnosis of a condition (details supplied) in each of the past 20 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/24]
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.
476. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of children born in each of the past 20 years where a condition (details supplied) was noted on the birth record, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28252/24]
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.
477. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he will review the waiting times for children with disabilities in the Sligo-Leitrim area who require an MRI with sedation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28256/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments.
As part of the multi-annual approach to reducing waiting lists, and just as importantly the length of time that patients are waiting, I published the 2024 Waiting List Action Plan on 27th March. Total funding of €360 million has been provided for the plan this year which sets out 19 Actions across three themes: Delivering Capacity, Reforming Scheduled Care and Enabling Scheduled Care Reform.
The Waiting List Action Plan multi-annual approach, initiated in 2021, encompasses a two-pronged approach of short-term actions to increase capacity and activity in the immediate term, and longer-term reform measures to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times.
The 2024 Plan builds on the work of previous plans which have achieved significant progress in overall waiting list reduction and in addressing long waiting times, against a backdrop of significantly increased demand for scheduled care services. This year’s plan aims to achieve a reduction in the overall number of patients on waiting lists while three of the four overarching targets in the Plan are specifically focused on improving waiting times.
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.
478. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28258/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
479. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals to CAMHS Wexford south in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number of referrals to CAMHS Wexford north in the corresponding timeframe; the number of referrals accepted to Wexford CAMHS south in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number of referrals to Wexford CAMHS south not accepted in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; to provide similar data for Wexford CAMHS north in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number of referrals accepted; the number of referrals not accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28261/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
480. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a medical card holder will be refunded charges paid for an MRI at a location in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28265/24]
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.
481. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if the post of dentist for patients with special needs which has been vacant since January 2024 at a health centre (details supplied) has been advertised; the interest in the position; when the new dentist will take up their post;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
482. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for an update on the expected timeline for the approval of 60 new beds for a nursing home (details supplied) by HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28271/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeopardstown Care Centre, Leopardstown, Co. Dublin is registered as a Designated Centre for Older People with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for a period of three years from 7 December 2023. The most recent HIQA inspection took place on the 28 February 2024 and was published on the 27 June 2024. The most recent inspection report can be found here: www.hiqa.ie/areas-we-work/find-a-centre/leopardstown-care-centre.
The Chief Inspector of Social Care and the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is the national independent regulator of designed centres for older people including public community nursing units and private nursing homes. I fully support HIQA in upholding these vitally important regulatory standards, as they provide a key role in the health system and are central to the success of the nursing home sector in undertaking its functions to ensure a safe, quality service is being provided to residents.
As HIQA is an independent statutory body, I am unfortunately not in a position to make any statements on the timeline for the registration of beds in individual nursing homes.
483. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there is no service for assessment of adult ADHD on the northside of Dublin; if there are plans to fill this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
I have directed the HSE to respond to you directly regarding the service issues raised in your PQ.
Finally, I want to reassure you that I remain firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for ADHD, including improved access and shorter waiting lists.
484. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the services that are currently provided at the HSE health centre in Shannon, County Clare; if there are plans to increase services provided by this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28273/24]
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.
485. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if negotiations have been held with the Irish Dental Association regarding the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28281/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra486. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if an agreement has been reached with the Irish Dental Association regarding attracting more dentists to the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28282/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 485 and 486 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. On foot of a meeting between myself and the Irish Dental Association (IDA) in November 2020, officials in my Department engaged with the IDA to discuss and agree a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022, to expand the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for adult medical card holders and increase the fees paid to contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. These measures have improved access to care, with 154,864 additional treatments provided and over 26,700 extra patients treated in 2023 when compared with 2022.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte . The service reform priorities for 2024, as captured in the HSE's National Service Plan, include:
• Development of a comprehensive phased policy implementation plan for the range of actions identified in the policy, including stakeholder engagement and resource identification;
• Progression of oral healthcare packages for children aged from birth to seven years of age; and
• The design of clinical elements for reformed preventative care for adult medical cardholders as referenced in the policy.
The HSE is committed to the design and development of packages of expanded preventative care, and will consult with the profession this year on this draft design, as the first phase of reform of the DTSS.
As part of ongoing engagement with the Irish Dental Association (IDA), officials from my Department met with IDA representatives most recently on Friday 12th April 2024 to facilitate the IDA to present its recent position paper and to discuss the implementation of the NOHP.
An implementation plan for the 2024-2026 phase of rollout of the NOHP is being drafted by my Department and the HSE, for consultation and subsequent publication in the third quarter of this year.
487. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the fund for those suffering from the long-term effects of Covid; if this fund is currently in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28313/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra488. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 831 of 11 June 2024, if a response will issue to the question (details supplied). [28317/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in response to Parliamentary Question No. 832 of 11 June 2024 25281/24 (cloud.gov.ie), the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is statutorily responsible for the design, build and equipping of the new children's hospital (NCH). The form of contract used for NCH capital project is based on standard OGP public works contract for employer-designed projects of this scale.
In April 2017, Government approved the construction investment decision to enable the NPHDB to award the main construction contract with the successful tenderer.
The contract, signed between NPHDB and BAM in August 2017, allowed the below ground works (Phase A) to commence immediately.
In 2017, revised governance structures for the Children’s Hospital Project and Programme (CHP&P) were put in place, including the establishment of a CHP&P Board chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health, and a CHP&P Steering Group, to be chaired by the Chief Operating Officer of the HSE, to direct the overall programme of work within the agreed parameters. The Secretary General of the Department of Health and Chair of the Board at this time was Mr Jim Breslin.
489. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress of an extension to a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28321/24]
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.
490. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent by his Department in each of the past ten years on reducing maternal mortality. [28336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when a paediatric neurologist will be employed at University Hospital Limerick given it has been without same for approximately two and a half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28337/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra“As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.”
492. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an urgent appointment for a surgical procedure at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28348/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
493. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to the adding of polycystic ovary syndrome to the HSE’s PCRS in relation to a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28349/24]
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.
494. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health to provide an explanation as to why a facility (details supplied) is not fully operational; the reason it is instead opening up in stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28350/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
495. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1356 of 9 April 2024, if the waiting-list figures cited in the response for child and adolescent mental health services in CHO4 refer to wait-times for an initial psychology appointment only; if clients are then placed after this assessment on another psychology waiting-list not cited in the response, if deemed suitable for the service; and if so, the breakdown of these internal lists per LHO within CHO4, in tabular form. [28366/24]
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.
496. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the implementation of the WRC agreement of October 2023 for the projects in the canal communities' alcohol and drugs task force (details supplied). [28369/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, older people, and vulnerable members of our society.
Section 39 organisations are continuing to make submissions to the HSE for funding to cover relavant pay rises for staff. The HSE has already made significant payments to qualifying organisations and continue to work with each of the organisations to ensure payments are made without delay.
In relation to the specific question raised by the Deputy, I can advise that every effort is being made to ensure any eligible organisation receives the necessary funding to process pay rises for their staff.
As this process continues it has come to light that there are other community groups, who are funded through different pathways and although operating similarly, are not technically Section 39 organisations, such as local drug and alcohol taskforce groups, who have not been encompassed within the existing process. The Department is aware of the issue and is working to resolve this matter in a timely manner.
