Written Answers Nos. 680-696
680. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health to provide the most recent data on the national vaccination coverage rate for adults eligible to receive the pneumococcal vaccine through the national immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29170/24]
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.
681. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the progress of the lung cancer early detection pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29173/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra717. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress of the lung cancer early detection pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29265/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 681 and 717 together.
As Minister for Health, I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
Any decisions about further changes or expansion of cancer screening, including the introduction of a lung cancer screening programme, will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
I would stress that careful consideration be given to any proposed expansion of Ireland’s screening programmes and that this process must be afforded the necessary amount of time to complete. In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC is already progressing work on the further expansion of our current cancer screening programmes and has submitted requests to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to examine the evidence for such.
Health Technology Assessments (HTA) facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multidisciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time intensive and rigorous processes.
HIQA is currently focused on two HTA processes underway to examine the expansion the BowelScreen programme and the potential development of a new population-based screening programme for Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA). An evidence review for the expansion of the BreastCheck programme is expected to commence once the ongoing HTAs have concluded.
Under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, an updated European Council Recommendation on cancer screening was published in December 2022. The Recommendation calls for the further expansion of cervical, breast and colorectal (bowel) cancer screening as well as feasibility studies on future screening programmes for gastric, prostate and lung cancer.
Ireland is involved in a four-year EU4Health-funded Joint Action project, titled EUCanScreen, which commenced on 1 June 2024. The project is aimed at coordinating research activities associated with the updated European Council Recommendation across Europe. This includes research relating to the sustainability of cancer screening programmes, data monitoring and the barriers/facilitators to screening.
Additionally, my Department has developed links with Irish-based researchers involved in three pilot projects aimed at exploring the feasibility of screening programmes for gastric (TOGAS), prostate (PRAISE-U) and lung (SOLACE) cancer. The evidence gained through these research initiatives will help to inform future cancer screening policy in Ireland.
Finally, it is important to note that population health screening measures are not individual diagnostic tests. Screening is for people who do not have symptoms. Anyone who is worried about symptoms at any time is advised not to wait for screening but to contact their GP immediately, for appropriate follow-up care.
682. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to a pre-Budget 2025 submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29176/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pre-Budget submission by the organisation referred to by the Deputy has been received and the content will be given due consideration by the Department of Health in its preparations for the estimates and budgetary process.
683. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the total number of people attending in-reach psychiatry services in the Irish Prison Service on 1 July 2024; the number attending the National Forensic Mental Health Services facilities at each of Cloverhill and Mountjoy prisons; the number of people attending the Central Mental Hospital; the number of people on a waiting list for each of those services; the average waiting time for those currently waiting and the average time waited by those who gain access to each of those services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29184/24]
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.
684. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of people attending the National Forensic Mental Health Services in each of its service areas; the number of people on a waiting list for each of its services on 1 July 2024; the average waiting time for those currently waiting and the average time waited by those who gain access to each of its services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29185/24]
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.
685. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); when an appointment will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29187/24]
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.
686. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years of age waiting for primary care appointments, broken down by discipline in each CHO; the length of time children are waiting for a particular appointment, be it an initial appointment or further assessment or therapy, as of 30 June 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29188/24]
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.
687. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of people holding a valid primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29189/24]
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.
688. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) to invest €5.5 million, including €1 million for dementia-specific day care at home services, to bring the service to 250 more families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29197/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra689. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €1 million for dementia-specific day care at home services, to bring the service to 250 more families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29198/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra690. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €600,000 to expand day centres outside of major cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29199/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra691. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €300,000 year-on-year for weekend and activity clubs for people with young-onset dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29200/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra692. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €1.8 million in 22 clinical nurse specialist in dementia roles in acute settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29201/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra693. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €608,000 in eight new dementia adviser roles and three new regional leads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29202/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra694. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €1 million in dementia research network Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra695. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €59,000 to support people affected by dementia to participate in quality dementia research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29204/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra696. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) for €62,000 to develop a framework for a dementia-specific counselling service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29205/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I became Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People in 2020, I have worked to progressively increase funding for dementia services and supports so that everyone with dementia, and their families, has the support that they need to live as well and as independently as possible.
Last May, the HSE published its comprehensive Model of Care for Dementia, which addresses the needs of all people living with dementia and sets out care pathways to advance timely diagnosis and post-diagnostic support and care for them and their carers.
To implement the Model of Care, the Government has funded the establishment of 25 Regional Specialist Memory Clinics nationwide, as well as new Memory Assessment and Support Services and post-diagnostic supports, for people living with dementia. There are now 29 Dementia Advisers providing a service in every county. They play a crucial role engaging with people with dementia, their families, and their carers, to provide free and confidential support including help with connecting with essential services, often at a time of crisis.
For 2024 an additional recurring €500,000 has been allocated for dementia day care at home, as well as €300,000 in once-off funding for weekend activity clubs for people with young onset dementia. The additional day care at home has commenced, and the weekend activity clubs are scheduled to start in September.
I will continue to prioritise the needs of people living with dementia, and their families, and build on the existing provisions that focus on person-centred care. I assure you that my Department, as part of the 2025 Estimates process, will consider the requests set out by the Deputy in relation to further expanding dementia services in order to support people affected by dementia.
