Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:743. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total amount paid out in compensation by the HSE in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [36599/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Service Executive
Ceisteanna (743)
Freagraí scríofa
The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury and third-party property damage claims on behalf of State authorities.
The following table shows amounts paid in damages (including VAT where applicable) under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) and the General Indemnity Scheme (GIS) on associated claims, and a small number of incidents and inquests, from 01/01/2014 to August 2024 (YTD) to be reimbursed by the HSE. It does not include property damage recovery claims and it excludes claims recorded against other designated schemes. The information contained within this document was extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Please note, the information set out in this response relates to HSE claims handled by the SCA only.
|
Transaction Reporting Date |
Damages Paid (€) |
|
2014 |
€70,449,346 |
|
2015 |
€156,186,160 |
|
2016 |
€152,516,293 |
|
2017 |
€199,328,701 |
|
2018 |
€229,831,286 |
|
2019 |
€279,520,310 |
|
2020 |
€274,862,777 |
|
2021 |
€345,436,240 |
|
2022 |
€351,815,953 |
|
2023 |
€337,954,571 |
|
2024 (To August month end) |
€168,719,527 |
|
Grand Total |
€2,566,621,164 |
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (744)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:744. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the current percentage of persons working in the HSE who are agency workers. [36600/24]
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 (745)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:745. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the average number of ‘Did Not Attends’ which occur in the State each day. [36614/24]
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.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (746)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:746. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the average number of private patients who are treated in, or attend, public hospitals each year. [36615/24]
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.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (747)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:747. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the length of time for which Mayo University Hospital has been without a dedicated bereavement officer; the date upon which he anticipates one will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/24]
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.
Laboratory Facilities
Ceisteanna (748)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:748. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of genomic labs in the State and their locations; if his attention has been drawn to the proposed closure of the genomic lab in Crumlin; the reasons for the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36617/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As stated previously, the Government and I are fully committed to developing a robust patient and family centred genetics and genomics service in Ireland and increasing genomic laboratory capabilities for the betterment of patient diagnostics and care.
In relation to the number of genomic laboratories in Ireland, the majority of Model 4 hospital-based laboratories perform a range of genetic and genomic tests. These laboratories are accredited to the appropriate European standards by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).
There are a small number of publicly funded laboratories that have ‘Genetics’ included in their scope of accreditation, including those located at Beaumont Hospital, CHI at Crumlin and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Genetic tests are also included under the scope classification for Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Histopathology and Cytopathology with relevant accreditation in place for laboratories covering these areas located at Cork University, St Vincent's University Hospital and St James’s Hospital.
Currently none of these public laboratories has the genomic testing capability for more advanced techniques such as Whole Exome Sequencing, which sequences the protein coding regions of genes, or Whole Genome Sequencing, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the full genome.
In relation to the proposed closure of the genomic lab at CHI Crumlin, the National Genetic and Genomic Medicine Network Strategy Group provided a report to the HSE outlining the future of genetic and genomic services in Ireland. It recommended that a national approach to clinical and laboratory genetics and genomics should be developed. It also highlighted that the existing laboratory in CHI Crumlin was not designed to deliver a national function in this regard.
The National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland was published in 2022 and the HSE’s National Genetics and Genomics Office (NGGO) was set up in 2023 to drive implementation of the strategy. The strategy outlines a way forward for genetics and genomics in Ireland including coordinating an approach to delivering a national service and strengthening infrastructure to drive advances in genetics and genomics.
The HSE’s NGGO is continuing to progress implementation of the strategy and is currently in the process of identifying a sustainable model for delivering genetic and genomic testing care in Ireland, which includes assessing the capacity needed, and demand for, a sustainable genomics laboratory service that meets patients’ needs.
In the meantime, CHI and other acute hospitals will continue to provide genetic testing services.
[Minister's Office to add text here to confirm/reject whether a statement will be made by the Minister]
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (749)
Mark Ward
Ceist:749. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of staff vacancies in mental health services, by CHO area, at the end of 2023, in tabular form; if these vacant posts are still funded since the lifting of the HSE recruitment embargo; the number of vacant posts in mental health services at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36618/24]
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 Staff
Ceisteanna (750)
Mark Ward
Ceist:750. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on an article (details supplied); if the HSE vacancies in 2023 were fully funded; where that funding was allocated; if these posts are still funded since the lifting of the HSE recruitment embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36619/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (751)
Seán Canney
Ceist:751. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for assessment and the waiting time for treatment at the pain clinic in University Hospital Galway; the number of people waiting for treatment; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36620/24]
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.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (752)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:752. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a dedicated funding allocation for the development of the inpatient mental health support mother-and-baby unit has been agreed; if not, when he expects to announce this allocation; the timeline he is working towards in establishing this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36633/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Model of Care for Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (SPMHS) was launched in 2017 adopting hub and spoke model, and services are now available on all 19 maternity hospitals nationwide. There are 6 consultant-led multidisciplinary hub sites and 13 spoke sites, staffed by Perinatal Mental Health Midwives, and overall funding for this programme to date is €3.5m.
A key element of the Model of Care is the Mother and Baby Unit, and progressing the Unit is a priority for myself, my Department and the HSE. The HSE is currently preparing a feasibility study on the building of the Unit at the Elm Park site at St. Vincents University Hospital, and I expect this to be finalised in the near future. This would include all relevant estimated costs and timescales for the unit, which will be considered under the HSE Capital plan.
I can also advise that a Steering Group has been established to refresh the Model of Care, and my Department is currently considering issues raised separately in the National Women’s Council (NWC) report on Perinatal Mental Services. My Department will work closely with the HSE to strengthen the Model of Care where required, to address the gaps highlighted by the report.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (753)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:753. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will publish an implementation plan for the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36634/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April of this year I launched the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025 Phase 2: An Evolution in Women’s Health. This plan represents the next phase in women's health. It continues to build on the invaluable work undertaken through the previous Women's Health Action Plan 2022-2023, as well as having a focus on new and innovative developments.
Significant investment has been made in the area of Women’s Health in recent years to support the implementation of these two Action Plans, with dedicated additional funding of €140 million being allocated since 2020.
Both Action Plans, rather than encompass the vast range of women's health areas, seek to "spotlight" a number of key women's health initiatives that the Women's Health Taskforce, women themselves and clinicians have prioritised. This is in parallel with the continuing steady progress on our core programmes, reforms and strategies. This approach has proven very successful in accelerating the delivery of a number of specific health services and initiatives over the past few years e.g. specialist menopause clinics, post-natal hubs, free contraception scheme, endometriosis services, ambulatory gynaecology clinics, perinatal mental health services etc.
The new Plan, which I launched in April, contains threes pillars; Building on Progress, New Spotlights and Listening & Learning. There are 37 specific and measurable actions outlined in the Plan. My Department, in conjunction with the Women's Health Taskforce, will continue to track and monitor the implementation of these specific actions to ensure that the progress we have made in improving the health outcomes of women in Ireland continues in 2024 and 2025.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (754)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:754. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the Cabinet Committee on Health has concluded its consideration of the recommended legislative changes contained in the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Services) Act 2018; the status of the options paper developed by his Department in response to the report of the Oireachtas Health Committee into the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36635/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 made a number of recommendations around increasing access to services, most of which are operational in nature.
The HSE, as requested by Government established a service improvement group to progress the operational recommendations. Meetings of this group are ongoing.
Significant progress has already been made in this regard, for instance six additional hospitals started providing termination services in 2023, an increase of 55%.
Termination services in early pregnancy (up to 12 weeks) are currently provided in 17 of the 19 maternity hospitals, with the remaining two expected to come onboard in 2024.
Furthermore, the revised model of care introduced in response to the Covid pandemic has now been approved as the enduring model of care. Under this blended approach, it is possible for one of the two consultations required for termination in early pregnancy to take place remotely.
This alleviates the time and expense involved in travelling to the GP's surgery twice.
The cumulative effect of these measures, now in place, will substantially reduce barriers and increase access to services for those who need it.
Safe Access Legislation passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed by the President on 7th May 2024. The legislation will commence on the 17th October.
The Review proposals recommending legislative changes were referred to the Joint Committee on Health for consideration. The Joint Committee on Health submitted a report on the proposed legislative recommendations. Further consideration of this issue is to take place at the Cabinet Committee on Health.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (755, 756)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:755. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if work has begun on a new Sláintecare action plan; the timeline he is working towards for publication of a new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36636/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:756. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if work has begun on a new Sláintecare implementation strategy; the timeline he is working towards for publication of a new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36637/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 755 and 756 together.
Work is at an advanced stage of development on the new Sláintecare implementation strategy, “Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare & Programme for Government 2024+”. A draft document was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Health for discussion before the summer recess. An updated version is almost complete and will be submitted to Cabinet Committee in due course for consideration.
Question No. 756 answered with Question No. 755.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (757)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:757. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if progress has been made in the waiting list for treatment of cataracts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden this places on patients and their families.
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 first Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) was implemented in late 2021, as part of a multi-annual approach encompassing 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.
With regard to the information requested by the Deputy concerning cataract waiting lists, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised that there were 6,141 patients on the public waiting list for cataract surgery as at the end of August 2024. While the number of patients on the waiting list for cataract procedures nationally has increased by 6% since this time last year, the length of time patients are waiting has improved. The number of patients waiting over 12 months has decreased by 13% and the average length of time patients have been waiting has improved.
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 query raised about a particular case, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (758)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:758. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if it is considered good health policy to deny a person (details supplied) a contribution towards their treatment, who received private ophthalmic treatment for cataracts, given the delay in being seeing and urgent nature of the requirement to have treatment, and that their sight loss was so rapid as to leave them confined to their home twenty-four-seven, given that the public health system should be in a position to deal with such patients and that, as a result, they are being financially penalised for the urgent nature of their treatment which would otherwise be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36641/24]
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (759)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:759. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will fund the purchase of an atrial assist device for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36644/24]
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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (760, 761)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:760. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of claims made by GPs under the PCRS for terminations of pregnancy, per month, between January 2024 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarol Nolan
Ceist:761. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total amount of money paid to GPs under the PCRS for terminations of pregnancy, per month, between January 2024 to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36646/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 760 and 761 together.
Under Section 20(3) of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, the Minister for Health is required to prepare a report on the notifications of terminations of pregnancy received during the immediately preceding year, and lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas not later than 30 June. Material published on information contained in notifications is restricted in order to limit the risk of identification in what is a private, confidential matter between patients and their doctors.
The annual report on the notifications of terminations of pregnancy received during the period 1 January and 31 December 2024 will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas by end-June 2025. In light of this statutory requirement, it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the annual report by publishing data, the effect of which may be to place in the public domain information of a type intended by the Oireachtas to be addressed in the annual report.
Question No. 761 answered with Question No. 760.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Ceisteanna (762)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:762. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a replacement wheelchair can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36647/24]
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 Staff
Ceisteanna (763)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:763. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if there is currently a tender process for PCCs within CHO4, specifically for the north, north east, and north west Cork area. [36653/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, we have forwarded to the HSE for a response.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (764)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:764. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmic surgeons based at Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36675/24]
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.
European Investment Bank
Ceisteanna (765)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:765. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of capital projects under the remit of his Department that received funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the amount of funding received from EIB per project, in tabular form. [36676/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Awaiting reply from Department.