Written Answers Nos. 424-445
427. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the total number of GPs currently practicing in County Wexford; the number of GPs practicing in County Wexford in 2004 and 2014; the number of current practicing GPs in County Wexford expected to retire within the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37369/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract and or other contracts with the HSE for the provision of GP services. As private practitioners, GPs may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy on this matter directly in regard to HSE contracted GPs, as soon as possible.
428. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 425 of 2 July 2024, the exact monetary amount for allowances for post-mastectomy products, by county, in view of the fact that this was not answered in the response to the question, and that there are discrepancies across counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37377/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions under the Community Funded Schemes (CFS). These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case.
The CFS also provides an allowance for cancer treatment in respect of hair loss and post mastectomy products. The range of allowance does vary across the country in products available depending on which county a person resides in. This variance makes it difficult to provide exact monetary amounts for each county. However, the following table gives some indication of the variance:
|
Product |
Current provision |
|
Prosthesis Bra |
Varies from €43 to €75 per bra. |
|
Breast Prosthesis |
Varies from €68.50 to €250. |
|
Swimwear |
Provided in some CHOs: - €80 to €85 for swimsuit. - €50 to €65 for swim prosthesis. |
|
Wigs/Hair Pieces |
Varies from €450 to €770 annually. |
The HSE have forwarded a costed proposal for the standardisation of provision at the highest level, which is under consideration as part of the estimates 2025 process.
I want to reiterate that progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services
429. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information (details supplied) with regard to the general medical services scheme contract for Kildysart, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/24]
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.
430. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied). [37390/24]
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.
431. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37391/24]
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.
432. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to expanding the public health service employees sponsorship scheme, which seeks to train up HSE workers as nurses and midwives, given the need to increase the number of nurses and midwives in the healthcare system; his views on the fact that, despite there only having been 30 places available in each of the past three years, there has been an average of 155 applicants, which indicates strong interest in same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37393/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am wholly committed to providing more opportunities to increase the number of nurses and midwives in the Irish healthcare system. My Department continues to implement the recommendations from the Report of the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery (Department of Health, 2022). One of these recommendation is examining the routes of entry to undergraduate nursing and midwifery, including the sponsorship scheme referred to by the Deputy, as part of increasing diversity of the nursing and midwifery workforce.
Over the past four years, I have overseen a substantial investment in nursing and midwifery to grow and advance the professions. Ireland now has the largest number ever of registered nurses and midwives in the state. As of July 2024, the HSE Employment Report, reported there were 47,675 whole time equivalent (WTE) nurses and midwives.
Increasing education places for undergraduate nursing and midwifery remains a key priority for me and is in line with strategic workforce planning requirements to meet forecasted demand for healthcare. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of first year undergraduate nursing and midwifery places has increased by 32% (from 1,735 to 2,287) across the 13 established Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing undergraduate nursing and midwifery education in Ireland.
The provisions of the sponsorship scheme for Health Service employees wishing to train as Nurses and Midwives is outlined in the HSE Circular Sponsorship for Public Health Service Employees (40/2020) and is dependent on the availability of resources. The number of sponsorships available each year is determined by the HSE.
433. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review a case (details supplied); if he will examine this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37398/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the HSE, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
434. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will make available funding streams for HSE core-funded elderly care projects to apply for capital funding for a minivan. [37402/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNew Infrastructure Guidelines, which supersede the Public Spending Code (PSC), were introduced on 1st January 2024. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to implement the new Infrastructure Guidelines.
The HSE have robust systems and procedures to appraise, manage, and deliver infrastructure projects required for the provision of health services. These are detailed in the HSE Capital Projects Manual and Approvals Protocol.
The development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities anywhere in the country cannot be seen in isolation or separate from the delivery of related health care services. Project proposals must be approved by the relevant HSE Directorate before being submitted by to the HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee (NC&PSC).
Projects are appraised by the NC&PSC to ensure compliance with service priorities and policies, and to ensure alignment with the National Service Plan and Capital Plan. The NCPSC then recommend projects for inclusion in the Capital Investment Programme. It must be noted that the pipeline of capital projects inevitably exceeds available funding, and a prioritisation process is applied in the development of the annual capital plan.
In addition to the above processes and in order to enhance capital investment, the Department of Health has developed a strategic health investment framework (SHIF) to ensure that investments are evidenced based, equitable, and ensure Sláintecare reforms are achieved, with the overall objective of having better health outcomes for the population of Ireland.
Furthermore, my colleague Minister Stephen Donnelly and I recently announced an additional €10 million in funding for Day Centres and Meals on Wheels community care services.
Approximately 400 Section 39 Health Service Executive (HSE) funded community providers across Ireland will be eligible to apply for this increased funding, with up to €25,000 per organisation available, to be used for implementation of improved service provision.
The funding is designed to support improvements to the physical premises for Day Centres and Meals on Wheels services. It can be used to upgrade kitchens and other facilities, and to purchase vehicles or equipment.
Older Persons Day Centres and Meals on Wheels services offer a safe and welcoming environment where people can access essential services as well as engage in social activities. These core services foster a sense of community and well-being, providing wraparound supports that work alongside home support to keep people well at home for longer.
This funding initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing community-based services and supporting the well-being of individuals across the country age well in their own homes.
This funding will be administered through the HSE Regional Health Areas (RHAs) and will be open to all HSE funded day care and Meals on Wheels services that currently have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) or are currently engaging with the HSE to provide such services.
Further details on this grant funding and application process will be communicated directly to services in the coming weeks. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing community-based services and supporting the well-being of individuals across the country.
435. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health when a decision is expected on the prospective reimbursement of a medication (details supplied); if a decision can be expedited given the unmet treatment needs of patients living with dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastuat syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
436. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in detail the proposed changes to the National Ambulance Service in Cork and Kerry; the way this will impact on ambulance availability, response times, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37408/24]
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.
437. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1749 of 9 September 2024, to outline the policy of the HSE in relation to an employee who has been potentially exposed to measles and whose job cannot be done from home; if they are required to take time off; and if so, if that time off is taken as sick days or annual leave (details supplied). [37410/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
438. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a post for a dietitian in Killorglin will be filled as there are people in the area waiting for an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37425/24]
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.
440. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant maxillofacial surgeons based at Cork University Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [37440/24]
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.
441. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant accident and emergency department nurses at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and the timeframe in which these vacancies will be filled. [37441/24]
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.
442. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the staffing budget for Coombe Maternity Hospital in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [37442/24]
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.
443. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE registrars in emergency medicine at Mayo University Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [37443/24]
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.
444. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE radiographers by grade based at Monaghan General Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 in tabular form; and if this number will be further in 2024. [37444/24]
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.
445. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE orthopaedic registrars based at Kerry University Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [37445/24]
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.
