Written Answers Nos. 535-546
536. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if work is underway to draft a new national drugs strategy given 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025', the current national strategy, comes to an end next year; if the new strategy will set out Government policy on alcohol, or if a standalone national alcohol strategy will be brought forward instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37874/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use, and it runs from 2017 to 2025.
The Strategic action plan for 2023-2024, contains 34 actions across six strategic priorities.
The Department intends to commission an independent evaluation of the strategy in Q4 2024. It is expected that the evaluation will be completed in early 2025.
The recommendations of the Citizens Assembly will be critical in shaping the future development of drugs policy. Policy will also be guided by a) the views of people with lived and living experience of drug use and b) international collaboration on evidence-based policies and practices on drugs
Taking into account the above factors (current action plan, commissioning of evaluation) and consideration of the deliberations of the Oireachtas Committee established to consider the recommendations of the citizens assembly, the proposed timeframe for the finalisation of the new national drugs strategy is the first half of 2025.
The new strategy will include an annual action plan beginning in 2025.
Alcohol use will be considered in the development of this new strategy.
Information on the Department's alcohol policy is set out here: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/89335d-healthy-ireland-alcohol-policy/#:~:text=The%20primary%20policy%20objectives%20of,by%20the%20misuse%20of%20alcohol .
It is my ambition that the next national drugs strategy will aim to create a society where the reasons why people use drugs are addressed, the harms associated with drugs are reduced and recovery from drug addiction is supported.
537. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the HSE west/northwest region has abolished all posts in the community that were vacant at the end of 2023; if a similar policy is being applied to acute posts; the number and type of posts in each county abolished as a result of this decision; if he will outline the impact that this policy will have on the provision of community services in the west and northwest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/24]
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.
539. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if semaglutide is licensed and approved for use for insulin resistance, weight management or any other purpose in the State; if it is approved or under consideration for reimbursement in any context other than type 2 diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37878/24]
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.
540. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to reviewing the HSE funding allocation to an organisation (details supplied) in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37887/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this PQ refers to the funding of an organisation, I have referred to HSE for direct response.
541. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE neurological specialists, by CHO region; the number of vacancies, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37893/24]
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.
542. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 2 May 2024, the progress made on the issue of pay restoration and the WRC agreement for workers (details supplied); when these workers will be paid now that the Department is aware of this issue and is exploring the way the matter can be resolved in a timely manner. [37896/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
543. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff currently on a career break, by staff group, in tabular form. [37898/24]
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.
544. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE staff on career breaks that have requested returning to work, in each month since October 2023, by staff group, in tabular form. [37899/24]
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.
545. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that HSE staff who wish to return from a career break can do so (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37900/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the HSE, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
546. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will establish drug and alcohol liaison nurses in every higher education institution, to address substance use among students through comprehensive harm reduction programs as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37924/24]
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.
