Duncan Smith
Ceist:110. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE reconstructive plastic surgeons based at St James's Hospital in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [38062/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Staff
Ceisteanna (110)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
Pharmacy Services
Ceisteanna (111)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:111. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the news that another pharmacy is closing its doors due to the pressures of the sector will be examined (details supplied); his views on the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38087/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform.
There has been ongoing engagement between Department officials and the Irish Pharmacy Union in regard to the potential to extend the scope of practice of community pharmacists and the contract enablers needed to implement that.
The regulations governing the pharmacy fee structure are set out in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (No. 34 of 2017) and in S.I. No. 639 of 2019, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (Payments to Community Pharmacy Contractors) Regulations 2019, which put the current fee structure in place, with effect from 1 January 2020.
Under Section 42(14) of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 the pharmacy fee structure must be reviewed every third year after 2020. My Department has been carrying out a comprehensive review of the pharmacy fee structure in the context of its engagement with the IPU and the intended expansion of the scope of pharmacy practice. This review has included, among other matters, an analysis of overall pharmacy fees, fees per scheme, and fees per item dispensed over several years.
I cannot comment on individual cases. However, I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (112)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:112. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on reported delays being faced by patients around the country in accessing chemotherapy treatments; to outline specific hospitals where delays are outside the recommended timeframe, as of end August 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (113)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:113. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons attending chemotherapy within the recommended timeframe, nationally and by hospital, by month in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [38090/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (114)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:114. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE medical oncology nurses worked in the public health service; how many WTE medical oncology nurses were provided for by the HSE to meet patient need, in each year 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38091/24]
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
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (115)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:115. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of people directly impacted by delays to starting chemotherapy due to compounding issues since the beginning of the 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38092/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (116)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:116. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the current status of the process, and expected delivery time, of the 97 beds for Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (117, 118, 119, 120, 121)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:117. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the rationale behind the recent decision by the National Ambulance Service to reduce ambulance coverage in Cork County by removing an ambulance from each base from Monday to Thursday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38111/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat Buckley
Ceist:118. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if a risk assessment was conducted by the National Ambulance Service prior to the decision to reduce ambulance coverage in Cork County from Monday to Thursday; if he will outline the impact this reduction is expected to have on response times and patient safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38112/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat Buckley
Ceist:119. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his Department will review the decision by the National Ambulance Service to reduce ambulance coverage in Cork County by removing an ambulance from each base during weekdays; if he will consider reinstating full coverage in light of concerns from local communities and healthcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38113/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat Buckley
Ceist:120. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans that are in place to ensure adequate emergency medical services in County Cork following the reduction of ambulance coverage from Monday to Thursday; if additional resources will be provided to mitigate any potential service gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38114/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat Buckley
Ceist:121. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the criteria used by the National Ambulance Service in making the decision to reduce ambulance services in Cork County from Monday to Thursday; if alternative models of care or staffing arrangements were considered to avoid service reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38115/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121 together.
As these are service matters for the National Ambulance Service, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 117.
Hospital Admissions
Ceisteanna (122)
Mark Ward
Ceist:122. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to general inpatient hospital wards with a primary diagnosis of mental health difficulties in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the average length of time children spent in general wards with this diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38131/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Awaiting reply from Department.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (123)
Mark Ward
Ceist:123. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of children admitted to general inpatient hospital wards with a primary diagnosis of mental health difficulties in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the average length of time children spent in general wards with this diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38131/24]
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 Promotion
Ceisteanna (124)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there is currently any campaign running with regard to pre-conception care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38138/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Awaiting reply from Department.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (125)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38142/24]
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 Correspondence
Ceisteanna (126)
Pa Daly
Ceist:126. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38147/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.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.
Emergency Departments
Ceisteanna (127)
Pa Daly
Ceist:127. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown, by LEA, of patients who attend the accident and emergency department at University Hospital Kerry. [38153/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (128)
Robert Troy
Ceist:128. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to schedule an orthodontic assessment for a person (details supplied). [38220/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Education and Training Boards
Ceisteanna (129)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:129. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to review a matter regarding a site purchase (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38038/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Kilkenny Carlow ETB (KCETB) is one of twelve ETBs that have project proposals that are currently being progressed under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. The KCETB proposal requires that a new site is purchased to locate a flagship Further Education and Training (FET) College in Kilkenny.
As part of the preliminary business case stage of development of their proposal, KCETB have undertaken extensive work to identify suitable sites for this new FET College building and have liaised closely with the local authority, SOLAS and my department in that respect. A robust site analysis process was undertaken by the ETB, in line with the relevant Infrastructure Guidelines, and this process identified three sites as being most suitable.
While negotiations took place on the site the Deputy refers to, this site option failed to meet the relevant due diligence requirements so KCETB requested permission from my department via SOLAS to open negotiations on one of the other site options. This was recommended by SOLAS and was approved by my department. A decision to purchase a site cannot be completed until such time that all relevant due diligence requirements are met.
The Deputy will appreciate that due to commercial sensitivities associated with this acquisition process I am not in a position to make any further comment on this process at this point. However as always, I remain firmly committed to ensuring that the appropriate FET infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of our learners and staff in Kilkenny and the wider region.
Further and Higher Education
Ceisteanna (130)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:130. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to support students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38132/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, a key priority of the FET Strategy 2020-2024 is to ensure consistency of support for all learners, underpinned by a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach. This approach aims to reduce obstacles by considering the needs of all learners, regardless of background and ability. Applying UDL Principles means offering multiple ways of engagement, representation, action, and expression, providing necessary accommodations to remove obstacles to learning as well as providing, where required, one-to-one supports and assistive technologies to support differentiated learning.
A close partnership between SOLAS, Education Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and AHEAD, coupled with consultative engagement with FET practitioners, led to the development and publication of a Conceptual Framework for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for the FET Sector in 2020, followed by launch of Guidance for Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Irish Further Education and Training in March 2021. These resources outline how UDL principles and practices can help FET practitioners reduce barriers to learning by weaving flexibility, accessibility, learner voice, and choice into the fabric of all learning interactions. Additional supports are available to learners including exam accommodations and mental health counselling.
SOLAS collaborates with the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, which provides assessments, training, and resources to aid dyslexic learners.
Turning to the supports for apprentices, information is sought at the point of registration, from apprentices, on any additional supports that may be needed due to a disability. The education and training providers offer learning and other supports to apprentices during their training and many employers also provide accommodations in the workplace to apprentices with disabilities. Approximately 3% of the apprentice population have declared one or more disabilities and are receiving additional supports.
At registration every apprentice is assigned an authorised officer, who supports the apprentice from day one. Any apprentice who has any queries relating to learning supports should speak to their authorised officer, as this is the person best placed to assist the apprentice with any issues as they arise.
In respect of apprentice supports related to reading and writing, the ETBs aim to respond to learner needs through a range of initiatives for apprenticeships. This includes the provision of pre-apprenticeship schemes, assessment of literacy and language-based needs, and learning differences and related and/or other issues – dyslexia, dyscalculia diagnosis, etc. Literacy supports are provided to support apprentices with the academic requirements of their off-the-job training and are central to learner supports services.
To support the sharing of expertise and experience in tailored specific supports for apprentices across practitioners, a Community of Practice (Supports to Apprentices Group) has been developed. This group has informed the development of the Maths for Trades resources, a series of maths workbooks for craft apprenticeships that offer numeracy resources across multiple fields. All resources are free to access/download from the ETBI digital library, which also houses an extensive range of literacy resources which can be accessed by FET practitioners. In addition, ETB staff are provided with a comprehensive professional learning and development calendar, which offers training opportunities for staff to support learners with the literacy, numeracy and digital skills demands of their course/ phase.
The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) also provides an extensive range of resources and training. Prospective apprentices who contact NALA in relation to apprenticeships are often looking for support to meet the minimum requirements for apprenticeships. In some cases, the person may not have completed a Junior Certificate or may not have met the eligibility requirements in their Junior Certificate for their chosen apprenticeship field. NALA provides support these learners to achieve the further awards required. Resources available include worksheets, videos and books in literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy between levels 1 and 3, and online courses in literacy, numeracy and digital literacy at level 1, level 2, preparing for level 3 and level 3 with QQI certification options at levels 2 and 3.
The expanding range of apprenticeships available, as well as changing work practices in traditional areas, provide a step towards increasing opportunities for persons with a disability and other traditionally under-represented groups.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (131)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:131. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide additional supports to animal welfare charities ahead of the XL bully ban coming into force on 1 October 2024. [38200/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recently announced a ban on XL Bully type dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent horrific attacks. The ban will be implemented in the following two stages:
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding and selling of XL Bully type dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by the local authority in which the dog resides.
The ban is being brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wish to keep their XL Bully type dog the time to obtain a Certificate of Exemption. There will be a four month period between the 1st October 2024 and before 1st February 2025, where these owners will be able to apply for a 'Certificate of Exemption'.
As I previously announced in July, all XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs. Further information on the criteria to qualify and the documentation needed for a Certificate of Exemption application, is available on gov.ie/xlbully.
I recently announced €2 million in capital funding to local authorities to expand and improve their dog pounds and dog warden facilities. This funding is in addition to the €2 million I announced for dog warden facilities in November last year (2023). This funding comes as a direct response to increased pressures on dog control services and will make immediate and tangible improvements to the dog control service across the country.
In July, together with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, I announced funding of €2 million for local authorities to support the resourcing of dog warden services from 2025. This funding recognises the increased demands in the area of dog control and the need to ensure resources on the ground to enforce the ban on XL Bully type dogs.
Control of Dogs
Ceisteanna (132)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:132. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the process for obtaining a certificate of exemption for an XL bully dog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37993/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recently announced a ban on XL Bully type dogs in the interest of public safety following a number of recent attacks.
The ban will be implemented in the following 2 stages:
From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding and selling of XL Bully type dogs.
From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully type dog without a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ issued by the local authority in which the dog resides. The 'Certificate of Exemption' will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner and will be issued by the dog owner's local authority.
XL Bully type dog owners will have from 1st October 2024 to 1st February 2025 to apply to their local authority for a 'Certificate of Exemption'.
The 'Certificate of Exemption' authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises and will, subject to the dog owner satisfying all of the criteria set out in their 'Certificate of Exemption', remain valid until the end of the dog’s natural life.
The application form to be completed by the XL Bully type dog owner for a 'Certificate of Exemption' will be available from the dog owner's local authority from 1st October 2024.
When the XL Bully type dog owner has the 'Certificate of Exemption' application form fully completed, the owner should return it along with the required documentation to their local authority.
As I previously announced in July, all XL Bully type dog owners will be required to licence, microchip and neuter their dogs.
Further information on the criteria to qualify and the documentation needed for a Certificate of Exemption application, is available on gov.ie/xlbully.