Written Answers Nos. 541-556
541. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his Department’s plans to include the MRI pelvic gynae scan on MRIs covered by the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39112/24]
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 Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on long-stay beds at the Dean Maxwell Unit in Roscrea; if long-stay beds at the unit will remain in place indefinitely or if they will remain in place as long as the community nursing unit in Nenagh is being used for UHL patients’ step-down purposes; to outline staff arrangements for the facility in light of the new arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39119/24]
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.
543. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) was taken off a CAMHS priority list, purely on the basis of their change in address; and whether they will be re-instated. [39121/24]
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 Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if any request has been made by Monaghan Hospital to either the Cavan and Monaghan hospital group, or the HSE, for consideration for the provision of either an MRI or CT scanner at the Monaghan hospital site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39122/24]
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 Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he, his special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39135/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2022, the Department of Health has not consulted, sought briefings, or sought advice from any external communications experts, communications consultancy companies, or public relations/public affairs companies.
546. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the TrakCare system in the National Forensic Mental Health Service; to report on the improvement to services as a result of its use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39153/24]
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.
547. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the integrated community case management system that was to be developed for services such as primary care; the cost of this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39154/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
548. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the average processing period for an applicant from Northern Ireland to receive their recognition of qualifications from CORU in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; the average time for an applicant from Northern Ireland to get registered with CORU in the same years; the number of CORU Registration Board meeting held in the period; and the number of expert assessors employed by CORU in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [39178/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have been in touch with CORU on the matters raised and asked that CORU respond to you directly with the information requested.
549. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the total number of vacant posts in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, by grade, in tabular form; if he will provide an update on the recruitment process to fill positions at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39179/24]
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.
550. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he can provide a list, detailing the numbers on the waiting lists for CAHMS in Drogheda and South Louth broken down by 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24-month categories, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39180/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra551. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he can provide a list, detailing the numbers on the waiting lists for CAHMS in CH08, broken down by county or local area and broken down by 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24-month categories, in tabular form. [39181/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 551 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
552. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs in Drogheda; the number of GPs that are required to deal with the ongoing shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39182/24]
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 the number of HSE contracted GPs in Drogheda, as soon as possible.
553. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health his views on the shortage of GPs across the State; the number of GPs that are needed to ensure that there is sufficient GP provision available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39183/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As self-employed 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.
The Government is aware that there is limited access to GP services in certain areas and is actively working to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State, thereby improving access to GP services for all patients across the country.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support. These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors.
The number of GP training places available for new entrants has been increased significantly in recent years, increasing by 80% from just 2019 to 2024. 347 new entrants commenced training this year, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286.
Furthermore, the recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 121 GPs were enrolled under the International Medical Graduate programme last year and resources have been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland this year. The placement of GPs under the programme is targeted to rural and underserviced areas.
Lastly, a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
554. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health how many adults are awaiting public dental treatment in counties Louth and Meath; and to provide details of how long they are awaiting treatment. [39187/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
555. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health his views on school dental services in Louth and Meath, including figures detailing how many children are in the backlog; when he expects the backlog to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39188/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
556. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health for an update on the DTSS contract talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39189/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
