Written Answers Nos. 205-224
205. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cardiologists currently on leave from their post in Cavan General Hospital; and the number who have taken long-term leave or left their jobs there over the past five years. [40403/24]
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.
206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will address the urgent staffing and resource issues at Roscrea primary care centre (details supplied); if he is aware that a community-registered nurse (CRGN) on maternity leave has not been fully replaced, leading to reduced nursing cover; if he will expedite the approval for increased hours for the CRGN covering this maternity leave to address the staffing shortages and ensure the effective delivery of primary care services in Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40420/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
207. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering increasing medical card income thresholds in line with recent budgetary social welfare increases, in order that, for example, pensioners who are slightly above the thresholds do not lose their medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40422/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons under 70 are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed guidelines are available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie .
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. The weekly gross medical card income thresholds for people aged 70 and over are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
• Medical cards issued to patients who are terminally ill with a prognosis of 24 months or less do not require subsequent means assessment and are not reviewed.
Where a person's sole income is derived from a social protection payment, even where this is more than the current means threshold, he/she will be awarded a medical card.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department keeps medical card issues under review in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs. Over the course of 2024 and 2025, we will review the existing eligibility framework to clearly assess what is working well and to inform policy proposals to enhance eligibility and access to services based on robust evidence. This is an important step towards delivering on universal healthcare in Ireland.
208. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of emerging trends in increased need in hard-to-reach populations in the addiction service; and whether specific funding will be made available to ensure services are properly resourced to support these. [40425/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) is the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug and alcohol treatment in Ireland. It is compiled annually to provide information on treatment demand and provides important data to allow services to deliver what is required.
NDTRS data for 2023, published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023 compared to 12,009 in 2022.
From 2017 to 2023, the biggest change in treatment demand patterns was due to cocaine (both powder and crack). Over half of all cases (56.9%) reported polydrug use (problem use of more than one substance). The proportion of all cases that reported ever injecting decreased year on year, from 29.7% in 2017 to 20.3% in 2023.
It is a strategic priority in the national drugs strategy strategic action plan 2023-2024 to enhance access to and delivery of drug and addiction services in the community.
Estimated public expenditure on drug and addiction services in 2024 is €163m. This includes an additional €6m in 2024 to expand drug services in the community. This funding is being used to develop new services for young people with drug dependency and mental health issues, to expand community-based drug services for existing and emerging drug trends, and to support people in recovery and to provide services for people with problem gambling and gaming. Additional funding is being provided to develop a gender-specific drug treatment services for women with complex needs.
Budget 2025 provides an additional €4.2m to expand community-based drug and alcohol services to meet increased treatment demand, with a focus on improving access to services in underserved communities, promoting evidence-based innovations in service design and delivery, and meeting the needs of people who use stimulant drugs, and those who have a dual diagnosis. Further information is available here: gov.ie - Minister of State Colm Burke announces additional €40 million in funding for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health (www.gov.ie).
The funding I have secured will allow for targeted investment across a range of areas to ensure equitable access to drug and alcohol supports for everyone who needs them. It’s very clear that the drugs market is changing, and our health service must be adequately resourced to meet the threat of new and emerging drug trends.
I have taken account of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use. The funding I have secured in Budget 2025 reaffirms the government’s commitment to a health-led response to drug and alcohol use for individuals, families and communities.
209. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of beds currently being utilised in Monaghan Hospital; if any of the beds available in Monaghan are not being utilised and the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40487/24]
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.
210. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if there is any unit or any beds in Monaghan Hospital which are, or at any stage since January 2021, not being used for their designated purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/24]
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.
211. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of step-down beds in Monaghan Hospital, and if there have been any stages since January 2021 when any of these beds were out of use and if so the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40489/24]
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.
212. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of rehabilitation beds in Monaghan Hospital, and if there have been any stages since January 2021 when any of these beds were out of use and if so the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40490/24]
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.
213. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a patient (details supplied) is waiting over 15 months for a knee operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40498/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
214. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the refusal of a Dexcom sensor for an adult with type 1 diabetes in Cork city (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40506/24]
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.
215. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when the primary care centre will commence construction in Glanmire, Cork. [40555/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
216. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the location and commencement of construction for the primary care centre in Ballyvolane or Mayfield. [40556/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
217. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the location and commencement of construction for a primary care centre in Blarney. [40557/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new paediatric outpatient clinic area at CUH has no outpatient clinic room fitted with a ceiling tracker to hoist paediatric patients when the need occurs, and that there is no changing places facility (CPF) toilets within the CUH campus; and if he would provide a timeline for the installation of a ceiling tracker and CPF toilets at CUH. [40567/24]
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.
219. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore has been excluded from the expansion of elective surgery capacity procedures such as those planned for four elective hospitals at two sites in Dublin, one in Connolly, one at the children’s hospital in Crumlin, one in Cork, one in Galway, as well as the surgical hubs for Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40568/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s national elective ambulatory strategy will improve the delivery of elective care, enabling the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care through the provision of significant additional capacity. This will change the way in which day cases, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged across the country, ensuring greater capacity in the future and helping to address waiting times.
New dedicated Elective Hospitals are being developed in Cork, Galway and Dublin. Once operational, these will provide an estimated 977,000 procedures annually. In advance of the delivery of the Elective Hospitals, the Minister of Health announced the development of six new Surgical Hubs in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. These will be based on the successful Reeves Day Surgery Centre in Tallaght University Hospital, which has significantly reduced waiting times for certain day-case procedures. Once operational, each Surgical Hub is expected to see more than 25,000 patients each year.
The locations chosen for the new Elective Hospitals and Surgical Hubs will enhance capacity and tackle waiting times on a national basis. They will cover as wide an area and patient population as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas. The specific sites selected will allow for new facilities of a size and scale to maximise their capacity to fully benefit the whole population including those who do not fall within the immediate geographical catchment areas.
220. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated in the rehabilitation unit at Monaghan Hospital in each month from January 2021 to September 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40579/24]
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.
221. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the mental health funding announced in Budget 2025; for a breakdown of new measures funding; to comment on the increase in existing levels of service funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40581/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2025 is almost €1.5 billion, which is the fifth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2025.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2025, including that for Mental Health.
222. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the level of new funding given to mental health in each budget from 2020 to present; the level of funding for the total mental health budget in each budget from 2020 to present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40582/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2025 is approximately €1.5 billion, which is €143.5 million more than 2024 and which is the fifth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. Funding for mental health has increased by nearly 44% over the lifetime of this Government.
This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2025.
As part of the funding allocated to mental health services, new development funding has been secured to advance initiatives on youth mental health, and around priority groups identified within our national suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life. It will be focused on increased CAMHS staffing, a new CAMHS hub, enhancing the 'Single Point of Access' central referral mechanism for children's community services including CAMHS, opening 18 more beds in the National Forensic Mental Health Services in Portrane, increasing access to Counselling in Primary Care (CiPC), as well as the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Services and the Traveller Counselling Service.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2025, including that for Mental Health.
The table below outlines the budget allocation for HSE Mental Health Services since 2020:
|
NSP Allocation |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Mental Health |
987 |
1,031 |
1,114 |
1,159 |
1,227 |
1,338 |
1,482 |
*2025 as per draft estimate position.
While the table provides a breakdown of funding for mental health in each year from 2020 to 2024, it should be noted that funding for mental health supports is dispersed across many areas of Government, and there is no single funding figure to reflect this. For example, the figure of approximately €1.5 billion does not include funding for other parts of the health service that provide mental health supports, such as Primary Care, Disability services, liaison mental health in acute hospitals, some dual diagnosis (addiction and mental health) services, and mental health and well-being promotion.
It also does not include either spending by other Departments on services that incorporate psychological or mental health supports, such as Tusla, the Department of Education, the Prison and Probation Services, Youth Justice, or Social Protection.
223. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2453 of 23 July 2024, if he will confirm the timeline for opening the Ennis haemodialysis unit; on what site will it be based; if patients can still expect it to be open in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40644/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is seeking to establish a haemodialysis service in Ennis.
The HSE has advised me that this unit will be similar to the satellite centre already in place in the Fresenius Medical Care Centre, Limerick.
The project was approved by the board of the HSE in July 2024, a step necessary due to the proposed costs involved. The tender process for the contracted satellite haemodialysis unit in Ennis is now complete and HSE National Procurement have contacted the winning tenderer.
This will be a new build and a number of locations in the Ennis area have been considered. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, it would not be appropriate to disclose the proposed location at this time. Once planning, construction and commissioning phases have been completed, it is envisaged that this service will be delivered by the second quarter of 2026.
HSE Mid West has advised that they are working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of this unit.
I am continuing to work closely with the HSE to ensure that it is fully supported in the delivery of health care services for this region.
224. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a full breakdown of the way the Brexit Adjustment Fund funding allocation to his Department was spent, by project, in tabular form. [40354/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union in Member States, including their regions and local communities, and sectors, in particular in those that are most adversely affected by the withdrawal, and to mitigate the related negative impact on the economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Ireland’s BAR allocation was up to €802 million. In order to receive this allocation, Member States had to submit evidence of spending undertaken to mitigate impacts of Brexit, expenditure must have fallen within the BAR eligibility period of 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023 and satisfy other EU financial regulations. My Department put forward the cost of supporting increased number of Erasmus mobilities for students from Irish higher education institutions for the academic years in 2022/ 23 and 2023/ 24 for inclusion in Ireland's BAR claim. The cost amounted to €6.8 million. Ireland submitted its claim on the EU deadline of 30 September 2024. The claim will now be reviewed and subject to audit by the EU Commission.
