Written Answers Nos. 1140-1159
1140. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that retired medical scientists are excluded from the benefit of the pay parity that was implemented in January 2024; if there are plans to include retired workers in the pay parity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44465/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all Medical Scientists throughout the country, including those who have retired from the profession after years of commitment.
Following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission back in May and June of 2022, agreement was reached to conduct an independent assessment of the role, responsibilities and pay of medical laboratory scientist grades. This assessment was undertaken by an independent assessor and the final report issued in January 2023. It was confirmed that medical laboratory scientists were performing the same duties as biochemists.
This long-standing matter has now been resolved through the Labour Court, which examined all relevant issues including the review of the grades involved. The Labour Court determination was explicit that the claim relating to pay parity was effective from 1 January 2024.
The implementation of the binding determination of the Labour Court is set out in the new Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026. Circular 2/2024 has issued which instructs HSE management and HR personnel to implement the terms of the Labour Court recommendation from the effective date of 1 January 2024 to all staff in position from that date. Staff who retire beyond 1 January 2024, will receive the benefit of recommendation.
1141. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his Department’s plans to extend the special scheme of paid leave for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid; if he intends to extend or replace this scheme before it is due to end in June 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44476/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was put in place for 12 months in July 2022 to support eligible staff who were impacted by Long-Covid. At the request of my Department, approval to extend the Special Scheme was granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) a number of times, most recently at the end of June when it was extended for a further 12 months on the existing terms for the existing cohort of employees already being supported by it.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) have been very clear that this is the final extension that will be granted, and as such, the Special Scheme will conclude on 30th June 2025.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
1142. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to implement the Radiation Therapist Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44497/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1143. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that radiation therapists are represented on all forums relating to cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44498/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1211. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to the full implementation of the National Radiation Therapy Review Report and Recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1215. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he would support the recommended workforce planning task to ensure that current and future radiotherapy services meet national demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44982/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1216. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he would commit to funding the additional clinical specialist posts and management posts identified by the RT review to be essential roles in current safe delivery of radiation therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44983/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1239. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to commit to full implementation of the National Radiation Therapy Review Report and Recommendations, in particular organisational change and workforce planning. [45077/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1242. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to commit to funding the additional clinical specialist posts and management posts, identified by the National Radiation Therapy Review Report and Recommendations, to be essential roles in current safe delivery of radiation therapy. [45080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1253. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for three practice tutor posts for radiation therapy; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45135/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1255. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to full implementation of the National Radiation Therapy Review report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45142/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the recommended workforce planning task to ensure that current and future radiotherapy services meet national demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45146/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1142, 1143, 1211, 1215, 1216, 1239, 1242, 1253, 1255 and 1259 together.
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the incredibly important role of Radiation Therapists in the provision of cancer services in this country.
In Budget 2025, €23 million has been secured for the National Cancer Strategy, including access to new cancer medicines, expansion of cancer screening, funding for community cancer support centres, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. This will mean over €105 million has been invested into the Strategy since 2017.
Capital funding of over €140 million has been provided under the current National Cancer Strategy to deliver state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Galway and Cork, to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities for the benefit of patients, as well as investment in the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
I am glad that the independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been finalised. This strategic review considered important issues such as organisation structure, career development in line with Health and Social Care Professional Frameworks, strategic workforce planning and recruitment and retention strategies.
This review has published 16 recommendations which aim to help and support the Radiation Therapy profession into the future. An oversight group will be established to oversee the progression of these recommendations.
As the terms of reference for the review state, the implementation of any recommendations from the review will remain subject to the approval from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform.
Investment in 2025 includes funding for eight additional staff for radiation therapy services and funding for six advanced practice posts for radiation therapy to implement one of the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review.
With regard to Recommendation 8 and clinical practice supports, I am committed to working with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the delivery of expansion of student training places in Radiation Therapy and ensuring there are clinical learning support hours at each of the five public radiotherapy facilities at Galway University Hospital, Cork University Hospital and three sites in Dublin through the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network (SLRON). There are currently 1.5 WTE Radiation Therapy practice tutors funded through the Higher Education Authority. Department of Health officials are working with officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with regard to the expansion in student training places and the associated clinical placement hours required. My department will work with the Health Service Executive on establishing clinical learning supports aligned with clinical placement provision in each of the five sites.
As well as funding for posts, additional training places are being made available, and CORU registration requirements have been changed to bring Irish training requirements in line with international comparators.
Over 460 additional student places were provided in the Higher Education Sector on health-related courses in the academic year 2023/24. This included five additional Radiation Therapy places.
1144. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of two machines (one for radiation therapy and one CT scanner) being off in University Hospital Galway as they cannot be staffed, while two more machines are being tendered for; the measures he is taking in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44499/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1145. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a waiting list for radiation in men diagnosed with prostate cancer in University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44500/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 and 1145 together.
In Budget 2025, €23 million has been secured for the National Cancer Strategy, including access to new cancer medicines, expansion of cancer screening, funding for community cancer support centres, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. This will mean over €105 million has been invested into the Strategy since 2017.
Capital funding of over €140 million has been provided under the current National Cancer Strategy to deliver state of the art radiation oncology facilities in Galway and Cork, to update cancer infrastructure in chemotherapy wards and lab facilities for the benefit of patients, as well as investment in the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory.
Further expansion of radiotherapy capacity in Ireland is required, to meet expected demand nationally, and the centre in Galway was built to accommodate a total of 6 linear accelerators and has 4 currently. It is expected that 60% of cancer patients will require radiotherapy treatment and the incidence of cancer is increasing, so it is important for our national radiotherapy services to plan ahead.
I am aware that there are currently vacancies among radiation therapist roles in the radiation oncology centre in University Hospital Galway. I am advised that there are two open recruitment campaigns ongoing for Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapists and Radiation Therapists to address these vacancies. While there are still vacancies, this means that some machines have down-time, during which they undergo regularly scheduled maintenance.
The National Radiotherapist Review was finalised earlier in the year and is now being implemented. The Review’s recommendations aim to help address issues of recruitment and retention in this profession. Measures in Budget 2025 include funding for advanced practice radiotherapy posts, and the Department of Health is working with the HSE with regard to establishing clinical learning supports aligned with clinical placement provision in each of the five radiation oncology sites nationally.
1146. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the new base for Gorey ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44504/24]
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.
1147. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the new primary health centre for Gorey, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44506/24]
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.
1148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he can provide a list, detailing the numbers on the waiting lists for CAMHS 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. [44510/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number on the waiting lists for CAHMS in CH08, broken down by county or local area, and by 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24-month categories, in tabular form. [44511/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he can provide a breakdown of the number of children waiting on a CAMHS appointment in CH08 and a breakdown for each county within that CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44512/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1148, 1149 and 1150 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons within CHO8 on a waiting list for dental services. [44513/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the budgetary allocations to CAMHS psychology in CHO8 in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [44514/24]
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.
1153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE child and adolescent psychiatrists employed at CAMHS mental health intellectual disability services within CHO8 in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [44515/24]
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.
1154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of waiting lists for dental surgery and orthodontics for CHO8, by county and by year, from January 2019 to October 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44517/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1155. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to increase general practitioner numbers (details supplied) in Cork city suburbs, particularly on the southern side; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44532/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore 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.
Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract. Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is actively working to increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services.
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.
Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% over the last 5 years. 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. 75 IMG GPs commenced in practice under the programme in 2023; recruitment is continuing this year and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country next year.
In addition, a Strategic Review of General Practice is currently 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.
As there is a recent GMS GP vacancy in Cork City, and as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with an update on this vacancy.
1156. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he intends to make dupilumab (dupixent) available for a person with COPD (details supplied) and other COPD patients in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44571/24]
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.
1157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to provide financial assistance to those with increased electricity bills due to the use of oxygen machines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44587/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care.
The Department of Social Protection administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme and the Fuel Allowance, which may assist individuals in meeting the costs associated with operating medical devices. Further information on these can be found, respectively, at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/ .
www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/ .
In addition, energy suppliers are required to establish, maintain and regularly update a register of vulnerable customers. Vulnerable customers include:
• Those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or
• Those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.
There are a range of additional protection measures in place for registered vulnerable customers. Energy suppliers are required to provide customers with a free and easy way to register as a vulnerable customer. Further information regarding this can be found at:
www.cru.ie/consumer-information/your-rights/vulnerable-customers/ .
In addition, the Government has provided energy credits to each household in budget 2024 and budget 2025. As a result of this, a further €250 will be paid to households over the coming months.
There currently are no plans to provide an electricity allowance via the Health Service Executive (HSE). However, the HSE does administer schemes that may assist individuals in meeting the costs that may arise due to their medical needs.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, based primarily on an assessment of financial means.
In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) ensures that no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines, including rental costs for oxygen. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines who are not eligible for a medical card.
1158. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to his statement of 18 September 2024 (details supplied), the number of children evacuated from Gaza to Ireland to date; the number of children identified who have yet to be evacuated; when it is expected that such children will arrive in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44603/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraProposed Reply
Government approval was received on 18 September 2024, to facilitate Ireland’s participation in the response to the World Health Organisation (WHO) request to address the current health needs of people from Gaza, through the medical evacuation of 30 paediatric patients together with an accompanying family member and provision of associated supports.
My Officials have worked closely with other Government Departments and the Health Service Executive (HSE), including the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Defence and Social Protection to finalise the proposals.
Ireland has a strong tradition of providing humanitarian assistance, including through the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Irish Aid humanitarian and development assistance programme and the Health Service Executive (HSE) Global Health Programme.
Procedures for medical evacuations to Ireland are well established in the Ukraine context. Medical evacuation requests are managed through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), with the HSE managing the clinical support of the injured patient and other departments and agencies responding to the ancillary support needs.
Following the Government approval on 18 September, Ireland will be opting in on a case-by-case basis for each child who requires treatment, subject to the necessary health services capacity being available at that time. The HSE has advised that while health service daily capacity is dynamic and subject to change, the HSE is positioned to provide treatment options, following the Government decision.
The HSE is currently assessing requests for medical evacuation and, where suitable, make offers of medical assistance that will then be required to be accepted by the patients/carers with the assistance of their representative bodies before the request is agreed.
The HSE is expecting to make the first round of offers to patients in the coming weeks, once the necessary medical records are received through the Ministry for Health in Egypt. To date no patients have been evacuated to Ireland.
Requests for medical evacuation to the EU structures can receive offers from any participating EU Member State and it is up to the carer (acting on behalf of the paediatric patient) to decide which country they wish to be medical evacuated to. It is noted that Ireland made up to 140 offers for medical evacuation to Ireland from Ukraine and 40 of these offers were accepted.
1159. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of liaison psychiatrists for children available in CHO3 and CHO5; and the number of liaison psychiatrists for children at Tipperary University Hospital. [44604/24]
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.
