Written Answers Nos. 1203-1222
1203. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 17 October 2024, when a full and detailed reply will issue on the substantial part of this question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44929/24]
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.
1204. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 314 of 17 October 2024, when a full and detailed reply will issue on the substantial part of this question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44930/24]
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.
1205. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will consider rechannelling expenditure on outsourcing radiotherapy treatments into public service capacity to ensure oncology centres can be fully staffed and there is a sufficient pipeline of training places for radiation therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44938/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1212. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason €10 million of public expenditure was utilised for outsourcing radiotherapy treatments when public services were lying unused for patient treatments; the reason this expenditure was not channelled into existing public service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44979/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1213. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason radiotherapy patients wait on waiting lists for cancer treatment whilst public services remain vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44980/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1214. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason Ireland’s public radiation therapy centres cannot achieve the NCCP target of 90% of patients starting radiotherapy within three weeks of being ready to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1240. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to make a statement on the €10 million euro of public expenditure utilised for outsourcing radiotherapy treatments when public services were lying unused for patient treatments; and the reason this expenditure was not channelled into existing public service capacity. [45078/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1241. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason, in his view, that Ireland's public radiation therapy centres cannot achieve the NCCP target of 90% of patients starting radiotherapy within three weeks of being ready to start. [45079/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1256. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason €10 million of public expenditure was utilised for outsourcing radiotherapy treatments when public services were lying unused for patient treatments; the reason this expenditure was not channelled into existing public service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45143/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1257. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason radiotherapy patients wait on waiting lists for cancer treatment whilst public services remain vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45144/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1258. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason public radiation therapy centres do not achieve the NCCP target of 90% of patients starting radiotherapy within three weeks of being ready to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45145/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1205, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1240, 1241, 1256, 1257 and 1258 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.
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.
I am aware that there are currently vacancies among radiation therapist roles in the public centres providing radiotherapy. There are ongoing recruitment campaigns to address these vacancies. Investment under Budget 2025 includes funding for eight additional staff for radiation therapy services.
1206. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the public health nurse staffing levels in each area of Dublin; the vacancy rates for each area; if P1, P2 or P3 services are offered in these areas, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44940/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders at present; and the number of medical card holders at the end of each year for the past ten years. [44950/24]
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.
1208. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) who is of limited financial means and is currently residing in care at a location availing of the fair deal scheme and is struggling to afford the €50 weekly service charge; if steps can be taken to reduce the service charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44951/24]
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.
1209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44952/24]
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.
1210. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised by a person in Cork city in relation to the inconsistent administration of CGM reimbursement for type 1 diabetics (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44953/24]
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 medical products; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1217. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2465 of 23 July 2024, for an updated breakdown of the nursing vacancies in UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44988/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy on this matter.
1218. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the new primary care centres currently undergoing construction within CHO1; the services that will be provided at each centre when opened; and the estimated timeframe when each of the new centres will be opened, in tabular form. [45012/24]
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.
1219. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the estimated costs of increasing the capital spend on the National Ambulance Service by 15% above the 2024 allocation. [45013/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
1220. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE physiotherapists within primary care settings in CHO1 in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45014/24]
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.
1221. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve the awareness and treatment of lyme disease within the State. [45015/24]
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.
1222. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hearing aid will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45021/24]
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.
