Written Answers Nos. 1018-1037
1018. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies of whole-time equivalent senior dental surgeons, per CHO area, for the years 2018 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43987/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1019. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies of whole-time equivalent principal dental surgeons, per CHO area, for the years 2018 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43988/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1020. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of eligible children in second and sixth class that were not targeted for dental screenings for the years 2018 to 2024, per LHO area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43989/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1021. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of dental treatment service scheme contracts held by private dentists, per LHO area, for the years 2018 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43990/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1022. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an article can be reviewed (details supplied); when this team/service will be in place on the ground in Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43998/24]
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.
1023. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health how many genetic counsellors are currently funded and active in the health service; whether there will be any increase in genetic counsellors in the upcoming year; the details of when they will be in post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43999/24]
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.
1024. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the progress being made towards delivery of the new primary care centre in Portumna, County Galway; when the centre is expected to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44002/24]
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.
1025. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for registration made to CORU in the name of a person (details supplied); the timeframe for such applications; if there is a backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44024/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have been in touch with CORU on this matter and understand that the person in question applied to CORU on 03 October 2024 to join the physiotherapist register. As the applicant holds a UK qualification, there is a requirement to have that qualification assessed against Irish approved qualifications before progressing to registration.
The application was processed as normal and the eVetting form was sent to the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) on 23 October. CORU are currently awaiting a reply from the NVB which is anticipated to be the first week in November. If nothing is declared via eVetting, then the applicant will be registered by mid-November at the latest.
The timeline to register graduates with an Irish qualification is 14-30 days. The timeline is longer for applicants with international qualifications due to the requirement to have their qualifications assessed by expert assessors to ensure the qualifications presented meet the standards that apply to Irish qualifications.
At any one-time, CORU has an average of 2,000 pending applications. The administration team in CORU work through these in a methodical detailed process which has recently been streamlined with new efficiencies introduced to improve timelines further.
The best way for an applicant to expedite their own application is to supply the required documentation when submitting an initial application. All requirements for registration are listed on CORU's website in the guidance notes, so applicants are aware of necessary documentation to be submitted before they make an application. The detail is available at Registration Requirements - Coru .
1026. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44027/24]
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.
1027. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on a person awaiting surgery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44031/24]
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.
1028. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the projected growth in the number of GPs working in Ireland until 2033, in tabular form. [44037/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services, significant increases have been made in recent years to the number of new entrant places for GP training. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024. 350 training places for new entrants were made available for this year with 347 new entrants having commenced training, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286. Department research, based on expected GP graduates and GP retirements, indicated that over the coming years for every retiring GP between 1.5 and 3 new GPs will enter the workforce.
In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme between the HSE and ICGP. 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.
The below table shows the estimated projected number of GPs working in Ireland at the beginning of each year from 2024 to 2033. No central register exists specifically for GPs actively working in Ireland. The figures below are based on HSE estimated GP workforce projections to 2031 extrapolated to 2033, and the known number of HSE contracted GPs per year, as well as full recruitment under the IMG Rural GP Programme.
|
Year |
Projected Number of GPs |
|
2024 |
3,629 |
|
2025 |
3,934 |
|
2026 |
4,206 |
|
2027 |
4,530 |
|
2028 |
4,854 |
|
2029 |
5,186 |
|
2030 |
5,527 |
|
2031 |
5,897 |
|
2032 |
6,256 |
|
2033 |
6,615 |
1029. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of GP training places funded from 2011 until 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44038/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the body responsible for education and training in general practice. The GP training course provided by the ICGP is recognised by the Medical Council with successful completion allowing entry onto the General Practitioner Specialist Register.
GP training is in the main four years in duration. Applicants with appropriate qualifications prior to commencement of GP training in Medicine, Paediatrics or Emergency Medicine may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applicants successful in obtaining RPL have their training shortened from four years to three years.
To increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and improve access to GP services, significant increases have been made in recent years to the number of new entrant GP training places. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% over the last 5 years alone.
The number of new entrants to the GP training programme for each year from 2011 to 2024 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Number of New Entrants to GP Training |
|
2024 |
347 |
|
2023 |
286 |
|
2022 |
258 |
|
2021 |
233 |
|
2020 |
208 |
|
2019 |
193 |
|
2018 |
194 |
|
2017 |
170 |
|
2016 |
172 |
|
2015 |
159 |
|
2014 |
157 |
|
2013 |
157 |
|
2012 |
156 |
|
2011 |
157 |
1030. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric orthopaedic surgeries carried out from 2016 until 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44039/24]
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.
1031. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric orthopaedic surgeries outsourced abroad each year from 2016 until 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44040/24]
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.
1032. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants in emergency medicine employed by the HSE from 2016 (June) to 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44041/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
1033. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the total number of staff employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44042/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
1034. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the total number of nurses and midwives employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44043/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
1035. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the total number of HSCPs employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44044/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
1036. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44045/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
1037. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the drugs payment scheme threshold between 2011 and 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44046/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month.
The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS threshold level has been varied as follows:
|
Time period |
Threshold level |
|
1 January 2010 to 31 December 2011 |
€120 |
|
1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 |
€132 |
|
1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017 |
€144 |
|
1 January 2018 to 31 March 2019 |
€134 |
|
1 April 2019 to 31 October 2020 |
€124 |
|
1 November 2020 to 31 December 2021 |
€114 |
|
1 January 2022 to 28 February 2022 |
€100 |
|
1 March 2022 to present |
€80 |
Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
