Matt Carthy
Ceist:485. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his proposals to provide additional services at Monaghan Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Services
Ceisteanna (485)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (486)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:486. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of phase 3 of the Framework for Safe Nurse and Skill Mix in long-term residential care settings for older persons; if testing has concluded; the timeline he is working towards in publishing a national policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45820/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (the Framework) is an evidence-based approach to determining safe staffing and skill mix levels for nursing and healthcare assistants.
Phase 3(i) of the Framework is being developed in Long-Term residential care settings for older persons in line with recommendation 5.4 of the Covid-19 Nursing Home Expert panel report. A research study led by Professor Jonathan Drennan, University College Dublin testing the Framework in eight pilot sites has recently concluded and a final research report has been submitted to the Taskforce for Safe Nurse Staffing.
Based on the evidence and in line with the recommendation of the COVID-19 Nursing Home Expert Panel, it is my intention that Phase 3(i) be developed into a national policy in line with other phases.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (487)
Pa Daly
Ceist:487. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health for current inpatient waiting lists in University Hospital Kerry, by specialty, in tabular form. [45849/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (488)
Pa Daly
Ceist:488. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the current outpatient waiting lists in University Hospital Kerry, by specialty, in tabular form. [45850/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
Substance Misuse
Ceisteanna (489)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:489. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; to outline measures yet to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was developed to address the harmful consumption of alcohol in Ireland. It was enacted on 17 October 2018.
To date 28 of the 31 provisions of the Act have been commenced-
Three sections of the Act came into operation on November 12th 2019 relating to: alcohol advertising on public service vehicles, stops and stations and within 200 metres of schools, creches and playgrounds; alcohol advertising in cinemas; and a prohibition on children’s clothing that promotes alcohol. These measures aim to create an environment free from alcohol advertising in areas frequented by children and will ensure that children can grow up in circumstances where they are not regularly exposed to alcohol advertising.
In November 2020, Section 22 came into effect which provides for the separation of alcohol products from other grocery products in retail outlets. This provision restricts children’s exposure to alcohol products and also alcohol advertisements in mixed retail stores.
In January 2021, regulations made under Section 23 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 came into operation which regulate alcohol promotions where it is sold at low prices that promote alcohol consumption.
In November 2021 sections 15 and 16 of the Act came into effect which restrict alcohol advertising and sponsorship promoting alcohol products, and prohibit alcohol advertising and sponsorship at events aimed particularly at children or at which the majority of participants or competitors are children. The purpose of these provisions is to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol products at such events, to break the link between alcohol consumption and sports events within the sports area and to break the link between alcohol consumption and driving events.
On 4 January 2022 the provision relating to the Minimum Price of Alcohol Products came into operation. Minimum unit pricing sets a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold. Evidence has shown that MUP will not affect the majority of alcohol products but targets only alcohol products that are currently very cheap relative to their strength. In addition, a minimum price will mean that strong alcohol products are not cheaply available for children and young people.
In May 2023, the Minister for Health signed into law the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and the remaining provisions of Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, to come into effect on 22 May 2026. The law provides that the labels of alcohol products will warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and will also warn of the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption. The labels will also direct the consumer to the HSE website, www.askaboutalcohol.ie , for further information.
Health warnings on the labels of alcohol products will inform consumers that alcohol consumption is not risk free so that they can make an informed choice about their drinking. The labelling law also requires that those selling alcohol online or in on-license premises must provide health information to consumers.
On 13 November 2023, the Minister for Health commenced the Broadcast Watershed provision of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. Section 19 restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio to reduce children’s exposure to alcohol advertisements. The provision will come into operation on 10 January 2025.
Two provisions yet to be commenced deal with the content of advertisements and advertisements in publications.
Section 13 of the Act regulates the content of advertisements for alcohol products. In addition, advertisements for alcohol products will be required to include health warnings and details of the HSE alcohol information website. The aim is to protect children from exposure to alcohol advertising and to break the positive associations between alcohol and lifestyle. Work on the drafting of the advertising Regulations is continuing in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Once finalised, the draft Regulations will require submission to the EU Commission for assessment and once they have successfully completed that process, they will require notification under the WTO process.
Section 18 of the Act introduces a restriction to alcohol advertisements in hardcopy publications sold in Ireland. The provision, while limited to print media aims to reduce exposure to alcohol advertising.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (490)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:490. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of making the shingles vaccine free of charge to at risk cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45881/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme but it is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.
The shingles vaccine is not available through the medical card or drug payment schemes.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the national immunisation programme are chosen by NIAC in order to give each individual the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) recently carried out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
HIQA published the HTA on 19 July 2024. The HTA found that adding the shingles vaccine to the schedule is not cost effective and is associated with a substantial budget impact. My Department has considered its findings and determined that the introduction of the vaccine can be reconsidered when cost effectiveness is more favourable.
HIQA's HTA estimated that the five-year incremental budget for eligible immunocompromised persons, as recommended by NIAC (with 100% coverage), was estimated at €56.2 million.
The HTA estimated the five-year incremental budget impact of a shingles vaccination programme with 50% uptake for
• adults as they turn 65 years old (no catch-up for older adults) would be €53.3 million;
• all adults aged 65 years and older as recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) would be €218 million.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (491)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:491. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of making the RSV vaccine free of charge to at risk cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45882/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government recently provided approval for an infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Pathfinder Programme which will run between September 2024 and February 2025.
All newborn infants born during the programme will be offered immunisation against RSV after birth on site in Irish maternity hospitals. This immunisation will protect newborn infants when they are most vulnerable to the complications of RSV during the winter period when infection rates are at their highest.
As well as protecting newborn infants, this programme will help maintain health service capacity during this coming winter season. The programme is based on NIAC advice and is a temporary programme put in place as an interim measure pending the outcome of a Health Technology Assessment on RSV immunisation for infants and adults currently being undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
As well as protecting infants against serious illness, this pathfinder programme also offers the HSE an opportunity to establish working mechanisms and to evaluate the programme. It is a strategic initiative designed to explore innovative approaches to improving health outcomes within a community or population. Such programmes often serve as pilots or models that, if successful, can be scaled up and replicated in other settings.
The outcome of the HTA, and learnings from the pathfinder programme once complete, will inform the development of any longer-term programme and future decision making on the matter of RSV immunisation in Ireland.
In relation to the estimated full-year cost for the RSV immunisation programme, HIQA's Rapid HTA on RSV immunisation, published on 13th of August 2024, found that the cost of immunising infants could be expected to range from €3.9 million to €19 million, depending on the approach taken. The HTA also found that aside from the cost of providing immunisation, there would also be additional costs associated with organising any RSV immunisation programme, which HIQA estimated could cost approximately €2.3 million.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (492)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:492. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing HSE general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45883/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish model of general practice is based on private practice, and all GPs providing GP services in Ireland currently are private practitioners. The HSE does not directly employ GPs for the provision of GP services.
In regard to challenges in accessing GPs in some parts of the country, I am open to looking at whether HSE employed GPs would be a possible solution to such access issues. As part of the Strategic Review of General Practice currently underway consideration will be given to the possible role of HSE employed GPs, as part of a wider examination of the GP capacity issue.
It should be noted that any proposed model involving salaried GP positions would require careful consideration to ensure the required level of service could be provided for medical card and GP visit card holders.
It is not currently possible to estimate the cost of the HSE employing GPs, this would depend on the number of GPs employed and agreement on salary levels as there is no established salary scale for publicly employed GPs in Ireland. In addition, substantial ancillary costs associated with the provision of GP care would need to be determined, including premises, equipment, consumables and staffing costs which may vary greatly depending on location and the services to be provided.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (493)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:493. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS scheme for each of the years from 2011 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45884/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (494)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:494. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the number of GP training places for each of the years from 2011 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45885/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 practising 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 |
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (495, 522)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:495. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the rural practice allowance for GPs by 10% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45886/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Brophy
Ceist:522. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing supports to GPs in rural practices by 10%. [45915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 522 together.
GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. In rural areas, due to lower and more sparse populations, there is a greater dependence on small and single-handed practices. Under the GMS scheme, the Rural Practice Support Framework provides an additional support to eligible GP practices in rural areas. These rural practice grants were increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. In addition, practices in receipt of rural practice grants attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking.
As per the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) annual report for 2023, funding provided through GMS rural practice grants to eligible practices amounted to approximately €4.8 million last year. Accordingly, based on this figure, increasing the GMS rural practice grants by 10% and 20% would cost approximately €0.48 million and €0.96 million respectively.
General Practitioner Services
Ceisteanna (496)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:496. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing GP training places by 25 places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45887/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme has been increased by 80% over the last 5 years. I2023, there were 286 new entrants to GP training, and 350 places for new entrants were made available this year. The ICGP, which is responsible for training GPs, stated that 968 applications were received for 2023, while 1,311 applications were received for this year.
The annual year one cost of a doctor on the GP training programme is approximately €110,000, accordingly the cost of increasing the number of GP training places by a further 25 places to 375 places would be approximately €2.75 million.
It is important to note that capacity to increase the number of GP trainees must be built through the health service, as for the first two years of training GP trainees rotate through a variety of hospital specialities. An increase in GP trainers may also be required, which would involve an additional costs to be determined. Expanding the number of places available for GP trainees may also carry other additional costs which cannot be quantified at this time.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (497)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:497. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists contracted under the dental treatment services scheme from 2011 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (498)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:498. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the number and location of primary care centres for the years 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45889/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (499, 500, 501)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:499. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of acute hospital beds provided by hospital from 2011 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45890/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Brophy
Ceist:500. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of community beds provided for the years 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45891/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Brophy
Ceist:501. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of critical care beds provided by hospital for the years 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45892/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from Department.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (502)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:502. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health for an update on each of the six surgical hubs; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45893/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the six surgical hubs to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
Cancer Services
Ceisteanna (503)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:503. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the National Cancer Strategy; the level of funding that has been provided to the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45894/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
This is the third National Cancer Strategy, and the success of the strategic approach to cancer is shown by the number of patients living after receiving a cancer diagnosis which has increased to over 215,000 people, compared to 150,000 when the Strategy was brought to Government in 2017. Survival rates for patients diagnosed with cancer have continued to improve, with 65% of patients living five years after being diagnosed with cancer between the years 2014-2018, compared to 44% diagnosed in 1994-1998. This improvement in survival rates is supported by findings of the National Cancer Registry Ireland, which collects population-based data on all cancer incidence, treatment, and survival in Ireland.
Supports are being provided for people living with and beyond cancer in the local community through the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres, which has been allocated €5.5m in funding for 2025.
This Government has invested heavily in the National Cancer Strategy and associated initiatives in recent years, enabling the further development of our national cancer services, and leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.