Written Answers Nos. 553-572
553. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of counselling sessions delivered by the counselling in primary care service, by year since 2019, by CHO area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8990/24]
View answer554. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost of the counselling in primary care service, by year since 2019; the average cost of delivering a session, inclusive of staffing and administration costs, in the same period; the funding allocated to the counselling in primary care service per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8991/24]
View answer555. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when an ex gratia payment will issue to a former employee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8996/24]
View answer556. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a programme designed to help and support people with ADHD has been unexpectedly cut by the HSE (details supplied); the reason funding was cut; if he will consider sanctioning the funding in order that this important work can be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9005/24]
View answerADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
It can cause many issues in areas such as personal and social relations, education and occupation, managing money and organising life in general, there is also an increased risk of having other mental health difficulties with it such as anxiety and depression.
Children can access ADHD assessments through the National Educational Psychological Service. In addition to this, as per the CAMHS Operational Guidelines, CAMHS take referrals for children and adolescents up to age 18 with moderate to severe ADHD.
I am aware that prior to the inception of the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD which I launched in 2021, there were no specific ADHD public services available for Adults in Ireland.
The NCP for ADHD is delivered as part of the HSE’s mental health service provision to ensure an integrated, person-centred response to adults with ADHD. The programme includes both assessment and treatment of the disorder and works collaboratively with voluntary agencies. It envisages a national service of ADHD teams, with each Team comprised of Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Health, and an administrator.
Enhancement of specialist mental health services such as ADHD is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole and the HSE. Since 2021, over €3 million has been made available for funding ADHD posts from Programme for Government funding. This has enabled the set-up of 5 ADHD Teams with recruitment of over 25 posts, and two more teams are currently in development with posts funded for them.
In addition, as part of the National Clinical Programme adults funding of €150,000 was allocated to facilitate a collaboration with ADHD Ireland and the UCD School of Psychology to develop an ADHD app and the UMAAP Programme (Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme). Both the ADHD App and the UMAAP Programme have proven to be two very positive resources for people with ADHD.
The UMAAP Programme is delivered as a 5-week workshop, and its aim is to provide education and tools for adults on how to manage ADHD.
I am pleased to confirm that further to recent discussions between the Department of Health and the HSE to finalise 2024 mental health funding, ADHD Ireland will be provided with funding for provision of the UMAAP Programme in 2024 and beyond. I look forward to launching the UMAAP Programme in April as agreed with ADHD Ireland.
557. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics working in the National Ambulance Service. [9007/24]
View answer558. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics working in the National Ambulance Service in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024. [9008/24]
View answer559. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health to advise when the National Ambulance Service (NAS) stopped training advanced paramedics; the rationale for this decision; if there was engagement with the Minister on this decision; if the NAS is aware that this decision means paramedics cannot upskill via the training which was available, and now cannot progress and advance to this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 to 559, inclusive, together.
As these relate to service and operational matters for the National Ambulance Service (NAS) I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
560. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the impediments that exist to the opening of more beds at West Kerry Community Hospital; if the recruitment of additional healthcare assistants is a feasible option in the event of additional nursing staff being unavailable for recruitment; if this option has been explored previously; if so, the outcome of any such exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9040/24]
View answer561. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if Glenwood House, Carrigaline, has opened as a residential mental health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9061/24]
View answer562. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if Garnish House, Cork, has ceased operating as a residential mental health service; the names of the services where residents are being or have been transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9062/24]
View answer563. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of building a set of residential mental health bungalows on the grounds of St. Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, as set out in the HSE's current capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9063/24]
View answer564. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of building a new residential mental health service on the site of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, as set out in the HSE's current capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9064/24]
View answer566. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the new Nenagh community nursing home will be open before June 2024. [9071/24]
View answer568. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide data regarding the number of retail outlets registered to sell tobacco on the National Register of Tobacco retailers in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9092/24]
View answer569. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has determined the annual fee to be set for retailers who wish to sell tobacco products or nicotine-inhaling products, as part of the recently enacted Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9093/24]
View answer570. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an estimate of the revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €500 tobacco retailer licence fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9094/24]
View answer571. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an estimate of the revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €200 electronic cigarette retailer licence fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9095/24]
View answer572. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided for tobacco cessation services per year from 2013 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9096/24]
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