Written Answers Nos. 655-664
655. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when the HSE became aware that construction work on the development of Ballyhaunis primary care centre was to come to a halt in 2021; the reasons cited for stopping works at that time; who communicated that information; how that information was relayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/24]
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
656. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the various completion dates for Ballyhaunis primary care centre that have been cited or provided to the HSE over the course of its development; when those dates were provided; who communicated that information; how that information was communicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17890/24]
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
657. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health what contractors the HSE has been in contact with or engaged with concerning the development of Ballyhaunis primary care centre; the details of those contacts and engagements; the dates of those contacts and engagements; the nature of those contacts and engagements; the details covered in those contacts and engagements; if the information could be provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/24]
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
658. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the services purchased by St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, under the national treatment purchase plan for the years 2021-2024; the breakdown of services purchased; the cost of these services, broken down by year and month, in tabular form. [17892/24]
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
659. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the services purchased by St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, under the national treatment purchase plan for the years 2021-2024; the breakdown of services purchased, the cost of these services, broken down by year and month, in tabular form. [17893/24]
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
660. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will give urgent attention to a serious issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17895/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE are working with Section 39 funded organisations to ensure that all payments are made without delay so that employees can access their entitlements under the WRC agreement.
The Department is aware of groups who may not fall within this Section 39 arrangement and is currently exploring this matter with the HSE.
661. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17903/24]
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
662. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17919/24]
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.
663. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a hospital procedure will be scheduled for a person (details supplied) who has been waiting for a number of years for same.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17929/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
664. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 22 February 2024, if hexahydrocannabinol is defined as a psychoactive drug under existing legislation and relating schedules; if not, the steps he has taken to regulate the sale of the drug for human consumption, especially in circumstances where it may be purchased by minors or without any information regarding potential risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I would like to open with an explanation as to what HHC is and its current legal position.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is a Schedule 1 controlled drug in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations and is subject to the strictest of controls.
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but it is not a Schedule 1 controlled drug. It is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that has rarely been identified as a trace component in Cannabis Sativa, but can also be produced synthetically by hydrogenation of cannabis extracts.
HHC was first identified in Europe in May 2022 and was put under intensive monitoring at the end of 2022 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
It is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid reported in the EU and has been monitored as a New Psychoactive Substance by the EU Early Warning System since October 2022.
Early warning in Ireland is co-ordinated by the EMCDDA National Focal Point and the Early Warning, Emerging Trends (EWET) working group chaired by the Department of Health. EWET continues to monitor the emergence and use of this substance in Ireland.
HHC has been reported as a drug of concern by HSE and adolescent service providers. HHC can be contained in vaping products. There is growing concern on the potential impact of using this substance on young people’s mental health including the possible link with psychosis. Young people report adverse effects such as loss of consciousness after use.
The HSE will add content about HHC to its website Drugs.ie. Evidence in relation to harms associated with HHC will be carefully monitored and appropriate responses will be considered. The HSE will continue to liaise with the EMCDDA, and the Early Warning and Emerging Trends (EWET) group for further direction on this substance.
This is an area currently being monitored by the HSE and the EU Drug Agency as there is limited information on the health impact of this substance.
With regard to synthetic cannabinoids, the HSE has comprehensive harm reduction information about the substances available on drugs.ie.
The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 is an act to prevent the misuse of dangerous or otherwise harmful psychoactive substances and to provide for offences relating to the sale, importation, exportation or advertisement of those substances.
Under Section 3 of the Act it 3.—
(1) A person who sells a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who imports or exports a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.
Protections are currently in place. Anybody who sells a HHC vape, which one would assume is for human consumption, is guilty of an offence under the 2010 Act.
