Written Answers Nos. 300-321
304. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the process in writing by which pregnant women are experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting can obtain cariban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6380/23]
View answerFollowing the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, and to address the unmet need of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, reimbursement support for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine), an unlicensed Exempt Medicinal Product, has now been made available on an individual patient basis for those patients who meet the criteria and where Consultant Obstetrician initiated.
Under the community drug schemes, Exempt Medicinal Products must be Consultant initiated. However, whilst the original prescriber of Cariban® must be a consultant and specialist in the relevant field, the HSE will accept a GP prescription subsequent to the initial hospital prescription for approved patients.
The relevant HSE circular regarding the exceptional arrangement for Cariban® is available at:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-001-23-cariban.pdf.
In order to obtain reimbursement support for Cariban® under this exceptional arrangement, the prescribing consultant must confirm whether the following apply:
- The individual has nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) which requires systemic treatment;
- The individual has been assessed using the pregnancy unique quantification of emesis and nausea (PUQE) assessment tool and the appropriate treatment algorithm has been followed;
- The individual has not responded to conservative management.
The consultant must also make an Unlicensed Product Declaration and submit the completed application form by email to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS).
Once reviewed by the PCRS, the prescriber and dispensing pharmacy are emailed (via secure email) with the reimbursement decision. The community pharmacy then dispenses the product under the specific patient’s community schemes eligibility – either the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) – and submits the claim using the relevant administrative code in their monthly submission to PCRS.
307. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 745 of 22 November 2022, the status of the final report of the expert group on the reform and management of clinical negligence claims; the reason the recommendations which come under his remit have not been implemented; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6387/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, an Expert Group was established by the Government in June 2018, chaired by Mr. Justice Charles Meenan, to examine the law in relation to personal injuries arising in the healthcare context and to explore alternative mechanisms by which claims could be managed more effectively, particularly from the perspective of the person on whose behalf a claim has been made. Government noted the contents of the Final Report and agreed to its publication in December 2020. Government also noted that I would give detailed consideration to the proposals being made in the Report.
The Report contains seventeen recommendations for change, ten of which relate to my Department. The table attached outlines the current status of each recommendation for my Department, and progress made to date.
308. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when the seven-day services will be operational at a premises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6163/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
309. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date he is working towards for Second Stage of the health (termination of pregnancy services (safe access zones)) Bill, the general scheme of which has been published. [6411/23]
View answerThe Minister is committed to ensuring that anyone needing a termination of pregnancy can access services in safety, and with privacy and dignity.
In advancing Safe Access Zones legislation, careful consideration has been given to developing proposals that balance a range of rights, while ensuring the legitimate aim to protect the right of a person to access termination of pregnancy services with privacy and dignity is achieved.
The Heads of Bill have been published on the Department’s website. The General Scheme was sent for pre-legislative Scrutiny on 19th September 2022 and this process is ongoing.
Officials in the Department are engaging intensively with the Office of the Attorney General and relevant stakeholders to progress this legislation as expeditiously as possible.
310. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for pre-application assessment for aids and appliances for those under 18 years of age in CHO 4; the length of time they have been waiting for the pre-application assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6412/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) have responsibility for the provision of aids and appliances under the Community Funded Schemes, I have asked HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
311. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of lactation consultant positions in each CHO, including a breakdown to LHO level, the number of positions that are currently filled, the number that are currently vacant, and measures being undertaken to recruit personnel. [6413/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
312. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans to support public health nurses to separate and specialise workload, such as working with infants and children, or caring for elderly persons, in all LHOs within CHO 4. [6414/23]
View answerA Registered Public Health Nurse ( PHN) is licensed under regulation to provide care in the community setting, supporting patient groups ranging from new-born to those who require end of life care. The PHN role in Ireland encompasses health promotion, disease prevention, screening and nursing care. There are very few child-specific PHN roles identified.
The current workload model of care provision by PHNs is based on providing care within a district or geographical area and there have been increasing demands on the role of PHNs over the last decade, including an emphasis on supporting older people with health care needs to remain in their homes and the need to provide more complex healthcare interventions to people, including children, within the community.
My Department is currently implementing the recommendations from the Expert Review Body Report on Nursing and Midwifery published last year which recognizes the workforce challenges facing public health nurses. One of the priority recommendations is the development of an integrated workforce strategy for nursing and midwifery based on population health needs and supported by new and enhanced career pathways for acute and community settings.
Also in line with the principles set out in Sláintecare, and the First 5 Whole of Government Strategy for: Babies, Young Children and Their Families 2019- 2028, my Department is tasked with progressing Strategic Action 3A - to develop a dedicated child health workforce model with a population-based approach and focused on areas of high population density and disadvantage. This work will require the scoping out of the most appropriate approach to developing a model, informed by international best practice and outcomes and the implications for the Irish context.
Separately, my Department is identifying an appropriate model for community nursing and midwifery in Ireland and aligning this model with the framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Community Care settings. This work will be helpful in developing a dedicated child health workforce model.
Meanwhile, the issue of assigning workloads in specific Local Health Organisations is a Human Resources /staff deployment matter inextricably linked to organising and managing the particular health service in question. Therefore, any such proposal would require careful consideration, including consideration of the potential impacts on both the service being provided currently and overall staffing deployment in the wider context.
As the specific issue raised by the Deputy refers to the operational responsibilities of the HSE, I have referred the matter to the HSE for its attention and direct response to him.
313. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide advice with regard to parking at Rossaveel car park (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6256/23]
View answerPermit parking is being provided at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre by my Department for persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands. This follows consultation with the three Island Committee Representative Groups and their desire to have islander access to the Fishery Harbour Centre car park facility. It replaces a car park operated under licence until 2021 by the Committees on behalf of the islanders. Information on the permit process can be found online at: gov.ie - Application forms for Car Park Permit – Ros an Mhíl (www.gov.ie)
Over 250 permits have been issued to date. Almost all applications have been in line with the terms and conditions set out. In a very small number of cases applications have been refused in respect of commercially taxed vehicles. In the operation of any such facility, my Department is conscious not to unintentionally subsidise commercial operators, particularly where there may be other reliefs available, and not to interfere in the market for related services.
As is the case with any car park, charges apply in the Fishery Harbour Centre, and spaces cannot be guaranteed for any individual user. Other parking spaces in the car park will be available as a public car park at ordinary parking rates with further privately operated car parking facilities available in the immediate vicinity.
314. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will convene an urgent meeting of the Sheep Vision Group to discuss the worsening crisis in the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6250/23]
View answerAt the outset, I want to express the Government's commitment to the sheep sector. Our sheep farmers produce a world-class product and the sheep sector plays a critical role in the overall success of our agri-food export industry. As the Deputy will be aware, I established the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group in June of 2022, to advance the actions for the beef and sheep sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy. The Chair of the group, Professor Thia Hennessy, has submitted a final report on the Group’s first priority, which was to produce a detailed plan to reduce emissions from the beef sector. The Group will now move on to progressing the other important actions for the beef and sheep sectors set out in the Food Vision 2030 strategy. I will shortly be convening a meeting the Group to analyse the current market situation. In terms of supports for the sheep sector, the Sheep Welfare Scheme has been in existence for 6 years. Advance payments (85%) for the final year of the scheme commenced in November 2022, with €15.5 million issuing to 17,500 farmers. The balancing payments will issue in Quarter 2 of 2023. The new Sheep Improvement Scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) opened for applications in November 2022 and closed on 9th January 2023, with 19,165 applicants. This is the core targeted support for the sector from this year and aims to build on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare by providing support for actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sector. The new scheme has an increased payment rate compared to the previous one, from €10 per ewe to €12 per ewe.The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period and much needed certainty for farm families. Sheep farmers are of course also eligible for a number of other schemes as well as the targeted Sheep improvement Scheme, including for example the ACRES scheme, and the Organics Scheme.Another significant support for the sheep sector which will be introduced later this year, is the inclusion of the sector in the new support for early-stage producer organisations which, in addition to providing administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, provides under competition law for collective bargaining on output prices thereby strengthening their position in the supply chain.Sheep farmers play an enormous role in driving a balanced regional economy. It is for this reason that supporting this sector remains a key aim for my Department.
315. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will advise of the car parking facilities and supports that are available for island communities; if her Department has had any engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine on providing permits for car parks which are currently only provided on a commercial basis; if she will provide advice on this matter with regard to parking at Rossaveel car park (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6256/23]
View answerThe development, management and upkeep of pier and quayside infratructure serving island communities, including the provision of car parking facilities and supporting infrastructure at piers and harbours, is entirely a matter for the relevant Local Authority in most cases, and for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the case of Ros an Mhíl.
My Department has no role in the management or operation of such parking facilities or in the administration of permits.
316. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason she announced on gov.ie that each men’s shed would receive a grant of €2,000, but is now stating that each men’s shed will receive a grant of up to €2,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6268/23]
View answer317. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason that the timeframe of 1 January to 31 December 2022 was placed as a criterion for qualification for the sustainability grant scheme for men’s sheds when the grant scheme was announced in November and sheds were only informed of the grant by the IMSA on 5 December via webinar; the reason that the timeframe was so short, resulting in men’s sheds not having an opportunity to carry out essential sustainability works or projects between 5 December and 31 December (details supplied); the reason the grant was offered retrospectively when most community funding grant schemes require full approval of any works prior to offering a grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6269/23]
View answer318. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in situations in which some of the €800,000 grant funding has not been drawn down by individual men's sheds due to non-qualification according to the current criteria, if all moneys will be returned to her Department or if they will be held by the Irish Men’s Sheds Association; the amount of the €800,000 that remains unspent at this point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6270/23]
View answer319. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all the men’s sheds that received funding under the men's sheds sustainability grant; the level of funding received by each; and the number of men’s sheds that were unable to make an application due to the strict criteria and short timeframe. [6271/23]
View answer320. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm if the criteria for the men’s shed sustainability grant were laid down by her Department or by the IMSA; if the criteria or guidelines were the result of negotiation with the IMSA; if consultation occurred with the IMSA in advance of the grant announcement; if the IMSA met with her or departmental officials to discuss this grant; if so, if a record of any such meeting is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6272/23]
View answer321. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development with regard to the men’s shed sustainability grant, as the purpose of the grant was to support shed sustainability, the reason there was no requirement to prove a need for the funding in the criteria (details supplied); the reason that some sheds with real sustainability issues have been prohibited from claiming the entire grant, despite it being critical in order to maintain sustainability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6273/23]
View answer322. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason she states that the Irish Men’s Sheds Association is the representative organisation for individual men’s sheds when, according to the organisation’s own memorandum and articles of association, it is not a representative organisation; the reason she states that sheds are members of the IMSA when the IMSA articles of association state otherwise; if her attention was drawn to reports that the IMSA was not the representative body for men’s sheds and therefore had no consultation with the individual men’s sheds prior to any negotiation of the qualifying criteria; if she would agree that the men’s sheds are neither associate nor full members of the IMSA, in accordance with its articles of association; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6274/23]
View answer323. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason her Department has given funding to the IMSA to administer when it is not the representative body of men’s sheds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6275/23]
View answer324. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason the men’s sheds sustainability grant moneys were not administered by the LCDC as has been the case to date, when no change has occurred within the memorandum and articles of the IMSA to state that it is the men’s sheds’ representative body; if the IMSA is to be considered the official representative body of men’s sheds, the reason there have been no changes to its memorandum and articles of association since its registration with the Charities Regulator on 29 March 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6276/23]
View answer325. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will meet, at her earliest opportunity, a delegation of representatives from a number of individual men’s sheds who have concerns in respect of the manner in which the men’s sheds sustainability grant has been administered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6277/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 to 325, inclusive, together.
Last November, I was delighted to announce funding of €800,000 to support Men’s Sheds throughout the country. The initiative will see grants of up to €2,000 provided to over 400 registered Men’s Sheds nationwide, to assist them with running costs such as electricity or insurance bills.
The individual grants will be distributed to the over 400 Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA). I would advise the Deputy to contact the IMSA for further details and with queries regarding the distribution of this fund.
Separately, Men's Sheds can also apply for funding to the Community Support Fund (CSF) that was announced last November under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The €10m Community Support Fund was set up to help small community groups with their energy/running costs but will also provide funding for small capital works projects. Costs incurred in the period 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 are eligible under the fund.
The CSF is being administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) on behalf of my Department and interested Men’s Sheds should contact their local LCDC directly for further information.
