Written Answers Nos. 202-221
202. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9056/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
The nomination and appointment processes for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in legislation. In line with a Government Decision in 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS), currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Justice, have nominating rights under relevant legislation.
I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. PAS campaigns for board members set out the skills and criteria required for positions on boards and are not solely based on the current or former occupation of applicants, except where certain skills or experience are defined in legislation as requirements.
For the Deputy's information, details of the individuals serving on State Boards under the remit of my Department are published on the Gov.ie website at:
membership.stateboards.ie/en/department/Department%20of%20Justice/
203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9074/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department is required to publish a list of staff who are Designated Public Officials (DPO) under Section 6(4) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
The purpose of the Act is to provide for a web-based Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions. There are 29 senior staff published on this list under my Department or bodies under its aegis. Agencies under the remit of my department are aware of their obligations to comply with the Act.
The Department does not have visibility of the membership of all boards but is satisfied that senior officials in the Department are aware of their obligations under the Regulation of Lobbying Act, Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.
204. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received and the number of approvals issued on an annual basis since its inception in respect of the immigrant investor programme, under each investment fund; the total investment under each fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9183/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards.
The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/
All IIP applications were examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State.
My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme.
|
Year |
Applications received |
Approved applications |
Value of Approved Investment |
|
2012 |
5 |
2 |
1,500,000 |
|
2013 |
18 |
16 |
12,200,000 |
|
2014 |
30 |
5 |
2,950,000 |
|
2015 |
75 |
70 |
38,300,000 |
|
2016 |
334 |
33 |
18,750,000 |
|
2017 |
324 |
369 |
250,700,000 |
|
2018 |
423 |
155 |
138,750,000 |
|
2019 |
443 |
237 |
209,300,000 |
|
2020 |
339 |
270 |
188,000,000 |
|
2021 |
258 |
264 |
185,700,000 |
|
2022 |
1316 |
306 |
205,900,000 |
|
TOTAL |
3565 |
1727 |
1,252,050,000 |
*Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.
|
Investment Type |
Total Applications Approved |
Total Value of Investment |
|
Enterprise |
876 |
740,200,000 |
|
Investment Fund |
243 |
225,000,000 |
|
REIT |
6 |
12,000,000 |
|
Endowment |
546 |
220,900,000 |
|
*Bond & Mixed Investment |
56 |
53,950,000 |
|
TOTAL |
1,727 |
1,252,050,000 |
*The Bond and mixed Investment options were suspended in 2016
205. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) cannot apply for a visa in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9214/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that all visa applications must be made from the applicants home country, or a country where they are legally resident. This is the norm among visa/immigration services worldwide.
The applicant should be advised that processing times can vary between countries. They can also vary during high volume periods during the year. However, the applicant can generally expect a decision within 8 weeks from the date on which their application is lodged at the visa office, embassy or consulate.
The applicant may wish to read the relevant information which is available on our website at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/
206. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the steps he intends taking to ensure every community healthcare organisation has a community neuro-rehabilitation team as previously promised, including CHO 7 in particular, where none is available at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8953/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
207. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position on an application for funding for a section 39 organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8966/23]
View answerThe Department of Health does not directly fund any section 39 funded organisations. Under Section 39 of the 2004 Health Act (as amended) funding is provided by the Health Service Executive. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
208. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [8909/23]
View answerUnder 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.
209. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently expedite an application for the fair deal scheme on behalf of a person (details supplied). [8929/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
210. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons presenting to emergency departments after being spiked with a drug or substance without their knowledge in each of the years from 2017 to date; if there has been an increase in presentations of syringe spiking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8930/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
211. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with a group (details supplied) at his earliest convenience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/23]
View answer240. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding the current reimbursement policy for cariban in respect of medication to treat hyperemesis gravidarum; if he will pursue the HSE to have this medication licensed with the Health Products Regulatory Authority in order that it can be to be prescribed through a GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9216/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 240 together.
As part of Budget 2023, funding of €32.2 million was announced for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023.
This included dedicated funding of €1.3m for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine) to help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea during pregnancy, which is expected to affect about 1% of the pregnant population.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Good s) Act 2013.
In line with the Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the formal Reimbursement list.
Only licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) can be added to the formal reimbursement list.
Cariban® is not licensed in Ireland and, therefore, cannot be added to the formal reimbursement list.
However, following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, reimbursement support for Cariban® was made available from 1st January 2023 under an exceptional arrangement for specific patients who meet the criteria and where Consultant Obstetrician initiated. However, women would only need to see a consultant in order to be initiated on the product, and thereafter it can be prescribed by their GP.
The relevant HSE circular regarding this arrangement for Cariban® is available at:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-001-23-cariban.pdf
This exceptional arrangement has been put in place to ensure that those patients suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum have access to Cariban®. As of 15th February 2023, 444 women have been approved for the product.
While reimbursement support is offered on the basis of the patient’s eligibility under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme or the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), Cariban® is unlicensed and is not on the formal reimbursement list.
However, I recognise that women who may benefit from Cariban® may require access to it before their first consultation with their specialist/obstetrician, and that GPs appear to already be prescribing Cariban® without an initial prescription from a specialist. Therefore, I have asked that the HSE review the current arrangement.
There are three other products containing doxylamine/pyridoxine which are licensed in Ireland (Xonvea®, Exeltis® and Navalem®), but for which the respective market authorisation holders have not progressed with a pricing and reimbursement application to the HSE under the 2013 Act.
The HSE therefore encourages clinicians, along with the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Clinical Programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and other healthcare professionals, to encourage the market authorisation holders of these licensed medicinal products to progress with the formal pricing and reimbursement process in Ireland.
Finally, the HSE provides general advice on treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum at:
www2.hse.ie/conditions/hyperemesis-gravidarum/treatment/
212. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will revisit the apparent decision to relocate the Naas antenatal clinic attached to the Coombe Hospital to Portlaoise hospital, thereby duplicating services at a hospital that already has its own maternity unit where women will deliver locally, but leaving Kildare women who will deliver at the Coombe without their much relied-on clinic in Naas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8934/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
213. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) has been waiting 16 months to receive surgery at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/23]
View answerUnder 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.
214. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if persons paying for IVF treatment between now and September 2023 will be reimbursed their costs from September onwards in view of his stated intention to begin providing interim public funding for IVF treatment via private clinics from September 2023 and given the urgency involved in accessing IVF treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8963/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility-related issues at this level of intervention. Patients are referred by their GPs to their local Regional Fertility Hub, which provides a range of treatments and interventions, including: relevant blood tests, semen analysis, assessment of tubal patency, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, fertility-related surgeries, ovulation induction and follicle tracking. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care, envisaged later this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs at six locations across the country.Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care will see the introduction of tertiary fertility services, including IVF, provided through the public health system. In this regard, funding was secured in Budget 2023 to support access to advanced AHR treatments, including, crucially, to allow the commencement of Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care.
This investment will facilitate the first steps to be taken towards the provision of a complete publicly-provided fertility service, which is the ultimate objective of Government. In particular, it will allow the historic development of the first National Advanced AHR Centre, delivering IVF and ICSI through a wholly public clinic. This is scheduled to open in the early part of 2024 and will provide a nationwide service, with all six Regional Fertility Hubs having equity of access for onward referral to it, via a shared care pathway. Subject to the provision of additional funding in future, it is envisaged that additional National Advanced AHR Centres will be developed and become operational on a phased basis elsewhere in the country. The 2023 allocation is also being utilised to support the Regional Fertility Hubs in order to expand their scope of services later this year by introducing the provision of IUI (intrauterine insemination), which can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive, type of AHR treatment. Separately, as an interim measure, I have instructed that some funding be made available to support access to advanced AHR treatment via private providers from September 2023. Substantial planning, development and policy work to establish the scope, design and requirements for Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care is ongoing. My officials, in conjunction with NWIHP, are continuing to actively prepare for the operationalisation of both the publicly- and privately- provided service, including finalising a national eligibility framework and determining how the interim funding for private treatments will be provided to individual eligible patients. Overall, my Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader new AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
215. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when an application for the special recognition pandemic payment will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8983/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
216. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8989/23]
View answerUnder 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.
217. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the process by which pregnant women experiencing extreme nausea and vomiting can obtain the drug cariban; the reason cariban cannot be prescribed by a GP on the drugs payment scheme given that most women do not see a consultant until after 12 weeks; the steps pregnant women can take to help with the extreme nausea and vomiting for the first 12 weeks or until the drug can be accessed; the standard practice in other EU member states; and the number of cariban prescriptions that have been processed through the drugs payment scheme to date. [8990/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, funding of €32.2 million was announced for Women’s Health Initiatives in 2023.
This included dedicated funding of €1.3m for Cariban® (doxylamine/pyridoxine) to help women who experience hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea during pregnancy, which is expected to affect about 1% of the pregnant population.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Good s) Act 2013.
I, as the Minister for Health, have no role in these decisions.
Within the European Union (EU), the pricing and reimbursement of medicines is a national competence. As Member States operate different pharmaceutical reimbursement systems across the EU, a direct comparison of the reimbursement of products is not possible. The competent authority for pricing and reimbursement in Ireland is the HSE.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the formal Reimbursement list. Only licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) can be added to the formal reimbursement list.
Cariban® is not licensed in Ireland and, therefore, cannot be added to the formal reimbursement list.
However, following the recommendations of the HSE Medicines Management Programme, reimbursement support for Cariban® was made available from 1st January 2023 under an exceptional arrangement for specific patients who meet the criteria and where Consultant Obstetrician initiated. However, women would only need to see a consultant in order to be initiated on the product, and thereafter it can be prescribed by their GP.
The relevant HSE circular regarding this 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 individual patient has severe nausea which requires systemic treatment, has been assessed using the appropriate assessment tool and has not responded to conservative management. The consultant also makes an Unlicensed Product Declaration and submits the application by email to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS).
Once reviewed by the PCRS, the prescriber and dispensing pharmacy are securely emailed with the reimbursement decision. The community pharmacy then dispenses the product under the specific patient’s eligibility. While reimbursement support is offered on the basis of the patient’s eligibility under the community drug schemes (subject to the relevant patient co-payment), Cariban® is unlicensed and is not on the formal reimbursement list.
This exceptional arrangement has been put in place to ensure that those patients suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum have access to Cariban®. As of 15th February 2023, 444 women have been approved for the product.
However, I recognise that women who may benefit from Cariban® may require access to it before their first consultation with their specialist/obstetrician, and that GPs appear to already be prescribing Cariban® without an initial prescription from a specialist. Therefore, I have asked that the HSE review the current arrangement.
There are three other products containing doxylamine/pyridoxine which are licensed in Ireland (Xonvea®, Exeltis® and Navalem®), but for which the respective market authorisation holders have not progressed with a pricing and reimbursement application to the HSE under the 2013 Act.
The HSE therefore encourages clinicians, along with the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Clinical Programme for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and other healthcare professionals, to encourage the market authorisation holders of these licensed medicinal products to progress with the formal pricing and reimbursement process in Ireland.
Finally, the HSE provides general advice on treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum at:
www2.hse.ie/conditions/hyperemesis-gravidarum/treatment/
218. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the incentives in place to encourage dental practices to take part in the dental treatment services scheme, particularly with regard to rural communities where there will be a lower density of dental practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9005/23]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Since May 1st 2022, there has been additional prevention treatments included and a 40-60% increase in fees across most treatment items. This has led to an increase in the numbers of treatments provided and the number of patients being seen.
I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. Where access to a dentist is difficult, local HSE services assist patients who make enquires and make lists of DTSS contractors available to medical card holders. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by directly contacting private contractors or arranging treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
An additional allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. This includes €5 million allocated on a one-off basis to support the HSE Public Dental Service to provide care this year, including through a HSE ‘safety-net’ service for adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still having difficulty accessing a local dentist.
The Government recognises that substantive reform of the DTSS is required, as set out in the National Oral Health Policy. My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused implementation structures to drive implementation of the Policy. Resources will be provided for new clinical leadership and reform leadership posts. These implementation structures will help to substantively reform the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages. While it will take a number of years to bring reform to complete fruition, there will be an early emphasis in implementation on addressing the current issues, including the reform of the provision of services for medical card holders.
219. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm when the PRSP will be paid to a healthcare assistant, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9006/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
220. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of minor injuries units in hospitals across County Tipperary; the hours and days each minor injuries unit operates; the number of patients treated in each unit in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the treatments that are available at these minor injuries units in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9008/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
221. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has any plans to extend the opening hours of each minor injuries unit that operates in County Tipperary; if the opening hours will be extended in 2023 to include weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/23]
View answer222. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has any plans to increase the number of minor injuries units in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9010/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
