Alan Farrell
Ceist:202. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the resourcing available for the court liaison service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51573/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCourts Service
Ceisteanna (202)
Freagraí scríofa
I want to assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of how harmful the consequences of crime can be for victims and ensuring victims are better supported by the criminal justice system is a priority for me.
Through the implementation of ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’, I am reforming our criminal justice system to ensure that victims are supported, informed and treated with respect and dignity by the criminal justice system and by everyone they come into contact with as part of their journey through it.
There are a number of different victim supports services throughout the criminal justice system to ensure that this is the case.
The funding provided by my Department to promote and assist the development of specific support services to victims of crime, includes supports related to court accompaniment.
In this context, my department funds Victim Support at Court (V-SAC) which is one of the key NGOs that specifically provides court accompaniment services, and from 2021 has committed to a three-year funding arrangement which will help to ensure that their services can continue on a sustainable footing. My Department is providing €148,041 in funding to Victim Support at Court (V-SAC) in 2021.
A total of €4.9m is being allocated to Victims of Crime under Budget 2022. This increase in funding will ensure that court accompaniment related supports funded by my Department are available to all categories of victims of crime throughout the State.
My Department is also reviewing the supports and funding of civil society organisations providing frontline services to identify where gaps exist and how to bridge them. This piece of work will be completed shortly.
The Deputy will also be interested to know that An Garda Síochána currently has 28 Victim Service Offices, one in each operational Garda Division. These offices ensure victims of crime are kept informed about the progress of their case and the supports available to them.
Staff of these offices are the central point of contact for victims and are responsible for communicating with victims and prioritising their needs.
They supplement victim support activity already being undertaken by investigating Gardaí in the local Victim Service Office.
The Garda Victim Liaison Office is part of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. It is responsible for developing and reviewing Garda policies on victim related issues and for supporting the implementation of An Garda Síochána's Victims Charter.
The Office also engages with government funded victim support organisations, as well as with criminal justice and other state agencies, on ways to improve services to victims of crime. It also provides support to the Family Liaison Officers who are appointed to help and support victims of crime and their families in serious cases.
The Irish Prison Service also provide a victim liaison service. A victim of crime, a member of their family, or a third party person acting on their behalf can register with he Victim Liaison Office in the IPS in order to be kept informed of significant developments in the sentence management of a prisoner.
Victims registered with the Service are provided with information on when the offender will be released from prison and about any form of temporary release. They are also informed about inter-prison transfers, hospital appointments and court appearances. Victims are also provided with information regarding an escape from custody, as well as being notified about an upcoming Parole Hearing and the outcome of it.
The Victim Liaison Officer can also provide victims with general information about the prison system, such as the regime in different prisons, remission on sentences and the operation of the Parole Board. The Officer deals with victims on a strictly confidential basis.
It is important to emphasise that the Victim Liaison Service is a voluntary service. It is a matter for the victim or their families to choose if they want to receive information about a prisoner. They can register with the service at any stage during the prisoner’s sentence and can also change their mind and "opt-out" of the service at any time.
Domestic Violence
Ceisteanna (203)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:203. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice if an update will be provided on efforts to tackle domestic violence in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51593/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and to assure him that tackling domestic violence in Ireland is a key priority for this Government.
This is reflected in the Programme for Government where we committed to a number of actions in this area, such as the development of a third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and the audit of how domestic, sexual and gender based violence services are organised. Both these actions are key deliverables in the Justice Plan 2021.
The audit was published in July of this year. Minister O’Gorman and I agreed, in line with its key recommendations, that the Department of Justice will continue to have lead policy responsibility for DSGBV. We also recognise that the policy and operational responses of a number of other Ministers and agencies will continue to be crucial in meeting the Government’s commitment to tackle all forms of DSGBV.
My Department is leading the development across Government of the new DSGBV national strategy which will place a priority on prevention and reduction. It will be the most ambitious strategy to date and aims to radically improve services and supports for victims. The strategy is on track to be developed in consultation with all relevant Departments and stakeholders with a view to it coming to Government for approval before the end of 2021.
The new strategy will build on the experience of the last two strategies, the learning from the priority given to this work during the pandemic and the commitment and expertise of all bodies involved. The audit outcome, the current review of accommodation needs undertaken by Tusla together with the ongoing work of implementing Supporting a Victim's Journey, will also feed into the new strategy.
It is my intention to have a draft strategy ready for a further round of public consultation in the coming weeks.
Progress is continuing to be made on delivering the recommendations arising out of the O'Malley Review, as set out in Supporting A Victims Journey. A number of important actions have already been delivered and work to progress the remaining actions is being treated as a priority by all those responsible for their delivery. When completed, this work will ensure victims have confidence that the criminal justice system will support them, keep them informed and treat them with respect and dignity at every stage of their journey through it.
The commitment of this Government to combatting domestic, sexual and gender based violence and to supporting victims is reflected in the funding allocated under Budget 2022, with a total of €13m allocated to my Department for this. This represents an increased allocation of €5.35m and will enable us to roll out specific awareness raising and training programmes to combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence. It will also allow us to provide additional supports to NGOs and specific domestic violence intervention programmes and it will support a number of front line activities.
As part of this, an additional €1.1m will be used to put in place a legal advice and legal aid service in court for victims of sexual violence and €1 million is being provided to the Garda vote to refurbish and upgrade the Divisional Protective Service Units. This will allow us to better support and protect vulnerable victims.
The additional funding secured under Budget 2022 will allow us to continue to build on the work undertaken this year. We will continue to improve the system for victims, to better support them and through various means to raise awareness of, and to combat, all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Furthermore, I understand that Minister O'Gorman has secured an increase of €41m for Tusla under Budget 2022 which includes the budget for funding organisations that deliver frontline services, including the funding of refuge spaces.
Since 2014, this part of Tusla's budget has almost doubled from €17.5m to €30m in 2021. While I understand Minister O'Gorman, in consultation with Tusla, is finalising the detailed allocation of funding resources to various programmes and service areas, I am assured that the budget for 2022 will allow Tusla to maintain supports for DSGBV services, which have seen a significant increases in demand in the context of Covid-19, and to progress recommendations emerging from its review of refuge accommodation provision.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (204)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the date on which she and or her officials were first informed by the Garda Commissioner in view of a statutory obligations under section 41 of the An Garda Síochána Act 2005 to inform her of such matters without delay of the cancellation and or downgrading of computer-aided despatch and 999 calls in the first instance and further matters disclosed by the Policing Authority on 14 October 2021. [51667/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, I consider any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls a very serious matter. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or indeed anyone in a vulnerable position, who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not have received it.
I can inform the Deputy that the Secretary General of my Department was first informed of this issue by An Garda Síochána by letter dated 4 December 2020. After some discussion with An Garda Síochána, the Policing Authority was asked by Minister McEntee on 5 February to oversee the review being carried by An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter, and there have been a number of engagements between the Authority and An Garda Síochána since this date.
I share the Authority’s concern about the continuation of what appears to be inappropriate cancellation and classification of calls since the introduction of the new procedures. These circumstances will of course be considered by the Authority as part of their continuing oversight of the Garda review of this matter, and will be taken into account in the work being carried out by an external policing expert who has been appointed by the Policing Authority to assist them in this task.
In respect of the matters disclosed by the Policing Authority on 14 October 2021, the Deputy Garda Commissioner informed my Department on 3 September that further cancellations had taken place and that mitigation measures were being put in place to prevent such cancellations from continuing. The Deputy Commissioner also informed my Department that a senior Garda officer was conducting an investigation as a matter of urgency.
Protected Disclosures
Ceisteanna (205)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of protected disclosures she has received in respect of the cancellation of 999 calls in 2020 and to date in 2021. [51668/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on, nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosures. The protection of those wishing to make a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is central to the efficacy of that process, and in that regard it would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the matter.
Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 requires public bodies to prepare and publish a report each year in relation to the previous year, on the disclosures received and dealt with under its policy, in an anonymised form.
My Department publishes annual reports in respect of Protected Disclosures received in the
Department of Justice and separately on Protected Disclosures made directly to the Minister for
Justice by members/employees, or former members/employees, of An Garda Síochána.
The Annual Report for Protected Disclosures received by my Department for 2020 is available on our website at www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Department_of_Justice_Protected_Disclosures_AR_2020.pdf/Files/Department_of_Justice_Protected_Disclosures_AR_2020.pdf
The Annual Report for Protected Disclosures made directly to the Minister for Justice by workers, or former workers, of An Garda Síochána for 2020 is available on our website at justice.ie/en/JELR/PD_AGS_2020_Annual%20Report.pdf/Files/PD_AGS_2020_Annual%20Report.pdf
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (206)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:206. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the audio recordings in respect of the cancellation of 999 calls and computer-aided despatch are being preserved and all essential data which illustrates the scope and the scale of this matter will be preserved to enable any reviews that are taking place. [51670/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all 999/112 emergency calls for service to An Garda Síochána are answered at the four Garda Regional Communications Centres/Rooms. As per Garda policy and procedures, 999/112 emergency calls for service are recorded and retained for a period of seven years. I am further informed that recorded call data can be extracted and stored separately for the purpose of specific investigations when required.
As the Deputy will be aware, I consider any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls a very serious matter. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or indeed anyone in a vulnerable position, who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not have received it.
The Policing Authority was asked by Minister McEntee to oversee the review being carried by An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter, and there have been a number of engagements between the Authority and An Garda Síochána since March of this year.
I share the Authority and the Commissioner's concern about the continuation of what appear to be inappropriate cancellation and classification of calls since the introduction of the new procedures. These circumstances will of course be considered by the Authority as part of their continuing oversight of the Garda review of this matter, and will be taken into account in the work being carried out by an external policing expert who has been appointed to assist the Authority in this task. I await the outcome of the Authority's work in this regard.
I will of course consider any recommendations the Authority choses to make regarding the future management of these matters.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (207)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:207. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda civilian staff recruited in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form. [51697/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, Garda numbers have increased substantially in recent years, from 12,943 Garda members and 1,999 Garda staff in 2016 to 14,345 Garda members and 3,172 staff at the end of September this year.
I am pleased to note that Budget 2022 commits to the further recruitment of an additional 800 Gardaí next year and to the recruitment of an additional 400 Garda staff.
The below table shows Garda staff recruited from 2018 to date, by each year and by county.
|
County / Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow |
4 |
4 |
3 |
|
11 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
8 |
4 |
6 |
19 |
|
Clare |
6 |
20 |
9 |
8 |
43 |
|
Cork |
22 |
56 |
42 |
19 |
139 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
14 |
11 |
12 |
40 |
|
Dublin |
223 |
508 |
200 |
195 |
1126 |
|
Galway |
16 |
38 |
26 |
10 |
90 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
11 |
7 |
7 |
30 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
11 |
6 |
2 |
23 |
|
Kilkenny |
17 |
16 |
11 |
|
44 |
|
Laois |
2 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
21 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
5 |
|
1 |
7 |
|
Limerick |
11 |
28 |
20 |
13 |
72 |
|
Longford |
2 |
8 |
2 |
|
12 |
|
Louth |
7 |
15 |
11 |
|
33 |
|
Mayo |
43 |
49 |
32 |
37 |
161 |
|
Meath |
21 |
53 |
21 |
14 |
109 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
13 |
4 |
5 |
23 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
15 |
3 |
1 |
24 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
11 |
8 |
2 |
26 |
|
Tipperary |
47 |
85 |
54 |
24 |
210 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
35 |
17 |
18 |
80 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
14 |
6 |
3 |
25 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
12 |
6 |
9 |
33 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
10 |
9 |
4 |
26 |
|
Grand Total |
468 |
1049 |
519 |
398 |
2434* |
*Figures include open recruitment, internal recruitment and mobility.
It may also be of interest to the Deputy that current and historical data of Garda Staff levels are available on the Department of Justice website at the following address - http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (208)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:208. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the progress made on the development of a new Garda station in Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, County Tipperary; the further engagement that has taken place between her Department, the National Development Finance Agency and the OPW for this development; when is it envisaged that contracts will be awarded for construction; if the commencement date for construction and completion can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51698/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient deployment of Garda resources, including Garda stations.
Following a review of An Garda Síochána's accommodation requirements, the Commissioner decided that a Public Private Partnership (PPP) should proceed to deliver new stations in Macroom and in Clonmel.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the acquisition of the site for the development of a new station in Clonmel has been completed and that An Garda Síochána has provided a brief of requirements for the new station at Clonmel to the OPW so that it may develop designs for the new station, with associated costs.
The OPW has advised that a Part IX planning application for the new Garda Station in Clonmel was submitted in mid-October 2020 and, following assessment of a number of submissions received by the end of the six-week period, the planning application was granted in early 2021.
There is ongoing engagement between my Department, an Garda Síochána, the OPW and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) (which is the procuring authority for PPPs) to progress the Garda PPP project, with a view to the tender process for this Garda PPP project commencing in 2022.
Immigration Policy
Ceisteanna (209)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:209. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 428 of 12 October 2021, the way in which her Department accommodates those impacted by the booking of immigration appointments by third party agents;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51703/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question no. 428, my Department is aware that there have been issues in the past around the securing of registration appointments. My Department has continually introduced software fixes designed to prevent such abuses of the system. These new measures have been partly successful in preventing the block booking of appointments by third party agents. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is continually working to establish further methods to mitigate against this unregulated practice.
Customers should continue to apply directly for appointments as they become available without charge, through the online appointments system: burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie.
A tender has been awarded for a new Immigration Service appointment and scheduling system, which will streamline and further improve the registration process. The new system is expected to be available to customers in November 2021.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (210)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:210. Deputy Michael 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. [51638/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:211. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in St. Vincent's University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. Vincent's University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. Vincent's University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. Vincent's University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020. [51340/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:212. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street in each of the years from 2016 to 2020. [51341/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:213. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years from 2016 to 2020. [51342/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:214. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; and the number of IVF/assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive. [51343/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:215. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; and the number of IVF/assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive. [51344/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:216. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive; and the number of IVF/assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020 inclusive. [51345/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:217. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the St. James’s Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. James’s Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. James’s Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. James’s Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020. [51346/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 and 217 together.
My Department does not routinely collect or hold the information being requested in this Parliamentary Question. The query relates to health services, which is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). As such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 211.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 211.
Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 211.
Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 211.
Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 211.
Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 211.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (218)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:218. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that a person (details supplied) receives medical attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51365/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (219)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:219. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of neurology nurse specialists based in University Hospital Limerick; if this complement of neurology nurse specialists based in University Hospital Limerick complies with national and international guidelines which has made a recommendation that there should be a minimum of 11 neurology nurse specialists based in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51380/21]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (220)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:220. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who are currently waiting for diagnosis and treatment in the neurology department of University Hospital Limerick since January 2019 to September 2021; the number of these patients who are on the waiting list for treatment are waiting longer than the national guidelines for same by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51381/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last nineteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are focusing on improving access to elective care in order to reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
On the 7th October I published the Acute Waiting List Action Plan. This plan, to run until December 2021, has a series of targeted measures that are designed to address the growth in waiting lists caused by Covid-19 and the cyber-attack.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In relation to the data requested by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) collect, collate and publish waiting lists in respect of outpatient specialties and inpatient/daycase procedures. Waiting times can be examined in terms of the appointment or procedure that a patient is waiting for, however, it is not possible for the NTPF to identify patients based on their clinical diagnosis.
The attached document details the outpatient waiting list for Neurology in University Hospital Limerick by area of residence. The number of patients waiting longer than the national guidelines would be a service/clinical matter and I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this as soon as possible.
[<a ref=https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debateRecord/dail/2021-10-20/supportingDoc/2021-10-20_pq220-19-10_en.xlsx>Grants</a>]
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (221)
Mark Ward
Ceist:221. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of public ambulances available in the Dublin area in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51408/21]
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.