Written Answers Nos. 503-515
507. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the unit in the HSE that has responsibility for the implementation of the roll-out of the free contraception programme in August 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22050/22]
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.
508. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
509. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made by his Department in 2022 on the implementation of a National Traveller Health Action Plan as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22055/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health acknowledges the severe health needs of Travellers, who die younger, have more illnesses, and are at greater risk of substance misuse and mental ill-health. These health inequalities are rooted in the social determinants of health, which encompass poverty and social exclusion, poor living conditions, low education attainment, unemployment and discrimination. It is also acknowledged that Travellers can face difficulties in accessing healthcare services.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) is the Government policy framework for addressing the health and other needs of Travellers. A key health action in NTRIS is to develop and implement a detailed action plan to address the specific health needs of Travellers, using a social determinants approach. The lead role in developing the action plan rests with the HSE, in conjunction with Traveller organisations. A steering committee, which included relevant stakeholders and representatives of Traveller organisations, has drafted a Traveller Health Action Plan, to address the specific health needs of Travellers, including physical, mental and social well-being needs.
Covid-19 has brought into focus the health inequalities faced by Traveller communities. From the outset of the Covid pandemic, a range of additional measures were put in place by the HSE and local authorities to mitigate the risks faced by the Traveller community. The Traveller Health Action Plan will reflect the lessons from the public health response to Covid-19.
The Department has engaged with the HSE in the drafting of the Traveller Health Action Plan, to ensure that the plan is aligned with the Department's policy priorities as set out in the Slaintecare implementation strategy and action plan 2021-2023, the Healthy Ireland strategic action plan 2021-2025 and the Statement of Strategy 2021-2023. The plan should also take into account the recommendations in the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on key issues affecting the Traveller community, published in Novemrber 2021.
The Department acknowledges the frustration of Traveller organisations arising from the delay in publishing the plan. The publication and implementation of the plan is a priority for the Department and the HSE in 2022. The Department is fully committed to providing the leadership and resources to support its implementation. As an initial step, the Department provided €270,000 to expand Traveller health units in the HSE in 2021. Further measures will be considered in the context of Budget 2023.
I look forward to the imminent publication of the Traveller health action plan and to working together with all stakeholders to improve the health experiences and health outcomes for Travellers, in a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable manner.
510. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1577 of 26 April 2022, if he will confirm details of a matter (details supplied); and if the matter has now been concluded. [22056/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing consideration of the complaints made in the matter referred to by the Deputy, my predecessor as Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D., arranged for an independent review to be conducted and a report to be submitted to him. This was in accordance with Section 27(9) of the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011. The senior counsel who conducted the review found that none of the complaints had been established.
It is not intended to provide a copy of this review to anyone. However, my Department has written to the parties involved , offering them an opportunity to read an appropriately redacted version of the document.
511. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the discussions that his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) to provide a dual diagnosis service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22066/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Health and the Department have not had any discussion or correspondence with Pieta in relation to the provision of a dual diagnosis service. However, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
512. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE dual diagnosis programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22067/22]
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.
513. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the new model of care for persons presenting with self-harm in emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22068/22]
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.
514. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the new model of care for persons presenting with self-harm that are under the influence of drugs and alcohol and the way that they fit into the model of care; the supports that are available for dual diagnosis in this scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22069/22]
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.
515. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1034 of 26 April 2022, if he plans to conduct across-Departmental budgetary analysis with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the maximum amount by which the household income earnings threshold for carer’s allowance could be raised which would be still be more cost effective to the State in many instances than a HSE-funded homecare package and would help address the shortage of homecare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeans testing for social protection payments including carers allowance does not fall under the remit of the Department of Health, and it would be more appropriately addressed to the Department of Social Protection.
I would therefore suggest that the Deputy direct his enquirers to the Minister of Social Protection.
