Written answers

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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630. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria under which the selection and consultations for the Sláintecare healthy communities fund were made. [54521/21]

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The focus of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Enhancement Fund is to support projects that positively impact on the health and wellbeing of those who live within the 19 communities. In particular, the Scheme supports projects that not only provide an outlet for the communities in which they are situated, but that also deliver added value from a social determinants of health perspective, positioning communities within the 19 areas to respond to the post-COVID-19 impacts on health and wellbeing.

Projects were identified and selected by the relevant Local Authorities and submitted for approval. The projects had to be in line with the objectives and focus of the Program. This includes, but is not limited to, the upkeep, repair and development of trails, walkways, playgrounds, greenways, blueways, recreational facilities, natural play areas that form part of a larger outdoor recreation project and the promotion and marketing of such infrastructure. The Local Authorities were asked to, where possible, indicate how the projects are inclusive of the vulnerable members of the population and/or how they will promote an improved sense of community.

Local Authorities were responsible for conducting their own consultations with their communities. Projects may have a partnership aspect or may have been drawn from existing community engagement. In selecting the projects for submission for consideration, the Local Authorities used the below criteria:

- The project outcomes must have clear positive health impacts or benefits for local communities.

- The project must be collaborative in nature.

- The proposed project address an identified need.

- The timelines clearly set out in the application and realistically achievable.

- Clear and reasonable costings for the project were provided.

- The project support an inclusive approach for vulnerable people in the community and enhances opportunities for these people.

- The outcomes of the project must demonstrate a sustainable and positive impact on the local area.

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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631. To ask the Minister for Health if he will establish a national link with Northern Ireland for cross-Border paediatric pathology services; if a service level agreement or another such agreement will be established or is being discussed or developed to ensure paediatric pathology services are available on the island in both jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54523/21]

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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632. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times he or his officials have met or discussed the matter of cross-Border paediatric pathology services with their counterparts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54524/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 632 together.

In 2018, my Department and the Department of Health of Northern Ireland agreed to explore the feasibility of establishing an all-island service model and training model for perinatal and paediatric pathology. Preliminary engagement was held in 2019, which indicated a number of issues relevant to establishing the feasibility of an all-island model which will require further consideration and assessment to establish the scope for collaboration.

While the pandemic response has taken precedence over the last 18 months and the need to focus resources on managing the response to COVID-19 remains ongoing, there has been limited capacity to progress this issue since 2019. However, both Departments of Health have committed to recommence collaboration on this matter as soon as it is feasible to do so.

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