David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1500. To ask the Minister for Health the progress in implementing social prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29469/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1501. To ask the Minister for Health if he will implement a self-referral system for social prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29470/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1502. To ask the Minister for Health if he will implement a digital solution for social prescribing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29471/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1500, 1501 and 1502 together.

Social prescribing is a means of enabling healthcare professionals and other professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services provided by the voluntary and community sector. It is a key enabler and effective means of linking those with mental health difficulties to community-based supports and interventions through the local Voluntary and Community Sector.

Social isolation, fear and loneliness and (typically) associated inactivity, have negative consequences for both physical and mental health and can particularly impact older age groups, those with chronic health problems, people with mental health difficulties and psychosocial needs, carers, single parents, migrant and immigrant and minority ethnic groups.

In recognition of the supports that social prescribing can provide, the Programme for Government, 2020, Our Shared Future, includes a commitment to "Seek to expand social prescribing where patients are referred to non-clinical activities, as a means of positively influencing mental wellbeing".

Last year, I was pleased to launch the HSE's Social Prescribing Framework, which commits to mainstreaming and integrating social prescribing within Community Healthcare Networks across the country.

The Framework is providing, and will continue to provide, strategic guidance and direction to the further development and sustainability of social prescribing.

There are currently 31 HSE funded social prescribing services across the country. 19 of these are Sláintecare Healthy Communities sites; some of the other services were formerly funded under the Sláintecare Integration Fund and mainstreamed within the HSE through the 2022 Estimates process. The services are delivered by community and voluntary organisations through grant aid agreements with the HSE.

With regard to the detailed information sought, as these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.