Written Answers Nos. 162-182
162. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if discussions are expected regarding the Section 39 workers pay (details supplied); if this issue can be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44557/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action he intends to take to ensure that those people working in Section 39 organisations (details supplied) will achieve pay parity with their counterparts in Section 38 organisations or the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44518/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 169 together.
The sustainability and stability of service providers in the health and social care sector is a concern for Government. I recognise that the ability of voluntary organisations to pay their staff, and to effectively deliver quality and safe services, is highly dependent on state funding. The Government is therefore committed to playing its part to resolving this issue.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Health made a combined offer, in July, of a 5% pay funding increase to employer bodies.
This offer was in line with those accepted by community and voluntary staff in other sectors. The offer to workers in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023, with 3% backdated to April 2023.
This combined offer was not accepted by trade union representatives and following a ballot of members, unions representing some Section 39 and Section 56 workers announced that their members in a selection of employer organisations would take indefinite strike action from 17th October.
Similar considerations arise in respect of other sectors across Government adding to the complexity in seeking to resolve matters in any specific sector. All involved parties want to see a meaningful resolution that improves sustainability and the ability of these vital organisations to actively recruit and retain staff.
I recognise that a solution to the current situation will involve much needed additional investment into these sectors and my Department continues to engage in on-going dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Any industrial action will impact negatively on the people who use these services, and I continue to urge representative bodies to return to the negotiation process, to avoid industrial action and the negative impacts this will have on service users.
In the meantime the Departments are working with the relevant agencies (Tusla/HSE) who are engaged in contingency planning with the employer organisations that will be affected by industrial action, so that any impact on those who depend on these essential services can be managed to the greatest extent possible.
163. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will furnish a copy of the full contract between IPAS and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44485/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not appropriate for me to provide a copy of a contract as part of the response to the Deputy's question. However, if the Deputy or if the person concerned would like to write to me directly, I will ask my officials to look into this matter.
164. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a child was removed from the NCS scheme without a parent's knowledge or consent (details supplied); if he will review what additional recourse is now available to this child's parent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44505/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is an initiative of my Department, a Scheme Administrator has been engaged to manage the daily operations of the NCS on behalf of the Department. Pobal act in this capacity as Scheme Administrator and it is their role to follow up on individual cases.
It is within the rules of the NCS that subsidies can only be paid once an application is successfully completed, a Childcare Identifier Code Key (CHICK) has been registered with a childcare provider and the parent has confirmed on the system that all details of the registration are correct. It is a key aspect of the Scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. As such, the child must be registered with a childcare provider specifically for the NCS, and the provider must confirm that attendance on the NCS portal. Subsidies cannot be paid for a time before this point.
The Scheme Administrator advises that in this case it appears that while the parent did create an application for the named child it was manually ended by the parent on the parent portal on 10/11/2022. A notification was issued to the parent on 10/11/2022 informing them that the award N008-767-01 for the child queried had been end-dated. The system shows this notification was opened on the same day it was issued.
The applicant created a second application (C013-869), but did not include the child queried in the new application. An applicant can only have one application per household, so when the new application was completed for the additional children then it retired the application in question (N008-767), thus ending the CHICK code for the child queried. The subsidy for the child queried ended on 13/11/2022 and was not added into the new application (C013-869) until 02/08/2023.
In summary, as the CHICK for the child queried had been end-dated and they were not added to the new application until 02/08/2023 no subsidy would have been provided for the child queried during the time 13/11/2022 and 07/08/2023. This is because the child queried was not listed on an active application during this time and did not have an active CHICK.
In terms of backdating, it is not possible to submit registrations for a date in the past. The subsidy can only be paid from the point of registration of the new award with the childcare provider. These measures ensure that public funding is safeguarded and that the investment is following the child.
An appeal must be made within 30 working days of the date of notice of the review decision. In this case the applicant has until the 19th of October 2023 to submit an appeal.
A person who considers that they have been unfairly treated in relation to the Scheme may make a complaint to the Ombudsman. A person may choose to refer a complaint to the Ombudsman notwithstanding that an appeal has been made in relation to a particular matter.
Should the parent require any further assistance, or advice, the local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) remains available. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
165. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 23 February 2023, the action taken in the interim to ensure that appropriate supports and services are made available to a person (details supplied); the supports and services that have been made available as a result of his intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44506/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he can provide details of a company (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44515/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that this is a matter for the Office of Public Works.
167. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Section 3 investigations conducted by Tusla in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, outlining the number in each geographical/educational area; and indicating whether primary school or secondary school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44516/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy
168. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of the Section 3 Investigations carried out in each of the years 2019 to 2023, inclusive, how many involved allegations in each of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect or multiple type of abuse in each year, in tabular form, and delineating whether primary or secondary and the geographical/educational areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44517/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
170. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many panels were formed in relation to the higher executive officer roles within his Department to review HEO applications; what criteria and guidelines were used when choosing candidates for interview; how many candidates were chosen from each panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44531/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA confined competition for promotion to Higher Executive Office in my Department was run in accordance with the Code of Practice for appointment to positions in the Civil and Public Service.
One panel with 3 members, including 1 external member, undertook the shortlisting of applications and the interviews. All information on panels and criteria were available in the candidate information booklet for the competition.
171. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current CDNT WTE vacancies across each of the 12 teams in CHO5; the number of administrative posts vacant; and the actions that are being taken to address those vacancies, in tabular form. [44545/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
172. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the current progress in implementing the Transforming Lives Time to Move on from Congregated Settings strategy; the current number of individuals with a disability living in a congregated setting; the number of people with disabilities who have been transitioned to independent living from congregated settings annually since 1 January 2019 to date; the number of people with disabilities who have been admitted/housed in congregated settings annually since 1 January 2019 to present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44558/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
173. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he will take following Budget 2024 to grow the base of personal assistants for people with disabilities in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44592/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
174. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 838 of 20 September 2023, when a response will be forthcoming regarding the transfer request of a person (details supplied) as it is now almost three weeks since the previous response was provided, and no update has been received. [44608/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis response has been issued directly to the Deputy.
175. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the quarter 2 Assessment of Need Process Management Report has been published; if so, if he will share it with this Deputy. [44628/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
176. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated for the national clinical programme for self-harm and suicide related ideation in the previous five years; where this funding has been allocated; if funding will be increased in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44484/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegarding funding for the National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide Related ideation over the previous five years, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
The total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This significant investment will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2024.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health.
177. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will address a mater (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44486/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders.
For GMS patients unable to locate a GP themselves, the HSE may assign an eligible person to be included on a medical practitioner's GMS list, in accordance with the GMS contract. Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a GP practice has a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other GP practices in the surrounding areas.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for. In addition, the enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was increased by 10%.
The recent GP Agreement 2023 announced in July, which provides for the expansions of GP care without charges to those who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 & 7, includes additional capacity supports to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice. It includes additional supports for GP Out of Hours services also.
These measures will make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased in recent years, with 287 new entrants for this year and 350 places for new entrants planned for next year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% since 2015. Furthermore, the joint HSE and ICGP programme underway to bring up to 100 non-EU GPs to Ireland in 2023 will help to quickly improve access to GP services, particularly in areas with limited access. It is planned to bring to Ireland up to 250 more non-EU GPs by the end of 2024.
Lastly, my Department and the HSE have commenced a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.
178. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health what progress is being made on the implementation of measures (details supplied) considering that they apply with effect from the start of the 2022/2023 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44489/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives, €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements.
I would like these payments in respect of the 2022/2023 academic year to have been made long ago. However, the HSE raised a query as to whether or not tax implications might arise for students. The position has now been clarified and I am pleased to note that the HSE have informed me that they have issued their circular ‘Payment of Clinical Placement Allowances to Undergraduate Supernumerary Nursing and Midwifery Students’ on 6th September 2023.
Based on this, officials in my Department have written to the HSE requesting an update on progress.
179. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health what funding options are available to the NCBI through the mental health budget to fund its counselling, well-being and emotional support services; how they can apply for such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44492/23]
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.
180. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of Section 39 organisations that work within addiction and drug-related services; the number of staff employed in Section 39 organisations in this area; their rates of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44495/23]
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.
181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be called for an urgent appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44508/23]
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.
182. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the reason those working in supported living received the Covid pandemic payment but those working in residential care did not receive this payment in Section 39 organisations; the rational of his Department of in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44530/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2022 the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment.
Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation, the Government made its decision based on the substantial risk which certain healthcare workers faced. Eligibility guidelines were first published online by the HSE on the 19th of April 2022.
The HSE and external contractor KOSI Corporation remain responsible for processing applications for eligible non-public sector employees.
Only those staff who meet all the eligibility criteria as set out below are covered for this payment.
In order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
•Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
•Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
•Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
•Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1.Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2.Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
3.Agency roles working in the HSE;
4.Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5.Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6.Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible frontline workers faced, following careful consideration.
The Department of Health has no mandate to include other groups or employers other than those who qualify based on the set eligibility criteria below. The Department also has no responsibility in receiving or processing applications.
