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Thursday, 30 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1225-1249

Care of the Elderly

Questions (1225)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

1225. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of day services for older persons and persons living with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20219/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Nursing Staff

Questions (1226)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

1226. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of his plans to increase the number of nurse specialists in the field of Parkinson's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20220/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Screening Programmes

Questions (1227)

Matt Carthy

Question:

1227. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 540 of 13 May 2020, if the reason a person (details supplied) experienced a delay between providing a cervical screening sample on 22 November 2018 and receiving a positive cancer diagnosis based on that sample on 25 October 2019 will be examined in view of the fact the HSE has not provided a response; the reason for the delay in the commencement of treatment for the diagnosis until March 2020; the recourse that will be provided to them as a result of the failures and delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20267/20]

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Written answers

I wish to thank the Deputy for his question.   I understand from the National Screening Service that a reply issued to the Deputy on the 19th July 2020. 

The NSS have also advised that it is continuing to make enquiries.  As the information is of a personal nature the NSS will communicate directly with the individual in this regard.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (1228)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1228. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a device will be expedited for a child (details supplied) in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20280/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

National Maternity Hospital

Questions (1229, 1230, 1231, 1233, 1234)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the approval of transfer for the shareholding of St. Vincent’s Hospital Group to a charity (details supplied) was made with the proviso that certain canon laws are to be observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20286/20]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1230. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no provision for a public interest director, ministerial representative, a women’s interest director or a representation from the National Maternity Hospital itself on the board of a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20287/20]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1231. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the board of a charity (details supplied) will be a self-selecting and self-perpetuating board; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the State has no control over the ownership or governance of the charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20288/20]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the clinical governance of the proposed national maternity hospital is planned to be fully integrated into St. Vincent’s Hospital Group, meaning the hospital will not be co-located as was originally reported nor will it have its own governance or budgetary independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20290/20]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1234. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the people of Ireland, that will fund the new national maternity hospital, deserve absolute clarity regarding the ownership and governance of a charity (details supplied) before the State-funded new national maternity hospital is handed into its ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20291/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1229, 1230, 1231, 1233 and 1234 together.

The Deputy has raised a number of queries in relation to St Vincent’s Holdings CLG, many of which are outside the remit of the Minister for Health; however, I have endeavoured to provide as much information as possible, in order to provide assurance regarding the new maternity hospital on the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus.

St Vincent’s Holdings CLG will be established under the Companies Act as a not for profit company; it will be a company with charitable status and will be governed by Irish company law. The constitution of St. Vincent’s Holdings CLG has been approved by the Charities Regulator and has been published on the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG) website at; www.stvincents.ie/constitutions-svh-clg-and-svhg/. The Constitution makes no reference to Canon Law, and I am advised that Canon Law will not impact on the Company.

A legal framework is being developed to protect the State's investment in the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) and to ensure that the hospital remains in State ownership. The legal framework, when finalised, will be brought to Government for approval.

As the Deputy will be aware, the corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new NMH at Elm Park are encompassed in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and the SVHG. The Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. The Agreement ensures that a full range of health services will be available at the new hospital without religious, ethnic or other distinction.

I would like to emphasise that the Mulvey Agreement represents an accommodation of the views of the two voluntary hospitals, together with consideration of key policy objectives, including clinical independence, no religious influences to be brought to bear on the new hospital and assurance that the State's investment will be protected. The Deputy can be assured that these overriding objectives will be copperfastened through the legal framework.

In line with the Mulvey Agreement, the Board of the NMH at Elm Park DAC will comprise 9 directors; 4 nominated by SVHG, 4 by NMH, and 1 will be an international expert in obstetrics and gynaecology. Given the level of State investment, the previous Minister for Health sought, and received, the agreement of both the NMH and SVHG that the Board of the new NMH DAC will be competency-based and will include a Public Interest representative.

With regard to the composition of the Board of St Vincent’s Holdings CLG , information published on the SVHG website indicates that this Board will comprise independent directors who will be appointed based on their competencies and skills. This information can be accessed @: www.stvincents.ie/app/uploads/2020/05/ST.VINCENTS-HOLDINGS-CLG-Information-Sheet-14.05.2020.

Finally, I am very conscious that the buildings at Holles Street are no longer fit for purpose. I believe that we must move forward with the new NMH and provide the necessary infrastructure to enable the delivery of a modern, safe quality maternity service for women and infants. I have therefore, asked my officials to redouble their efforts, with a view to concluding discussions on the legal framework as quickly as possible.

National Maternity Hospital

Questions (1232)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimate for the cost of construction of the new national maternity hospital on the site of St. Vincent’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20289/20]

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Written answers

The site preparatory works in connection with the relocation of the new National Maternity Hospital to the St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus consists of Aspergillus prevention works, campus infrastructural upgrade works, enabling works / site preparation works, and the construction of a new Pharmacy and multi storey car-park. The preparatory works commenced on the campus in early 2016 with the Aspergillus prevention works, and are due for completion early 2021 with the conclusion of the new pharmacy and the multi-storey car-park. The budget for these works is €46.6m, of which €31.2m has been expended to date.

With the exception of the construction works which are contractually committed as listed above, no further contractual commitments have been entered into with respect to works to the new National Maternity Hospital project.

It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established. The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.

Questions Nos. 1233 and 1234 answered with Question No. 1229.

Health Services

Questions (1235)

Robert Troy

Question:

1235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the pay and increments freeze from employees at a service (details supplied) [20292/20]

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Written answers

The WRC agreement reached in October 2018 in relation to pay restoration for section 39 organisations provided for pay restoration in relation to 50 ‘pilot organisations’ in the first instance.  Pay restoration for these bodies commenced in April 2019 with further payments due in 2020 and 2021 as appropriate.

I can confirm that St Christopher's services was included in the pilot project.  As it is not clear why pay restoration has not been implemented in line with that agreement.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1236)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1236. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a consultation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20297/20]

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Written answers

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June.  Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.

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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures.  It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Ophthalmology Services

Questions (1237)

Martin Browne

Question:

1237. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for ophthalmology in CHO3 and CHO5, in tabular form; the average waiting time for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20301/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1238)

Martin Browne

Question:

1238. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies at South Tipperary General Hospital; the grade of each vacancy; the length of time of the vacancy, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20302/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Disability Services Data

Questions (1239, 1240, 1243, 1244)

Martin Browne

Question:

1239. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a needs assessment in CHO3; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20303/20]

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Martin Browne

Question:

1240. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a needs assessment in CHO5; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20304/20]

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Martin Browne

Question:

1243. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a speech and language appointment in CHO3; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/20]

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Martin Browne

Question:

1244. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting a speech and language appointment in CHO5; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20308/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1239, 1240, 1243 and 1244 together.

The recently published Programme for Government document "Our Shared Future" recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way. 

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 

Occupational Therapy

Questions (1241, 1242)

Martin Browne

Question:

1241. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an occupational therapy appointment in CHO3; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20305/20]

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Martin Browne

Question:

1242. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an occupational therapy appointment in CHO5; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20306/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1241 and 1242 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Questions No. 1243 and 1244 answered with Question No. 1239.

Home Help Service

Questions (1245)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for home help by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20321/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (1246)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1246. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults on the dental appointment waiting list in CHO1 and CHO2; the average waiting times for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (1247)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1247. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults on the orthodontic waiting lists in CHO1 and CHO2; the average waiting times for appointments; the number waiting more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20348/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Questions (1248)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1248. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health : the number of persons on the CAMHS waiting list in CHO1 and CHO2; the average waiting time; the number waiting more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20349/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Home Care Packages

Questions (1249)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1249. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are awaiting home care support in CHO1 and CHO2; the number of hours allocated in each of the past 12 months in CHO1 and CHO2; the average number of hours granted to each successful applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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