Written Answers Nos. 286-305
286. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if siblings of a close contact can attend primary school while the close contact is awaiting a test and or result; if siblings of a close contact can attend secondary school whilst the close contact is awaiting a test and or result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22899/20]
View answerSiblings of a close contact do not need to restrict their movements and can attend primary/secondary school while the close contact awaits their test and test result as long as the close contact remains asymptomatic. The HPSC has provided guidance to cover this area.
If a child has no symptoms of COVID-19, but they need to be tested because they have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, then as with all close contacts, the child must restrict their movements for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case and will be tested for COVID-19 at day 0 and day 7. Even if day 0 and day 7 tests come back as ‘not detected’ (negative), the child still need to restrict their movements for 14 days and watch out for symptoms of COVID-19. Household contacts of the child, including siblings, do not need to restrict their movements (they can go to primary/secondary school) while test results are awaited, as long as child who is a close contact remains asymptomatic.
If a child needs a COVID-19 test because they have symptoms of COVID-19, then the child must self-isolate while awaiting their test result and their household contacts, including siblings, must restrict their movements (siblings cannot go to primary/secondary school) while the child awaits their test result.
Detailed information is available on the HPSC website - https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/
287. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his views on the restoration of pay for staff in outstanding section 39 funded organisations; the funding that has allocated for this in 2020 and 2021; the name and number of organisations that await having funding restored; if he has discussed this with his Cabinet colleagues; the estimated cost in 2021 to restore pay for those workers in the outstanding section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22901/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a WRC agreement was reached in October 2018 in relation to pay restoration. This 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 where appropriate.
The WRC agreement also states:“It is recognised that some of the remaining Section 39 organisations (estimated 250 approximately) are likely to have pay restoration issues and a process to address these will be agreed and the parties will commence engagement on this issue during 2019”
There has been renewed engagements in recent months between the parties on this matter under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. HSE management has indicated its willingness to undertake the preparatory work around implementation of pay restoration for this next group. The HSE has also confirmed the following:
- A dedicated resource has been assigned to this work
- Costing of the next phase of pay restoration is underway
- It is intended to use the learning from the first 50 pilot organisations to streamline this process
Engagement is ongoing between the parties utilising the dispute resolution mechanisms of the Workplace Relations Commission. It is expected that any funding required will be considered in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure in the context of the annual Estimates process.
288. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of addressing pay inequality in the health service in 2021; if he will provide a breakdown by grade; the position of his Department on this policy issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22902/20]
View answerThe policy position of the Government on new entrant pay is primarily a matter for DPER and, as such, the Deputy may wish to raise this directly with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
With regard to consultants, at present 'new entrant' consultants recruited since 1 October 2012 are on lower pay scales than those recruited prior to that date. The Programme for Government provides for the finalisation of the new Sláintecare Consultant Contract and the introduction of related legislation to support 'public-only work' in public hospitals. The FEMPI Acts currently prohibit pay increases for serving public servants and will require amendment to enable pay increases for serving consultants who move to the Sláintecare 'public only' Consultant Contract.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the estimated costs as requested.
289. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency staff in 2020 to date across the health service; the breakdown for the amount spent on nursing agency staff to date in 2020; his plans to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
290. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned reduction in prescription charges from budget 2020; when it will be implemented; the additional funding that was provided to his Department for this reduction; when charges for persons over 70 will be reduced to €1 per item and to €1.50 per item for all others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22904/20]
View answerAs part of Budget 2020, the previous Government announced that GMS prescription charges would be reduced by €0.50c for all medical card holders.
Accordingly, the charge would be reduced by €0.50c to €1 per item for persons aged over 70 years, and by €0.50c to €1.50 for persons under 70. The maximum monthly charge would also be reduced to €10 and €15 respectively. The full year cost of implementing these measures is estimated at €25 million; a cost of €10 million for the over 70 cohort and €15 million for the under 70 cohort.
The funding of these measures was predicated on the achievement of corresponding savings in the health budget in 2020. It has not been possible to achieve these savings to date and therefore I am not in a position at present to progress the changes to prescription charges. I will keep this matter under review in the light of the funding available to the health service in 2020 and 2021.
291. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for a free contraception service, as recommended by the Oireachtas Committee on the Eight Amendment to the Constitution; his plans to provide it by 2021 as committed to by his predecessor in Dáil Éireann; the specifics of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/20]
View answerA Working Group was established in April 2019 to consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception in Ireland. The Group’s report, which was published in October 2019, identified the barriers that exist to accessing contraception and the mechanisms available to overcome those barriers.
The Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception over a phased period, beginning with women aged 17-25. At this time, a sizeable body of work remains to be addressed in order to advance policy and legislative proposals and then to ensure the implementation of service delivery arrangements.
292. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2021 of reducing prescription charges for all persons to €1 per item with a cap of €10 and to €1.50 per item with a cap of €15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
293. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost in 2021 of removing all inpatient hospital charges, all out patient hospital charges, all emergency hospital charges, all long-term stay charges and exempting all children under 18 years of age from acute hospital charges in tabular form; the total collected for each in 2019; the projected yield for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22907/20]
View answerNormal patient activity has been affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result 2020 is not representative of normal services, and therefore the 2019 position would currently be the best representation of the likely costs associated with abolishing those service charges.
|
2019 |
|
|
€m |
|
|
Inpatient Charges |
30.6 |
|
Outpatient Charges |
11.4 |
|
Long Stay Charges |
20.0 |
|
Paediatric Hospital Inpatient* |
1.4 |
|
Paediatric Hospital Outpatient* |
2.0 |
The Emergency Department charge is recorded by the HSE as an out-patient charge.
*Paediatric Inpatient and Outpatient Charges are based on the income generated within the Children's Health Ireland Hospitals (CHI at Connolly, CHI at Crumlin Street, CHI at Temple Street, CHI at Tallaght). It is not possible quantify the paediatric patient income within the other Acute Hospitals.
294. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing medical cards in 2021 to all terminally ill patients and those diagnosed with cancer, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22908/20]
View answerThe data required to model the cost of the provision of medical cards to all patients suffering from a terminal illness and those diagnosed with cancer is not readily available. The cost would be dependent on a number of factors including, the number of additional applications made to the HSE, the timescale within which these are made and the number of applicants who are deemed eligible.
However, it should be noted that the HSE has a system in place for the provision of medical cards for persons who are terminally ill and are receiving end of life treatment i.e. persons with a prognosis of less than 12 months. These medical cards are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required medical report and a completed application form from a healthcare professional. Once these cards are awarded they are not reassessed by the HSE.
295. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of increasing medical card income limits by 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22909/20]
View answerMedical card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical and GP visit cards. Any revision to the income limits will have regard to Government policy, increases in the Consumer Price Index and other issues which may be relevant.
In relation to the cost of increasing medical card income limits by 5%, the data required to model the proposal is not readily available. The cost would be dependent on a number of factors including, the number of additional applications made to the HSE, the timescale within which these are made and the number of applicants who are deemed eligible.
296. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the funding provided for the home support service in 2020; the number of home care packages funded; the projected additional cost of providing a home care package to every identified case in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22910/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
297. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the cost of the 'flu vaccine programme in 2020; the additional costs arising from the recently announced measures; the number of doses expected to be provided in 2020; the number of doses ordered; the estimated cost to provide the 'flu vaccine free to all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22911/20]
View answerTo mitigate as much as possible the pressure on the health services that would result from a coincidence of the winter flu season and a resurgence of COVID-19, there will be an expanded provision of seasonal influenza vaccine this year. All of those in the at-risk groups aged from 6 months up, including healthcare workers, will be able to access the vaccination without charges. All children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive will also have access to vaccination without charges.
The total influenza vaccination programme in 2020 is expected to cost approximately €77 million, with approximately €61.5 million of that cost associated with the expansion of the programme. It is not possible to estimate the cost of expanding the influenza program to provide vaccine administration without charge to the entire population, as the calculation would depend on too many variables such as the type and quantity of vaccine to be procured as well as the rate of vaccine uptake.
The HSE has placed orders for 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine will be made available to all persons in an at-risk group from 6 months up, other than children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive. The HSE has also ordered 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and will be made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
The total quantity of vaccine ordered for the upcoming winter season is a substantial increase on the 1.15 million doses of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine which was contracted for purchase for the 2019/2020 winter season. It is difficult to accurately estimate the rate of vaccine uptake for the upcoming winter season, although a higher demand for the influenza vaccine than in previous years is anticipated due to the emergence of COVID-19. The quantities of vaccine ordered are expected to be sufficient to meet even this increased level of demand.
298. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free general practitioner care to all children under 18; the status of the current roll-out programme; the additional funding that was provided to his Department to begin the extension to those aged six to eight in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop.
The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was signed into law in August. This Act provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under. The initial stage of this phased expansion will be the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8.
Funding in respect of the expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8, as well as other measures provided under the Act, was provided for within the Budget 2020 package of family friendly measures, which amounted to €45m in total.
Introduction of the expansion of GP care without fees will be the subject of negotiation with the IMO, representing general practitioners, in regard to the scope of services to be provided under the expansion and the fees payable to GPs; the exact cost will depend on the outcome of those negotiations. For this reason, it is not possible to estimate the cost of expanding GP care without charges to all children under 18, as such an expansion would also be subject to negotiations with the IMO and the cost would depend on the outcome of those negotiations.
The appropriate date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context and in anticipation of the usual increase in demand for healthcare services over the winter period. This date will be determined in consultation with the IMO. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
299. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing the HPV vaccine for free to adults who have not received it but want to access it through their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22913/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
300. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the current funding imbalance for University Hospital Limerick compared to other model 4 national hospitals to bring it to the national average; the projected cost for this in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22914/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
301. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if there is funding in the HSE capital plan in 2021 for the 96 bed ward replacement block at University Hospital Limerick; the funding to be provided in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively for this project if any; the projected cost of the block; the expected staffing cost for the block; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22915/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.
302. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason a data protection impact assessment was not carried out prior to the public consultation on recommendations for the implementation of a national electronic patient summary here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22946/20]
View answerIn accordance with GDPR and HIQA recommendations, a data protection impact assessment must be conducted when the implementation of a national electronic patient summary commences. However, this project has not yet been initiated by the HSE. Further engagement with the public and stakeholders will also be required upon commencement.
303. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the proposed parameters for access to health data on the national electronic patient summary; if all healthcare professionals will have access to a patient's full health records (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22947/20]
View answerHealthcare professionals will have access to health records for patients that are under their direct care. There may be further restrictions to parts of the patients health records based on patient preferences and clinical need. These are details that will be developed as the summary care record programme develops.
304. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to govern the national electronic patient summary when implemented. [22948/20]
View answerThe governance of electronic patient summaries will be critical to the success of this important initiative. Before any decisions are made in relation to how this will be done in Ireland, we will examine how this has best been implemented in other countries, especially those in the EU who are covered by GDPR and share many of the same values in relation to patient rights and clinical responsibilities. There may need to be legislative changes required to underpin the management and sharing of information held in the national electronic patient summary.
305. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the locations in which the public consultation on recommendations for the implementation of a national electronic patient summary was advertised. [22949/20]
View answerIn consultation with key stakeholders, HIQA is developing a set of recommendations for the introduction of a national electronic patient summary. The public consultation was advertised on www.hiqa.ie, via social media and in HIQA’s public newsletter ‘HIQA News’. Members of the advisory group were also notified and asked to encourage feedback on the recommendations.
