Written Answers Nos. 822-841
822. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the charge per night for a private patient that occupied a trolley on a corridor at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25430/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been forwarded to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
823. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1150 of 30 July 2020, the status of the compensation scheme for the families of the frontline healthcare workers that died as a result of contracting Covid-19 in the workplace; when he expects to bring it to Cabinet; when he expects to formally announce the scheme; and when he expects the scheme to commence delivery. [25431/20]
View answerWork is continuing in my Department to develop a compensation scheme for the families of frontline healthcare workers who have died due to COVID-19 that was contracted in the workplace.
I am not in a position to provide detailed information in respect of the scheme at this time, however I do wish to confirm that it is my intention for the scheme to include everybody who is a front-line worker in the health services, i.e. those who provide direct care as well as those who provide other services through their work in health or care settings where the virus is present, both public and private.
Other features of the scheme as proposed are that it will:
- provide for a lump sum payment,
- apply retrospectively, and
- be in addition to any other death in service benefits that may already be in place.
Being given particular consideration is the most suitable way to implement the scheme in order that it can be brought into operation as soon as possible.
When the proposals in respect of the scheme have been progressed to an appropriate stage I will be bringing them to cabinet for discussion. Details of the scheme will be made available once it has been approved by Government.
824. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if psychological supports are available or will be made available for frontline staff that worked throughout the pandemic to cope with the effects it may have on their mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25435/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
825. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been made towards providing tailored mental health supports for those that had serious cases of Covid-19 in view of the fact that one third of patients treated for SARS and MERS exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder within a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25436/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
826. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will review current restrictions which only allow for five children to receive dance lessons in large scale auditoriums, halls (details supplied); if the restriction will be amended if a county reverts to Stage 1 of the new Covid-19 Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25439/20]
View answerYou will be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere.
On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This new Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. It will be possible for different regions and counties to be at different levels, depending on the incidence of the virus in each particular region or county. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
The framework reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. The Plan acknowledges that sports, arts and other social activities are central to our well-being and that sports and arts are also the world of work for our many in our communities.
According to this Framework, under Level 2 of restrictions, indoor dance classes, training and exercise can take place in pods of up to 6 people. This means there can be 30 people in one class provided there is space available to ensure social distancing and provided they are in pods of 6 people.
Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and dance classes cannot take place.
Under Level 1 of the Framework, there is no specific capacity limit, with capacity guided by what can be accommodated safely in the venue while ensuring all protective measures are in place, including social distancing.
The Plan is clear that sectoral guidance also applies and in the above case guidance from Sport Ireland should also be considered: www.sportireland.ie/news/sport-ireland-issues-practical-guidance-for-sport-on-covid-19-measures.
828. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the planned reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold will take place; the reason he has claimed that the achievement of this measure predicated on the achievement of corresponding savings in health in view of the fact it was announced in Budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25460/20]
View answerBudget 2020 provided for a reduction in the monthly threshold of the Drugs Payment Scheme from €124 to €114. Although it was intended that this measure would be implemented from 1 September, funding of this Budget 2020 commitment was contingent on the realisation of certain savings within the health budget.
However, these savings have not been realised as the Pandemic has placed a significant demand on public finances, a substantial proportion of which has been allocated to the health system. In that context, decisions on the associated funding and a potential implementation date are being actively considered.
829. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there are specific Covid-19 testing protocols for babies and toddlers; if so, the protocols; and if not, the reason therefor; and if protocols will be drawn up. [25467/20]
View answerIn terms of assessment and testing pathways for children and minors, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has in recent days issued clear instructions to all GP providers and published these on its website. For children aged from 3 months up to 13th birthday, the following summarises the criteria:
Testing is advised for any child with any of the following unless there is a strong clinical reason to do otherwise:
1. Fever (greater than or equal to 38.0°C; confirmed) in the absence of an alternative diagnosis (e.g. UTI, varicella) OR
2. A new cough, shortness of breath or deterioration in existing respiratory condition OR
3. Symptoms of anosmia (loss of sense of smell)*, ageusia (loss of sense of taste)* or dysgeusia (distortion of sense of taste)*OR
*If the child can express or describe these symptoms
4. Minor respiratory symptoms in a child who has other ill contacts, is part of an outbreak or is a contact of a proven case.
The HPSC documentation describes the assessment in much more detail. For those aged younger than 3 months, the usual assessment protocols apply. For those aged 13 years or older or who attend secondary school, the HPSC refers these to adult testing guidance. The HPSC has also published a helpful “Isolation Quick guide”.
830. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the reason an OCG review of a capital approval for a new cath lab in UHW given in September 2018 should now be required (details supplied); the reason it should take four months to review such a proposal; the reason the project could not be fast tracked considering the capital expenditure has been ringfenced for over 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25472/20]
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.
832. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a review of medical card eligibility has been launched; if so, the number of medical cards under review; the number of cards that have been extended following the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25500/20]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.
There is no general review of medical card eligibility currently underway. However it should be noted that the HSE is required to undertake periodic reviews of eligibility in order to ensure that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility. Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to provide a medical card application system that is responsive and sensitive to people’s needs, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines.
833. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if nursing homes with high levels of vacant beds will be considered for use to alleviate pressure on the hospital system as stepdown facilities in view of the level of overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick this week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25503/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
834. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount it will cost to maintain the current pre-Covid-19 levels of service provision across the health service in 2021 in view of demographic changes and inflation and Covid-19 [25505/20]
View answerThe level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2021 which is currently underway.
These discussions are still progressing and until they are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome.
835. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost to reduce prescription charges by €0.50 [25506/20]
View answerThe estimated full year cost to reduce prescription charges by €0.50 is €25m.
The charge would be reduced by €0.50c to €1 per item for the over 70s and by €0.50c to €1.50 for persons under 70. The maximum monthly charge would also be reduced to €10 and €15 respectively.
836. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of reducing the DPS threshold to €50 and €100, respectively [25507/20]
View answerBased on the most recent data available, the estimated full year cost of reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold to €50 and €100 is €64.8m and €17.4m, respectively.
837. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of abolishing accident and emergency charges. [25510/20]
View answerThe Emergency Department charge is recorded by the HSE as an out-patient charge. In 2019 €20m was collected in Outpatient Charges from Acute Hospitals, which predominantly relates to Accident and Emergency charges. Therefore €20m is the estimated full year cost of abolishing accident and emergency charges.
838. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to reinstate the 2008 dental treatment services scheme [25511/20]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental treatments to medical card holders. In 2010 the range of treatments provided under the Scheme was reduced in order to cap expenditure at the 2008 level of €63 million. Theses changes still apply, although people considered high risk are provided with additional care. The cost of restoring treatments which had been provided before 2010 would depend on a number of factors, including the underlying oral health of the population and the likely level of take-up of such services.
Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, published in April 2019, sets out the new model of care delivery for dental services. It includes proposals for the introduction of packages of oral healthcare for adult medical card holders at different intervals during their life course. The packages will focus on prevention and will include examinations, advice, and preventive therapies such as scale and polish. The timeframe for the delivery of the Policy is 2020 to 2026 and the roll-out of these packages of care will take place incrementally.
839. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in order to better facilitate education within the community around Covid-19 to see that the rationale behind guidelines issued to the public are communicated and made available on Government websites, including the evidence used to support decisions around Covid-19 guidelines and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25512/20]
View answerMy Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that there is a high level of education and knowledge around Covid-19 in the community.
As part of this, minutes of all NPHET meetings, along with corresponding discussion papers are published regularly on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/ .
Additionally, letters from the CMO and ACMO to myself, which detail the rationale behind guidelines and public health decisions, are published on gov.ie in equally regular intervals on www.gov.ie/en/collection/ba4aa0-letters-from-the-cmo-to-the-minister-for-health/.
A further step my Department has taken are the investments in significant public health communications campaigns to ensure that all members of the community are aware of the public health guidelines, and the significant work of NPHET.
840. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the 60-bed modular unit will be completed at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25515/20]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure and has advised that the 60-Bed Ward Block (additional capacity) at University Hospital Limerick is expected to be completed for Q4 2020.
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 delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
841. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if alternative accommodation has been secured for a service (details supplied) in view of the fact the long-term leases for the properties have expired [25559/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
