Written Answers Nos. 624-643
624. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average percentage of beds closed in the public health system at any one point in 2019 and 2020 due to a lack of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31265/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
625. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of community beds by type and including rehabilitative beds, available in the public health system in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; the average percentage of the beds which may be closed at any one time due to a non-staff related reason; the average percentage of these beds which may be closed at any one time due to staff-related reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31266/20]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
626. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the 2021 HSE National Service Plan will be complete; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31267/20]
View answerWork is already underway between my Department and the HSE on the National Service Plan 2021.
The Legislation (Health Act 2004 as amended) outlines the timeframes that must be adhered to in the publication of the Plan. This outlines that my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation for 2021 not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of this determination, the Executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its Service Plan for 2021 for my approval.
Following the submission of the service plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed plan and either:
a) approve the service plan in the form it is submitted,
b) approve the service plan with such amendments as I, having consulted with the Executive, may determine, or
c) issue a direction to the Executive to amend the plan.
The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.
627. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of community and rehabilitation beds in the public health system prior to budget 2021; the estimated number in the public health service if full implementation of budget 2021 measures take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31268/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
628. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of each of acute inpatient, sub-acute, acute medical assessment units, and critical care beds in the public health system prior to budget 2021; the estimated number in the public health system by year end 2021 if full implementation of budget 2021 measures take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31269/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.
This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.
A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.
In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.
This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
629. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to continuing the practice of paying student nurses that reach a required standard of training a full salary when they are in practical job training phases (details supplied). [31270/20]
View answerDepartment Officials are currently examining the circumstances for re-opening of the Student Nurse (Temporary HCA) initiative that was in place earlier this year. This initiative was put in place as an initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on nursing education and demands on our health service.
When in operation, this initiative gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd year nursing students the opportunity to apply for these temporary roles to support our health service earlier this year while protecting their nurse education. 4th years on rostered student nurse placement also benefited from this initiative and were paid at the higher HCA rate.
This examination is expected to conclude in the coming days and a decision will then be taken on re-opening this initiative
630. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with trade unions and nursing representative bodies on the issue of trainee nursing pay. [31271/20]
View answerAt the recent annual INMO conference held on 9th of October 2020, I outlined my approach to revising the current Student Nurse Allowances and the possibility of re-opening the Student Nurse (Temporary HCA) initiative.
Since then, officials from my Department have engaged with the Trade Unions (INMO, PNA and SIPTU) on this matter, outlining the approach that is being taken in the immediate and longer term.
In the immediate term, the Department are reviewing these allowances for this year’s Student Nurses on clinical placements, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on such placements. Department officials are also examining the re-opening of the Student Nurse (Temporary HCA) initiative. This revision is expected to conclude in the coming days and I look forward to bringing forward proposals shortly thereafter.
In the longer term, the Department are also reviewing Student Nurse allowances for future Student Nurse clinical placements. This review is expected to conclude by the end of November 2020.
631. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of clients attending a day centre (details supplied) who are now going to new activities on a weekly basis since the beginning of September 2020; and the exact transport arrangements that have been put in place for the clients. [31282/20]
View answer632. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of former clients of a centre (details supplied) who are not now engaging with the service barring the daily phone calls they are receiving. [31283/20]
View answer633. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the amount it is costing clients to avail of the new meal arrangements that were free when they attended a day centre (details supplied) [31284/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 631 to 633, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
634. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his views on claims by some families that their loved ones are not wanted on a campus following the recent loss of a service (details supplied). [31285/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
635. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the provision of funding for a facility (details supplied); the current stage of the project; if the project will now proceed with urgency; when he expects the project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31286/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter,I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
636. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding multibuy promotions and their effects on obesity levels here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31295/20]
View answerA Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. The Plan recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. The OPAP is based on the best available evidence in the Irish and international literature, and is informed by established international models and frameworks.
Products that are the subject of multibuy promotions are often high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). In relation to measures under the OPAP dealing with the level of consumption of such products, the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax has already been introduced and commenced on 1st May 2018. The current focus in this area is on putting in place a reformulation programme for HFSS food and drink. To this end the Reformulation sub-group of the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) has been working on a roadmap for reformulation, including targets for reductions in salt, sugar, saturated fats and calories, and a proposed approach to achieve these targets. The roadmap also recognises the importance of portion size reduction in reducing consumption levels. It is expected that a report with the targets and final version of the roadmap will be submitted before the end of 2020.
Also under the OPAP, new Healthy Eating Guidelines and a Food Pyramid have been produced, disseminated and communicated, in order to assist with eating a healthy and balanced diet, and the Pyramid recommends limited consumption of Top Shelf foods such as HFSS items which may be sold in multi-buy promotions or discounts. On 1st October I helped to launch the Healthy Eating Guidelines and associated resources for 1-4 year-olds, which includes a newly designed Children’s Food Pyramid to help people understand what children should be eating and what portion sizes are appropriate for young children.
637. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the 1,146 acute inpatient beds announced in budget 2021 between funded permanent beds and temporary beds respectively; if he will provide the baseline figure this will be added to and to isolate the end of year 2021 baseline figure it will be raised to with this addition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31325/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.
This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.
A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.
In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.
This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
638. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent and funded and temporary acute inpatient beds, respectively in the public hospital system on 13 October 2020 in tabular form; the number for each projected to be reached on 31 December 2020; the number for each projected to be reached for target year end 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31326/20]
View answerAs the information sought relates to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
639. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded acute beds in the public system at the end of each of the years 2016 to 2019 and projected for the end of 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31387/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.
This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.
A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.
In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.
This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
640. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of baseline acute beds in the public system at the end of each of the years 2016 to 2019 and projected for the end of 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31388/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
The Health Service Capacity Review 2018 found that the net requirement in combination with health system reform is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (2,100 inpatient, 300 day case and 190 critical care). The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by 2027.
This winter is expected to be particularly challenging due to the presence of Covid-19 and the uncertainty around the level of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 healthcare demands. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country to meet this and other health demands. Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund additional acute beds on a permanent basis. This funding will provide, by the end of 2021, an additional 1,146 acute beds.
A proportion of these beds will be funded as part of the HSE’s Winter Plan 2020/21. The Winter Plan aims to provide additional health service capacity across a range of services. Initiatives comprise additional acute and community beds to increase acute capacity, help reduce admissions and facilitate egress.
In addition, budget 2021 will allocate funding totalling €52m in 2021 to critical care. This will retain, on a permanent basis, the 42 critical care beds put in place on a temporary basis this year as well as adding significant new capacity. Funded adult critical care beds will increase to 321 by end 2021, an increase of 66 over the baseline number of 255 funded beds in 2020. Funding for 2021 will also include money to allow for the development of a workforce plan as well as education initiatives to grow the critical care workforce.
This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review which found that an additional 2,100 inpatient acute beds were required, in a reform scenario, by 2031.
The information requested by the Deputy is very detailed and seeks an extensive level of data over a four year period and may take some time to compile, if available. As the information sought relates to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
641. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of staffed acute beds operational and available in the public system on the first day of the month for each month in 2019 and up to September 2020, by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31389/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is very detailed and seeks an extensive level of data over a 21 month period and may take some time to compile, if available. As the information sought relates to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of funded sub-acute beds in the public system at the end of each of the years 2016 to 2019 and projected for the end of 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31390/20]
View answerAs the issue raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
643. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of baseline sub-acute beds in the public system at the end of each of the years 2016 to 2019 and projected for the end of 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31391/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
