Written Answers Nos. 1314-1332
1314. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when respite services for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Inishowen area of County Donegal will be resumed; if alternative supports are available during the suspension of respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33080/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1315. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to the histopathology departments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33093/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1316. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if any of the approximately 2,000 persons that tested positive for Covid-19 and asked by the HSE to alert their own close contacts were teachers, SNAs or school staff. [33102/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1317. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of community registered nurses that have yet to have their salary increased in line with the agreement reached following the 2019 industrial dispute by region; the reason for the delay in this regard; when all community registered nurses will be moved to the new pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33109/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1319. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in order to ensure that student nurses receiving payment while on placement are entitled to sick leave in the event that they must self-isolate during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33111/20]
View answerWhile on rostered work placement, 4th year student nurses and midwives are paid at the approved rate as detailed on the HSE salary scale of €22,229 (annualised - psychiatric nursing specialism) and €21,749 (annualised - all other nursing specialisms). This rate of pay has been determined by HSE circular 005/2016 and is updated in accordance with consolidated pay scales issued on 1st October 2020.
I can confirm that these 4th year students have the same entitlements to sick leave as other members of staff.
1320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33126/20]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organization.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
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.
In relation to the referral of the patient to another facility for treatment, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1321. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to the cross-border directive will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33128/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1322. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the financial support provided by his Department to the St. John’s Ambulance service for 2020; and the estimated support for 2021. [33133/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1323. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 7 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of the €5 million to each company and the service they provided since March 2020. [33138/20]
View answerAs this is a service related matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1324. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment for a further MRI scan. [33139/20]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organization.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
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.
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.
1325. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions within CAMHS Wexford south. [33160/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1326. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions within CAMHS Wexford north. [33161/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1327. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department or the HSE has received from pharmaceutical companies in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [33163/20]
View answer1328. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the purpose for which the HSE and public hospitals are receiving money from pharmaceutical companies. [33164/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1327 and 1328 together.
The Department of Health and the HSE do not accept money from pharmaceutical companies.
According to the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA), since July 2016, details of companies’ engagements with, and support of, Health Care Professionals through direct or indirect financial support or ‘Transfers of Value’ have been publicly disclosed in accordance with their Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry. (https://www.transferofvalue.ie/).
I, as Minister for Health, and my Department, have no function in this area.
1329. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE has a policy on its staff and facilities receiving donations from pharmaceutical companies. [33165/20]
View answerThe staff of my Department are governed by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour which requires them to conduct themselves with honest, impartiality and integrity. In particular Section 16 of that code deals extensively with the receipt of gifts and states, amongst other things, that 'Civil servants should not receive benefits of any kind from a third party which might reasonably be seen to compromise their personal judgement or integrity'.
Members of the Board of a State body holding a Designated Board membership and persons occupying a Designated Position of employment with a State body are required to comply with relevant provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, including regarding the receiving of gifts. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, adhered to by bodies under the aegis of the Department, requires that each body have in place a code of conduct for all employees that provides that the giving or receiving of corporate gifts, hospitality, preferential treatment or benefits which might affect or appear to affect the ability of the donor or the recipient to make independent judgment on business transactions should be avoided.
1330. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of breaches there have been of Part IV, regulations 20, 21 and 22 of the Medicinal Products (Controls of Advertising) Regulations 2007; and the details of those breaches. [33166/20]
View answer1331. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the response and enforcement of Part IV, regulations 20, 21 and 22 of the Medicinal Products (Controls of Advertising) Regulations 2007. [33167/20]
View answer1332. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of prosecutions under section 32 of the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 under which Part IV, regulations 20, 21 and 22 of the Medicinal Products (Control of Advertising) Regulations 2008 were made. [33168/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1330 to 1332, inclusive, together.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which is responsible for enforcing the regulations referred to by the Deputy, has advised that it will take some time to compile the information requested. I have asked the HPRA to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
