Colm Burke
Question:447. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of residents in public nursing homes by county from 2011 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3367/21]
View answerNursing Home Accommodation
Questions (447)
Written answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Home Fees
Questions (448)
Colm Burke
Question:448. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if nursing home patients will not be charged for items outside of their original assessments of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3368/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as A Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
- Laundry service.
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.
Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers or hairdressing. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). An operator should not seek payment from residents for items which are covered by the NHSS, the medical card or any other existing scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. CCPC’s mission is to promote competition and enhance consumer welfare. The CCPC has published consumer protection guidelines for contracts of care in long-term residential care services for older people. The guidelines set out the obligations and responsibilities that providers must adhere to under consumer protection law and are aimed at providing greater transparency, clarity and certainty for consumers.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (449)
Colm Burke
Question:449. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the NTPF has internal written procedures or a guidance manual for its negotiators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3369/21]
View answerWritten answers
The NTPF has been designated by the Minister for Health as the body authorised to negotiate with proprietors of registered nursing homes to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price that will be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to Fair Deal residents.
The NTPF negotiates with nursing homes in accordance with set, published criteria. The NTPF’s negotiating criteria and procedures are available at https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nhss.htm. Several documents and tools are used by the NTPF’s negotiating team in its work (e.g. application forms and processes, invitation to negotiate pack, published criteria for negotiation, financial analysis spreadsheet, published review process, weekly team meetings). The NTPF is combining these documents into an Internal Guidelines and Procedures Manual. This work is at an advanced stage. This document will be ‘living’ and kept under review, adding to it or amending it as required. The NTPF will also engage with Nursing Homes Ireland where appropriate.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (450)
Colm Burke
Question:450. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been put in place to combat isolation and loneliness during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3370/21]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions have challenged society, especially in the area of human interaction and connectedness. As part of our response to these challenges, the Department of Health has provided guidance and support for people to manage both their physical and mental wellbeing and to stay connected. This guidance has been provided through public health information campaigns, such as our In This Together Campaign, and through information networks including key organisations working with vulnerable people.
Following on from the In This Together, campaign, in November of last year the Department of Health launched the “Keep Well” campaign, which is aimed at supporting our citizens through the difficult winter months ahead. Significant funds are being invested into this new initiative, with €7 million to support the delivery of a range of actions and support services, which will be rolled out over the coming months.
The campaign will encourage us all to do something that is good for us each day or week, like going for a walk, connecting safely with friends or family, engaging in a hobby or reaching out for the supports that we may need. By doing so, we will create balance, routine and resilience. The campaign is focused on five main themes, which include Staying Connected and Minding your Mood.
The Staying Connected theme addresses isolation, supporting volunteerism and initiatives that support person-to-person connection which is important to our wellbeing. Isolation of people of all ages is a significant risk during the COVID pandemic, particularly during periods of tight restrictions on movement and social interaction. The Community Call programme was introduced in mid-2020 to provide local helplines through Local Authorities for practical supports, information sharing and befriending. As part of the “Keep Well” campaign, this programme will be significantly expanded to be proactive in outreach to potentially isolated persons. Working with partner organisations, including An Garda Síochána, NGOs and Volunteer Ireland, there will be a particular emphasis on identifying and supporting those most at risk of isolation.
Under the Minding your Mood theme, people will be equipped with information on where to go if they need support. This will also be linked with the local community helpline to ensure that people can access the help they need. The HSE recently launched a series of “Minding Your Wellbeing” online videos, which provides an opportunity for people to learn more about key elements of mental wellbeing such as mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience. Additionally, the Children and Young Peoples’ Services Committees are rolling out supports for children, young people and families.
There are also free, 24/7 services available through the Samaritans and Crisis Text Line Ireland. Details of these services and more are listed on the HSE website, www.yourmentalhealth.ie, and information on available services is also provided through the free mental health telephone information line, 1800 111888. ALONE, in collaboration with the Department of Health and HSE, is also running a national support line which is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm at 0818 222 024.
The clear message is that, whatever people are going through in terms of reduced social contacts, loneliness or isolation, we should all stay as connected and as healthy as possible, helping to strengthen community and individual resilience, restoring hope that we can and will recover, and make it through this, together.
The current restrictions in place are no doubt be challenging for all of us, but particularly those living alone. With this in mind, measures include a 'social bubble' to support those who risk isolation.
People in certain categories can form a support bubble with one other household. Those who can form a support bubble include: those alone with children under the age of 18, those living alone, those sharing parenting or custody arrangements, those living with an adult to whom they provide care, and those who live alone and have a carer or carers who supports them.
A change in the way we live our lives on such a scale as this has demanded a whole of government response. Additional interventions include funding for the senior alert scheme delivered by Pobal, which enables older people to live securely in their homes through the provision of personal monitored alarms. The Department of Community and Rural Development and the Islands as part of its Covid-19 action plan has increased supports to older people through a befriending phone call initiative which will support participants in the senior alert scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Pobal and Alone.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (451)
Colm Burke
Question:451. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to support those who have suffered long-term effects following Covid-19 infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3372/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (452)
Colm Burke
Question:452. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of rates offered to dentists delivering free care to medical card holders from 2011 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3373/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (453)
Colm Burke
Question:453. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists delivering free care to medical card holders by county in each of the years 2011 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3374/21]
View answerWritten 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 Services Provision
Questions (454)
Seán Sherlock
Question:454. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the status of operations at a facility (details supplied). [3395/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Obesity Strategy
Questions (455)
Róisín Shortall
Question:455. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the minutes of the meeting of the obesity policy implementation oversight group, OPIOG, held on 24 September 2020 will be approved and published; if the issue of Covid-19 has delayed meetings of the OPIOG; if the minutes from 24 September 2020 can be approved and published earlier than the next scheduled meeting if there is a delay to holding such a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3397/21]
View answerWritten answers
‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Government’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. It covers a ten 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.
An Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) was established in October 2017, and met regularly thereafter. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the business of the Department of Health and upon the work of many of the OPIOG members, it met only once in 2020. This meeting was held remotely on 24 September. The standard practice is for the minutes of an OPIOG meeting to be approved at the next meeting.
The previous Chairperson of the OPIOG has stepped down and it is expected that this position will be filled shortly and a meeting held thereafter. There are no plans to have the minutes of the meeting of 24 September 2020 approved in advance of the next meeting, but this can be examined further in the context of the appointment of a new Chairperson.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (456)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:456. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the policy in relation to vaccination of nursing home residents in cases where there is currently an outbreak of Covid-19 among residents and-or staff; the number of homes in which vaccination has not proceeded as a result of such outbreak; the location and names of such homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3400/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (457)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:457. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of outbreaks of Covid-19 in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities since 1 January 2021 by county and the ownership and management of such facilities, that is, private, HSE or not-for-profit; the number of fatalities in each such category since 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3402/21]
View answerWritten answers
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
Vaccination Programme
Questions (458)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:458. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the reason the vaccination of all adults aged 65 and over who are residents of long-term care facilities were not vaccinated in the very first instance and as a top priority as proposed in the Covid-19 vaccination programme as published; the persons or bodies consulted in relation to the change in policy; the person or body that made the decision to change the published vaccination programme; if it will be ensured that all adults over 65 years of age resident in long-term care facilities will be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3404/21]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Tribunals of Inquiry
Questions (459)
John Lahart
Question:459. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the status of the CervicalCheck tribunal; if there has been further engagement with a group (details supplied); the actions taken to address the concerns of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3433/21]
View answerWritten answers
The CervicalCheck Tribunal was established on 27 October 2020 under the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019. Following a pause in the steps towards full establishment to allow for discussions with the 221+ Patient Representative Group in respect of the Tribunal and CervicalCheck Cases generally, I appointed the nominated members to the tribunal with effect from 1 December 2020 enabling the tribunal to start its work.
My Department worked with the 221+ group to progress issues they had raised in respect of the CervicalCheck Tribunal and CervicalCheck cases, with significant progress made through meetings and correspondence on a number of issues. It was not possible to resolve all of the issues raised by the group in the way that they wanted them to be addressed, however, these issues were broader than the tribunal, applying to CervicalCheck cases more generally.
I will continue to work with my Department to address the concerns the group have raised where possible and while there is no ongoing engagement with the group in respect of the tribunal, I am available to meet with them, and engagement continues with my Department through other mechanisms such as the CervicalCheck Steering Committee.
Two particular issues of concern raised by the group regarding the CervicalCheck Tribunal and CervicalCheck cases relate to the statute of limitations and access to the Tribunal in the event of a recurrence of cancer.
The group raised a concern that some women eligible for the Tribunal may now be outside the Statute of Limitations as a result of the delay in establishing the Tribunal, which was due to the global pandemic and issues with regard to Tribunal membership. It was not possible to address this concern by extending the statute of limitations retrospectively; as advised by the Attorney General however, I have received Cabinet approval to develop a proposal to address any such claims, should they arise. I have written to the Group informing them of the government's commitment and that I am willing to discuss this with them.
In respect of how the Tribunal will deal with the issue of recurrence, this issue has been examined in great detail by the government as well as the previous government and I have engaged in extensive consideration on this most sensitive issue. The Tribunal will make awards relating to recurrence in the same way as the High Court. That is, an additional amount can be made as part of the Tribunal settlement, to factor in a future chance of recurrence. An advantage of the Tribunal over the courts is that, if a claimant does not wish to accept the amount awarded by the Tribunal, they can appeal to the High Court, an extra step that would not be available if the claimant had gone directly to the High Court. However, just like the Court system, a claimant cannot return with a second claim in respect of the same event years later.
I am satisfied that the CervicalCheck Tribunal remains the most appropriate venue for CervicalCheck claims. It is, of course, entirely up to the women affected as to whether or not they want to use it.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (460)
Michael McNamara
Question:460. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if UK residents will be allowed to travel home once they have been fully vaccinated; if there will be guidelines on travel for such persons who have been vaccinated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/21]
View answerWritten answers
It is not yet understood whether available vaccines prevent vaccinated persons from being infected or transmitting the disease to others. As such, the impact vaccinations will have on travel policies internationally is yet to be determined. The WHO has continues to caution governments against introducing immunity passports at this time. The Government gives continuing consideration to travel policy informed by the epidemiological situation internationally and public health advice.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (461)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:461. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the policy followed by his Department and the HSE in relation to the allocation of vaccines to cover all front-line staff in each hospital; the reason all front-line staff at major acute hospitals, such as Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, were not vaccinated due to shortage of vaccines supplied to them initially; the reason for the shortage of vaccines in the hospital while other hospitals, such as the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, had a surplus of vaccines; if the full list, the timetable and date of vaccine distribution of vaccines to date will be published; the number of vaccines given to each such hospital; the number of front-line staff in each such hospital; and the policy which will be now followed in allocating vaccines in hospitals in the future when adequate vaccine in available nationally. [3436/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (462)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:462. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if number 6 on the vaccine priority list is key workers; if he will also clarify who key workers are; if family carers are considered under this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3438/21]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.
Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.
The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.
All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.
The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.
Group 6 refers to key workers who are providing services essential to the vaccination programme.
Question Nos. 463 to 466, inclusive, answered with Question No. 387.