Written Answers Nos. 862-881
862. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to determine a scheme to encourage families with vacant properties tied into the fair deal scheme to rent those properties into the private rental or social rental sector; and if not, if he will give a commitment to do so in view of the thousands of vacant fair deal homes across the State. [4411/21]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 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 Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income, such as their pension, and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held, such as their principal private residence or cash assets. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets is not counted at all in the financial assessment. The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three-year cap. No participant will pay more than the actual cost of care.
Under the NHSS, rental income is considered income for the purpose of the financial assessment, and is assessed at 80% less any allowable deductions.
The programme for government, Our Shared Future, commits to reforming the Fair Deal scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties. The Department of Health is currently engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard. There are significant complexities in any changes to the NHSS, particularly to ensure the ongoing fair, equitable and sustainable operation of the scheme, so all competing interests and relevant issues must be fully considered.
863. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when those under 65 years of age with chronic illnesses can expect to be offered the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4413/21]
View answerThe 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.
864. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of a compensation scheme for healthcare workers who have died from Covid-19 which was announced by his office in July 2020; when the scheme will be launched; the date range for which the scheme will be active; the number of healthcare workers the scheme will apply to; the way in which it will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4414/21]
View answerWork is ongoing in my Department on the development of a death in service scheme to benefit the families of frontline healthcare workers who lose their lives due to COVID-19, where it is likely that they contracted the virus in work.
I intend to bring a proposal to Government in respect of the scheme shortly. Once the scheme has been approved by Government details of the scheme will be made available.
However, I can confirm that the proposed scheme is being developed to apply retrospectively to deaths of all frontline healthcare workers delivering services during the pandemic and who are placed at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 by doing so.
865. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the vaccination categories that paramedics, ambulance staff and fire brigade staff come under. [4426/21]
View answerThe 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.
Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles will be vaccinated in Group 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Group 4.
866. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated by the HSE to the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4443/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
867. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding spent by the HSE on Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4444/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
868. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of physician assistant hours that have been allocated to County Cavan in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the number of physician assistant hours that will be allocated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4448/21]
View answerIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
869. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the allocated number of early intervention and school aged zero to 18 teams to counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
870. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the planned start date for construction on the endoscopy wing at Cavan General Hospital; the expected duration of construction works; the estimated overall costs of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4450/21]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
871. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the timeframe and process for the mid-term review of Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, the National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4465/21]
View answerThe national drug strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, sets out government policy on drug and alcohol use until 2025. The strategy aims to provide an integrated public health approach to drug and alcohol use, focused on reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities and promoting rehabilitation and recovery. The strategy is a dynamic strategy, monitored through the key national, local and regional structures charged with ensuring the implementation of the strategy, and has the flexibility to adapt to needs that may emerge over the lifetime of the strategy.
The strategy contains 50 actions for delivery between 2017 and 2020. The implementation of the actions is monitored though the national oversight structures, supported by the coordinated system of monitoring, research and evaluation set out in the strategy.
The Department commenced a mid-term review of the action plan at the end of 2020, in consultation with the national oversight structures and will present the results to the National Oversight Committee at its meeting in March. The review will provide an opportunity to reflect on progress in implementing the strategy from 2017 to 2020, and to consider the development of new actions to address emerging needs and challenges.
The results of the review will determine whether further actions need to be developed for the period 2021-2025.
I believe the national drugs strategy is a living document, that should be adjusted to take account of new insights and understandings about the needs of people who use drugs or have alcohol dependency, in particular arising Covid-19. It also should reflect the important commitments in the Programme for Government. I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders on the review and to reinvigorating the partnership approach that underpins the national drugs strategy.
872. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the development and timeline for completion of a code of governance for drugs and alcohol task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4466/21]
View answerDrug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in relation to the implementation of the national drugs strategy, ' Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery'. Action 6.1.50 of the strategy commits to ensuring that Task Forces have proper arrangements in place for the selection and renewal of the Chair, Members of Task Forces and for having proper procedures in place for addressing conflicts of interest.
The Department set up a working group to revise the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces Handbook in line with Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery. One of the outputs of the group will be a new code of governance for task forces in line with best practice in the community, voluntary and charitable sectors.
Adherence to the code will require a new regime of governance and documentation for task forces. It is anticipated that task forces will be required to sign up to the Charities Regulator governance code, The code sets minimum standards for the board of a registered charity or limited company to ensure they effectively manage and control their organisations.
The Department will support the implementation of this code of governance. This is an important step in strengthening the performance of task forces.
Work to complete the code of governance for task forces has been delayed due to resource constraints. The Department hopes to finish this project in early 2021.
I am committed to supporting the network of drug and alcohol task forces to develop targeted drug and alcohol initiatives that deliver the actions of the national drugs strategy. I provided an additional €1 million in Budget 2021 for this purpose.
873. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the budgetary analysis being carried out to plan for long Covid-19 impacts in his Department and each State agency under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [4489/21]
View answerBudget 2021 saw an extra €4 billion added to the health budget. This unprecedented additional amount of money signals our determination in government to fund an expansion of, and improvements in, our health and social care services. The main areas of focus for the unprecedented allocation in Budget 2021 is on delivering the capacity shortfalls, particularly in Acute Hospital services, which were highlighted by the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review, supporting the implementation of Sláintecare by moving care provision to community settings where appropriate, making strategic investments to progress a range of long term health strategies and responding to the immediate service pressures and challenges which have been caused by COVID-19. Included in the 2021 estimate for the Health vote €1.676 million to deal with the impacts of Covid-19.
The table below summarises Department and State Agencies 2021 COVID-19 planned Budget spend:
|
Department/State Agency |
€ million |
Budgetary Analysis |
|
Department of Health |
1,676 |
This is made up as follows: PPE €450, Testing and Tracing €445m, Vaccination Programme €200m, Covid Specific Supports and other Supports €581 |
|
MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION |
0.65 |
This is made up of: Developing for video conferencing to enable remote mental health tribunal (450k) and €200k for agency staff to continue the Covid monitoring of all mental health facilities during 2021 at the request of the Department. |
|
HEALTH INFORMATION AND QUALITY AUTHORITY |
.0042 |
This is made up of: €42k on PPE to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on our day-to-day operations in 2021. |
In terms of Budgetary analysis carried out to plan for long Covid-19 impacts the following analysis and planning activities are being undertaken:
Recognising the unprecedented uncertainty faced by policy-makers in planning for the progression of COVID-19, a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Estimation Model has been developed to provide for a transparent, dynamic, evidence-based estimate of required PPE for the Irish healthcare system.
Also, in the coming year, a robust and comprehensive Testing and Tracing system will be critical to the effective functioning of our health services and the broader economy. Testing and contact tracing continues to be a key component of the Government’s response to the pandemic, and to ensure we have a comprehensive, reliable and responsive testing and tracing operation, central to our public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is unprecedented in terms of the complexity, scale, scope of work and resource required to deliver it effectively in the expected timeframe. Successfully implementing this National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19 is critical to (1) contain, over time, the spread of the virus, (2) mitigate its health impact by protecting the at-risk population and (3) restore economic growth by allowing a return to normal economic and social activity.
However, it should be recognised that there remains considerable uncertainty concerning the timing of vaccine delivery in 2021 as the environment is extremely dynamic. It would be expected that the progressive rollout of the COVID vaccination programme will in due course impact on the budgetary requirement for other COVID-19 responses such as PPE purchasing and Testing and Tracing, but the timing of such savings impacts is not yet clear. As a result, we will keep the budgetary allocation for specific COVID-19 programmes under ongoing review within overall allocation that I have noted of €1.676bn as the picture becomes more clear over the coming months.
Finally, Deputies will, like me, be very mindful of the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the population. As part of the Department’s joint research programme in healthcare reform with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), recently published research provides projections of expenditure for public acute hospital and adult acute psychiatric in-patient services in Ireland for the years 2018–2035. These projections are based on new ESRI projections for population and economic growth, both of which consider the impact of COVID-19. A range of alternative projections are presented reflecting alternative assumptions about population growth, trends in health and life expectancy, policy change, and costs. The report contains the most comprehensive mapping of Irish public hospital expenditure to have been published.
874. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of general practitioners administering the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4505/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 vaccination programme will be expanded over the coming week as additional supply becomes available. In this regard, the Government agreed on 18 January 2021 to the following fee structure for GPs and pharmacists to administer vaccines.
The fees provide for a payment of €25 per dose of vaccine administered, plus a once-off administration fee of €10 per patient. Thus, in the case of vaccines requiring two doses the total cost per patient will be €60, while if a single-dose vaccine becomes available the cost per patient would be €35.
GPs will be paid an hourly fee of €120 for conducting vaccinations in HSE run Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs).
The fees will be subject to Government review in six months to ensure that the Vaccination Programme is being delivered as efficiently and economically as possible in keeping with the requirements of public health considerations.
875. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancy between the treatment of trainee educational psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists with both cohorts working in healthcare settings but with the latter receiving a substantial payment of college fees by the HSE and paid work throughout their programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4507/21]
View answerIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
876. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4529/21]
View answerAll employees within my Department are asked to declare a disability through an anonymous online survey on a voluntary basis. The responses are gathered and returned to the Central Monitoring Committee annually.
The survey returns from 2015 to 2019 inclusive are provided in the table below (attached). The figures show that the number of declarations has doubled from 3.6% in 2015 to 7.4% in 2019. The Department of Health intends to carry out a disability census for 2020 in the coming weeks. The Department does not hold any data which could clearly set out the number of staff with disabilities working either full-time or part-time.
The Department of Health participates in the Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) programme and has a Disability Liaison Officer.
|
Year |
Absolute number of staff |
Relative number of staff |
Note |
|
2015 |
12 |
3.63% |
|
|
2016 |
16 |
3.75% |
|
|
2017 |
21 |
4.60% |
|
|
2018 |
22 |
4.40% |
|
|
2019 |
37 |
7.41% |
|
|
2020 |
n/a |
n/a |
Survey is due to take place in February 2021 |
877. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of State and semi-State board appointments that fall under the aegis of his Department made since this Government took office including the name of the board or agency and the remuneration level associated with the board position in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4555/21]
View answer878. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of his Department; the level of remuneration being paid to each board member, including chairpersons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4568/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 877 and 878 together.
The nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government policy and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointment Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.
The relevant legislation also sets out if fees to chairpersons and board members are payable. The fee rates are set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 state bodies are required to publish in their annual report details of non-salary-related fees paid in respect of the Board. Board members are subject to the ‘One Person One Salary’ principle, so the amounts indicated are not paid in all cases.
The table attached below sets out the information you have requested.
|
Name of Board: |
Max Members (includes Chairperson) |
Chair Person appointed since 27/06/2020 |
Members appointed since 27/06/2020 |
Remuneration Chairperson |
Remuneration Members |
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
11 |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
12 |
0 |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
8 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Dental Council |
19 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Dietitians Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
14 |
0 |
0 |
€11,970 |
N/A |
|
Food Safety Authority Of Ireland |
10 |
0 |
0 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
33 |
1 |
8 |
€8,978 |
N/A |
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
12 |
0 |
1 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
7 |
0 |
0 |
€8,978 |
€5,985 |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
9 |
0 |
1 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Health Research Board |
10 |
0 |
2 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Health Service Executive |
12 |
0 |
0 |
€80,000 |
€14,963 |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
12 |
0 |
1 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
7 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Medical Council |
25 |
0 |
3 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Medical Scientists Registration Board |
13 |
1 |
5 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Mental Health Commission |
13 |
0 |
1 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
7 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
11 |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
National Paediatric Hospital Development Board |
13 |
0 |
0 |
€20,520 |
€11,970 |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund Board |
9 |
1 |
0 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
23 |
0 |
11 |
€8,978 |
€5,985 |
|
Occupational Therapists Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Optical Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
21 |
0 |
0 |
€11,970 |
€7,695 |
|
Physiotherapists Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Podiatrists Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
17 |
1 |
11 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Psychologists Registration Board |
13 |
1 |
4 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Social Care Workers Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Social Worker's Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board |
13 |
0 |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
St. James's Hospital Board |
12 |
0 |
2 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
11 |
0 |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
12 |
0 |
0 |
€31,500 |
€15,750 |
879. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the provision of financial supports to the national hunt industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4451/21]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, my Department provides funding to HRI on an annual basis.
Under this provision, for 2021, my Department has allocated €76.8 million to HRI to assist the horse racing and wider thoroughbred industry, including the national hunt industry. This allocation represents an increase of €9.6m or 14% on the allocation provided to HRI of €67.2 million in 2020.
The objective of this increase is in part to assist the industry in dealing with the twin challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.
880. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a second sibling is entitled to an allocation in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/21]
View answerThe Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve was introduced in 2015 and provides for an allocation of payment entitlements to successful applicants under the two mandatory categories of ‘Young Farmer’ and ‘New Entrant to Farming’.
The operation of the National Reserve is governed by the relevant EU Regulations. The European Commission has advised that, in line with the regulatory provisions governing the operation of the scheme, an applicant may only benefit once under the Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve. As these EU Regulations apply to all Member States, Ireland has no discretion with regard to their implementation.
In order to be considered eligible under the young farmer category of the National Reserve, the applicant must be setting up as the head of holding for the first time or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application. In the example provided, the date of commencement of the first young farmer is deemed to be the date of setting up of the holding for the purpose of eligibility under the National Reserve, and it was on this basis the National Reserve allocation was made.
Where a young farmer sibling subsequently joins the herd number, this holding is still regarded as having set up for the first time based on the date the first young farmer joined the herd number. The addition of the sibling to the herd number in such a situation would not meet the criteria of setting up for the first time and the second young farmer joining the herd number can not make the entity eligible for a second National Reserve allocation. As this holding has already received a benefit from the National Reserve, it not eligible for a further allocation.
881. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) was required to apply for a felling licence prior to the recent tree felling carried out on the land; and if such a licence was granted. [3656/21]
View answerMy Department has already received a report on felled trees as described by the Deputy. The matter is being actively investigated by a Forestry District Inspector and their report is awaited.
