Wednesday, 10 Mar 2021

Written Answers Nos. 857-881

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Questions (857)

David Cullinane

Question:

857. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the NTPF suspended outpatients list; the number of patients waiting; the length of the wait and speciality of consultant they are waiting to see; if children are included in this suspended outpatients list; the number of children currently on a suspended outpatients list; if all patients have been informed that they have been moved to a suspended outpatients list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12972/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

To ensure standardised waiting list management, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and HSE issued guidance to the acute hospital system outlining the details of outpatient suspensions on 8th December 2020, in line with the Inpatient, Daycase and Planned Procedure (IDPP) Waiting List Management Protocol 2017.

In accordance with these guidelines, patients on an outpatient waiting list should be suspended if they accept an invitation to access hospital care through the NTPF commissioning process or HSE outsourcing. Importantly, the suspension of an outpatient does not incur a ‘stop-start’ in wait time, and thus does not impacting on the patient’s wait time.

The NTPF have advised my Department that as the Outpatient Waiting List Protocol has only recently been amended for outpatient suspensions, they are not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy until after the February waiting list figures are published on Friday 12th March 2021.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (858)

David Cullinane

Question:

858. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting on a first outpatients appointment with a specialist consultant in the HSE, to include all hospitals not just children waiting to see a consultant in CHI; the length of the wait; the speciality they are waiting to see; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12973/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

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 as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

In addition the National Treatment Purchas Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals , funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “ see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics, and clinical validation.

€240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This will be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of measures taken in the context of Covid-19, as well as to address waiting lists.

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.

The data requested by the Deputy has been provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and is outlined in the attached document. This document provides a breakdown of the Outpatient waiting lists for children, by Specialty and the numbers waiting in each time-band as of the end of January 2021.

Child OP Waiting List Per Speciality at 28/01/2021

-	0-3 Months	3-6 Months	6-9 Months	9-12 Months	12-15 Months	15-18 Months	18 Months +	Grand Total
Breast Surgery	7	5		7				19
Cardiology	36	20	19	25	9	7	12	128
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery	53	27	19	12	8		7	126
Child/Adolescent Psychiatry	27				5			32
Clinical (Medical) Genetics	204	194	135	177	195	168	828	1,901
Clinical Immunology	171	88	45	78	128	119	1,062	1,691
Clinical Neurophysiology			11	11	5			27
Dental Surgery	65	43	29	72	70	41	155	475
Dermatology	671	463	297	321	274	250	937	3,213
Developmental Paediatrics	93	63	33	78	55	97	476	895
Endocrinology	6							6
Gastro-Enterology	6							6
General Medicine	18	9						27
General Surgery	515	405	225	207	128	126	198	1,804
Gynaecology	197	116	57	51	29	12	14	476
Haematology	37	27	10	7				81
Immunology	63	40	13	33	36	53	300	538
Maxillo-Facial	56	36	17	26	29	23	130	317
Neonatology	9	5						14
Neurology	15	9		7				31
Neurosurgery	8							8
Ophthalmology	1,381	844	457	620	562	435	2,853	7,152
Oral Surgery	45	20	8	18	21	27	61	200
Orthopaedics	662	505	274	287	239	187	440	2,594
Otolaryngology (ENT)	1,191	875	544	1,143	1,174	874	6,728	12,529
Paed Cardiology	913	709	470	380	215	190	268	3,145
Paed Endocrinology	241	150	69	82	103	83	71	799
Paed Gastro-Enterol	268	154	62	79	64	70	549	1,246
Paed Haematology	71	57	31	36	13	5	19	232
Paed Metabolic Medicine	32	24	5					61
Paed Nephrology	173	112	61	51	27	31	48	503
Paed Orthopaedic	685	635	410	445	423	404	1,288	4,290
Paediatric Anaesthetics	13	5	7			8	48	81
Paediatric Dermatology	716	517	343	327	319	360	2,426	5,008
Paediatric ENT	728	559	334	714	820	674	2,164	5,993
Paediatric Infectious Diseases	31	18	30	14	27	6	6	132
Paediatric Neurology	416	172	55	77	107	58	252	1,137
Paediatric Neurosurgery	26						7	33
Paediatric Respiratory Medicine	230	164	136	255	236	199	854	2,074
Paediatric Surgery	1,068	879	558	431	352	333	467	4,088
Paediatric Urology	207	172	106	114	151	81	364	1,195
Paediatrics	5,248	2,835	1,348	1,113	754	331	613	12,242
Pain Relief	9	9	5		7			30
Plastic Surgery	380	280	213	229	289	222	470	2,083
Respiratory Medicine							7	7
Rheumatology	129	97	58	83	81	72	756	1,276
Small Vol Specialties	11	24	35	19	20	15	18	142
Urology	424	349	252	250	252	236	691	2,454
Vascular Surgery	9	5						14
Grand Total	17,564	11,720	6,781	7,879	7,227	5,797	25,587	82,555

*Due to the small volume of patients waiting in certain specialties, to preserve patient confidentiality, when the number of patients is <5, these have been included within broader timebands or aggregated into a 'Small Volume Specialties' cohort.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (859)

David Cullinane

Question:

859. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will establish child specific wait lists as per a recommendation of the Ombudsman for Children in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12974/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is a corporate body with functions and responsibilities as set out under Statutory Instrument 179 - National Treatment Purchase Fund (Establishment) Order, 2004. One of functions of the NTPF Board is to collect, collate and validate information in relation to persons waiting for hospital treatment in acute public hospitals in Ireland.

The NTPF has advised my Department that work is underway on the separation of adult and child waiting lists for inpatient, day case and outpatient waiting lists in public hospitals. The associated Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) issues that arise from this work have presented a number of significant challenges which delayed the project to date.

However, the NTPF has advised that they plan to include Paediatric Waiting lists in the publication of the March 2021 waiting list figures.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (860)

David Cullinane

Question:

860. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will establish target outpatient wait times for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12975/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE Management Data Report (MDR) reports on HSE activity against Key Performance Indicators as set out in the National Service Plan for 2021. Under the National Service Plan 2021, the target for all hospital groups is for 75% of people, including children, to wait less than 52 weeks for a first Outpatient Department appointment.

The Department oversees the performance of the HSE in relation to the delivery of the services set out in its National Service Plan. This is achieved through an on-going monthly performance management process where the HSE reports against the targets set out in the Service Plan. Monthly high-level meetings between management in both organisations are held to discuss on-going or emerging performance issues and to determine actions to resolve and improve areas of concern. There is also regular engagement between HSE and departmental officials on a wide range of issues to ensure compliance with policy objectives.

Outpatient waiting list information has been collected and published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) since 2013. The data represents those waiting for a first appointment at a consultant-led Outpatient clinic. The Outpatient Waiting List report shows the total number of patients waiting, across the various time bands, for a first appointment at a consultant-led Outpatient clinic

The NTPF has advised my Department that work is underway on the separation of adult and child waiting lists for inpatient, day case and outpatient waiting lists in public hospitals. The associated Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) issues that arise from this work have presented a number of significant challenges which delayed the project to date. However, the NTPF has advised that they plan to include Paediatric Waiting lists in the publication of the March 2021 waiting list figures.

HSE Waiting Lists

Questions (861, 862)

David Cullinane

Question:

861. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment with a specialist consultant by wait times (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12976/21]

David Cullinane

Question:

862. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the NTPF will broaden the length of waiting times reported to include periods (details supplied) taking into consideration that some patients wait many years to access a first appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12977/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 862 together.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

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 as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

In addition the National Treatment Purchas Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals , funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “ see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics, and clinical validation.

€240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This will be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of measures taken in the context of Covid-19, as well as to address waiting lists.

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.

The data requested by the Deputy has been provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and is outlined in the attached document. This document provides a breakdown of the over 18-month outpatient waiting list, by the time-bands specified by the deputy, as of the end of January 2021.

The NTPF has advised my Department that they are currently reviewing the published waiting list reports in the context of the separation of adult and child waiting lists. As part of these considerations, they will have regard to the request for greater detail in the published reports for longer waiting time bands. Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) will also be taken into account in these considerations in order to preserve patient confidentiality.

Total Paitents Waiting for a First Outpatient Appointment over 18 Months by Wait Time Band as at 28/01/2021

-	18-21 Months	21-24 Months	24-27 Months	27-30 Months	30-33 Months	33-36 Months	36-40 Months	40 Months +	Grand Total
28/01/2021	39428	31014	19755	16305	15498	11931	10938	26114	170983

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (863)

David Cullinane

Question:

863. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children in respect of the long waiting times for MRIs in CHI who are currently waiting; the duration of their wait; the number of children who have been outsourced for a MRI during 2020-21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12978/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for hospital appointments and procedures, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. This Government is committed to improving waiting times for all patients accessing hospital treatment across all specialties.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of the deferral of elective scheduled care activity in March, April and May of 2020, and since 2nd January 2021.

It is of note that key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as two-metre distancing, have a material impact on the available physical space to deliver all hospital services, and this has had a significant impact on both available capacity and operational activity levels. Children’s Health Ireland has advised that under the current HSE guidelines, they have reduced the number of procedures to urgent and those that are time sensitive.

In relation to the specific query regarding the number of children and long waiting times for MRIs in CHI that are currently waiting; the duration of their wait; the number of children who have been outsourced for an MRI during 2020-2021, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Paediatric Services

Questions (864, 865, 866)

David Cullinane

Question:

864. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children who were outsourced for scoliosis surgery in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the hospital to which they were outsourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12979/21]

David Cullinane

Question:

865. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to outsource children for scoliosis surgery; his views on the wait times for scoliosis surgery; the number of children waiting; the plans to ensure children's safety and their right to access the best attainable healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12980/21]

David Cullinane

Question:

866. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on a suspended inpatient list for scoliosis surgery across all hospitals; the time suspended; the number of children waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12981/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 864 to 866, inclusive, together.

I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment for scoliosis, and I am conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. This Government’s priority is to improve waiting times for all patients accessing hospital treatment across all specialties, including Scoliosis.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of the deferral of elective scheduled care activity in March, April and May of 2020, and since 2nd January 2021.

It is of note that key social distancing measures and Infection Prevention and Control requirements, such as two-metre distancing, have a material impact on the available physical space to deliver all hospital services, including scoliosis procedures, and this has had a significant impact on both available capacity and operational activity levels.

Despite the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic last year, by 31st December 2020 Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) had carried out 322 scoliosis procedures, a decrease in activity of 16% compared with 2019.

Children’s Health Ireland has advised that under the current HSE guidelines, they have reduced the number of procedures to urgent and those that are time sensitive. Children’s Health Ireland has advised that they are working with the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh to expand orthopaedic capacity. This is expected to have a positive impact on long waiting orthopaedic patients, including reductions in waiting times for children with scoliosis. CHI is also running additional orthopaedic clinics in City West, using a new active clinical triage model, which is reducing the number of children waiting the longest for appointments.

Representatives of CHI, the Orthopaedic Spinal Team and the Advocacy Groups continue to meet as part of the Co-Design framework on a quarterly basis to work on providing solutions for patients in the spinal service.

In relation to the specific queries raised regarding Scoliosis surgery, as this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (867)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

867. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a MRI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12986/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

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.

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.

HSE Staff

Questions (868)

Holly Cairns

Question:

868. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the longest waiting time experienced by a HSE CHO4 staff member to have a grievance hearing arranged for stage 1 of the HSE grievance procedure following submission of a formal grievance; the longest waiting time experienced by a HSE CHO4 staff member for the arrangement of a stage 2 hearing following the completion of stage 1 among cases from 2020-21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13002/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

HSE Staff

Questions (869)

Holly Cairns

Question:

869. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the details of appointments to HSE adult mental health psychology posts that were not subject to a competition process from January 2014 until December 2020 in CHO4 (details supplied); the reason a competition process involving eligible candidates did not take place in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13003/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.

Dental Services

Questions (870, 871, 951)

Holly Cairns

Question:

870. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the status of medical card reimbursement for dentists who treat medical card holders in areas (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13004/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

871. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to improve funding of dental health care through the medical card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13005/21]

Seán Fleming

Question:

951. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when dentists will carry out their work on patients with medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13410/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 870, 871 and 951 together.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme. The HSE will assist medical card holders in accessing such treatment if required.

I met with representatives of the dental profession towards the end of last year when I had an opportunity to hear first-hand the challenges which they face under Covid, and the enormous efforts of their members in continuing to provide services in the current environment. I accept that the profession has concerns about the current contract, which dates back to the nineties, and that one of those concerns relates to the fee structure under the DTSS.

I want to ensure the sustainability and viability of that contract and that all eligible persons can continue to receive the services that they deserve from their local dentists. In that respect, I have asked my officials and the HSE to bring forward proposals to address the immediate concerns of the dental community. In the longer term, my commitment to the profession and to the public is for a fundamental review of the contract, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.

Hospital Staff

Questions (872)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

872. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the vacant position of paediatric rheumatologist in Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, has been filled; if there are further similar positions still waiting to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13010/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (873)

Mark Ward

Question:

873. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost per person and overall cost of delivering mental health first aid training since its inception per year and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13019/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (874)

Mark Ward

Question:

874. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of organisations that have received mental health first aid training; the number which were sports organisations; the number of persons per organisation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13020/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Suicide Prevention

Questions (875)

Mark Ward

Question:

875. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of GAA clubs that have received safeTALK training through health club initiatives; the number of persons per club, by age; the cost of delivering this training per year and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13021/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Suicide Prevention

Questions (876)

Mark Ward

Question:

876. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost per person to complete ASIST suicide prevention training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13022/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.

Suicide Prevention

Questions (877)

Mark Ward

Question:

877. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the cost per person to complete safeTALK training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13023/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Questions (878)

Robert Troy

Question:

878. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if surgery will be carried out for a person (details supplied) through the National Treatment Purchase Fund. [13024/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.

The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.

In respect of the patient's appointment at the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (879)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

879. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there is a review into the effectiveness of UV equipment provided to St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, and Ballinasloe, County Galway, on loan in the context of Covid-19; if he will provide the results to any such review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13025/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Medical Certificates

Questions (880)

Michael McNamara

Question:

880. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate application by persons (details supplied) in County Clare; when an assessment on this application will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13037/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) personnel in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme. This determination is undertaken by Community Medical Doctors for the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation on behalf of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

The Deputy may be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE to the effect that Primary Medical Certificate assessments can recommence with effect from 1st January, 2021.

In the context of the national effort to suppress and manage the impact of COVID, the ability to hold assessments is impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme. The HSE has confirmed that the Community Medical Doctors and their teams are predominately deployed to the COVID vaccination rollout in residential care facilities and other health care settings.

I have been informed that the HSE is considering the matter of Primary Medical Certificate assessments in the context of their revision of the HSE Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.

As the specific case raised by the Deputy is a service matter, I have arranged to have the question referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.

Primary Medical Certificates

Questions (881)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

881. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is underpinned by statute and comes under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) personnel in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria for a Primary Medical Certificate, which is a requirement for the Scheme. This determination is undertaken by Community Medical Doctors for the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation on behalf of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

The Deputy may be aware that following a Supreme Court decision of June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended at the request of the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D. Following the approval of the Finance Act 2020 which provides for the medical criteria in primary legislation, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., issued an instruction to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE to the effect that Primary Medical Certificate assessments can recommence with effect from 1st January, 2021.

In the context of the national effort to suppress and manage the impact of COVID, the ability to hold assessments is impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme. The HSE has confirmed that the Community Medical Doctors and their teams are predominately deployed to the COVID vaccination rollout in residential care facilities and other health care settings.

I have been informed that the HSE is considering the matter of Primary Medical Certificate assessments in the context of their revision of the HSE Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.

As the specific case raised by the Deputy is a service matter, I have arranged to have the question referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.