Written Answers Nos. 1628-1652
1628. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider outsourcing public dental services to private practices in order to lessen waiting times of over seven years for youth orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14858/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1629. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee Steering Committee has met since 15 January 2021; if so, when the minutes of the most recent meeting will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14860/21]
View answerTo date, the NIMC Steering Committee has met on 11 December 2020, 15 January 2021 and 12 February 2021, with meetings scheduled to take place every month.
In March, the NIMC met over two (half) days on 11 and 12 March 2021. These meetings were set up for the NIMC to examine, in some detail, its role and function, and were not usual business meetings. The NIMC did not review the minutes of the February meeting at this time-this will be done at the meeting scheduled in April.
The next business meeting of the NIMC Steering Committee is scheduled for 9 April 2021.
Minutes of meetings are usually submitted for approval at the next subsequent meeting (with the above detailed exception) and then they are published. The December and January minutes have been published on the Department's website and it is envisaged that the February minutes will be published after the April meeting.
1630. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of medical assessments for primary medical certificate applications that have taken place to date in 2021; the number that have taken place by county to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14866/21]
View answerThe 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) Community Medical Doctors 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.
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 HSE to recommence assessments from 1st January, 2021.
The ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place to suppress and manage the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately there are delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of the HSE Medical Doctors in the national COVID-19 response, which I know are causing undue strain on applicants.
I recently met with the HSE to discuss the issues around the delay in accessing Primary Medical Certificate assessments. The HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
1631. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of the prospective reimbursement of a drug (details supplied) following the finalisation of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics assessment process; if the HSE has commenced negotiations with the pharmaceutical company; if meetings have been held on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14870/21]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1632. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be carried out for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14871/21]
View answerIt 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.
1633. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if persons on combined therapies and at very high risk are within group 4 on the vaccination schedule; and if not, when they will receive the vaccine. [14879/21]
View answerOn the 23rd of February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.
In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.
The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.
The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/
The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.
In relation to the categories of very high risk and high risk conditions, this list is not exhaustive. It may also include people who have been classed as at very high risk, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of need. It is recommended that the individuals concerned discuss this with their treating physician who is in the best position to give appropriate advice.
It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.
1635. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14886/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1636. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will bring forward plans to ensure that the backlog of assessments for primary medical certificates is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14894/21]
View answerThe 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) Community Medical Doctors 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.
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 HSE to recommence assessments from 1st January, 2021.
The ability to hold assessments has been impacted by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place to suppress and manage the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately there are delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of the HSE Medical Doctors in the national COVID-19 response, which I know are causing undue strain on applicants.
I recently met with the HSE to discuss the issues around the delay in accessing Primary Medical Certificate assessments. The HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by COVID.
1637. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing a needle exchange service. [14897/21]
View answer1638. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of staffing and running a needle exchange service. [14898/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1637 and 1638 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1639. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1366 of 8 September 2020, when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a surgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14900/21]
View answerIt 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 matter raised, I understand that the HSE replied to the Deputy's original query on 21 September I will now ask them to provide an update a soon as possible.
1640. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a primary care centre in Millstreet, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14901/21]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
1641. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the reason a pay and conditions employment package was agreed for a person (details supplied); when this decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14925/21]
View answerI am advised by my officials that the pay and conditions employment package referred to by the Deputy was not agreed for any individual. Rather it was agreed for a position which was advertised through an open competition in accordance with the Code of Practice for Appointments to the Civil and Public Service.
The package offered in December 2018 had due regard to the need to attract sufficient candidates of a necessary calibre for this challenging and strategically important role, and the fact that the existing approved remuneration package had not attracted sufficient interest from suitable candidates for the position.
The recruitment package is commensurate with the importance of the role. Approval for the package to be offered was received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 17th December 2018.
The contract of employment was completed on the 2nd April 2019 and was within the parameters set out in the approval letter of 17th December 2018.
1642. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to employ a full-time pain consultant for children with chronic pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14942/21]
View answerIn 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.
1643. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients seen by multidisciplinary teams over the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14943/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1644. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if statistics on the level of community transmission continue to be published and publicly available; the latest community transmission rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14944/21]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
1645. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the reason the pension of a person who has retired from the HSE will be reduced should they commence work on the vaccination programme given that they can commence work under an agency at double the cost to the HSE and retain all of their pension while doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14945/21]
View answerThe Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 provides that pension abatement may apply where a retired public servant, who is in receipt of a public service pension, is rehired by a public service body.
Pension abatement does not apply in the case of re-employment outside the public service.
1646. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question No. 1021 of 3 March 2021, if the safe access to termination of pregnancy Bill outlined in the legislation programme spring session 2021 has been put on hold, deferred or abandoned as indicated in his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14963/21]
View answer1915. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the date to which his Department is working towards to introduce the safe access to the termination of pregnancy services Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15906/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1646 and 1915 together.
Ensuring access to termination of pregnancy services remains an ongoing priority for the Department of Health, as may be seen in the commitments set out in the Programme for Government Our Shared Future (2020).
As I set out previously, it was originally intended to provide for safe access to termination of pregnancy services in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. However, a number of legal issues were identified which necessitated further consideration. Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, there has been a limited number of reports of protests or other actions relating to termination of pregnancy. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date and are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy.
However, where problems do arise with protests outside healthcare services, there is existing public order legislation in place to protect people accessing services, employees working in the service and local residents. The Department of Health has previously liaised with An Garda Síochána around safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda Stations raising awareness about the issue. The notice directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with. The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE for appropriate distribution.
Services for termination of pregnancy under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 have continued to function during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is regular ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE to facilitate the smooth-running of the service and to resolve any issues that may arise.
1647. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14969/21]
View answerIt 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.
1648. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for first time Medical Council applications for general registration by non-EU applicants in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 from the time an application is made to the time a final decision is made; the average waiting times for first time Medical Council applications for general registration by applicants from the EU in the same period from the time an application is made to the time a final decision is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14970/21]
View answerAll medical practitioners who have obtained their professional qualifications outside of Ireland must have their qualifications recognised before they are eligible for registration with the Medical Council. Directive 2005/36/EC applies to all EU/EEA nationals wishing to practise a regulated profession in a Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications, and provides for the automatic recognition of qualifications for certain health professionals, including medical practitioners. There is no system of automatic recognition for non-EU/EEA qualifications, with such qualifications being assessed on a case by case basis.
Registration with the Medical Council involves firstly, the assessment of an application to determine if a doctor is eligible for registration, and secondly, the activation of registration. Upon receipt of an application for registration, the Medical Council undertakes an initial assessment to ensure that all required documentation has been submitted. The formal assessment of an application commences when all of the required documentation has been received by the Council. Accordingly, the average wait times provided below are reflective of correctly presented applications, i.e. from the point that all required documentation has been received.
The average wait time for first time EU/EEA applications for general registration was 4 weeks in 2019 and 4 – 6 weeks in both 2020 and 2021. In respect of first time non-EU/EEA applications for general registration, the average wait time was 2 – 6 weeks in 2019 and 4 – 12 weeks in both 2020 and 2021.
There are a number of challenges which are impacting on turn around times for first time applications for general registration. The main contributory factor to delays in processing times is the failure of applicants to submit all of the required documentation necessary for registration. Until all required documentation has been received it not possible to commence the formal assessment of, and subsequently finalise, an application.
There are a number of reasons why it may be difficult for applicants to submit all of the required documentation necessary for registration. Covid-19 has also had a significant impact on this, whereby some medical schools and training bodies are closed, or working remotely, which has resulted in delays in issuing documentation, and in responding to requests for verification of credentials. The Medical Council receives a very high number of applications from doctors qualified in Pakistan, and over the past 18 months or so, the Pakistan Medical Council has been shut down on a number of occasions for extended periods. These closures have adversely impacted on the ability of such applicants to obtain necessary registration documents.
The Medical Council makes every effort to assist applicants seeking registration and, in 2020, extended the timeframe for applicants to submit outstanding required documentation. In addition, when a non-EU/EEA applicant informs the Medical Council that they have a job offer, the Council makes every effort to expedite the application.
1649. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the clinical care pathway for treatment of endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1650. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if charges apply to patients who require post-Covid-19 medical assessment reviews and are transferred from public hospitals to private hospitals for this review; the charges for a patient with a medical card, with health insurance and without health insurance, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/21]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the State are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services. All persons, accessing public in-patient (including day case) services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory in-patient daily charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 in any period of 12 consecutive months, subject to a number of exemptions which include:
- medical card holders;
- people receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases;
- people who are subject to 'long-stay' charges;
- children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations;
- people who are eligible for hospital services because of EU Regulations;
- women receiving maternity services;
- children up to 6 weeks of age;
- people with hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Card;
- people who are part of the Redress Scheme for Women Resident in Certain Institutions.
Where care is provided in the public hospital system in an outpatient setting (other than services provided in certain designated centres including an Emergency Department or Minor Injury Unit) no charge is liable.
In relation to the Private Hospital Agreement in the context of Covid-19 it specifically allows for the treatment of urgent and time critical patients in the context of a surge. As such, when metrics indicate that the system is no longer ‘in surge’, the private hospital deal and associated payment/financial arrangements, are no longer in place. In that regard a post-Covid assessment is not considered to fall under the terms of the current Safety Net arrangement with the private hospitals and therefore the issue of patient charges in a private hospital should not arise.
1651. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the latest projected timetable for the delivery of the new St. Conlon’s nursing home, Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14976/21]
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.
1652. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the responsibilities of home help staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14977/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
