Written Answers Nos. 399-419
399. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32800/21]
View answerMy Department had no public relations consultancy costs for the period of 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021.
400. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will approve a drug manufactured by a company (details supplied) as part of the medicinal cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32803/21]
View answerThe products you refer to are manufactured by the dispensing pharmacy in the Netherlands. Owing to Dutch government restrictions cannabis-based oils may not be commercially exported to pharmacies or wholesalers however they will allow the filling of individual prescriptions for collection by the patient, the patient’s family or a representative.
Representations were made to the Dutch authorities about having the products exported to Ireland to facilitate their inclusion in the Access Programme if the producers wished to do so. The Dutch authorities replied that magistral preparations may only be provided directly to patients or their representative on the basis of a prescription, presented for dispensing.
Since April 2020, owing to the pandemic the Department has been collecting patient’s prescriptions from the Netherlands and delivering them to patients' homes. These collections take place approximately every four weeks and will continue post-pandemic.
As a result of the prohibition of commercial export of the cannabis-based products the manufacturers cannot apply to the Health Products Regulatory Authority to have the products included in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.
401. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his key policy achievements in his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32804/21]
View answerMy Department is engaged in policy development and implementation across the full spectrum of issues that impact health and wellbeing in Ireland. To support the Deputy I have listed below the new policy introduced by my Department in the last year which mark significant milestones in the development of health policy for Ireland. These documents are available in detail on gov.ie/health
I would also refer the Deputy to the Department’s Annual Report 2020 which is being finalised at present and will be published in due course. This important strategic document details the achievements of the Department over that time, in particular our achievements as they relate our commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future are currently.
|
Date of Publication |
Title |
Category |
|
08/07/2020 |
COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) |
Policy |
|
27/07/2020 |
Procedural Values for Decision-making in a Pandemic |
Guideline |
|
19/08/2020 |
Report of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel |
Policy review |
|
01/10/2020 |
National Healthy Eating Guidelines for One to Four Year Olds |
Guideline |
|
22/10/2020 |
Guidelines for Operating Drug and Alcohol Support Groups and Treatment Programmes During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
Guideline |
|
29/10/2020 |
Launch of the “Keep Well” campaign |
Campaign |
|
25/11/2020 |
Extension of National Suicide Reduction Strategy to 2024 |
Policy |
|
08/12/2020 |
Provisional Vaccine Allocation Groups |
Guideline |
|
15/12/2020 |
COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy and Implementation Plan |
Policy |
|
16/12/2020 |
Publication of the Final Report of the Expert Group on Tort Reform and the Management of Clinical Negligence Claims |
Policy review |
|
04/01/2021 |
Sixth Annual Report of the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System |
Report |
|
10/02/2021 |
Department of Health Open Beds Report for October 2020 |
Report |
|
18/02/2021 |
Department of Health Open Beds Report for November 2020 |
Report |
|
19/02/2021 |
Transforming Lives – Working Group 1 Report on Future Needs for Disability Services |
Report |
|
25/02/2021 |
Sláintecare in Action 2019 |
Policy Review |
|
04/03/2021 |
Department of Health Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 |
Strategy |
|
10/03/2021 |
Department of Health Open Beds Report for December 2020 |
Report |
|
01/04/2021 |
Report of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Group |
Report |
|
01/04/2021 |
Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery |
Report |
|
07/04/2021 |
Department of Health Annual Report 2019 |
Report |
|
05/05/2021 |
National Cancer Strategy Implementation Report 2020 |
Report |
|
07/05/2021 |
Final Evaluation Report on the Impact of Implementing the Draft Policy on Graduate, Specialist and Advanced Nursing Practice September 2020 |
Report |
|
11/05/2021 |
Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023 |
Strategy/Action Plan |
|
13/05/2021 |
Post-change data collection report for the Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix Framework – Phase 2 |
Report |
|
13/05/2021 |
Final Report: Short Term Review of Clinical Placement Allowances for Student Nurses and Midwives |
Report |
|
28/05/2021 |
Supporting the Recovery |
Guidelines |
|
04/06/2021 |
Review of Pricing System for Long Term Residential Care Facilities |
Review |
|
23/06/2021 |
Building Momentum: Health Sector Action Plan |
Action Plan |
|
29/06/2021 |
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 – Annual Report on Notifications 2020 |
Report |
|
12/07/2021 |
Department of Health Open Beds for March 2021 |
Report |
402. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce a no-fault vaccination compensation scheme for severe adverse reactions to State-promoted vaccination programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/21]
View answerIn June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation, and work to advance policy development in this regard is under way in the Department.
There are no plans at present for the introduction in Ireland of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.
403. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/21]
View answerIn respect of my Department, the Public Appointments Service is utilised for recruitment of new staff. All recruitment is carried out according to the “Code of practice for the employment of people with disability in the Civil Service” and the Public Appointments Service '"Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023".
The Department of Health and the Public Appointments Service aims to ensure that people with disabilities are placed in jobs that are matched to their skills and abilities and are not disadvantaged by their disability.
All employees, and especially new staff, are encouraged to engage with the Departmental Disability Liaison Officer and Strategic HR in order to successfully integrate into their role and to remove obstacles to the achievement of their potential which they may encounter which may relate to a disability.
The agencies under the aegis of the Department of Health recruit under license from the Office of the Commission of Public Service Appointments, be that they are licensed or the recruitment agency they utilise is licensed. One of the conditions when a license is granted is that the licensee must agree to abide by the principles and codes of practice published by the Commission.
The Codes set out the regulatory framework for such appointment processes and centre on five recruitment principles. One of the recruitment principles is that a fair employment process is applied with consistency.
The Commission opposes any form of direct or indirect discrimination, whether active or passive. The selection process adopted and the way in which it is applied must be undertaken with full commitment to equality of opportunity. Office holders have an obligation to treat candidates fairly, to a consistent standard and in a consistent manner.
A specific Code exists in relation to the appointment of a person or persons with a disability, as defined in the Disability Act 2005. This Code includes provisions to help with accessibility and the treatment of applicants during the appointment process.
404. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the originally announced proposals for the new national maternity hospital continue to be part of the plan; if particular issues have arisen which might derail the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/21]
View answer416. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the current status and progress of the proposed new national maternity hospital; if the originally intended location of the hospital has been confirmed; if agreement has been reached in respect of the site with the donor; if specific conditions are being imposed or introduced; if there has been a deviation from the original plan and proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 416 together.
The Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government. Significant progress has been made on the capital project, with planning permission for the hospital secured in 2017 and, in 2018, the awarding of the contract for substantial enabling works.
However, the ownership and governance arrangements are more complex. The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new NMH at Elm Park were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised in 2016 following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, published thereafter and noted by Government in 2017. The Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary, independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copper fasten these arrangements.
I have been very clear that I will not bring anything to Government unless it provides assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. In addition, the safeguarding of the State’s investment must also be affirmed beyond doubt.
In that context, there has been further engagement with the stakeholders in relation to this project, and this will continue as we move toward the finalisation of the legal arrangements. However, I will not be making any further comment on the nature of this engagement until it concludes.
405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which discussions continue to take place with general practitioners and consultants in regard to the implementation of Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32808/21]
View answerIn November 2019, the ICGP invited the Sláintecare Programme to establish a joint committee to share and promote strategic ideas for the future development of General Practice in Ireland which will deliver the right care in the right place at the right time. Throughout 2020, there was significant engagement with General Practice in reshaping service models in a COVID-19 context. A Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme, having regard for COVID-19, was developed in conjunction with the IMO and the Department of Health. A Research Hub, in collaboration with The Irish College of General Practitioners, HSE and Department of Health, was established to address key requirements to drive forward improvements on capacity and supports to general practice.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023 was agreed by Government in May this year. GPs will continue to have an important role in its implementation. The Enhanced Community Care workstream of Project 1: Implement the Health Service Capacity Review (2018) promotes the shift of care out of acute hospitals into the community and closer to a person’s home, where safely possible. The ECC workstream will ensure maximum impact for citizens in avoiding hospital admission as far as possible through initiatives that will see care delivered within the community, at or near a person’s home where appropriate. These initiatives include chronic disease management by GPs and direct GP referral to community radiology.
Project 3: Streamline Care Pathways from Prevention to Discharge focusses on the development of integrated care pathways that are based on delivering the best outcomes for patients can help to drive streamlined integration between care settings at a national, regional and local level. Pathways will be agreed between GPs, primary/community care providers, community specialist teams and hospital-based specialists can provide better links across these care settings and will ensure that resources are used to provide the best care for patients and that services are provided in a more timely way.
The implementation of the new Public Only Consultant Contract will be the first step along the road to public-only care in public healthcare facilities.
The draft Consultant Contract was forwarded to the representative bodies for hospital consultants on 31 May for consideration. The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive have met with, and written to, the Representative Bodies to express their willingness and openness to engage on the draft Contract, in line with the relevant government decisions. The responses from the representative bodies to an invitation to engage on the contract are under consideration by the Department.
It is expected the contract will be finalised and introduced within the healthcare system as soon as engagement has concluded.
406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the new children’s hospital plan is proceeding as anticipated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32809/21]
View answerThe New Children’s Hospital Project, comprising the main hospital at St James’s campus in Dublin, and two paediatric outpatient and urgent care centres at Connolly and Tallaght hospitals, is a Government priority.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has the statutory responsibility and resources to plan, design, build, furnish and equip the new children’s hospital.
The main hospital was scheduled to be substantially completed by August 2022 and, following a commissioning process of 9-10 months, to open in 2023. This contractual completion date has been revised to October 2022 as the contractor was granted an extension of time by the Employer’s Representative, in line with the contract, due to the impact of Covid-19 and the closure of the site in March 2020.
The NPHDB has now advised my Department that BAM’s contractually compliant programme, approved by the Employer’s Representative in March 2021, forecasts a substantial completion date of December 2023. Therefore, if BAM can meet its own schedule, the new hospital could open in 2024, after the necessary commissioning period.
The NPHDB and BAM are currently engaged in a process to allow the forecasted December 2023 completion date to be met. There remain external risks beyond the control of the Development Board and the contractor to that timeline, arising from Brexit, the global pandemic, global supply chain difficulties and shortages of construction raw materials. However, BAM, as a Tier 1 construction company, has global reach into supply chains and is doing its best to mitigate those risks.
Despite delays and Covid-19 restrictions, significant progress is being made on the site at St James’s and the new children’s hospital building is taking shape. Over 90% of all concrete has been placed, with the concrete frame now complete. In March, a key milestone was reached when the last section of the seventh-storey was poured with concrete, meaning that the building has now topped out. The infill concrete slabs over the steelwork frame, closing in the concourse, will be complete by August 2021.
Glazing and façade works are continuing such that the distinctive shape of the building is becoming clear. It is anticipated that the majority of the building will be weathertight by the autumn. The fit out of certain internal areas has begun, with discernible rooms and areas taking shape. The primary Mechanical and Electrical Plant comprising boilers; combined heat and power, generators, transformers, main distribution boards and medical gases are well progressed with the focus now on primary and secondary distribution around the building.
A major milestone was reached in July 2019, when the Urgent Care Centre at the Connolly Hospital campus opened, providing a new model of ambulatory care for children. The opening of the second of the three new campuses, at Tallaght Hospital later this year, will be another important milestone in the NCH programme and in the delivery of children’s health services.
Construction work on the 4,600m2 facility is nearing an end, with a substantial completion date scheduled for September 2021. It will then be handed over to Children’s Health Ireland to open for services after an 8-week period of operational commissioning and equipping.
407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the national trauma care plan is best placed to meet any and all emergencies as they arise regardless of geographical location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32810/21]
View answerThe National Trauma Strategy, A Trauma System for Ireland, published in February 2018, recommended the introduction of an inclusive trauma system, that will be delivered by two regional networks, each with a Major Trauma Centre that is linked to a number of Trauma Units. Services will be networked and co-ordinated along standardised pathways to ensure that the right care is delivered in the right place at the right time. The Strategy recommended the trauma system should include one Major Trauma Centre to be based in Dublin servicing the Central Trauma Network, and another to be based in Cork University Hospital servicing the South Trauma Network.
The Government, on 27 April 2021, designated the Mater Hospital as the Major Trauma Centre for the Central Trauma Network and St Vincent’s and Tallaght University Hospitals as the Trauma Units for Dublin.
Implementing the recommendations of the National Trauma Strategy is a key action of the Sláintecare Action Plan. It is expected that it will take between five to seven years to implement the Strategy in full.
As an inclusive trauma system, the Trauma System for Ireland will consider all aspects of a patient's journey and will ensure that all patients have access to the level of care they require irrespective of their location. This will include pre-hospital services so that high level and consistent care is available.
Trauma triage will mean that where appropriate patients suffering major trauma will be brought directly to a MTC if they are within 45 minutes of such a facility.
Where patients are outside this they will be brought to the nearest Trauma Unit for resuscitation and stabilisation. Trauma Units will be developed to ensure that a consistent level of care is provided across the country. If a patients care needs exceed the capabilities of the TU they will be transferred to a MTC. Transport services and protocols will be developed to ensure prompt and safe access to the MTC which by its nature will be able to meet any and all requirements of the trauma patient.
The trauma system will develop ongoing care and rehabilitation services-complex specialist, post-acute and community so that a rehabilitation needs assessment and prescription will be completed and a patient’s own rehabilitation needs can be tailored and met at the closest and most appropriate facility to their home.
In summary the trauma system will develop networks that will bring patients to the facility that can best meet their needs in a safe and consistent manner irrespective of their location.
408. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Naas Hospital development plans are proceeding; when work is likely to start on-site given the urgent necessity for the extension of the facilities and the necessity to meet the increasing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32811/21]
View answerThere are a number of projects included in the Capital Programme for 2021 at Naas General Hospital. These include the Day Procedures/Endoscopy Unit, Oncology and Physical Therapy Unit and a new Acute Mental Health Unit.
Funding has been allocated to progress the project design for the Day Procedures/Endoscopy Unit Oncology and Physical Therapy Unit project. The procurement of the design team is underway and nearing completion.
The scope of the Acute Mental Health Unit has changed considerably and is currently being reviewed. The service area has progressed an extensive exercise to examine latest delivered mental health projects including the National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital facility in Portrane. Following this review, service requirements have been rescoped to incorporate different room layouts, wider corridors, and additional recreation space. Other scope changes have been made such as inclusion of a decking carpark and seclusion rooms. The schedule of accommodation has just been confirmed and the design team are now working on the Stage 1 report.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and subject to successful completion of the various approval stages as well of availability of funding.
The development of a modular isolation unit providing 12 single isolation rooms at Naas General Hospital is currently being progressed. The final contract to construct this unit is expected to be agreed within the next two weeks with offsite fabrication and associated site works commencing in September. Construction of the modular unit is due for completion in Q1 2022.
409. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current number of primary care centres in County Kildare; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32812/21]
View answerThe development of new Primary Care Centres (PCCs) is a key component of the efforts to enhance community care, and to deliver care in a location at, or as near as possible to an individual’s home, where it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
The most recent available update from the Health Service Executive advises that there are currently 142 operational PCCs ?nationwide, with a further 30 PCCs scheduled to open before the end of 2023.
Those PCCs currently operational in Co. Kildare are listed below. In addition, two further locations in Leixlip and Maynooth are currently at a very early stage in the development process.
|
Primary Care Centre Location |
Date Operational |
|
Athy/Castledermot |
2020 |
|
Celbridge |
2017 |
|
Clane/Kilmeague |
2014 |
|
Kilcock |
2018 |
|
Kildare Town |
2016 |
|
Naas |
2011 |
|
Newbridge |
2013 |
|
Rathangan |
2015 |
410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if additional home help will be allocated to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32813/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
411. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will extend reforms to the nursing home support scheme to address inequalities (details supplied) in the scheme which leads to fair deal poverty for some nursing home residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32815/21]
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 NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person
- Bed and board
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living
- Laundry service
A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.
Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, such as social programmes, newspapers or hairdressing. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory). An operator should not seek payment from residents for items which are covered by the NHSS, the medical card or any other existing scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. CCPC’s mission is to promote competition and enhance consumer welfare. The CCPC has published consumer protection guidelines for contracts of care in long-term residential care services for older people. The guidelines set out the obligations and responsibilities that providers must adhere to under consumer protection law and are aimed at providing greater transparency, clarity and certainty for consumers.
412. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount of money allocated to each CHO area in tabular form for mental health in each of the years 2017 to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32816/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
417. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 986 of 28 April 2021, the reason funding was refused under the treatment abroad scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) given a previous application was approved on 20 September 2019; if the procedures are available in hospitals here; if so, the hospital that carries out same; if there is a waiting list; if so, the timeframe involved; if he will examine the case of the person as a matter of urgency with a view to ensuring that the two procedures recommended by their consultants are expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.
Nevertheless, the HSE has advised that a response on this matter, as raised in Parliamentary Question 986 of 20th April 2021, was issued to the Deputy on 13th May 2021. The HSE indicated that as the procedure is available in Ireland it does not fall under the qualifying criteria for the Treatment Abroad Scheme. A multidisciplinary National Specialist Centre has been developed over two sites, at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) Dublin, and these sites have received specific funding from the HSE for the provision of these services. Full details of MESH removal services and contact information for relevant hospitals are available on the HSE website at www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/vaginal-mesh-implants/. The National Women and Infants Health Programme can also be contacted for general queries at smi.nwihp@hse.ie.
419. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of workers in section 39 agencies that are currently earning below the living wage; and the estimated annual cost of bringing them in line with this. [32879/21]
View answerSection 39 agencies fall under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 where the HSE provides a grant to allow the agency to provide services similar or ancillary to the HSE. Staff in Section 39 organisations were not subject to the provisions of FEMPI legislation and therefore did not receive those cuts that were applied to the pay of public servants. They were not and are not party to Public Service Agreements and are therefore not covered by the pay restoration provided for in these Agreements. While it is understood that pay savings were made by the organisations, the precise mix of pay cuts or other savings measures will have varied.
It would not be appropriate for me to respond on the remuneration of employees in Section 39 organisations as they are private employees. They are not civil or public servants and their terms and conditions of employment, once compliant with employment law, are a matter solely between the employer and employee.
