Written Answers Nos. 2641-2659
2641. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the previously advertised unpaid assistant psychologist roles within the HSE services in Dublin north city and county will be readvertised as paid positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38574/21]
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.
2642. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will make an announcement on whether the current national pilot assistant psychologist programme is to be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38575/21]
View answerThe establishment of 114 Assistant Psychologist posts within HSE Psychology Services on a pilot basis was a key action in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2016, with the posts coming on-stream in a phased basis during 2017, and funding of €3.4m being provided for implementation of this important initiative.
The role of Assistant Psychologist supports the provision of psychology services in primary care settings, enabling delivery of early and cost-effective interventions for children and adolescents, and is key to delivering a “stepped care” model in which service users receive the level of required support and/or intervention appropriate to their assessed need.
The employment of Assistant Psychologists in HSE Primary Care Psychology services is a time-limited pilot project and is being independently evaluated. All Assistant Psychologist posts were due to complete their contracts by the end of July 2020 when the evaluation was originally due to be finalised.
However, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary for this evaluation process to be paused during 2020 and, as several months of data was not collected, the HSE report that the initiative has been extended to the end of September 2021. After this date, a final report and assessment of the pilot project will be completed, and a decision on the future of the programme will be made.
2643. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if 24-hour home care will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38576/21]
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.
2644. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons on national panels for psychologist staff grade posts have not been made aware of the new recruitment campaign and change in the panel process; and the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38577/21]
View answerThe recruitment of Psychologists to positions in the HSE is an operational issue for the HSE.
I understand from the HSE that they publicly advertised a recruitment campaign for Psychologist Staff Grade on 24 May 2021. The recruitment campaign closing date was extended to 14 June 2021. It is standard practice to advertise recruitment opportunities in the Careers section of the HSE website. In addition, a notification of this opportunity was issued to the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), to Health Psychology Managers Ireland (HPSI), and to the universities in Ireland (HEIs) with recognised professional psychology courses.
As the deputy is aware on 15 May 2021, the HSE was subject to a cyber-attack and all IT systems were shut down. The HSE website main page contained specific advice for recruitment activity during the cyberattack, along with a Helpline phone number. In addition, the psychology advertisement and notifications explained the difficulties caused by the cyberattack and provided advice for existing panel members.
Following the cyber-attack, the National Recruitment Service (NRS) no longer had access to any recruitment systems or records (including recruitment panels). Understandably, the priority was and is to restore diagnostic and medical systems, and there is no timetable for the return of access to other support systems.
Access to some records were returned 8 June 2021. As a result, the NRS could contact the psychology panel members to inform them that the panel would expire and extended the closing date of the recruitment campaign. The HSE have advised that the number of applications received by the original closing date was significant, indicating the majority of existing panel members were aware of the expiry of the panel. This, with the direct communication to all panel members, plus the extension of the closing date, sought to ensure that all individuals interested in employment opportunities could apply.
In relation to the change in the panel process, the HSE have confirmed that on 15th March 2021 new eligibility criteria for the role of Psychologist in the HSE were published. The new eligibility criteria were established following multi stakeholder consultation and the purpose being to ensure that the psychology recruitment could meet the needs of evolving and developing health and social care services in the Irish Health Service. As a result, the NRS are required to advertise for Psychologists using the new eligibility criteria and expire recruitment panels based on the old eligibility criteria. The current recruitment campaign advised that existing panels will expire when the new panel is in place (expected end August 2021).
Applicants are informed at advertisement stage that panels are in existence for one year but may be extended. The Commission for Public Service Appointments have advised the HSE that national panels (high volume of applicants and vacancies) should not be maintained for longer than three years. However, as the eligibility criteria used to form the existing panels no longer applies, the NRS was not in a position to continue using existing panels once the new panel is formed. As a courtesy, the NRS informed panel members that a panel will expire.
The NRS advertise opportunities to join the Psychology panel at approximately the same period each year on the HSE website, to ensure that the HSE offers opportunities to the postgraduate cohorts of exiting recognised psychology programmes, and to any other qualified individuals.
The generation of a national panel for a particular grade of staff within the HSE ensures that panel members have access to all opportunities within the HSE, rather than having to apply multiple times for individual opportunities. In addition, this ensures that the HSE has access to the widest number of psychologists. Recruitment activity is conducted in partnership with the HSE Principal Psychology Managers.
As all existing panels are due to expire, it also means that all applicants are being afforded equal opportunity to attain a place on the primary panel. At present, there are two panels ahead of the 2020 panel – a primary panel created in 2018 and a supplementary panel created in 2019. Existing panels take precedence over supplementary panels meaning that all candidates on the 2018 and 2019 panel automatically have a higher order of merit than those candidates placed on the 2020 panel. Job offers made to the panel are done by order of merit.
2645. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of those in need of home care packages; if his attention has further been drawn to the difficulties many have in sourcing these packages and that many of the packages granted are for less hours than would be appropriate to the need; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact this shortfall in hours is being decided on the basis of resources available rather than on the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38599/21]
View answerHome supports enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities, as well as facilitating timely discharge from hospital. Since 2018 the funding for home help and standard home care packages has operated as a single home support service.
We have made improved access to home support services a priority. In 2021 an additional investment of €150 million has been made available to fund over 24.2 million hours of home support and to support the roll out of the inteRAI standard assessment tool and the establishment of a National Home Support Office. This is 5 million hours more than the 2020 target and represents an unprecedented level of investment and a substantial increase in service provision. Due to the effects of the cyberattack the most recent complete data available represents the period to the end of March 2021. As of this date there were 54,112 people in receipt of home support and almost 4.7 million hours had been delivered across the country. At the time there were 1,601 people waiting for approval for funding for new or additional service, compared to 7,295 people waiting in March 2020.
As 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.
2646. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the level of mental health supports that are in place for persons with eating disorders in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38600/21]
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.
2647. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a nursing home scheme participant (details supplied) in County Kerry will be given permission to sell a part of their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38635/21]
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.
2648. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the conditions treated in St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar. [38636/21]
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.
2649. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his response to Limerick Council’s motion for him to urgently bring in legislation to create safe access zones around healthcare centres, including Limerick Maternity Hospital in view of ongoing protests taking place there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38648/21]
View answerEnsuring access to termination of pregnancy services remains an ongoing priority for the Department of Health.
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.
I am aware that there have been some reports of protests outside University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) recently. However, University of Limerick Hospital Group has reported that UMHL has not received any complaints from staff or service users about protests at the hospital. The Hospital Group has confirmed that ensuring the safety of patients is their first priority, and has stated that there is no issue around to safety of access.
Where problems arise with protests outside health care 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.
2651. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if additional funding was sought in 2020 from estimates to provide seven day per week respite at Seaview House, Mountcharles, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38658/21]
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.
2652. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention was drawn to processing times to have qualifications recognised and register with CORU for social workers who qualified in Northern Ireland that want to apply for vacant positions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38659/21]
View answer2653. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the processing timeframes for recognition of qualifications and registering with CORU for social workers in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38660/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2652 and 2653 together.
CORU has provided data in tabular form on the processing times for the recognition of social work qualifications. The data includes all applications for the recognition of social work qualifications and applicants who qualified in Northern Ireland.
CORU is unable to provide data on the number of applicants with recognised Northern Irish qualifications who subsequently registered with CORU. However, the average processing time for the social work registration applications has been provided.
During the period 2016 to 2020 the average period required to make a decision on recognising professional qualifications in social work was 84 days. The variance in the average number of days required to process an application during this period is a reflection of process changes, the volume of applications and the diversity of qualifications that applicants sought to have recognised. A decrease in the processing period has been recorded; in 2020 the average had decreased to 75 days, from 82 in 2019 and 97 in 2018.
The average processing time for the registration of social work applicants has improved from 81 days in 2020 to 54 days in 2021. CORU has also informed the Department that the registration time is typically shorter than that presented in the data because the current system cannot ascertain when a completed application was submitted, only when the process started online, with the result that delays by an applicant in submitting all their documentation can negatively skew the dataset.
Table 1: Social Worker Recognition Applications: Number of Days to Process
|
Year |
Social Workers (All) |
Social Workers (NI only) |
|
2016 |
77 |
75 |
|
2017 |
83 |
81 |
|
2018 |
97 |
99 |
|
2019 |
82 |
82 |
|
2020 |
75 |
76 |
|
Number of Applications |
344 |
99 |
Table 2: Average Registration Processing time in days for Social Workers Applications
|
Year |
Days |
|
2018 |
73 |
|
2019 |
67 |
|
2020 |
81 |
|
2021 |
54 |
I met with the Chairperson and CEO of CORU earlier this year and raised the issue of timeframes for recognition of qualifications and registration. Following our discussion, a variety of measures have been initiated by CORU aimed at further reducing timeframes.
2654. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if second dose Covid-19 vaccines can be accessed at local vaccination centres if first dose Covid-19 vaccines were received in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38661/21]
View answer3058. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if second dose Covid-19 vaccines can be accessed at local vaccination centres if first dose Covid-19 vaccines were received in a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40114/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2654 and 3058 together.
As 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.
2655. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if it is planned that Covid-19 booster vaccines will be available at local vaccination centres for those who received Covid-19 vaccines in hospital settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38662/21]
View answer3059. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if it is planned that Covid-19 booster vaccines will be available at local vaccination centres for those that received Covid-19 vaccines in hospital settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40115/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2655 and 3059 together.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is currently reviewing future vaccination requirements, including the potential need for booster shots and is expected to make recommendations in this regard shortly. Following receipt of the NIAC advice, my Department and the HSE will consider the appropriate operational measures to implement the recommendations.
2657. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a recent call by a company (details supplied) for persons to receive a third dose of its Covid-19 vaccine to improve efficacy and protect against variants; if this will be adopted in Ireland; if so, the plans and timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38668/21]
View answerThe National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is currently reviewing future vaccination requirements, including the potential need for booster shots and is expected to make recommendations in this regard shortly. Following receipt of the NIAC advice, my Department and the HSE will consider the appropriate operational measures to implement the recommendations.
2658. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has considered applying the vaccine passport for indoor dining to non-essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38669/21]
View answerMy Department has confirmed with the Deputy that this Parliamentary Question was withdrawn.
2659. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an updated supply forecast for the number of vaccine doses expected to be received into Ireland for the remainder of 2021, in tabular form. [38671/21]
View answerIreland's COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccines as quickly as operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable. Ireland received approximately 5.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the first six months of 2021.
As 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 ongoing, 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.
