Michael McNamara
Question:2942. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health : when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39681/21]
View answerPrimary Medical Certificates
Questions (2942)
Written answers
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.
Disability Services
Questions (2943)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:2943. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the budget for aids and appliances for persons with disabilities for each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39609/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Disability Services
Questions (2944)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:2944. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the cost of PPE has been included in the budget for appliances for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39610/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (2945)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:2945. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the average cost of the various personal emergency response systems, surgical footwear, hearing aids and prosthetic limbs provided by the HSE in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39611/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Disability Services
Questions (2946)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:2946. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the costs incurred with the provision and care of persons with hearing aids, surgical footwear prosthetic limbs in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39612/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Disability Services
Questions (2947)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:2947. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the inclusion of PPE in the budget for appliances for persons with disabilities will result in patients receiving inferior care or quality of prosthetic limbs, surgical footwear, hearing aid and personal emergency response systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39613/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Disability Services
Questions (2948)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:2948. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if his office has considered having the budget for the provision of prosthetic limbs separate to the overall budget for appliances for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39614/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2949)
David Cullinane
Question:2949. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if provision will be made within the EU Digital COVID Certificate system to verify that a person cannot be vaccinated on medical grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39692/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Digital COVID Certificate Regulation is intended to facilitate people’s fundamental right to move and reside freely and help to support the lifting of restrictions currently in place in a coordinated manner within the EU.
As the Minister for Health, I am supporting the work of my Department in collaborating with relevant Departments under the leadership of the Department of Taoiseach to assist in the on-going implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificates.
It is important to note that the EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document and the possession of an EU Digital COVID Certificate will not be a precondition to exercise free movement rights.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (2950)
David Cullinane
Question:2950. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there are or will be any special procedures including supervision by an immunologist of persons who are vaccine candidates but are likely to suffer from anaphylaxis or another reaction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39693/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Community Care
Questions (2951)
David Cullinane
Question:2951. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount in the capital budget as set out in table 8 of the Stability Programme Update 2021 that is designated for infrastructure to support community healthcare networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39696/21]
View answerWritten answers
The capital funding for the Health Sector in the ten years of the National Development Plan (NDP) is €10.9 billion. A structured, in depth review of the NDP was initiated by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in Q4 2020 as set out in the Programme for Government. This process has two phases and aims to align the priorities identified in the Programme for Government (including implementation of Sláintecare) with the associated resourcing requirements.
My department made a detailed submission outlining sectoral strategies and drivers of demand. The Phase 1 report was published on April 4th, 2021. Phase 2 is currently underway with ongoing discussions to agree an overall allocation for Health. We are awaiting an update on the allocations to conclude the Phase 2 work. Once funding allocation under the NDP review has been determined, it will inform the prioritisation of projects in the HSE Programme and the related allocation to Community Health services.
Health Services
Questions (2952)
David Cullinane
Question:2952. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing additional dedicated children’s beds for psychiatric care to stop the practice of using beds in adult psychiatric services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39697/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (2953)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2953. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the shortfall of general practitioners nationally as well as in an area (details supplied) specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
These include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday. Enhanced supports for rural GP practices have also been introduced.
The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see the Government increase investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023, providing for significant increases in capitation fees for GPs who participate in the reform programme and the introduction of new fees and subsidies for additional services such as the chronic disease programme. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements.
The number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the previous years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 213 in 2020. Following the transfer of responsibility for training General Practitioners from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners, the number of GPs entering training has further increased this year to 233.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
Health Services Staff
Questions (2954)
Róisín Shortall
Question:2954. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant psychiatrists employed by the HSE nationally and in CHO9; the number of vacant positions nationally and in CHO9; the steps he is taking to address unfilled vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39699/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Service Executive
Questions (2955, 2958, 2959)
David Cullinane
Question:2955. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE early intervention teams presently in operation across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39700/21]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:2958. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE school age teams in operation across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39703/21]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:2959. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of a new HSE school age team by individual category. [39704/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2955, 2958 and 2959 together.
As these Parliamentary Questions relate to operational issues, they are 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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (2956)
David Cullinane
Question:2956. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the net change in the number of and WTE staffing of early intervention teams since February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39701/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (2957)
David Cullinane
Question:2957. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of a new early intervention team by individual category. [39702/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Question No. 2958 answered with Question No. 2955.
Question No. 2959 answered with Question No. 2955.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (2960)
Kieran O'Donnell
Question:2960. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for inpatient and outpatient appointments and procedures within the UL hospital group and CHO3; the category and type of appointment and procedure; the length of time waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39711/21]
View answerWritten answers
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last sixteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack.
While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021, and the resultant curtailment of acute hospital services, is reflected in the most recently available waiting list figures to 13th May 2021.
On 23 March 2021 the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”, outlining a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met. However, the implementation of this plan was suspended pending the resolution of the recent ransomware attack, which had a significant impact on acute hospitals.
The HSE has been working since 14th May last to recover the effects of the cyber attack on its systems. The HSE advise that at present most systems are operational and services are returning to normal activity. There is a challenge in back entering data and there are still a number of areas of ongoing concern. The HSE was already seeking to recover from the Covid peak in the first quarter of this year and the ransomware attack has delayed this and had the effect of increasing access delays for services. My Department does not have full access to information on the impact of this ransomware attack on elective waiting lists but will provide an update as soon as one is available.
An additional €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 (NTPF). This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
Due to the ongoing IT issues triggered by the HSE cyber-attack, the NTPF has been unable to receive weekly national hospital waiting list data or downloads. The latest published waiting list information was collated by the NTPF on 13th May 2021. The information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of persons waiting for inpatient and outpatient appointments and procedures within the UL hospital group is outlined in the attached document by specialty for Inpatient-daycase and Outpatient. This information is based on the latest available data provided by the NTPF.
Total IPDC Waiters in the University of Limerick Hospital Group by Hospital/Specialty by Wait Time Band as at 13/05/21
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
18+ Months |
*Small Volume Time Band |
Grand Total |
|
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital |
542 |
313 |
103 |
6 |
1 |
965 |
|
Orthopaedics |
346 |
274 |
103 |
6 |
729 |
|
|
Small Volume Specialties |
196 |
39 |
1 |
236 |
||
|
Ennis Hospital |
770 |
467 |
194 |
79 |
10 |
1520 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
50 |
70 |
51 |
36 |
207 |
|
|
General Surgery |
493 |
277 |
112 |
43 |
925 |
|
|
Gynaecology |
16 |
16 |
||||
|
Plastic Surgery |
6 |
9 |
15 |
|||
|
Small Volume Specialties |
10 |
10 |
||||
|
Urology |
199 |
111 |
31 |
341 |
||
|
Vascular Surgery |
6 |
6 |
||||
|
Nenagh Hospital |
982 |
731 |
745 |
456 |
6 |
2920 |
|
Dental Surgery |
7 |
7 |
14 |
|||
|
Gastro-Enterology |
214 |
179 |
92 |
43 |
528 |
|
|
General Surgery |
228 |
187 |
172 |
106 |
693 |
|
|
Ophthalmology |
125 |
30 |
37 |
5 |
197 |
|
|
Small Volume Specialties |
6 |
6 |
||||
|
Urology |
386 |
335 |
444 |
295 |
1460 |
|
|
Vascular Surgery |
22 |
22 |
||||
|
St. John's Hospital Limerick |
1084 |
555 |
443 |
371 |
19 |
2472 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
109 |
29 |
27 |
32 |
197 |
|
|
General Medicine |
9 |
9 |
||||
|
General Surgery |
586 |
379 |
257 |
144 |
1366 |
|
|
Gynaecology |
82 |
27 |
13 |
122 |
||
|
Pain Relief |
170 |
94 |
107 |
153 |
524 |
|
|
Small Volume Specialties |
12 |
19 |
31 |
|||
|
Urology |
119 |
26 |
27 |
42 |
214 |
|
|
Vascular Surgery |
9 |
9 |
||||
|
University Hospital Limerick |
1325 |
681 |
625 |
841 |
8 |
3480 |
|
Cardiology |
49 |
16 |
5 |
70 |
||
|
Dental Surgery |
7 |
5 |
12 |
|||
|
Dermatology |
49 |
8 |
9 |
66 |
||
|
Gastro-Enterology |
269 |
209 |
203 |
435 |
1116 |
|
|
General Surgery |
234 |
66 |
42 |
45 |
387 |
|
|
Gynaecology |
141 |
29 |
21 |
11 |
202 |
|
|
Maxillo-Facial |
90 |
48 |
67 |
58 |
263 |
|
|
Ophthalmology |
233 |
100 |
88 |
79 |
500 |
|
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
90 |
29 |
50 |
53 |
222 |
|
|
Radiology |
56 |
133 |
76 |
86 |
351 |
|
|
Respiratory Medicine |
28 |
15 |
19 |
30 |
92 |
|
|
Small Volume Specialties |
8 |
8 |
||||
|
Urology |
51 |
22 |
31 |
44 |
148 |
|
|
Vascular Surgery |
28 |
6 |
9 |
43 |
||
|
Grand Total |
4,703 |
2,747 |
2,110 |
1,753 |
44 |
11,357 |
*Due to the small volume of patients waiting, to preserve patient confidentiality, when the number of patients is <5, these have been included within broader time bands and aggregated into a 'Small Volume Group' cohort.
Question No. 2961 answered with Question No. 1425.
Question No. 2962 answered with Question No. 2380.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (2963, 2964)
David Cullinane
Question:2963. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed in tabular form. [39719/21]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:2964. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him which concluded, were commissioned, or are ongoing since 1 January 2019; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed in tabular form. [39720/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2963 and 2964 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.