Peadar Tóibín
Question:578. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the ratio of management to patients in the public and voluntary hospitals; and the way this compares to private hospitals. [56933/21]
View answerHospital Staff
Questions (578)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (579)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:579. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the percentage increase in cost to the State on average in the delay of scoliosis operations on an annual basis. [56934/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Policies
Questions (580)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:580. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce universal healthcare for children. [56935/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to seeking to expand “over the lifetime of the Government…universal access to health care in a manner that is fair and affordable”. The Government is absolutely committed to that goal of Universal Healthcare, to the implementation of Sláintecare and to timely and affordable access to consistently high-quality care for everyone.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (581)
Jackie Cahill
Question:581. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if hormone treatments which are considered high-tech scripts will be covered either by the medical card or drug payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56939/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (582)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:582. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he has considered sending each household a set of antigen tests and face masks that meet European standards due to the rising case numbers of Covid-19 at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56947/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, the evidence relating to COVID-19, and the decisions necessary to protect everybody living in Ireland from its effects is constantly evolving. The public health advice relating to COVID-19, including face coverings and testing is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my department and by the Government. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
The current advice regarding face coverings, including the circumstances in which it is mandatory to wear a face covering, is available at: www.gov.ie/facecoverings/ Guidance on type and standard of face mask is available on the HSE website at Types of face coverings, masks and visors - HSE.ie Guidance on how and where to wear face coverings is also available on the HSE website at Face masks: when and how to wear one - HSE.ie.
The role of testing and contact tracing, as part of the wider public health response, has been under ongoing review throughout the pandemic and will continue to be reviewed and amended in line with the epidemiological profile of the disease, its impact on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population and ECDC guidance. This includes reviewing the role, availability and usage of antigen testing on an ongoing basis. The HSE already has information relating to antigen testing published on its website and a central system for recording of results from antigen testing as part of the programmes is already underway.
Current public health advice to the public, including households, emphasises the following set of measures for protection. It is advised to follow the combination of multiple measures rather than emphasising any one measure in isolation.
- Those of us who are symptomatic must stay home, self-isolate and get a PCR test
- Any of us who are close contacts of a confirmed case need to restrict movement and stay at home for 5 days
- Everyone needs to minimise their chances of coming into contact with the virus. This means actively reducing the number of people we meet and layering up on the public health precautions which actively reduce the risk of transmission:
Get your vaccine and your booster
Wash your hands well and often
Wear masks, and correctly
Open windows
Avoid crowds
Vaccination Programme
Questions (583)
Neale Richmond
Question:583. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if a provision will be introduced for those who could not receive their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for medical reasons due to a reaction to the first dose to receive access to indoor dining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56966/21]
View answerWritten answers
The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.The National Public Health Emergency Team gave some consideration to the issues arising for those people that can’t receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons as part of its discussions on the 18th October 2021 on the continuing response to COVID-19 and the extension of Covid Pass arrangements. The matter is being given further consideration. The Deputy may wish to be aware that on 15 July, NIAC made a recommendation, which was endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer and accepted by the Minister for Health that while the preference was for homologous vaccination regimens (using the same vaccine as part of a two dose regime) that selective use of heterologous vaccination schedules (two different vaccines used as part of two dose regime) should be permitted where a second vaccine dose of a homologous regimen is contraindicated, irrespective of whether the first dose was an mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine. NIAC in conjunction with the RCPI and the Irish Association of Allergy and Immunology have prepared a guide to aid vaccinators and other healthcare workers on how to advise allergic individuals in respect of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, this guide is available here: rcpi-live-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FAQs-about-COVID19-Vaccines-and-Allergies_12August2021.pdf
Vaccination Programme
Questions (584)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:584. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the consent guidelines for Covid-19 vaccinations for persons over 18 years of age diagnosed with non-verbal autism or other forms of intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56969/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (585)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:585. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that heavily pregnant women who have tested positive for Covid-19 and require medical attention are left in Covid-19 ward waiting rooms for ten hours; if there are HSE guidelines for medical care specifically for pregnant women who have contracted Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56970/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (586)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:586. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total allocation and expenditure of the Health Research Board since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56978/21]
View answerWritten answers
The allocation to and expenditure of the Health Research Board is attached for the Deputy's information. The capital and revenue income and expenditure figures for the year 2006-2020 are taken from the audited annual statements for the respective years, as laid before the Dail. The expenditure figures provided for 2021 are an estimate. For the years 2006-2020, there is a small difference between revenue income and revenue expenditure as a result of surpluses and deficits. In 2006, expenditure was significantly greater than income as some funds held in the bank were released. Capital income matches capital expenditure for the years 2006-2020.
Health Services
Questions (587)
Matt Carthy
Question:587. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when the group home for persons with physical and sensory disabilities in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56986/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have referred the query to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (588)
Matt Carthy
Question:588. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital will be expanded to operate on a 24 hour seven days per week basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56987/21]
View answerWritten answers
The RCSI Hospital Group advise that there are no plans to extend the operating times of the Minor Injury Unit at Monaghan Hospital.
The table below details the number of attendances at the Minor Injury Unit since 2010:
Health Services
Questions (589)
Matt Carthy
Question:589. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time equivalent nurses in each hospital, former LHO or smallest geographic unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56997/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (590)
Matt Carthy
Question:590. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time equivalent nurses in Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2009 to 2020, inclusive, and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56998/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (591)
David Cullinane
Question:591. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of his Department’s spending on health and social care in each of the years 2017 to 2020, inclusive, and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57025/21]
View answerWritten answers
The attached table provides the actual figures reported to the Department of Public Expenditure for Vote 38 Health and Social Care related subheads for the years 2017-2020 and to the end of October 2021.
Departmental Data
Questions (592)
David Cullinane
Question:592. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the percentage of healthcare expenditure which was generated by private, voluntary and out-of-pocket contributions in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57026/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (593)
David Cullinane
Question:593. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the funding drawn down by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2017 to 2020, inclusive, and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the amount of funding in each year spent on procuring services from private healthcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57027/21]
View answerWritten answers
Improving access to Scheduled Care and reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. The year-on-year increases to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) since Budget 2017 reflect this priority and Budget 2021 saw the funding of the NTPF increase by €25million to €130million. There was further increase announced in Budget 2022 and the total allocation for 2022 is €150 million
The NTPF procures capacity for high-volume procedures in order to positively impact waiting time for patients. Such procedures may be procured in both private hospitals (outsourcing), or public hospitals (insourcing). In order to ensure competitive pricing as part of their outsourcing programme, the NTPF works with private hospitals from a panel agreement and engages in procurement processes through e-tender. In relation to insourcing, a public hospital may have some spare capacity but require further funding in order to utilise it. Such public hospitals may make a proposal to the NTPF, whereby the NTPF pay a fixed price per procedure performed. The amount paid by the NTPF meets the extra costs incurred by the public hospital in performing the procedures.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the funding drawn down by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2017 to 2020, and the amount of funding in each year spent on procuring services from private healthcare providers, is outlined in the attached document.
The information provided is based on data sourced from NTPF Annual Financial Statements. The NTPF has advised that 2021 financial data has not been provided as the Audited Annual Financial Statements 2021 have not yet been finalised.
Health Service Executive
Questions (594)
David Cullinane
Question:594. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent number of bank or agency staff contracted to the HSE by staff group in each of the years 2017 to 2020, inclusive, and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57028/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages
Questions (595)
Róisín Shortall
Question:595. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the homecare staffing crisis; his views on whether home carers should be included in the critical skills exemption for non-EEA employment permits; if his Department recommended removal of this profession from the ineligible occupations list during the recent review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57034/21]
View answerWritten answers
My colleague the Minister for Mental Health and Older People has committed to establishing a Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. The role of the group will be to facilitate the views of stakeholders and examine workforce challenges in home support and nursing homes. Potential areas to be considered include recruitment, retention, training, career development, and the sustainable employment of home support workers into the future.
Recruitment of the 130 posts funded for the national rollout of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care needs is scheduled to commence in this quarter. A National Home Support Office is in the process of being established. The testing of the reformed model of service delivery for home support commenced this month in one pilot site, with other pilot sites to be fully operational by January 2022. Last year we secured additional funding of €150 million for home support and the HSE National Service Plan sets a target to provide 24 million hours of home support. This allocation of home support has been maintained for 2022. It is estimated that at the end of September some 15 million hours had been provided to over 53,000 people. This is about 2.2 million more hours compared to the same period last year.
The employment permits system operated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and or labour shortages. The system is managed through the operation of the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists which determine employments that are either in high demand or are ineligible for an employment permit where there is a surplus of those skills in the domestic and EEA labour market.
The Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists are subject to twice-yearly review which is predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process which involves consideration of the research undertaken by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (Solas), the Expert Group of Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the National Skills Council, and input by relevant Government Departments in addition to the public consultation phase.
As part of the most recent review of the occupations lists, officials from my Department engaged in discussions with officials from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment in respect of submissions received relating to the health sector. The submissions received from the home care sector were considered by the Department of Health, Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and the Interdepartmental Group for Economic Migration Policy.
The review did not recommend removal of the occupation of care worker/home carers from the Ineligible Occupations List as the evidence suggested that contracts of employment and terms and conditions being offered are significant factors in the recruitment challenges faced by the sector, rather than a demonstrable labour market shortage. To have an occupation removed from the ineligible list, there needs to be a clear demonstration that recruitment difficulties are solely due to skills and labour shortages in Ireland and the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and or employment conditions.
It was not considered appropriate to make any changes to the eligibility for employment permits for home carers on this occasion as there was insufficient evidence that the issue is not one of terms and conditions. A longer-term approach is required to address these challenges and the Department of Health is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to seek to address these issues.
Home Care Packages
Questions (596)
Róisín Shortall
Question:596. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address challenges in the homecare sector such as contracts on offer and employment terms and conditions which were identified as recruitment barriers in the recent occupational lists review; the engagements he has had with the sector and union representatives since the most recent review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57035/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government (2020) commits to the introduction of “a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high-quality, regulated home care.” The Department is in the process of developing a statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support. The new scheme will provide equitable and transparent access to high-quality services based on a person’s assessed care-needs.
In parallel with this, my colleague, the Minister for Mental Health and Older People has committed to establishing a Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. The role of the group will be to facilitate the views of stakeholders and examine the evidence regarding the skills and labour market shortage, in home support and nursing homes. Potential areas to be considered include recruitment, retention, skills development, and sustainable employment of home carers into the future. Part of the work of this group will involve engagement with the relevant stakeholders in the sector.
It must be acknowledged that these organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the employer and the employee. Consequently, it would not be appropriate for the Department of Health or the Minister of Health to comment on specific terms and conditions of employment within private sector organisations.
A long term approach is required to address workforce challenges in the homecare sector, and the Department of Health is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to seek to address these issues.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (597)
Niamh Smyth
Question:597. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a generator will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57055/21]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.