Written Answers Nos. 495-517
495. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physical therapy and behavioural support, respectively; the number of professionals employed directly by the HSE for each service in each CNT in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58785/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
496. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who is on the waiting list for a series of early intervention supports including a speech and language and occupational therapist and child psychologist; and the timeframe for when the person can will be able to visit these services. [58891/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
497. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a Covid-19 test and trace facility is provided to the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59138/21]
View answerTesting and contact tracing continues to be a key component of the Irish Government’s response to the pandemic. Demand for testing is higher than it has been at any point in the pandemic and continues to increase. Approximately 215,000 PCR tests have been completed in the last 7 days.
While the system is currently operating in excess of surge capacity, it is kept under continuing review in order to maximise its use in responding to the threats posed by the virus. There are testing centres located all around the country. The HSE have worked to ensure that measures in childcare facilities are robust and prioritise the safety of staff and children in these settings. Schools and Childcare facilities are controlled settings and the approach to testing and contact tracing is risk-based in relation to the setting, age-group and the existence of other preventive measures.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published guidance on 'COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control guidance for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic' which is available as follows: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/childcareguidance/Guidance%20for%20services%20providing%20childcare%20services.pdf
The HPSC has also published an updated guidance document 'Isolation quick guide for parents and guardians of children older than 3 months and up to 13 years of age', which is available as follows: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/factsheetsandresources/Isolation%20quick%20guide%20under%2013s.pdf
Further guidance on the management of Covid-19 in Early Years settings is published by Tusla as follows: www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Guidance_Document_for_Early_Years_Services_COVID-19_(Version_3_19.04.21)_.pdf,
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.
498. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number and proportion of nursing graduates in 2020 and 2021, respectively, who are currently working in the health care system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58262/21]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
499. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the date a person (details supplied) will receive speech and language therapy. [58268/21]
View answer500. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the date a person (details supplied) will receive occupational therapy. [58269/21]
View answer501. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) remains on a waiting list for speech and language therapy. [58270/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 499 to 501, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
502. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a loophole in relation to the administration of the booster vaccine for persons over 70 years of age. [58282/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
503. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the Bray local drugs and alcohol taskforce co-ordinator position will be filled given the position has been empty since August 2021; if he will provide a full-time co-ordinator in order to deal with the high-volume of work that needs to be carried out in an area that has a population of over 40,000 persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58284/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
504. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large backlog in school dental visits for schools across the country since the pandemic; if he has met with the HSE in relation to this matter; the provisions in Budget 2022 that will go towards addressing this backlog; the way he will ensure that the most vulnerable children will have access to dental treatment despite some private dentists not taking on medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58285/21]
View answerDental care for children under 16 is currently provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. Emergency care is provided for all children under 16. In addition, targeted screening and prevention is provided for school children at certain dental developmental milestones and for special needs groups.
Unfortunately the Covid pandemic has impacted the provision of services across all areas of the health service and difficult decisions have had to be made on ensuring that priority is given to those with the most urgent need of care. It is also the case that a proportion of the HSE dental workforce has had to be diverted towards the burden of PCR testing and Vaccination throughout the pandemic and the need for such valuable trained staff to continue to support the pandemic remains a necessity; and I want to commend them for that.
Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy (2019), sets out Government policy regarding oral health services. It will involve a fundamental re-alignment of how oral health services are provided. Under the Policy, all children up to 16 years will have available to them eight oral healthcare packages consisting of examinations, assessments, advice, prevention interventions, emergency care and referral as appropriate. The packages will be provided in a primary care setting by oral healthcare practitioners contracted by the HSE and will be introduced incrementally. Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders will be required to ensure progress.
Over €22 billion is being provided in the Budget 2022 for all health services, including the Public Dental Service. I am satisfied that this global allocation provides sufficient resources to enable the HSE to put in place waiting lists initiatives for priority cases and to support the provision of oral health services for children and the vulnerable during the pandemic.
505. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the HSE in relation to the backlog of developmental check-ups for babies by public health nurses since the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58286/21]
View answerThere is an agreed model of performance oversight between the Department and the HSE. This model involves regular engagement at official level as well as a quarterly high-level meeting between the Minister and Chair of the HSE. The quarterly meeting gives the Minister the opportunity to review and discuss NSP targets and activity levels across the health system.
COVID-19 has clearly presented unprecedented challenges to health and social care delivery, and this is reflected by the backlog in developmental checks for babies. However, the HSE has informed the Department that the Public Health Nursing Service fully resumed on Monday 4th October 2021, meaning all five core child developmental assessments will be offered as they fall due. In addition, local Community Healthcare Organisations will seek to address the backlog of child developmental services.
506. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58289/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
507. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58291/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
508. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when primary care services and a new primary care facility will be established in Tullow, County Carlow; the location of same; the timescale for this service to be established; the planned location of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58295/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
509. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the reports that health and safety officers have made since 23 October 2021 in regard to Covid-19 compliance in the hospitality, public houses, café and restaurant sectors; and if he will provide an update on the levels of compliance. [58296/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were both identified as relevant bodies under the Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 and are collaborating closely on this.
The HSE is continuing to carry out COVID 19 checks, using existing resources and on a risk prioritisation basis. Responsibility for compliance with this legislation rests with the indoor operator who must ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and are fulfilling them.
The HSE has advised that since the introduction of the indoor dining regulations the following compliance checks have been carried out up to 29th November 2021-
14,888 Compliance Checks Undertaken.
Of these 3,407 were not offering indoor dining facilities and a further 1,746 were not trading at the time of the visit therefore a total of 9,735 compliance checks were completed.
Of those 9,735 compliance checks-
- 6,830 - (70%) were in compliance.
- 2,527 - (26%) required further compliance measures.
- 378 - (4%) were non-compliant.
In businesses where additional measures were found to be required, HSE designated Compliance Officers continue to actively engage and follow-up with business operators to ensure full compliance.
Formal enforcement action is undertaken on an escalation process from verbal warnings, to formal Directions (verbal and written), Compliance Notices, Cessation Orders and Emergency Cessation Orders. To date the HSE has served 59 formal Directions (written and verbal) and 3 Compliance Notices and has been granted 1 Emergency Cessation Order by a District Court resulting in one restaurant being ordered to close for 72 hours.
The HSE has advised that from 22nd October, 4,907 compliance checks were carried out. Of those 488 had no indoor dining facilities and 429 were not trading at the time of the visit therefore a total of 3,990 compliance checks were completed.
Of those 3,990 checks-
- 2822 - (71%) were in compliance
- 935 - (23%) required further compliance measures
- 233 - (6%) were non-compliant.
I have been advised by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has undertaken 1,196 compliance checks since the introduction of the indoor dining regulations up to 26th November 2021-
Of the compliance checks completed-
- 96% of indoor operators had a system in place to check immunity status.
- 9% of indoor operators received an enforcement action.
- 7% of indoor operators required additional compliance measures.
The focus of the compliance checks is on supporting the relevant indoor operators to understand their responsibilities of ensuring only permitted persons who have provided a proof of immunity dine or drink indoors. Where additional measures or non-compliances were identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is being undertaken by the Authority’s Compliance Officers.
510. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a follow-up appointment with orthodontic services in Tullamore, County Laois. [58297/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
511. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will examine and resolve matters in relation to the employment of a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58298/21]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
512. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he has received proposals from Children’s Health Ireland to help alleviate the pressure on Temple Street and Crumlin Hospitals in delivering scoliosis services; if the funding to make additional scoliosis services will be approved; and the work that is being carried out to reduce the waiting lists for children with scoliosis. [58309/21]
View answerAs part of Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI) paediatric orthopaedic service, most scoliosis cases are treated at Crumlin and Temple Street, with Crumlin providing specialised multi-disciplinary treatment for the most complex patients. The National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional capacity for the treatment of less complex orthopaedic patients, including routine scoliosis procedures. By using the capacity provided by Cappagh, CHI can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites.
More specifically, additional theatre capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh commenced on the 26 April 2021 for daycase surgery. CHI has advised the Department of Health that this should result in a positive impact in reducing long waiting times for general orthopaedics, in addition to consequential capacity gains for scoliosis patients. In 2022 CHI is planning to undertake a range of inpatient, daycase and outpatient orthopaedic appointments in Cappagh.
Funding proposals submitted to the HSE by Children’s Health Ireland to increase capacity and activity for both orthopaedic and scoliosis patients are considered under the HSE National Service Plan 2022 and under the HSE Capital Plan. Improving access to scheduled care capacity remains a priority for me and my Department as we work to finalise next years’ Service Plan.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
513. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the HSE funding required for the plans submitted by Children’s Health Ireland to help alleviate the pressure on Temple Street and Crumlin Hospitals in order that children living with scoliosis and in need of urgent operations can get the help that they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58312/21]
View answerAs part of Children’s Health Ireland’s (CHI) paediatric orthopaedic service, most scoliosis cases are treated at Crumlin and Temple Street, with Crumlin providing specialised multi-disciplinary treatment for the most complex patients. The National Orthopaedic Hospital at Cappagh provides additional capacity for the treatment of less complex orthopaedic patients, including routine scoliosis procedures. By using the capacity provided by Cappagh, CHI can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites.
More specifically, additional theatre capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh commenced on the 26 April 2021 for daycase surgery. CHI has advised the Department of Health that this should result in a positive impact in reducing long waiting times for general orthopaedics, in addition to consequential capacity gains for scoliosis patients. In 2022 CHI is planning to undertake a range of inpatient, daycase and outpatient orthopaedic appointments in Cappagh.
Funding proposals submitted to the HSE by Children’s Health Ireland to increase capacity and activity for both orthopaedic and scoliosis patients are considered under the HSE National Service Plan 2022 and under the HSE Capital Plan. Improving access to scheduled care capacity remains a priority for me and my Department as we work to finalise next years’ Service Plan.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.
In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
514. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way the €24 million announced in Budget 2022 for mental health will be allocated; if this allocation relates to the reclassification of available historic development funding of €24 million; if not, if these are separate; the sub-allocation to measures within this new measures grouping; the amount remaining unallocated; the amount which relates to other new measures funding group commitments; if this is included as a whole or pro rata in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58315/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
515. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if patients in County Laois who require orthodontic treatment will have to travel to a clinic in Athlone from December 2021. [58320/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
516. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is continuing to charge costs significantly in excess of private nursing home care to elderly patients in public and HSE run nursing home facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58333/21]
View answerIn relation to variations in the cost of care for public and private nursing homes it is acknowledged that public nursing homes have, in general, a higher cost of care, although there is a wide range of costs in both public care and private care.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, has been in place since 2009 as 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.
Participants in the Scheme contribute up to 80% of their assessable income, such as their pension, and a maximum of 7.5% per annum of the value of assets held, such as their principal private residence or cash assets (these values are halved if the applicant is part of a couple).
In this way, for a decade, the scheme has ensured that long-term residential care is accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it.
As such, the cost charged to residents is a contribution towards their care is based on the financial assessment of their ability to pay rather than the cost of care charged to the State. To illustrate this: if a resident is assessed as being able to contribute €300 per week, this is what they will be charged whether they choose to stay in a private nursing home where the cost of care to the State might be €1,000 per week, or in a public nursing home where the cost of care might be €1,500 per week.
517. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) is not able to avail of various therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy while they attend a special school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58342/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
