Michael Healy-Rae
Question:183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3847/22]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (183)
Written answers
Under 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.
Abortion Services
Questions (184)
Carol Nolan
Question:184. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate and consistent with the proclaimed neutrality of the MyOptions service for a counsellor to advise a woman uncertain of whether they want an abortion to make the appointment in view of the recent research into the HSE MyOptions phoneline presented by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3849/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (185)
Alan Kelly
Question:185. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details of all contracts given by the HSE to a company (details supplied); the date each contract was awarded; and the value of each contract to date. [3868/22]
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 Contracts
Questions (186)
Alan Kelly
Question:186. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details of all contracts given by the HSE to a company (details supplied); the date each contract was awarded; and the value of each contract to date. [3869/22]
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.
Health Services
Questions (187)
Alan Kelly
Question:187. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the HSE should be contracting suppliers that do not honour Workplace Relations Committee and Labour Court final decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3870/22]
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 (188)
Gino Kenny
Question:188. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the release of Covid-19 statistics relating to children given that they have not been published for four weeks; if he will include age-related data for cases and hospitalisations especially given the recent case surge following the emergence of the omicron variant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/22]
View answerWritten answers
Reporting of Covid-19 cases amongst children is based on notifications made to the national Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system (CIDR) managed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
Given the recent surge in cases, the reporting time (time from when a case is diagnosed to when they are notified to the HPSC on the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system (CIDR)) has increased. For this reason, the daily case number of PCR confirmed cases reported since 22nd December 2021 has been an estimate based on positive SARS-CoV-2 results uploaded to the HSE COVID Care Tracker the preceding day. These data are provisional and do not represent notified cases. They serve to provide an up-to-date picture of trends during this surge period.
The notification of cases on CIDR has continued. However, publication of the HPSC’s daily ‘Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Ireland - 14 day report’ is currently paused given the increased reporting time and prioritisation of resources during this surge period.
This is the report which usually contains details of cases, hospitalisation and ICU admissions of children in the age groups 0-4 yrs, 5-12 yrs and 13-18 yrs. Publication of this report will resume as soon as possible. Uploads of this data to the COVID-19 Data Hub have also been paused.
Data on COVID-19 cases notified on CIDR in the age groups 0-4 yrs, 5-12 yrs and 13-18 yrs are currently being published on a weekly basis in the HPSC’s ‘Weekly Report on the Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Ireland’ www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/epidemiologyofcovid-19inirelandweeklyreports/.
However, the HPSC note that ‘Due to the current surge in case numbers the overall reporting time (time from when a case is notified to when they are uploaded to CIDR) has increased since week 51. Therefore data on recent cases is subject to reporting delays and may not be complete. A technical issue experienced over the Christmas weekend and reduced surveillance capacity over the Christmas period contributed to the increased reporting time. However, the current case numbers continue to exceed capacity leading to the increased reporting time. Work is ongoing among surveillance partners to increase capacity and reduce reporting time.’ This means that data presented in the Weekly Epidemiology Report would be an underestimate.
The latest report was published on 19th January for Week 2 of 2022. During Week 2, 3,278 cases were notified on CIDR in the 0-4 yrs age group, 7,958 in the 5-12 yrs and 8,054 in the 13-18 yrs age group. As noted, this would be an underestimate.
More detailed analysis of cases in these age groups is published in the HPSC report ‘Weekly Epidemiological Report on COVID-19 cases aged 0-18 years and COVID-19 mass testing in schools in Ireland’ www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/epidemiologyofcovid-19inirelandcasesaged0-18years/.
Data on deaths by age group is published each week in the HPSC ‘Weekly Deaths Report’. As of the latest report (19th January 2022) a total of 8 COVID-19 related deaths have been notified in Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic who were aged under 25 years. Due to the small number of persons who died due to COVID-19 in the age groups 0-25 years, this information is aggregated in order to protect patient confidentiality. www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/weeklyreportoncovid-19deathsreportedinireland/.
While publication of daily data from CIDR notifications on hospitalisation and ICU admission by age group is currently paused (due to the surge issues noted above) the HSE’s Daily Operations Update reports on the number of COVID-19 patients on site in the three Children’s Hospitals https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/coronavirus-daily-operations-updates.html. As of the latest report (19th January) there were 11 COVID-19 patients admitted on site across the three CHI hospitals (7 CHI Crumlin, 2 CHI Temple Street and 2 CHI Tallaght).
Medicinal Products
Questions (189)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:189. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to including treatments for hyperemesis gravidarum on the drugs payment scheme and medical card; and if he will consider including these treatments for those who qualify for a medical card or under the drugs payment scheme. [3873/22]
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.
Ambulance Service
Questions (190)
Réada Cronin
Question:190. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the amount the State has paid to private ambulance contractors in each of the past five years; the number of contracts and companies; the names of the companies, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3932/22]
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.
Ambulance Service
Questions (191)
Réada Cronin
Question:191. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will examine the situation by which emergency medical technicians with several years’ experience and an outstanding work record could access the HSE or Dublin Fire Brigade paramedic training scheme and when they are in to be able to use this in-the-field expertise and experience in lieu of some course time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3934/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, any queries in regard to the day to day operation of the Dublin Fire Brigade, including staff training, are a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In relation to access by Emergency Medical Technicians, employed by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to paramedic education and training, as this is an operational matter for the NAS I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (192)
Réada Cronin
Question:192. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to agencies to hire medical staff, excluding nurses in each of the past five years, in tabular form; if he will provide the figures for CHO7 in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3935/22]
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.
Health Services
Questions (193)
Réada Cronin
Question:193. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to agencies to hire nurses in each of the past five years, in tabular form; if he will provide the figures for CHO7 in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3936/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (194)
Réada Cronin
Question:194. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if the psychology post in Celbridge primary care centre has been filled; if so, when; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3937/22]
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.
Dental Services
Questions (195)
Réada Cronin
Question:195. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the help or solutions that are in place for persons who are being denied essential dental treatment on their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3939/22]
View answerWritten answers
It is regrettable that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTTS) that provides care for medical card patients during the pandemic, which has led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country. In such circumstances, I have been assured that the HSE Public Dental Service is seeking to provide emergency cover for any medical card patients who are experiencing such problems.
I have given a commitment to a substantive review of the DTSS, which will include fees paid to dentists. I have also acknowledged the immediate issues of concern with current arrangements under the Scheme.
My officials met with the Irish Dental Association in December to address both of these issues. It is the intention of my officials to hold further talks in Q1 of this year.
I would also wish to point out that I secured additional funding of €10 million in Budget 2022 to address immediate issues with the DTSS, which is on top of the annual allocation of €56 million for 2022.
Medicinal Products
Questions (196)
Colm Burke
Question:196. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish the review conducted by a company (details supplied) into the governance structures regarding the HSE drug reimbursement process that was submitted to his Department in January 2020; the actions that have been taken by him and his Department with regard to the recommendations made by the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3940/22]
View answerWritten answers
Following a tender by the Office of Government Procurement, Mazars conducted a review of the governance structures around the HSE's drug reimbursement process. The report was submitted to my Department in January 2020.
The review made recommendations in respect of the HSE’s systems, structures, processes, governance arrangements and use of specialist resources in respect of the drug reimbursement process.
The report was under consideration by officials, however the focus of the Department of Health changed to the immediate public health considerations of the COVID-19 pandemic and the preservation of life. This meant that this work stream was suspended to reallocate resources to support essential services.
My Department aims to complete its consideration of the report’s recommendations when resources permit.
Disability Services
Questions (197)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:197. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health when speech and language therapy will be provided for a person (details supplied). [3943/22]
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.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (198)
Brendan Smith
Question:198. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when costings will be revised in respect of the costs of treatment outside Ireland’s jurisdiction under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive to ensure adequate reimbursement for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3948/22]
View answerWritten answers
The EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. The CBD enables persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for healthcare in another Member State by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland.
Reimbursement under this scheme is made at the lesser of either the cost of the treatment in Ireland, or the cost of the treatment incurred by the patient in the other State. Details are available from the HSE's CBD National Contact Point (NCP). It is important to note that reimbursement is confined to the costs of the care itself and does not include any additional costs, such as travel or accommodation costs, incurred by the patient. Reimbursement rates are set by the HSE. And are those applicable to the cost of treatment in the Public Health Service in Ireland.
Covid-19 Tests
Questions (199)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:199. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further details in respect of the HSE engagement and subsequent contractual agreements with private Covid-19 test companies to provide Covid-19 test centres in ten locations throughout the country with tests; the details of the process by which these agreements have been reached; if a public tender process was undertaken; if so, the number of tender applications that were received; the number that were successful by the names of the companies that submitted tenders; the list of locations that were tendered for; the list of successful sites; the details of the projected or agreed cost and time periods agreed for each of the successful private contracted centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3951/22]
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 (200)
Róisín Shortall
Question:200. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for rolling out Covid-19 antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments; the rationale for not immediately providing them to blood cancer patients who are not hospitalised; when such patients will be given access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3954/22]
View answerWritten answers
A Therapeutics Operational Group, to be informed by the recommendations of the Therapeutics Advisory Group, has been established within the HSE to develop the arrangements for provision of antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments, and work is ongoing to establish the most efficient pathways to identify those patients who may benefit from their use. It is important to note that these treatments are not for widespread use, and the benefit will be limited to particular cohorts of high-risk vulnerable patients.
The first delivery of the Monoclonal Antibody, Xevudy (Sotrovimab) from GSK arrived in Ireland on Thursday 20th January. Approximately 1,000 treatment courses arrived in this initial delivery
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (201)
Róisín Shortall
Question:201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to including home help and homecare workers in the pandemic bonus scheme in view of their role in providing essential care to older persons and persons with disabilities throughout the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3955/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
Medicinal Products
Questions (202)
Brendan Griffin
Question:202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the drug cariban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3962/22]
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.