Written Answers Nos. 322-341
322. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will include catering staff who worked on hospital Covid-19 wards and who had to gown-up, in the scheme to pay frontline workers a bonus of €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4154/22]
View answerFirstly 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.
323. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if frontline workers in section 39 organisations are eligible for the pandemic bonus payment; and if not, the reason. [4214/22]
View answerFirstly 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 nursing homes and hospices (this covers private, voluntary or section 39 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.
324. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider in relation to the Covid recognition payment including others that have also had to attend work throughout the lockdown periods such as practice nurses to commend them for their outstanding effort and enthusiasm throughout the pandemic. [3976/22]
View answerFirstly 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.
325. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if social care workers and homecare workers will receive the special Covid recognition payment of €1,000; if consideration will be given to these workers as part of the panel being established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3979/22]
View answerFirstly 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.
326. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked on a weekly basis by medical and nursing grade staff in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form. [3985/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
327. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently consider providing treatment through the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the case of a person (details supplied). [3992/22]
View answerWith regard to accessing treatment through the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), the NTPF works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
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 queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason that the e-tender for the selection of an independent chair to lead the three-year review was not posted on www.etenders.gov.ie despite his assurances to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health on 8 December 2021 that it would be published in the coming days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3993/22]
View answer329. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the criteria by which he identified candidates with suitable experience for the position of independent chair of the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 and subsequently invited them to apply for the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3994/22]
View answer335. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health when he expects the final decision on awarding the tender for the independent chair of the commission to oversee the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 will be finalised; the details of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4018/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 329 and 335 together.
The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.
As I stated during my appearance before the Joint Committee on Health on 8 December, it is my intention to appoint an independent Chair to lead the second phase of the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.
As the costs involved in contracting an independent Chair to conduct the review were estimated as exceeding €25,000, the legal advice I received was that the Department was obliged under procurement rules to tender for the appointment.
The tender process is currently in train. Given the expertise required for the position, a small number of candidates, identified as having suitable experience, were contacted and invited to apply for the role of independent Chair.
It is my intention that the appointment will be made as soon as possible.
As I have set out previously, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review. Upon completion, a full report with any necessary recommendations, will be submitted to me as Minister for consideration.
330. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the entry requirements which are currently in place for persons returning from Northern Ireland as per Covid-19 protocols. [3996/22]
View answerTravellers to Ireland whose journey originated in Northern Ireland and have not been overseas in the prior 14 days are not obliged to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form or provide proof of vaccination, recovery or test results upon arrival into Ireland.
The current COVID-19 travel restrictions do apply to travellers arriving from Northern Ireland who have been overseas in the prior 14 days and who are transiting to Ireland via Northern Ireland.
Such travellers to Ireland are subject to the requirements upon entry to Ireland, including showing accepted proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Passengers transiting from overseas to Ireland via Northern Ireland also need to comply with UK requirements, including the UK Passenger Locator Form.
331. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3997/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
332. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a booster vaccination for 12 to 15 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3998/22]
View answer362. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when persons with underlying health conditions aged between 11 and 16 years of age will be offered a Covid-19 vaccine booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4137/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 362 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.The NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 16 years and older with the rollout now underway. The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines and will make further recommendations if required.
333. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Consultant Applications Advisory Committee-approved consultant posts across each speciality; the basis on which they are filled as per DIME by discipline and tenure including the number on post-2012 pay rates; the number of each type of contract, that is, A, B and C across specialities filled and or allocated for all posts; the number of posts budgeted for which have yet to be CAAC-approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/22]
View answerGiven its statutory functions concerning consultant posts, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the issues raised.
334. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when the free general practitioner care for children under seven years of age announced as part of Budget 2022 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4012/22]
View answer366. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when he plans to introduce free general practitioner visit cards for children under seven years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4155/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 366 together.
The Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop. At present all children up to and including the age of 5 are eligible for a GP visit card and therefore GP care without charges.The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under in three phases: to children aged 6 and 7; to children aged 8 and 9; and to children aged 10,11 and 12. Budget 2022 provides for the initial stage of this phased expansion, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7 and my Department has commenced work to roll the service out this year.The specific date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context and will require consultation with the IMO, representing General Practitioners. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
336. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if cleaners employed by services contracted to the HSE who worked in medical centres, CAMHS centres and other services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic will be eligible for the bonus healthcare Covid-19 payment. [4027/22]
View answerFirstly 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.
337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if all documentation pertaining a person (details supplied) can now be returned to the family in line with previous requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4034/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
338. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when side B of Abbeyleix nursing unit will be brought back into use to accommodate the 18 intermediate acute care beds to be overseen by Portlaoise General Hospital. [4035/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
339. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of his Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if he will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4046/22]
View answerThe 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.
340. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he or officials from his Department met with an organisation (details supplied) or any of its representatives during the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, the purposes of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4079/22]
View answerThe 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.
341. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of times that he or his Department officials have engaged with a group (details supplied) from 1 January 2020 to date; the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4080/22]
View answerThe details of meetings that I or my officials have had with representatives of the Oireachtas All Party Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights are as follows:
Meetings with Minister Donnelly
On 8th June 2021, I met with Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Senator Mary-Alice Higgins, Senator Annie Hoey and Holly Cairns TD regarding Abortion Review Legislation.
Meetings with Minister Feighan
Two meetings were held, on 3rd August 2021 and 2nd December 2021, between Minister of State, Frank Feighan, Senators Lorraine Clifford-Lee and Fiona O’Loughlin, supported by officials from the Department of Health, Health and Wellbeing Programme, regarding period poverty.
Matters under discussion included progression of the Free Provision of Period Products Bill, 2021, initial roll-out of period poverty mitigation measures in 2022, and potential for including period poverty modules in representative population Surveys.
