Written Answers Nos. 127-146
127. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the inclusion of all staff in residential, respite services and day services including section 39 staff in the Covid recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5249/22]
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, 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.
128. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the plan to exempt rental income from the fair deal nursing home scheme will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5277/22]
View answer129. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when a section (details supplied) of the Housing for All plan will come into effect; the details of this plan; the status of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5298/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on 22 July 2021, introduced further safeguards into the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. It also includes an amendment in relation to applying the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a house while a resident is in long-term care. This addresses the first relevant commitment in the Housing for All Strategy (action 19.7). This removed a disincentive against the sale of properties that might otherwise remain vacant.
As well as introducing the change above, the Department of Health has also agreed to action 19.8 in the Housing for All Strategy to develop a mechanism in relation to the rental of vacant properties "in a way that is targeted, equitable, evidence-based and provides appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older people". It is important to note that complex policy questions remain in meeting these criteria and there are high risks associated with unintended consequences.
The NHSS is a complex €1.4 billion Scheme that relies on €350m of contributions from over 22,000 residents. It is important to ensure that the costs, benefits, and unintended consequences of any policy changes are fully understood and resolved before they are put in place. There is no existing exemption of rental or similar income from assessment within the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and due care needs to be taken to ensure that any future changes are appropriate; to protect and meet the needs of residents while also making provision for those in need of housing.
The Department of Health, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other government departments continue to collaborate on this policy, including the identification of the number of houses that may be brought into use and the costs associated with the policy options available to address this action, with a view to introducing legislation as soon as possible once this analysis and policy development is complete.
130. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the total budget towards the proposed tax free pandemic recognition payment of €1,000; and the number of eligible frontline workers expected to avail of the payment. [5505/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
The cost of providing a recognition payment of €1,000 to all eligible public servants working in the health and ambulance services depends on the number of staff who are eligible for the payment. If there were 100,000 WTE deemed eligible, the estimated cost would be approximately €100 million. This figure of 100,000 WTE represents approximately 75% of the HSE/Section 38 workforce and would be the minimum expected to be eligible for this recognition payment.
Similarly, the cost of providing an equivalent recognition payment to relevant staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices affected by Covid-19 depends on the number of staff deemed eligible for the payment. The estimated cost set out above does not include the cost in respect of nursing homes and Defence Forces staff. This measure, including costings, will be progressed by the Department of Health. The potential numbers in scope in the private sector nursing homes and hospices are difficult to confirm, however the most recent estimate available points to approximately 36,000 people employed in the private nursing home sector. It is not possible to determine the breakdown of who may or may not be in scope within these private organisations at this point.
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.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if replacement dentures are covered for a person (details supplied) either by way of medical card or by dental benefit given that they have a full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5189/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
132. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5223/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
133. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the medicines available under the drug payment scheme to treat hyperemesis gravidarum; the medicines available on the medical card to treat same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5225/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
134. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the way persons who received their primary course of the Covid-19 vaccine outside the State but received their booster dose in Ireland can obtain an updated EU Digital COVID Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5240/22]
View answerDigital COVID Certificates for booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines are now being issued for persons who received their booster dose in Ireland.
Any person who has yet to receive a Digital COVID Certificate for their booster vaccination in Ireland can contact the DCC helpline directly for assistance. A specific data quality procedure is required for the datasets of individuals who received their primary vaccination abroad and subsequent booster in Ireland. Additional documentation may be required to complete the dataset necessary for issuance.
135. 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. [5257/22]
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.
136. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if workers in the adult disability services (details supplied) will be included in the once-off, tax free €1,000 bonus payment. [5258/22]
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, 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.
137. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment with a psychologist in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5261/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
138. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to set up a long Covid clinic in the South/Southwest Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5262/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
139. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the programmes run by an organisation (details supplied) to assist those living with neurological conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5263/22]
View answerThe Sláintecare Integration Fund supported Active Neuro - An integrated care approach to delivering health-promoting physical activity programmes for people with neurological conditions in the community. Active Neuro shifts the focus from rehabilitation for new onset or worsening of symptoms, to a health promoting physical activity model for prevention.
Following a successful evaluation, I am pleased to note that Active Neuro has transitioned from the Sláintecare Integration Fund and is now being mainstreamed in NSP 2022.
140. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will expedite this appointment as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5264/22]
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.
141. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if section 39 community health workers will be included in the pandemic bonus payments announced for other healthcare workers given the exceptional work services provided by them (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5267/22]
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, 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.
142. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the way that a person can apply for an exemption to the European Union booster requirement for travel if they are double vaccinated but have been advised by a consultant not to avail of the booster due to medical reactions to the previous doses. [5271/22]
View answerThe EU Digital COVID Certificate is not a travel document or a requirement for travel, but a record of a medical event to allow for easier freedom of movement with the European Union.
The travel requirements of each individual EU country are available at the Re-Open EU webpage (reopen.europa.eu/en) and citizens are advised to familarise themselves before travelling.
In line with recent changes to EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulations, from 1st February 2022 COVID vaccination certificates for primary vaccination series will no longer be accepted for travel to Ireland if the final dose in the series is more than 270 days before arrival.
An individual wishing to travel to Ireland or within the EU with a Digital COVID Certificate showing the date of final dose more than 270 days prior to arrival may be required to meet additional requirements.
In the case of an individual wishing to travel to Ireland, the individual will be required to present a valid proof of recovery from COVID-19 or a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival to Ireland.
143. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the wait time for a person (details supplied) who is waiting over one year for cataract surgery at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5275/22]
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.
144. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that have left the dental treatment services scheme in County Louth in 2020 and 2021. [5291/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
145. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the requirement for children to wear masks in school can be lifted in the immediate future in view of the improved public health situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5294/22]
View answer149. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to mask wearing in schools; the relevant statutory instrument signed by him specifically citing this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5300/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 149 together.
While the majority of public health measures have been lifted, the Government announced that the requirements for mask wearing in all settings where currently regulated for under Statutory Instrument and protective measures in schools and early learning and care facilities should be retained until February 28 based on public health advice. The NPHET will meet again on February 17 and will provide further advice to the Government on this issue.
As the Deputies may be aware, the wearing of masks in schools was never a requirement under Statutory Instrument but is instead based on public health advice and incorporated into education sector policies.
As part of its advice to Government on the easing of public health measures, the NPHET advised that sector specific measures to ensure a safe environment including in relation to the promotion of rapid self-isolation when symptomatic, appropriate use of face masks, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, ventilation and signage must remain critical components of our collective response to COVID-19. The NPHET also advised that the continued wearing of masks, practicing of physical distancing and avoidance of crowded environments based on individual risk assessment, along with adherence to basic hand and respiratory hygiene will remain important. It will be a matter for sectors, organisations, premises and individuals to determine the most appropriate arrangements once formal requirements have been lifted.
146. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the failure to publish the e-tender for the chair of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 contrary to assurances made to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health on 8 December 2021 was a decision taken by his Department; and if not, if it was an oversight. [5295/22]
View answerThe 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 have stated 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.
As I stated during my appearance before the Joint Committee on Health on 8 December, it was 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 advice I received was that the Department was obliged under procurement rules to tender for the appointment.
Given the expertise required for the position, a small number of candidates, identified as having suitable experience, were contacted and invited to tender for the role of independent Chair.
Following the tender process, I have now appointed Ms Marie O'Shea B.L. as the independent Chair for the second phase of the review. Ms O’Shea has legal expertise, as well as experience in project management and in healthcare sector research. I look forward to receiving the Chair's final report, incorporating her conclusions and any recommendations, in due course.
