Michael McNamara
Question:691. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the type and location of beds he plans to open during 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9189/22]
View answerHospital Facilities
Questions (691)
Written 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 (692)
Michael McNamara
Question:692. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of adults with intellectual disabilities in residential care in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (693)
Michael McNamara
Question:693. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the position regarding podiatry services provided by the HSE in County Clare; the status of the service going forward; the number of persons on the waiting list for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9191/22]
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.
Patient Transport
Questions (694)
Brendan Griffin
Question:694. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided in relation to funding for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9197/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct response.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (695)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:695. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9198/22]
View answerWritten 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.
Health Services
Questions (696)
Pearse Doherty
Question:696. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on the provision of child speech and language and occupational therapy services for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9217/22]
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.
Disability Services
Questions (697)
Pearse Doherty
Question:697. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason an approved direct payment was revoked for a child disability service in relation to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9218/22]
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 Staff
Questions (698)
Duncan Smith
Question:698. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on reports in a newspaper (details supplied) regarding the under-recruitment of 10,000 staff budgeted for in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9219/22]
View answerWritten answers
The article referenced has misconstrued the recruitment targets outlined for 2022 and the achievability of them. Budget 2022 secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the level of ambition and desire to invest in our health services. However, there are a range of targets set out in the draft National Service Plan. The targeted recruitment for this year continues to address any identified staff shortages across grades and service areas.
Discussions between the Department and HSE officials agreed that, due to the current challenging recruitment environment, 5,500 WTE is a more achievable target for 2022. The upper affordable limit of 10,000 WTE is not seen as undeliverable, but rather one that will be ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour supply. It is worth noting that these recruitment targets are additional WTE and do not include the replacement of existing staff who retire/leave during the year.
The HSE identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the National Service Plan. The Department has been working closely with the HSE to assess potential savings and further decisions on how this funding will be used will be taken. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that the references to ‘fake targets’ and other commentary in the newspaper is more accurately described as stretch or ambitious targets. Actual recruitment will, as always, be monitored by the HSE and the Department throughout the course of the year under the governance and oversight arrangements in place.
Health Services Staff
Questions (699)
Duncan Smith
Question:699. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the HSE services that will be affected by the under-recruitment of 10,000 staff budgeted for in 2022 as reported in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9220/22]
View answerWritten answers
The article referenced has misconstrued the recruitment targets outlined for 2022 and the achievability of them. Budget 2022 secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the level of ambition and desire to invest in our health services. However, there are a range of targets set out in the draft National Service Plan. The targeted recruitment for this year continues to address any identified staff shortages across grades and service areas.
Discussions between the Department and HSE officials agreed that, due to the current challenging recruitment environment, 5,500 WTE is a more achievable target for 2022. The upper affordable limit of 10,000 WTE is not seen as undeliverable, but rather one that will be ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour supply. It is worth noting that these recruitment targets are additional WTE and do not include the replacement of existing staff who retire/leave during the year.
The HSE identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the National Service Plan. The Department has been working closely with the HSE to assess potential savings and further decisions on how this funding will be used will be taken. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that the references to ‘fake targets’ and other commentary in the newspaper is more accurately described as stretch or ambitious targets. Actual recruitment will, as always, be monitored by the HSE and the Department throughout the course of the year under the governance and oversight arrangements in place.
Health Services Staff
Questions (700)
Duncan Smith
Question:700. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the way in which the under-recruitment of 10,000 staff, as reported in a newspaper (details supplied) affects the current plans to address the shortage of child and adolescent mental health service consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9221/22]
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 Staff
Questions (701)
Duncan Smith
Question:701. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the way in which the under-recruitment of 10,000 staff, as reported in a newspaper (details supplied) affects the current plans to address the shortage of consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9222/22]
View answerWritten answers
The article referenced has misconstrued the recruitment targets outlined for 2022 and the achievability of them. Budget 2022 secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the level of ambition and desire to invest in our health services. However, there are a range of targets set out in the draft National Service Plan. The targeted recruitment for this year continues to address any identified staff shortages across grades and service areas.
Discussions between the Department and HSE officials agreed that, due to the current challenging recruitment environment, 5,500 WTE is a more achievable target for 2022. The upper affordable limit of 10,000 WTE is not seen as undeliverable, but rather one that will be ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour supply. It is worth noting that these recruitment targets are additional WTE and do not include the replacement of existing staff who retire/leave during the year.
The HSE identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the National Service Plan. The Department has been working closely with the HSE to assess potential savings and further decisions on how this funding will be used will be taken. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that the references to ‘fake targets’ and other commentary in the newspaper is more accurately described as stretch or ambitious targets. Actual recruitment will, as always, be monitored by the HSE and the Department throughout the course of the year under the governance and oversight arrangements in place.
Health Services Staff
Questions (702)
Duncan Smith
Question:702. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the way in which the under-recruitment of 10,000 staff, as reported in a newspaper (details supplied) affects the current plans to address the shortage of laboratory scientists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9223/22]
View answerWritten answers
The article referenced has misconstrued the recruitment targets outlined for 2022 and the achievability of them. Budget 2022 secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the level of ambition and desire to invest in our health services. However, there are a range of targets set out in the draft National Service Plan. The targeted recruitment for this year continues to address any identified staff shortages across grades and service areas.
Discussions between the Department and HSE officials agreed that, due to the current challenging recruitment environment, 5,500 WTE is a more achievable target for 2022. The upper affordable limit of 10,000 WTE is not seen as undeliverable, but rather one that will be ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour supply. It is worth noting that these recruitment targets are additional WTE and do not include the replacement of existing staff who retire/leave during the year.
The HSE identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the National Service Plan. The Department has been working closely with the HSE to assess potential savings and further decisions on how this funding will be used will be taken. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that the references to ‘fake targets’ and other commentary in the newspaper is more accurately described as stretch or ambitious targets. Actual recruitment will, as always, be monitored by the HSE and the Department throughout the course of the year under the governance and oversight arrangements in place.
Health Service Executive
Questions (703, 710)
Duncan Smith
Question:703. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has confidence in the HSE to manage the finances received from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9224/22]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:710. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the financial reporting to his Department by the HSE as per reports in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9232/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 703 and 710 together.
The Department of Health and the HSE work closely together to manage the health service and, through Sláintecare, implement the much-needed reform to deliver a better health service for the public. This working relationship, characterised by mutual respect, is professional and constructive. However, it is widely acknowledged that there are many legacy issues across the health service to be addressed. As you may be aware, core elements of the HSE’s financial system at local level are still a reported under the former Health Board system - the HSE, my Department, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have prioritised the modernisation of the HSE’s financial reporting systems. My officials are supporting the HSE on an overall Finance reform programme to enhance the financial reporting capability of the HSE. The HSE has already undertaken substantial internal work on this issue, and, with the active engagement and support of my Department, the HSE is working to deliver a new modern integrated financial reporting system to address the issues associated with current legacy systems. This project will progressively deliver significant enhancements to financial reporting and streamline procurement processes as it is rolled out across the HSE system and the larger Section 38 and Section 39 health providers. My Department and the HSE are not just focused on longer term projects to deliver new systems. Both agencies are also working together in close cooperation on making interim enhancements to the HSE's financial reporting capabilities, which in turn enable my Department to provide timely updates to a range of stakeholders including Government, the Health Budget Oversight Group and the Parliamentary Budget Office. In this regard, I would highlight the work undertaken by the HSE Finance Team with support from Department of Health officials over the past two years to make a series of interim financial reporting improvements, within the constraints of current legacy systems focused on a shared understanding and reporting around the HSE’s financial position. For example, new monthly working capital reports and weekly detailed COVID-19 expenditure reporting. These enhancements are welcomed by the Department. However, this is much more to be done in this area and it will be continue to be a key priority for both agencies to work cooperatively to deliver further improvements within the constraints of current systems ahead of the implementation of new systems. It is also important to highlight the role of the Health Budget Oversight Group. This group is a monthly engagement which forms part of the overall financial management and governance process between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am aware that a Sunday newspaper has published a number of unverified statements on Sunday 13th February and Sunday 20th February. These statements are based on comments alleged to have been made by officials in my Department which the newspaper reports that it has extracted from alleged recordings of private internal discussions within the Department. You will appreciate that my Department has not been afforded access to these alleged recordings which therefore constrains my ability to verify the matters reported or to comment constructively further. However, it is clear that any alleged recordings which may have been obtained are unverified, and were made without the consent or knowledge of the participants in breach apparent breach of privacy rights of the individuals concerned, and as such the reported remarks self-evidently do not represent the formal position of either myself as Minister for Health nor indeed of the Department of Health. I would like to put on record my more general concern - in relation to the appropriateness of the reporting by the Sunday Business Post in printing alleged unverified and casual comments attributed to named officials which were allegedly obtained from recordings of private discussions obtained without the consent or knowledge of the participants concerned. There is an important principle at stake here where we must protect the right of our public servants to engage in private and at times necessarily robust discussions. This is an essential and appropriate part of the deliberative process engaged in by officials and reporting alleged casual comments of individuals in this way will only serve to limit constructive debate and dialogue across the civil service and this is damaging to the public interest. However, it is important to also put on record that the fact that a number of claims have been reported in these two newspaper articles which I referred to above are in fact wholly inaccurate. We have clarified these matters in various other fora and I have taken the opportunity to set out the correct factual position in relation to these matters here also:
- The Sunday Business Post reported on 13th February and 20th February that the HSE sought just €10m in additional funding for mental health last year. That is untrue. The actual figure sought from the HSE was €35m.
- The newspaper speculated that a prior HSE adjustment could run to hundreds of millions. The HSE has noted that is untrue. The HSE have stated that any adjustment will be of a technical nature and be less than €100m. It is as yet unclear whether the HSE will require to make an adjustment in respect to its 2021 financial statements in respect of previous years accounts.
- The report focused on targets for recruitment. Budget 2022 secured funding for up to 10,000 additional staff. We want to hire these and while we should be ambitious, the HSE has said 5,500 is more realistic. However, we will strive to do better and the money is there. The newspaper spoke about so-called fake recruitment targets. This is a complete misrepresentation of the actual position and fails to detail that more than 12,500 healthcare staff have been hired (net) over the past two years.
- On Sunday 20th February, the Sunday Business Post newspaper appears to be suggesting that some €30m given in funding to palliative care providers (hospices) and disability providers is questionable. We fully back the decision to support these organisations.
- There is a claim in the Sunday Business Post on Sunday 20th February that an additional hospital will require more staff. That’s self-evident to most people. We absolutely need more hospital beds. We have far fewer beds per 100,000 population than our EU neighbours. Of course public representatives from Limerick and elsewhere will look for additional capacity -the Government has plans to develop additional elective facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and for the opportunity to set out the actual position on a number of the matters that have been reported.
Health Service Executive
Questions (704)
Duncan Smith
Question:704. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on commencing an investigation into the recruitment practices in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9226/22]
View answerWritten answers
There are no plans to commence an investigation into recruitment practices in the HSE. My Department and I do not have a reason to conduct such an investigation. I am very happy with the successful recruitment that has happened during the large workforce expansion over the past two years. This expansion will continue in 2022.
Health Service Executive
Questions (705)
Duncan Smith
Question:705. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when his attention was drawn to the crisis in recruitment in the HSE regarding the 4,500 shortfalls in new staff as reported in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9227/22]
View answerWritten answers
The article referenced has misconstrued the recruitment targets outlined for 2022 and the achievability of them. Budget 2022 secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the level of ambition and desire to invest in our health services. However, there are a range of targets set out in the draft National Service Plan. The targeted recruitment for this year continues to address any identified staff shortages across grades and service areas.
Discussions between the Department and HSE officials agreed that, due to the current challenging recruitment environment, 5,500 WTE is a more achievable target for 2022. The upper affordable limit of 10,000 WTE is not seen as undeliverable, but rather one that will be ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour supply. It is worth noting that these recruitment targets are additional WTE and do not include the replacement of existing staff who retire/leave during the year.
The HSE identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the National Service Plan. The Department has been working closely with the HSE to assess potential savings and further decisions on how this funding will be used will be taken. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that the references to ‘fake targets’ and other commentary in the newspaper is more accurately described as stretch or ambitious targets. Actual recruitment will, as always, be monitored by the HSE and the Department throughout the course of the year under the governance and oversight arrangements in place.
Mental Health Services
Questions (706)
Duncan Smith
Question:706. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding to mental health services will be affected and if staffing targets made by him will be met as per reports in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9228/22]
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 Service Executive
Questions (707)
Duncan Smith
Question:707. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on reports in a newspaper (details supplied) that consultants in the HSE are being hired at rates above the starting salary on the pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9229/22]
View answerWritten answers
Consultants recruited by the HSE do not have to be appointed to the starting point of the pay scales applicable to the consultant grade. Approved arrangements make provision for the recruitment of a significant proportion of Consultants above the starting point of the pay scale.
An Agreement concluded with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in January 2015 resulted in a 9 point salary scale for 'new entrant' consultants. The Agreement followed engagement between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) at the LRC. The Agreement included provisions covering incremental credit that would result in consultants commencing at different points on the scale.
The LRC specifically proposed within the Agreement that incremental credit be available up to the 6th point of the salary scales. It recommended that the parties establish a Committee to develop a framework for the application of incremental credit which would take into account relevant and appropriate service and qualifications. The LRC also proposed the membership of the Committee and recommended, that in addition to the framework, the Committee would set the policy and determine how incremental credit would be recognised in such exceptional cases as arise. In addition, the Agreement provided that Business Cases could be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in exceptional cases seeking sanction for appointment beyond the 6th point of the scales.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform formally sanctioned the provisions of the Agreement and specifically the Incremental Credit proposals within the Agreement on 29th January 2015. Sanction from the Minister for Health issued to the HSE on 3rd February 2015.
The HSE circulated the finalised Framework, developed and agreed by the Committee within the LRC's parameters to all relevant personnel, hospitals, CHO's and agencies on 15 September 2015. This was followed by a FAQ Guidance Note on 28th September 2015.
Taking account of the recognition given to relevant service and additional qualifications within the Incremental Credit Framework it would be expected that many consultants would not commence at the starting point of the salary scale.
Health Service Executive
Questions (708)
Duncan Smith
Question:708. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants in the HSE who have been hired at rates above the starting salary on the pay scale as per reports in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9230/22]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy concerning the data sought.
It is noted however that Consultants recruited by the HSE do not have to be appointed to the starting point of the pay scales applicable to the consultant grade. Approved arrangements make provision for the recruitment of a significant proportion of Consultants above the starting point of the pay scale.
An Agreement concluded with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in January 2015 resulted in a 9 point salary scale for 'new entrant' consultants. The Agreement followed engagement between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE with the Irish Medical Organisation at the LRC. The Agreement includes provisions covering incremental credit that would result in consultants commencing at different points on the scale.
The LRC specifically proposed within the Agreement that incremental credit be available up to the 6th point of the salary scales. It recommended that the parties establish a Committee to develop a framework for the application of incremental credit which would take into account relevant and appropriate service and qualifications. The LRC also proposed the membership of the Committee and recommended, that in addition to the framework, the Committee would set the policy and determine how incremental credit would be recognised in such exceptional cases as arise. In addition, the Agreement provides that Business Cases could be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in exceptional cases seeking sanction for appointment beyond the 6th point of the scales.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform formally sanctioned the provisions of the Agreement and specifically the Incremental Credit proposals within the Agreement on 29th January 2015. Sanction from the Minister for Health issued to the HSE on 3rd February 2015.
The HSE circulated the finalised Framework, developed and agreed by the Committee within the LRC's parameters, to all relevant personnel, hospitals, CHO's and agencies on 15 September 2015. This was followed by a FAQ Guidance Note on 28th September 2015.
Taking account of the recognition given to relevant service and additional qualifications within the Incremental Credit Framework it would be expected that many consultants would not commence at the starting point of the salary scale.
Health Service Executive
Questions (709)
Duncan Smith
Question:709. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the recruitment practices of the HSE with regard to the hiring of consultants as per reports in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9231/22]
View answerWritten answers
Consultants recruited by the HSE do not have to be appointed to the starting point of the pay scales applicable to the consultant grade. Approved arrangements make provision for the recruitment of a significant proportion of Consultants above the starting point of the pay scale.
An Agreement concluded with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in January 2015 resulted in a 9 point salary scale for 'new entrant' consultants. The Agreement followed engagement between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE with the Irish Medical Organisation at the LRC. The Agreement included provisions covering incremental credit that would result in consultants commencing at different points on the scale.
The LRC specifically proposed within the Agreement that incremental credit be available up to the 6th point of the salary scales. It recommended that the parties establish a Committee to develop a framework for the application of incremental credit which would take into account relevant and appropriate service and qualifications. The LRC also proposed the membership of the Committee and recommended, that in addition to the framework, the Committee would set the policy and determine how incremental credit would be recognised in such exceptional cases as arise. In addition, the Agreement also provided that Business Cases could be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in exceptional cases seeking sanction for appointment beyond the 6th point of the scales.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform formally sanctioned the provisions of the Agreement and specifically the Incremental Credit proposals within the Agreement on 29th January 2015. Sanction from the Minister for Health issued to the HSE on 3rd February 2015.
The HSE circulated the finalised Framework, developed and agreed by the Committee within the LRC's parameters, to all relevant personnel, hospitals, CHO's and agencies on 15 September 2015. This was followed by a FAQ Guidance Note on 28th September 2015.
Taking account of the recognition given to relevant service and additional qualifications within the Incremental Credit Framework it would be expected that many consultants would not commence at the starting point of the salary scale.
Question No. 710 answered with Question No. 703.