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Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 385-399

Medical Inquiries

Questions (388)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

388. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 678 of 8 February 2022, the actions taken by HIQA in each such designated centre for older people and in each designated centre for people with disabilities on foot of the allegations of sexual abuse which were made; the changes that were made in each such centre to prevent further sexual abuse; the sanctions that were imposed on the six institutions that did not report the allegations to An Garda Síochána to state the position regarding the obligation on these centres for the mandatory reporting of such allegations which HIQA did; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10704/22]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) that in six situations since 2015, inspectors found that the provider of a designated centre had not made an appropriate referral to An Garda Síochána. HIQA subsequently referred these allegations to An Garda Síochána.

These referrals were in addition to the measures taken by HIQA requiring the provider to implement actions to ensure the safety of residents. All safeguarding issues are reviewed as a matter of priority to determine the most appropriate regulatory action. In situations where substantiated safeguarding issues are identified, providers are required to take action to ensure the safety of residents. If immediate risks to the safety of residents are identified, providers must take immediate action to address these issues and to prevent a recurrence.

In all situations, including the six referred to above, the Chief Inspector continues to monitor the actions of the provider to ensure they are effective in addressing the safeguarding concerns. The Chief Inspector can, and has, taken further action, up to and including the cancellation of registration, where providers fail to sustain improvements to residents’ safety.

Consistent with best practice and to protect the privacy of residents, it would not be appropriate for HIQA to make further comment on individual centres outside the inspection process.

I would like to again acknowledge my appreciation for HIQA’s support for, and its contribution to, my Department's ongoing work to develop national policy and legislation on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector.

Disability Services

Questions (389, 390, 391)

David Cullinane

Question:

389. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children’s disability network teams in place and the geographical area they represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10705/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

390. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the full staff complement and skills mix in each of the children’s disability network teams and the total number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10706/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

391. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of approved but vacant posts in each of the children’s disability network teams and the total number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10707/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 to 391, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy's questions relate to an operational issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 390 answered with Question No. 389.
Question No. 391 answered with Question No. 389.

Disability Services

Questions (392)

David Cullinane

Question:

392. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for services provided by children’s disability network teams, broken down by network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10708/22]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (393, 394, 395, 398)

David Cullinane

Question:

393. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with a disability who have had an assessment of need carried out and in which a service statement has been issued but no services have been provided, broken down in bands by month and by the year the service statement issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10709/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

394. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with a disability who had an assessment of need carried out and where the findings were appealed to a HSE complaint officer in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the timeframe for the complaints to be heard in 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 months and greater than a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10710/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

395. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with a disability who had an assessment of needs carried out and in which the findings were appealed to the office of the disability appeals officer in each of the years 2016 to 2021; the timeframe for the complaints to be heard by 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12 and greater than a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10711/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

398. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of children who had an assessment of needs carried out under the Disability Act 2005 but such assessments were outside the statuary time-frame provided for in the Act in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10714/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 395, inclusive, and 398 together.

As the Deputy's questions relate to operational issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 394 answered with Question No. 393.
Question No. 395 answered with Question No. 393.

Legislative Reviews

Questions (396, 397)

David Cullinane

Question:

396. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the Disability Act 2005 to put a focus on intervention and service provision as well as assessments of needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10712/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

397. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement recommendations made by the Ombudsman for Children to review the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10713/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.

The issues raised by the Deputy in his questions come under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and cannot be answered by this Department.

I trust this clarifies the position.

Question No. 397 answered with Question No. 396.
Question No. 398 answered with Question No. 393.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (399, 409)

David Cullinane

Question:

399. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of all staffing subsidies provided to general practitioners as part of the GMS contract for the years 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10719/22]

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David Cullinane

Question:

409. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the full extent of staffing subsidies given to general practitioners as part of the GMS contract; the nature of the subsidy; the terms and conditions that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10729/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 409 together.

Under the GMS scheme, GPs are paid a subsidy towards the cost of employing a practice nurse and/or a practice secretary. Payments are made to participating GPs with a panel size of at least 100 GMS patients on a pro rata basis, with the maximum payment made to panels of 1,200 or more patients. Group practices may also qualify for a subsidy to employ a practice manager.

As the specific issues raised are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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