Holly Cairns
Question:461. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the current processing time for travel documents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13135/22]
View answerTravel Documents
Questions (461)
Written answers
The Travel Document Unit in the Immigration Service Delivery area of my Department processes travel documents for people who are deemed to be refugees under the 1951 United Nations Convention. This Unit also processes a separate travel document for resettled programme refugees and beneficiaries of other humanitarian and family reunification programmes.
Processing times were unfortunately impacted by the restrictions that were imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Unit has also seen a steady increase in the volume of applications. Currently, the processing time for a travel document is 33 weeks, upon receipt of a fully completed application.
While applications are processed within my Department they are printed by the Passport Office in the Department of Foreign Affairs. My Department works closely with the Passport Office to reduce any delays.
Work is continuing to reduce the processing times, while prioritising any urgent requests for travel documents.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (462)
David Cullinane
Question:462. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the fifth theatre at Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street Children's University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12319/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (463)
David Cullinane
Question:463. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the 24 additional beds and two additional high dependency unit beds provided for Children's Health Ireland in Budget 2021 are fully staffed and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12320/22]
View answerWritten answers
In February of this year I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.
This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.
In relation to the details requested by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the HSE and asked them to provide you with a direct response.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (464)
David Cullinane
Question:464. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the new Children's Health Ireland MRI and associated staffing, works and leasing arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12321/22]
View answerWritten answers
In February of this year I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.
This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.
In relation to the details requested by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the HSE and asked them to provide you with a direct response.
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (465)
David Cullinane
Question:465. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will outline further details of a tender (details supplied) valued at €1.5 million which is part of his paediatric orthopaedics plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12323/22]
View answerWritten answers
In February of this year I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.
This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.
In relation to the details requested by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the HSE and asked them to provide you with a direct response.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (466)
David Cullinane
Question:466. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will outline further details of the radiology outsourcing valued at €0.64 million which is part of his paediatric orthopaedics plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/22]
View answerWritten answers
In February of this year I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.
This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.
In relation to the details requested by the Deputy, I have referred your question to the HSE and asked them to provide you with a direct response.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (467, 665)
David Cullinane
Question:467. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 24 February 2022, if the waiting list fund funded measures in his paediatric orthopaedic plan were funded from 2021 or 2022 voted expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12325/22]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:665. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 1 March 2022, the revenue funding which is recurring and the funding which is one-off, respectively. [12934/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 665 together.
In January I asked the HSE to develop a dedicated plan to tackle scoliosis waiting lists this year. Earlier this month I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of the proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.
This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided to a value of €19 million in 2022 to support this initiative.
More specifically, €3.4 million has been committed to support additional activity at Cappagh Orthopaedic hospital. This is the full year requirement associated with the €1.65 million that was provided from the Access to Care Fund in 2021 to support CHI paediatric orthopaedic activity at Cappagh. Furthermore, €4.7 million has been provided on a recurring basis since 2021 to fund an additional 24 beds at Crumlin and Temple street, and 2 high dependency unit beds at Crumlin. These beds will facilitate the increase in activity needed to reduce paediatric orthopaedic waiting times. A further €4 million has been committed for a theatre expansion programme across CHI sites to focus on paediatric orthopaedics. Capital funding of €4 million has been designated to support this initiative, which is included within the 2022 Capital Plan due to be approved shortly. Finally, €2 million has been provided for outsourcing initiatives for both inpatient and daycase procedures, as well as to meet radiology needs. Plans are currently being finalised by CHI in this regard.
Some of these figures are initial estimates and as such are subject to final review, agreement and potential revision on receipt of the detailed operational plan for delivery of this important initiative.
Hospital Charges
Questions (468)
David Cullinane
Question:468. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the amount recovered through the use of debt collectors and or debt collection agencies in respect of the collection of fees and charges on patients attending hospital groups managed by the HSE in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12326/22]
View answerWritten answers
Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
Out-patient charges;
In-patient charges; and
Long-term stay charges.
Certain cohorts of people may be exempt from some or all of these charges.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private in-patient charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
Residential Institutions
Questions (469)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:469. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if Carlow County Council handed over its records for the former Carlow Mother and Baby Home and Carlow Maternity Hospital also known as Sacred Heart Home to the South Eastern Health Board; if so, if those records are held by either the Adoption Authority of Ireland and or Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12327/22]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (470)
Thomas Pringle
Question:470. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12330/22]
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.
Nursing Homes
Questions (471)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:471. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the indicative timeline for the commencement of the plan to exempt rental income from the fair deal nursing home scheme which will increase the supply of available properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12331/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is actively collaborating with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other Departments in the development of 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", as committed to in Housing for All action 19.8. Complex policy questions are currently being resolved in order to meet these criteria and mitigate the high risks and costs associated with unintended consequences, with a view to introducing legislation as soon as possible once this is complete. I expect to be in a position to bring legislation forward in the coming months.
Eating Disorders
Questions (472)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:472. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all supports and services will be in place and will be made available to assist persons who are suffering from eating disorders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12332/22]
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (473)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:473. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/22]
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.
Patient Files
Questions (474)
Paul Murphy
Question:474. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further details regarding the timeline surrounding in relation to an informed consent model of care (details supplied) given it is currently under consideration by HIQA in draft form. [12338/22]
View answerWritten answers
HIQA is currently developing national recommendations on the legislative and national governance arrangements for the collection, use and sharing of health information in Ireland (including considerations on consent as a legal basis for the use of health information). This work will inform the proposed health information legislation and strategy being developed by the Department of Health, and is scheduled to be published at the end of July 2022.
The specific query from the Deputy relates to a service issue, which I have referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (475)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12340/22]
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.
Substance Misuse
Questions (476)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:476. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to the advice from NPHET on the removal of mandatory Covid-19 restrictions from 28 February 2022, if the Keltoi residential addiction unit, St. Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park will be reopened. [12355/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Keltoi facility was identified for use as an isolation facility for marginalised and vulnerable people during COVID-19 in Community Healthcare Organisation 9. There are significant numbers of homeless and addiction service users in this area, particularly in Dublin North City and County. The area also has a high migrant health population living in overcrowded accommodation and quarantine accommodation.It is important to state that all these cohorts have specific challenges and that they need individualised supports to be put in place if they are Covid positive, as they cannot isolate in their existing accommodation on public health grounds.The HSE has advised that there is still a very significant ongoing demand for isolation in this facility and that it will be maintained as a Covid Isolation Facility under review by HSE CHO9 Public Health Department on a monthly basis.The HSE has assured me that the use of this facility as a Covid-19 response is being reviewed on an ongoing basis in line with national guidance.I am happy to confirm that the HSE remain committed to enhancing the residential addiction services in this area including the reopening of the Keltoi facility once it is no longer required as part of the Covid-19 response.It is vital that individuals receiving rehabilitation services from Keltoi are supported to continue their recovery path. I welcome that fact that the Keltoi counselling staff based in the HSE Stanhope Centre, are continuing to provide appropriate support services to clients under the Keltoi aftercare programme.
Substance Misuse
Questions (477)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:477. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the weekly number of residential patients with Covid-19 at the social inclusion Covid isolation facility temporarily located at the Keltoi residential addiction unit, St. Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park from 1 January 2022 to the end of February 2022, inclusive in tabular form. [12356/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Disease Management
Questions (478)
Thomas Pringle
Question:478. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department has taken to establish a working group under the joint auspices of the National Dementia Office and the Integrated Care Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12358/22]
View answerWritten answers
The establishment of a working group between the HSE National Dementia Office and the Integrated Care Programme is a matter for the HSE to comment on. Accordingly I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. Officials in my department have made enquiries with the HSE on foot of correspondence received from the Huntington's Disease Association Ireland and a response will issue in due course.
Primary Care Centres
Questions (479)
Mark Ward
Question:479. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a primary health care centre in a location (details supplied) for the residents of Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart and Brittas to avail of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12359/22]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (480)
Mark Ward
Question:480. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to expand counselling in primary care to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12360/22]
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.