Mark Ward
Question:481. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a chronic disease service within primary care in mid-west areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12361/22]
View answerPrimary Care Services
Questions (481)
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.
Primary Care Services
Questions (482)
Mark Ward
Question:482. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding that is available and the plans that are in place for children in primary care under the enhanced community care model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12362/22]
View answerWritten answers
The development of primary care services for all age groups is essential in delivering a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective health care system.
Some of the key developments in the delivery of the enhanced community care model that will benefit children and younger people in primary care include the continued rollout of primary care centres across the country, improved access to diagnostics and the development of capacity in the sector through the establishment of Community Healthcare Networks. The significant re-structuring of primary care service delivery currently underway is designed to ensure care is provided in an equitable, efficient and integrated way across age groups.
Furthermore, younger people will continue to be supported in primary care through specific investments, including, for example, the Primary Care Psychology Waiting List Initiative or the provision of additional Paediatric Home Care Packages.
The concept of enhanced community care goes beyond primary care to include wider community services such as disability services and mental health services as well as General Practice. The ongoing investment and different initiatives in these areas will also benefit children and younger people as we continue to work to transform health service delivery in line with the vision of Sláintecare.
It is noted that primary care funding is not allocated nor reported on by age cohort.
Primary Care Services
Questions (483)
Mark Ward
Question:483. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the funding that is available to CHO7 under social inclusion; if some of the funding is multi-annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12363/22]
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
Questions (484)
James Lawless
Question:484. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the case of a family (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12364/22]
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 Staff
Questions (485)
Patrick Costello
Question:485. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health his views on a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) for 100 extra neurology nurse specialists across Ireland which includes 10 extra nurses for St. James’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12365/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Medicinal Products
Questions (486)
Patrick Costello
Question:486. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will make available at home treatments for the immunocompromised such as molnupiravir and pazlovid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12367/22]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (487)
Pa Daly
Question:487. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the bonus payment to front-line health workers; and the progress made with regard to determining eligibility. [12372/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a 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 (eg: nursing homes and hospices that are private, public, section 39, voluntary etc.) that were affected by Covid-19.
The Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly. Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars shall be published by the HSE. It is intended that payments will be instructed this month, with the payment processed through local payroll thereafter.
For healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices, arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health. As the HSE is not the employer in these instances, the arrangements including payment dates will require further analysis before finalising but it is envisaged that payments will be instructed for these workers in Q2 2022.
Primary Care Services
Questions (488)
David Cullinane
Question:488. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the community paediatric ophthalmology waiting list initiative at the Grangegorman primary care centre (details supplied) will be expanded to other CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12379/22]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (489)
Mick Barry
Question:489. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that Covid-19 travel regulations will be applied with flexibility for those coming from Ukraine to avoid them being a barrier to travel to this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12388/22]
View answerWritten answers
From 6 March 2022, travellers to Ireland are no longer required to show proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative PCR test upon arrival. There is also no longer any requirement to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form prior to departing for Ireland.
This action was taken due to the current epidemiological situation in Ireland and high levels of vaccine uptake which present the opportunity for changes in the management of COVID-19. The removal of these Covid travel requirements also decreases obstacles for people leaving Ukraine and neighbouring countries for Ireland.
Health Services Staff
Questions (490)
Róisín Shortall
Question:490. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a vacancy will be filled for a service (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12402/22]
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 (491)
Róisín Shortall
Question:491. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the agreed National Model of Care for Children with Diabetes recommendations 2016 at Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street specifically with regard to the multidisciplinary team staffing shortages in the areas of specialist nursing, dietetics, psychology and consultant physicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12403/22]
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.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (492)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:492. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an assessment of need in each of the CHO areas of Cork city and county in each of the years 2015 to 2021; the average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12405/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (493)
Dara Calleary
Question:493. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan in place to allow unvaccinated HSE paramedics to return to work. [12413/22]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (494)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:494. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the ongoing severe restrictions to visiting in public hospitals or attending accident and emergency departments with vulnerable adults, adults too ill to advocate for themselves and adults who need support for any reason; if the policy can be reviewed given that all other Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12417/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Questions (495)
Alan Dillon
Question:495. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the level of funding allocated to the ophthalmology paediatric eye pathway for children requiring further assessment after childhood health screening; the efforts that are being undertaken to address the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12418/22]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE Primary Care Eye Services Review Group (PCESRG) Report was launched in June 2017. The Report sets out current levels of service, models of service provision and the consultation process undertaken with patients, advocates, ophthalmic staff and representative bodies.
It also highlights the limitations of the current model of service delivery, including the impact on waiting lists, and sets out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be delivered in a primary care setting.
The Report estimates that 60% of existing outpatient activity could be moved to primary care thus enabling hospital services to focus on patients who require more specialist diagnostics or treatments. This Report remains current and the HSE has advised that in 2022 it will advance the transfer of care for children aged 8+ years to local optometrists, thereby reducing waiting lists and enhancing access to primary eye care services.
A project team was established in late 2019 / early 2020 to progress this initiative with a wide-ranging membership including representation from the Department of Health. However, due to the requirement to focus resources on the Covid-19 pandemic it was necessary to pause the programme.
There is now a commitment to progressing the project through the reconvening of the project team. It is anticipated that it will be possible to bring the project to conclusion over a six to nine-month time frame.
Budget 2022 did not include a specific funding allocation for this project and HSE advances in this regard will be achieved in the context of the resources that have been allocated to the Executive.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (496)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:496. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding children in south County Louth having to travel to Northern Ireland for HPV vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12422/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Legislative Reviews
Questions (497, 498)
Michael Collins
Question:497. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the way that interested applicants could be expected to have the opportunity to apply for the position of chair of the three-year review of the 2018 abortion legislation given the tender was not publicly issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12423/22]
View answerMichael Collins
Question:498. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason that the tender for a chair of the three-year review of the abortion legislation was not published on eTenders as he and his Departmental colleague claimed it would be on 8 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12424/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 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, that is, before January 2022.
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. This is in line with European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016.
I look forward to receiving the Chair’s final report, incorporating her conclusions and any recommendations, in due course.
Question No. 498 answered with Question No. 497.
National Maternity Hospital
Questions (499)
Peter Burke
Question:499. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the latest information regarding the governance and the location of the national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12425/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government. The Government is also aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding ownership and governance of the new NMH, and recognises that these matters must be addressed. The relocation of the NMH is a vital project and I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it provides assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. The safeguarding of the State’s investment must also be affirmed beyond doubt.
There is a process ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements and in that regard there has been further engagement with stakeholders. I will bring a proposal to Government for approval to proceed once I am satisfied that the legal arrangements achieve the objectives that I set out above.
Hospital Staff
Questions (500)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:500. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the details of his engagements in relation to funding the appointment of clinical psychologists for each acute hospital diabetes multidisciplinary team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12433/22]
View answerWritten answers
Diabetes is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on the quality of life of people living with the condition, the management of emotional and psychological well-being is an important part of diabetes care and self-management. Self-management education programmes such as DAFNE (for people living with type 1 diabetes) and DESMOND and Discover Diabetes (for people living with type 2 diabetes) help provide psychosocial support for many people living with diabetes.
The Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes sets out that diabetes is to be managed within the acute system by the diabetes multidisciplinary team including access to psychology support where available.
Budget 2021 and Budget 2022 provided funding for a large permanent expansion of the workforce, both for the shorter-term needs brought on by COVID-19 and the long-term needs to build capacity to deliver healthcare needs for the population. 2021 and 2022 have seen the largest and second largest annual increases in the workforce since the foundation of the HSE. Funding will continue to be provided in 2022 for the staffing requirements of the health service, staffing increases are determined by the healthcare delivery needs of the service areas providing care.