Written Answers Nos. 604-623
604. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been awaiting cataract surgery at University Hospital Limerick for more than 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15763/22]
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.
605. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) from County Donegal will receive treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15772/22]
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.
606. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a system by which general practitioners are allocated to large accommodation centres in which Ukrainian refugees are currently residing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15775/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland.
Very significant planning and preparatory work is taking place across Government to provide accommodation and other essential supports to those who have arrived here already, as well as the large numbers of further people expected to arrive. The Department of Health and the HSE are engaging fully in this process.
People fleeing Ukraine are entitled to receive, on the same basis as an Irish citizen, medical care from the State. Ukrainian refugees will be able to get health care services from the HSE including access to Covid-19 vaccinations, GPs, community care and hospital or emergency care.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY ) is responsible for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees who have sought accommodation. To date, refugees have been accommodated in emergency accommodation, mainly hotels. DCEDIY is ramping up preparations to provide serviced accommodation and independent accommodation, including offers of accommodation from the general public pledged through the Irish Red Cross and other NGOs.
The Department of Health and the HSE are working closely with DCEDIY to coordinate the provision of primary care services for refugees staying in emergency accommodation. The HSE is planning to provide rapid access to basic priority GP/primary care in these locations, to include care for acute illnesses and ongoing clinical care of priority medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic illness plus acute care/triage of illnesses.
607. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the expenditure on the list of completed works and work in progress in relation to the €51.2 million spent on the enabling works for the National Maternity Hospital to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15777/22]
View answer608. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the rapidly escalating cost of the enabling works for the National Maternity Hospital mirrors that of the hospital itself and notwithstanding concerns around ownership and control risks becoming like the National Children’s Hospital given that the original 2018 estimate for the cost of these works was €18 million which has now increased by more than 183%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15778/22]
View answer610. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if at the time the enabling works were commissioned in relation to the national maternity hospital, the final business case for the national maternity hospital had been completed and approved in relation to works (details supplied); and if it covered this new and replacement pharmacy works. [15780/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607, 608 and 610 together.
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: Our Shared Future.
As part of the NMH relocation project, enabling works were undertaken to prepare the site of the new NMH and de-risk the campus in advance of the construction works for the new hospital, which included a replacement pharmacy and carpark extension. In 2018 Government noted the intention to progress the awarding of the contract for a replacement pharmacy and carpark extension, as key enablers of the main development. This first phase of work commenced on the site in February 2019 - the pharmacy and multistorey car park extension were completed in 2021 and both are fully operational.
A breakdown of the expenditure to date is detailed in the table below:
|
Enabling Works |
Spend to date (Incl. VAT) |
|
Replacement of pharmacy and an extension to the multistorey car park |
€28.9m |
|
- Aspergillus protection and prevention works - Enabling works/site preparation works - Junction upgrades to the entrances at Nutley Lane and Merrion Road in line with Planning Condition - Demolition works - Infrastructural works, including diversions of life-critical mechanical and electrical systems supporting the adult hospital |
€22.3m |
|
Total |
€51.2m |
As the NMH relocation is a project initiated prior to the updated PSC, the Project Board undertook additional work to ensure the business case for the relocation of the NMH is in full compliance with the new PSC requirements.
This final business case has been submitted to the Department by the NMH Project Board and is now subject to technical review by the Department of Health, including the External Assurance Process for major capital projects recently introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Pending favourable review under the Spending Code, a Memorandum for Government will then be brought forward to progress the programme for the NMH.If approval in principle is granted, the project can move to preparation of tender documents in line with EU law and deployment of a tendering strategy.
I understand that several different contracts were in place for essential site enabling works and I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly to provide you with further information.
609. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3224 of 27 July 2021, if the State had any security, either legal or equitable, over the property at the Elm Park campus upon which public monies have been expended on enabling works to do with the new maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15779/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
611. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if there was a separate business case or analysis to justify the public expenditure on an enhanced pharmacy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15781/22]
View answerAs part of the NMH relocation project, enabling works were undertaken to prepare the site of the new NMH and de-risk the campus in advance of the construction works for the new hospital. This included a replacement pharmacy and carpark extension. In 2018 Government noted the intention to progress the awarding of the contract for a replacement pharmacy and multistorey carpark extension, as key enablers of the main NMH relocation project.
This first phase of work commenced on the site in February 2019 and the pharmacy and multistorey car park extension were completed in 2021 and both are fully operational.
I have referred the question to the HSE asking them to provide you with further information.
612. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health when a public patient (details supplied) will be given an outpatient appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15788/22]
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.
613. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) had their entitlement under their medical card for a specific drug for chronic migraine withdrawn; if the matter will be reviewed given that they have been hospitalised for chronic migraine and have the support of their general practitioner for this particular treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15789/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
614. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided by his Department and the HSE to an organisation (details supplied); if his attention or that of his predecessor and that of officials has been drawn to instances in which the organisation failed to file accounts on time in the past; and the action they initiated on foot of same. [15790/22]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy is funded by the HSE and is subject to a service level agreement. As this is a service matter, it has been sent to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
615. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) has provided his Department or the HSE with an update in respect of the non-filing and or filing of overdue accounts. [15791/22]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy is funded by the HSE and is subject to a service level agreement As this is a service matter, it has been sent to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
616. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when an orthodontic appointment will issue to a person (details supplied). [15794/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
617. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if the administrative staff in the acute adult mental health unit, Mayo University Hospital who have worked on site in a clinical environment throughout the pandemic will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15816/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. 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.
This payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings, noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings. The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The measure also encompasses those eligible working on site in long term residential care facilities for people with disabilities (inclusive of those facilities whether HSE or section 39). The measure further extends to those equivalent 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.
The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. Additionally, the Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. 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. Noting that the details will be finalised once this consultation has concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
618. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the postgraduate training post intake in general practice in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15801/22]
View answer619. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners who successfully completed their postgraduate specialist training in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and the number expected in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15802/22]
View answer620. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently enrolled in postgraduate specialist general practitioner training in their first, second, third and fourth year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15803/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 618 to 620, inclusive, together.
General Practitioner (GP) training is in the main four years in duration. Those undertaking GP training through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway in Medicine & Emergency medicine complete training in 3 years. Those undertaking the RPL Paediatric pathway complete in 3 years 8 months.
Details of the annual intake of trainees on to the general practitioner training programme, and the numbers completing training in each of the years 2017 to 2022, are set out in the schedule below:
|
Year |
Postgraduate training intake |
CSST Numbers (Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training) |
|
2017 |
170 |
169 |
|
2018 |
194 |
152 |
|
2019 |
193 |
143 |
|
2020 |
208 |
156 |
|
2021 |
233 |
152 |
|
2022 |
258* |
239 projected in 2022** |
*Expected intake in July 2022
** 13 GP trainees have received CSST in 2022 (as of 7 March 2022)
Details of the number of trainees enrolled in postgraduate specialist GP training as of 26 January 2022 are set out in the schedule below:
|
Specialty |
Yr1 |
Yr2 |
Yr3 |
Yr4 |
|
General Practice Trainees by year of training (Figures as of 26 Jan 2022) |
240 |
199 |
189 |
213 |
|
Total 841 |
*Figures by year of training above include a small number of trainees who are repeating a year of training for various reasons e.g. sick leave, maternity leave/remediation/completing examination requirements
621. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of non-consultant doctor training posts allocated to central practice trainee in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15804/22]
View answerIn 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.
622. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 327 and 328 of 25 November 2021, if he will provide a breakdown of the figures for CHO2 for each composite area within CHO2 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15805/22]
View answer623. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 327 and 328 of 25 November 2021, if he will provide a breakdown of the figures for CHO1 for each composite area within CHO1 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15806/22]
View answer624. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 327 and 328 of 25 November 2021, if he will provide a breakdown of the figures for CHO8 for each composite area within CHO8 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15807/22]
View answer625. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 327 and 328 of 25 November 2021, if he will provide a breakdown of the figures for CHO7 for each composite area within CHO7 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15808/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 622 to 625, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
