Written Answers Nos. 624-643
626. 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 CHO 3 for each composite area within CHO 3 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15809/22]
View answer627. 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 CHO 9 for each composite area within CHO 9 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15810/22]
View answer628. 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 CHO 5 for each composite area within CHO 5 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15811/22]
View answer631. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 327 and 328 of 25 November 2021, if a breakdown of the figures for CHO 4 for each composite area within CHO 4 for each section outlined in the reply will be provided. [15814/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 to 628, inclusive, and 631 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
629. 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 CHO 6 for each composite area within CHO 6 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15812/22]
View answer630. 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 CHO 4 for each composite area within CHO 4 for each section outlined in the original reply. [15813/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 629 and 630 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
632. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the €1,000 bonus for healthcare workers will be examined. [15820/22]
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, save to say that I support the measure being implemented as soon as is possible.
633. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the date for the commencement of the expansion of the free general practitioner care scheme for children under seven years of age that was announced as part of budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15828/22]
View answerMy officials and the HSE are currently engaged in preparatory work for the commencement of the initial stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are to begin at the end of this month in anticipation of commencing the service in mid-year.
634. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 bonus payment for healthcare workers in a clinical environment throughout the pandemic will be extended to Covid-19 community swabbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15854/22]
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 / Swabbers / 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.
635. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of ambulance response times in County Wicklow in 2021 and to date in 2022, by municipal district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15865/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
636. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health when home healthcare workers will receive the €1,000 pandemic recognition payment that was promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15869/22]
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.
637. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) that looks after adults with mental health disabilities and challenging behaviour will be included in the €1,000 pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15870/22]
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.
There are many, many other individuals and organisations in our country who did so much during the pandemic. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government has based its decision on the exceptional risks which these frontline healthcare workers faced.
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.
638. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the HSE and his Department will finalise the €1,000 bonus payment to healthcare workers and that there will be continued engagement with representative unions on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15871/22]
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.
639. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he plans to make wegovy available to medical card users in the future if medically indicated by a doctor in the treatment of weight loss and obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15877/22]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Health Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost-effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact
Wegovy (semaglutide) has been authorised by the European Medicines Agency as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of:
- more than or equal to 30 kg/m² (obesity), or
- more than 27 kg/m² to less than 30 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity e.g. dysglycaemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease.
I am advised by the HSE that it has received no pricing/reimbursement application for this product to date, as of 28 March 2022.
If the marketing company decides to submit a pricing/reimbursement application for Wegovy, it will be assessed by the HSE in line with the 2013 Act.
640. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the pressure being put on members of An Garda Síochána to respond to calls for help from young persons with mental health issues or suicidal ideation. [15894/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
641. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of rooms at accident and emergency departments that are specifically for the use of patients presenting with mental health issues. [15895/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to queries in relation to Ennis General Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15899/22]
View answerAs 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.
643. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15900/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
