Written Answers Nos. 644-664
644. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 26 January 2022, if he has further considered including home help and home care workers in the pandemic bonus scheme in view of their role in providing essential care to older persons and persons with disabilities throughout the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15921/22]
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.
645. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the public health nurse service at a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the number of staff currently on the team at this location including their grades; if any of the team are on leave; if cover is in place; the level of service currently being provided by the team for parents of babies and young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15922/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the plans for a property (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15923/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
647. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that developmental services are continued for a family (details supplied) at Clonbrusk primary care centre, Athlone, County Westmeath. [15936/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
648. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the criteria under which frontline staff are being selected for the Covid bonus payment; the reason that certain cohorts of frontline healthcare workers have been excluded from the payments; if he will review the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15937/22]
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.
649. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an autism spectrum assessment for a person (details supplied). [15940/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
650. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the health services that have been put in place to support Ukrainian refugees in County Kildare and specifically in Newbridge in terms of accessing general practitioners, pharmacies and primary care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15963/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.
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. This work is taking place with the support of the Irish Red Cross and NGOs and charities across the country, including Newbridge and Co. Kildare.
A webpage on the whole-of-Government response is available at www.gov.ie/ukraine and includes information on supports and services available to people arriving from Ukraine. This webpage will be supplemented and updated on an ongoing basis with the support of the relevant Departments.
The Department of Health is liaising with other Government departments and agencies to provide humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees. It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
Refugees from the Ukraine will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, refugees will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
A one-stop-shop is being provided in Dublin airport and other locations for Ukrainian refugees. This includes application for temporary protection status, PPSN and welfare payment, emergency accommodation and information on health services, including a medical card.
My Department is collaborating with the HSE to ensure that refugees have access to the same range of health care services as Irish and EU citizens.
Refugees holding temporary protection status will be entitled to apply for a medical card order to access primary care services for each adult and child dependents. A streamlined Medical Card application process for Ukrainian refugees is now in place. A lag in applications is apparent and was expected as people are settling into their accommodation.
The medical card section on the HSE website is replicated in Russian and Ukrainian. A Ukrainian and Russian version of the medical card form is also available.
Health care services will include primary health care services for adults, children and older people, ongoing care of priority medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illness, services for psychological stress and mental health, and social care services for people with special needs. It is the intention to provide these services in a culturally appropriate manner and to take into account language and other factors.
651. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a working group to investigate the needs of persons living with Huntington’s disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15965/22]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
652. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for orthopaedics in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway. [15971/22]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Delta and Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
€350m is being allocated in 2022 to the HSE and the NTPF to primarily provide additional public and private activity to further stabilise and reduce scheduled care waiting lists and waiting times in tandem with bringing forward much needed longer-term reforms. This will supplement the core activity of the HSE as detailed in the HSE National Service Plan (NSP) 2022.
The 2022 waiting list action plan, which the Minister for Health will bring to Government shortly, builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly. This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. It has produced a comprehensive 2022 waiting list action plan which will set out high-level targets for waiting list improvement including dedicated funding for service reform, patient pathway improvement, and important significant additionality to substantially reduce the backlog of patients waiting. The taskforce will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious Multi-Annual Waiting List Plan, which is currently under development in the Department. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
In regard to the information requested by the Deputy, The National Treatment Purchase Fund has advised my Department, that they do not receive any extract files for Merlin Park Hospital. Data for Merlin Park is instead incorporated into the Galway University Hospital waiting list. In light of this, the NTPF have provided the requested waiting times data at Galway University Hospital. This information is outlined in the following link. This information is also available on the NTPF website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
653. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been waiting over six years to be seen by orthopaedics in Merlin Park University Hospital Galway; and the immediate action that will be taken to address the damage caused. [15972/22]
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.
654. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the €1,000 payment as announced on 19 January 2022 for healthcare workers will be paid. [15975/22]
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.
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.
655. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the precise work done to date by the HSE and his Department to comply with the rules governing public spending on State capital projects in respect of the expansion of the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15979/22]
View answerAll Irish public bodies are obliged to ensure that the best possible value-for-money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. The Public Spending Code (the Code) is the set of rules and procedures that apply to ensure that this requirement is upheld across the Irish public service.
The Department of Health works closely with the HSE to ensure that requirements of the Code are applied robustly and in an appropriate and proportionate manner in the planning and delivery of projects in the sector.
In line with procedures in the sector a Capital Submission in relation to a proposed new extension of the existing Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital was received by HSE from the Saolta Hospital Group and the local Capital & Estates office in January 2021 for consideration by the HSE's National Capital & Property Steering Committee. During the National Capital & Property Steering Committee meeting in April 2021 it was recommended for the project to be included in the HSE’s Capital Investment Programme.
In line with this recommendation the project has been included in the Capital Programme. Following the appointment of the design team, the completion of initial surveys and design work a Preliminary Business Case will be prepared in line with the Public Spending Code.
Timelines and progress of the project through the stages of the Code will be dependant on a number of factors including outcomes from design phase and availability of funding.
656. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to address the shortage of local general practitioners in east Galway with a number of former general practitioners retiring many residents have been unable to register with a local general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15984/22]
View answerGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. As of March, there are approximately 32 GMS vacancies in the State, accounting for only approximately 1 percent of all GP GMS panels.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see the Government increase annual investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with an intake of 259 planned for this year.
These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
In relation to GMS GP vacancies specific to east Galway, as this relates to a services matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with an update on this matter, as soon as possible.
657. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the core and once-off budget allocated to and the expenditure of the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2016 to 2021, inclusive; the amount spend in the public system and the amount spent on private services by service-type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15987/22]
View answerImproving access to Scheduled Care and reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. The allocation to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has increased year-on-year from €5.1million in 2016, €22.6 million in 2017, €55 million in 2018, €75 million in 2019, €100 million in €2020, €130 million in 2021 and there was a further increase announced in Budget 2022 to €150 million. For 2021 and 2022 the core NTPF budget was €100 million, additional allocations of €30 million in 2021, as a once off Covid related payment and €50 million in 2022 to help reduce hospital and community waiting lists were granted.
The NTPF procures capacity for high-volume procedures in order to positively impact waiting time for patients. Such procedures may be procured in both private hospitals (outsourcing), or public hospitals (insourcing). In order to ensure competitive pricing as part of their outsourcing programme, the NTPF works with private hospitals from a panel agreement and engages in procurement processes through e-tender. In relation to insourcing, a public hospital may have some spare capacity but require further funding in order to utilise it. Such public hospitals may make a proposal to the NTPF, whereby the NTPF pay a fixed price per procedure performed. The amount paid by the NTPF meets the extra costs incurred by the public hospital in performing the procedures.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount spent by the NTPF in the public system and on private services, is outlined in the following table, provided to my Department by the NTPF.
|
Expenditure incurred by NTPF related to payments to private and public hospitals to provide inpatient and outpatient services to patients. |
2016* |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021** |
Total |
|
Private Hospitals |
30,387,932 |
9,948,651 |
31,420,173 |
29,204,118 |
22,957,536 |
44,913,597 |
168,832,007 |
|
Public Hospitals |
- |
3,101,350 |
17,364,472 |
29,750,949 |
47,516,961 |
48,004,160 |
145,737,892 |
|
Total |
30,387,932 |
13,050,001 |
48,784,645 |
58,955,067 |
70,474,497 |
92,917,757 |
314,569,899 |
658. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters (details supplied) will be examined regarding children's disability network team services in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15989/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
659. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the financial supports that will be made available to treatment centres (details supplied); if he will review the attached breakdown of the cost and loss incurred which clearly demonstrates the financial crisis this organisation is experiencing; the reason three applications for ongoing funding to the HSE have been refused; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this organisation will have to close some services if funding is not provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15991/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
660. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress on filling staffing vacancies in the provision of healthcare and mental healthcare for transgender adults and young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15992/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
661. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline progress in the State’s relevant health services securing membership to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
662. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Steering Committee on Transgender Identity Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15995/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
663. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if work placements will be provided for physiotherapy students (details supplied) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15999/22]
View answerThe HSE is legally required to facilitate practice education under Section 7 (4) the Health Act 2004.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related issues, the HSE has identified critical shortages in practice placements for Health and Social Care Professional students including physiotherapy. The focus of the HSE is on supporting practice placement for the domestic supply primarily.
The Health and Social Care Professional education programmes report significant challenges in securing sufficient practice placements for Health and Social Care Professional entry to practice programmes, without which Health and Social Care Professional students in Ireland cannot complete their programmes, graduate and join the workforce. There is very limited capacity for supporting practice education for programmes outside of Ireland.
The HSE is working with key stakeholders to identify potential solutions and the resources required to address issues relating to sufficient supply of practice placements for Health and Social Care Professionals. The priority of the HSE is to work with the Higher Education Institutes to enable the placements required for the progression of students through their educational programmes and to enable completion, graduation, and registration of the final year students to ensure timely supply of health and Social Care Professionals into the workforce.
664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when funding will be released under the nursing home support scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16003/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
