Written Answers Nos. 1327-1350
1327. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his plans in view of the added burden of fuel costs to roll out electricity subsidies nationally to all COPD patients that are available in some CHO areas for patients that are using oxygen machines at home for more than 16 hours a day. [19228/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1328. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the way that adaptations to a property (details supplied) escalated in cost from €200,000, €250,000 to €500,000 over the past year; the exact nature of the works; if these works changed in scope or type over time; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19229/22]
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.
1329. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when a property (details supplied) was identified as a replacement property for another property; the reason the HSE did not proceed with selling the property since it was identified as not fit for purpose; if residents were informed by the HSE that this facility was due to be sold at any stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19230/22]
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.
1330. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 645 of 8 March 2022, the reason that more funding has been invested over the past year by Cork HSE management in a property without planning permission as a mental health residence in Carrigaline than was invested over a ten-year period in the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton; the reason that 14 rooms, as per the HSE's 2021 capital plan were reduced to ten rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19231/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1331. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of residential mental health service users per CHO that were moved from shared rooms to single rooms as an infection control measure during the Covid-19 crisis; the number of service-users per CHO remain in an interim or permanent new accommodation following such a move; if the new accommodation in each instance is owned or rented by the HSE; the exact service locations in each instance in which a move to a new facility occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19232/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1332. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of residents at a property (details supplied) who have already been transferred from the service that are sharing rooms in their new accommodation; the number that are in single rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19233/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1333. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding and status of the case of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a surgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19237/22]
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.
1334. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the way that he identified the small number of candidates whom he judged as having suitable experience before contacting and inviting them to apply for the role of chair of the abortion review thereby sidestepping an open public procurement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19241/22]
View answerAs 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. During this session, there was also discussion on a related but separate national tendering process for the provision of qualitative research on the views and experiences of termination of pregnancy service providers to inform the review of the operation of the Act.
Initially, it was my intention to directly appoint the independent Chair to lead the review, however, as the costs involved in contracting a Chair were estimated as exceeding €25,000, the advice I received from my officials was that Department was obliged, under procurement rules, to conduct a tendering process for the appointment.
In line with S.I. 284 of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 a restricted tendering procedure was adopted to procure. Given the expertise required for the position, a small number of candidates, identified as having suitable experience, were contacted by my officials and invited to tender for the role of independent Chair of the review. Following this process Ms. Marie O’Shea, B.L. was appointed as the independent Chair and she has commenced her work. The undertaking of this tendering process, as opposed to the direct appointment of a Chair, is consistent with the discussion at the Committee meeting.
1335. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the difficulties in recruiting paediatric occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19251/22]
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.
1336. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason that shared care services were withdrawn from a person (details supplied) without consultation with their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19252/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the options that are available for dental care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19263/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1338. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the bonus payment for front-line healthcare workers will be made available to persons who work in the private home care sector; when it is likely that this bonus payment will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19275/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 19th April the HSE have published additional details including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply to eligible HSE and Section 38 Agency employees. This information is available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
Separately, the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in.
- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
- Agency roles working in the HSE;
- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
- Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage
1339. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a Ukrainian refugee (details supplied); if they are able to travel to Ireland; if they will be able to access the necessary lifesaving treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19286/22]
View answerAs this matter is a services issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1340. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if his Department will give due recognition to the role of orthodontic therapists in providing orthodontic care; if he will undertake to train more therapists and provide recognition for the role in order to help alleviate the unacceptable waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19289/22]
View answerThere is an ongoing dialogue between the Department of Health and the HSE in relation to orthodontic therapists.
Orthodontic therapists are recognised by the Dental Council to work in this country as part of an orthodontic specialist service team.
The role of an orthodontic therapist was created on a pilot initiative in HSE Dublin North-East where WTE from nursing or hygienists’ grade were released from the HSE to pursue the Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy. There are currently 4 staff in the system, three dental nurses and one dental hygienist grade carrying out the roles and responsibilities of an Orthodontic Therapist subject to the conditions agreed at the setup of the pilot scheme.
The Department of Health is giving active consideration to the recent proposals to create a HSE grade of orthodontic therapist as part of the wider agenda for the dental workforce envisaged under the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte.
1341. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the implementation status of medical specialty wards for each model 3 and 4 hospital; the number of specialised wards, including the number of purposefully generalist wards and the number of non-specialised wards, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19293/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1342. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19294/22]
View answer1432. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 pandemic bonus payment will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19527/22]
View answer1435. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when eligible clinical medical staff will receive the Covid-19 special bonus. [19573/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1342, 1432 and 1435 together.
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 19 April the HSE published additional details including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply to eligible HSE and Section 38 Agency employees. This information is available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. The payment will be made as soon as possible to those who are confirmed as eligible, through the next available payroll, subject to local processes.
Separately, the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
- Agency roles working in the HSE;
- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
- Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage
1343. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the staffing composition of each children's disability network team, CDNT; the number of vacancies, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19295/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1344. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of open cases by children's disability network teams, CDNTs; the number of individual family service plans issued to open cases by CDNT; the number of key contacts assigned by CDNT and the number of open cases without a key contact assigned in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19296/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1345. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of family forums established, by CDNT, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19297/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1346. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children on dental and oral surgery waiting lists, by CHO and the length of wait, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19298/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1347. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the development and roll-out status of the acute floors information system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19299/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1348. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number and locations of the emergency departments that operate a 24-7 model, in tabular form; the number that operate a 24-hour model but not on weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19301/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1349. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 75 years of age who are on acute hospital waiting lists, by speciality and by hospital, in March 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19302/22]
View answer1757. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 75 years or older on hospital waiting lists, in tabular form, by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20847/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1349 and 1757 together.
It 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 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.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
The plan 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 NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health 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. The Task Force will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. 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 relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the following link, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, outlines the number of patients over 75 years of age on Outpatient and Inpatient waiting lists by specialty by hospital at the end of March 2022.
1350. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons and the number of persons aged over 75 years who presented at an emergency department who spent less than four hours waiting for admission by hospital and hospital group; the number waiting four or more hours but less than six hours; the number waiting greater than or equal to six hours but less than 12 hours; the number waiting 12 hours or more but less than 24 hours; the number waiting greater than or equal to 36 hours and 48 hours in March 2022, in tabular form; the comparable figures for the same period in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19303/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
