Written Answers Nos. 1784-1803
1784. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1014 of 22 March 2022, if the Dublin North, North East Recovery College can access the funding to continue to provide recovery education in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20921/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
1785. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of overseas applications received and the number of registrations processed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland by month and by location since 2017 to date, in tabular form; the number of overseas applications not finalised to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20925/22]
View answerAs the matters of detail raised by the Deputy are operational matters for the NMBI, I have asked NMBI to respond directly to the Deputy.
1786. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the details of the staffing complement in the registration department of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for April 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; if this information will include grades and tenure of position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20926/22]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the NMBI, I have asked NMBI to respond directly to the Deputy in that regard.
1787. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of protected disclosures received from whistleblowers in agencies under the auspices of his Department since 2017 to date, including the names of the agencies and whether investigations were internal or external; the number of cases finalised with decision reached; the costings of cases investigated by external providers per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20927/22]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures Act 2014 aims to protect people who raise concerns about possible wrongdoing in the workplace.
The Department of Health has policies and procedures for handling protected disclosures in the Department and in line with the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act does not provide details of disclosures received in order to protect the identity of the person making a disclosure.
When the Minister receives a potential protected disclosure relating to a body under the aegis of the Department, the relevant Head of Unit will assess the disclosure and follow-up as appropriate having regard to the substance of the disclosure.
Section 22 of the Protected Disclosure Act, 2014 requires that an annual report be published in relation to the protected disclosures received by the department. All annual reports are available on the Department of Health website, www.gov.ie/en/publication/645d81-protected-disclosures/.
The table below indicates all potential protected disclosures received by the Minister relating to agencies under the auspices of the Department, in the period 2017 to date.
If the Deputy has any further queries, the relevant bodies may be able to provide further information.
|
Year |
Number of protected disclosures received relating to a body under the aegis of the Dept |
Number of protected disclosures closed |
|
2017 |
18 |
16 |
|
2018 |
23 |
22 |
|
2019 |
5 |
5 |
|
2020 |
11 |
2 |
|
2021 |
7 |
2 |
|
2022 |
6 |
0 |
1788. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to hold a referendum prior to signing up to the World Health Organization-led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response; and if he will notify the WHO that Ireland cannot agree to a legally binding treaty without holding a referendum. [20928/22]
View answerOn 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Put simply, the aim of such an instrument is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has been established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body is due to meet again by 1 August 2022 to discuss progress on a working draft of an agreement. A progress report is expected to be delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim of adopting the instrument by 2024.
As provided for in the Constitution, the conclusion of an international agreement is an exercise of the executive power of the State in connection with its external relations and is therefore concluded by or on the authority of the Government. In practice this means that Government approval must be sought for the signature, ratification or approval of every international agreement.
As the proposed instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is currently in the very early stages of negotiation, it is not possible at this time to determine the precise legal ramifications of the instrument, nor has it been determined what form the instrument shall take.
The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be respected in Ireland’s position towards the negotiations and my Department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in this regard.
1789. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of dedicated clinics and models of care for patients with long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20936/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
1790. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if an active farmer who enters a nursing home and arranges for a family member to run the farm is assessed on the capital value of the farm or the income from the farm for the purposes of the nursing home subvention scheme; if it is the former, if he has any proposal to amend the law to base it on the profit from the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/22]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term residential care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
All participants within the NHSS contribute up to 80% of their income (40% if part of a couple) and 7.5% per annum of the value of their assets (3.25% if part of a couple). The first €36,000 (€72,000 if part of a couple) is excluded from assessment.
Assets assessed include cash assets as well as non-cash assets such as the principal private residence, other property and land, including farmland.
For the purposes of financial assessment, income includes:
- Earnings, including income from farming or business activities
- Pension income
- Social welfare benefits/allowances
- Rental income
- Income from holding an office or directorship
- Income from fees, commissions, dividends or interest
- Any income which you have deprived yourself of in the five years prior to application.
Transferred assets and income, defined as assets or income transferred to another person up to five years before a person's application to the scheme, are also assessed.
The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three-year cap, which is intended to protect the value of a principal private residence.
Last year, the Department of Health introduced the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which became operational in October. This introduced a three-year cap on contributions from family farm and business assets, provided that a family successor is appointed to run the asset for at least 6 years. The Act also extended the three-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a principal residence. It is worth noting that under the 2021 Act, any income earned by the family successor in the running of the asset is not considered a 'transferred asset' and is therefore not assessable.
1791. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of dietitians employed within the oncology day unit at Cavan General Hospital; the additional cost of employing a dietitian within the oncology day unit at Cavan General Hospital; his plans for the recruitment of dietitians within the oncology day unit at Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20941/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1792. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if nurses who worked through the pandemic in addiction services will be included in the €1,000 bonus paid out by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20954/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers. Eligibility guidelines for this payment, as applies in HSE and Section 38 organisations, were published by the HSE on 19th April and are 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
I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline healthcare workers faced.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Outside of the above recognition measures, the Government also notes that some private sector healthcare employers have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. The Government would encourage such employers that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
1793. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a marriage notification appointment in Cork city. [20957/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1794. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the actions he plans to take to deal with the increased demand for marriage notification in Cork city. [20958/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1795. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting an appointment for marriage notification in Cork city. [20959/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1796. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the reason that section 39 workers who otherwise fulfil criteria for the pandemic bonus have been excluded. [20966/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers. Eligibility guidelines for this payment, as applies in HSE and Section 38 organisations, were published by the HSE on 19th April and are 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, including some Section 39 employers. 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
I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline healthcare workers faced.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Outside of the above recognition measures, the Government also notes that some private sector healthcare employers have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. The Government would encourage private sector healthcare employers that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
1797. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if those working in the residential addiction sector throughout the pandemic are entitled to the pandemic bonus. [20967/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers. Eligibility guidelines for this payment, as applies in HSE and Section 38 organisations, were published by the HSE on 19th April and are 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
I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline healthcare workers faced.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Outside of the above recognition measures, the Government also notes that some private sector healthcare employers have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. The Government would encourage such employers that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
1798. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of the level of students currently graduating in Ireland to satisfy the staffing needs of children’s disability network teams; his views on the reasons that the shortfall in therapy staff working in children’s disability network teams has not been satisfied through recruitment within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18786/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1799. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the commitment in the programme for Government to work with key stakeholders to introduce a public health obesity Bill, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20992/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” published in June 2020 contained a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”.
The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
The OPAP provides for a mid-term review to be carried out, which provides the opportunity to consider developments and new evidence since the publication of the OPAP, and to assess which elements might best be further progressed by legislation or by other means. The review is informed by an evaluation of the OPAP undertaken by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork. This process has included an assessment through an online survey by numerous experts and stakeholders. It is expected that the review will be completed by the end of June 2022.
Given the multi-faceted nature of the obesity crisis, a high level of interdepartmental collaboration will be required to implement measures aimed at tackling obesity and in the preparation and implementation of legislation, as well as extensive stakeholder consultation. The existing relationships with other Departments through the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group, and the work which Healthy Ireland has undertaken over the years in identifying and developing relationships with stakeholders, provides a strong basis upon which to examine the issues and implications involved.
1800. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of the medical cannabis access programme clinical review; when the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20997/22]
View answerIn 2016 the Minister for Health requested that the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), convene an expert working group to assist with its review of the potential medical use of cannabis. Following this review the HPRA published “Cannabis for Medical Use – A Scientific Review” in January 2017. Subsequently an expert group was convened to draw up clinical guidance to underpin the functioning of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme which was published in 2019.
In 2022, following completion of an updated evidence review, the Department plans to establish an expert group to further review the use of cannabis for medical use.
1801. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the status of the licence application for cannabis for medical use under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 in respect of a person (details supplied) which is supported by their medical professionals; if the application will be approved; the reason for the delay in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20998/22]
View answerAn application can be made by a consultant or by a GP with a consultant’s endorsement for a licence issued under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to treat their patient with cannabis-based products.
If an application is successful the clinician is the sole licence holder.
Matters relating to licence applications to the Minister for Health can only be discussed with the applying clinician and in the circumstances it would not be appropriate for the Minister for Health to comment on whether or not a licence application has been received in this instance.
Clinicians are advised that any queries in relation to a licence application should be made directly by the clinician to the Controlled Drugs Unit in the Department of Health.
1802. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns regarding the provision of intellectual disability placements for older persons with high-care needs and the choice to live in a care nurse-led social care model facility for the last phase of their lives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/22]
View answerNursing homes are an appropriate care option where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement which cannot be supported in the person’s home. However, for some people under the age of 65 years, nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions, are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.
According to the HSE there is a cohort of approximately 1,330 people under 65 years of age living in nursing homes, 45% of whom are aged 60+ and 20% less than 50 years. For many a nursing home may be the appropriate setting based on their clinical and support needs. However, the HSE acknowledges that this must be the subject of a care and case management approach that facilitates structured reviews and where the will and preference of the individual is of paramount importance.
There is a clear Government commitment to reduce and provide a pathway to eliminate the practice of accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes.
Additional funding was provided for disability services in 2021 and again for this year in Budget 2022. A range of services are being supported that can facilitate young people with serious disabilities live fuller, more independent lives. Measures to prevent young persons from entering nursing homes continue to be supported through a range of services including respite, home support and personal assistance services.
The HSE National Service Plan (NSP) 2021 provided for an investment of €3m to enable 18 people under the age of 65 years to move from nursing homes. Budget 2022 provided a further allocation of €5.5m to address the situation of people with disabilities who may be inappropriately placed in nursing homes.
1803. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 9 February 2022, the status of the procurement of paxlovid by the HSE; and when it will become available for high-risk patients. [21034/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
