Written Answers Nos. 1804-1823
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Written Answers Nos. 1804-1823
1804. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to adding the glucoRX Aidex continuous glucose monitoring system to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21036/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1805. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to neurology nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21051/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1806. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a fair deal nursing home support scheme application for a person (details supplied); if he will intervene to ensure a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21052/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1807. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the inquiry and terms of reference for the drug sodium valproate; his plans to provide the disability package for those affected by sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21053/22]
View answer1831. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health when the inquiry into the historic use of sodium valproate, announced in October 2020, will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21143/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1807 and 1831 together.
Department of Health officials are currently engaging with patient groups and other stakeholders regarding the terms of reference for an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate. The timeframe for the inquiry has yet to be decided. There is no specific package of supports available for people adversely affected by sodium valproate exposure in utero; however, the HSE has developed a diagnostic pathway for patients with suspected foetal valproate syndrome (FVS), as well as a pathway to community care services for those who receive a diagnosis of FVS.
1808. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the €1,000 Covid-19 bonus for front-line workers will be paid to front-line staff working in disability organisations in view of the heroic work they did during the Covid pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21055/22]
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 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
1809. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if public health nurse and GP practice nurses will be paid the €1,000 Covid-19 bonus for front-line workers in view of the heroic work they did throughout the Covid pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/22]
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 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.
1810. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that the FreeStyle Libre insulin sensor is restricted to under-21s; the reason for this policy decision; if he intends to ask the HSE to expand access to this insulin sensor to those aged over 21; if he will ensure that those under 21 who currently can access the sensor will be guaranteed access when they are above 21; the savings or additional costs of providing the sensor to all who request it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21082/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1811. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to proposals for the appropriate refurbishment of a former health facility (details supplied) in Dublin 4 for Ukrainian refugees; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a significant amount has been pledged for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21102/22]
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.
1812. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if healthcare workers who previously worked on Covid-19 wards but who have since moved to a new position within the HSE will be eligible for the Covid-19 bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21104/22]
View answerOn 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.
On the Deputy's particular operational question, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct answer and reply.
1813. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [21108/22]
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.
1814. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 564 of 8 March 2022, the status of a review of a product (details supplied); if approved, the stocks that have been purchased and the expected delivery date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21109/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1815. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the delay in implementing an individualised risk assessment for blood donation, particularly in view of recently imported bulk consignments of blood from the UK where gay men, bisexual men, transgender men and men who have sex with men can donate more freely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21110/22]
View answerThe remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both the recipients and the donors of blood and blood products.
The IBTS announced a range of changes to their existing deferral policies in December of 2021, following a review of existing donor deferral policy by an independent expert group. These changes were to be introduced in phases, with the first phase involving the reduction in the deferral period for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) scheduled for March of 2022, and the second phase, introducing a system of individual assessment, to occur later in 2022. There has been no delay in the implementation of this change in policy, as the first phase was introduced on March 28th 2022, and the second phase is expected to follow later in 2022.
The IBTS have advised that "The next phase is very complex and will take time. It requires significant modification to our existing blood systems, work which will take place this year and will see individualised donor risk assessment implemented in full. During the implementation period, blood donors, patient organisations and HIV Ireland will be included in the process. We believe this is a safe approach which will ensure the system is fully validated when we introduce it. There will also be a substantial element of staff training and donor education, elements which are essential as we are transforming the current process."
1816. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the proposed lots for the upcoming home care tender, which will be based on volume as opposed to community healthcare organisations; when providers can expect to receive the details of these lots; the reason for this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1817. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss changes to the home care tender and its potential impact on not-for-profit and community home care providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21112/22]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) tender for the provision of home support services is currently under development. The process will ensure the new tender is in place from 1st January 2023. At this stage it would be premature for the Minister to meet with the National Community Care Network until further progress on the tender development has been realised.
1818. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to address the concerns of non-consultant hospital doctors; the engagements that he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to its ballot for industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21114/22]
View answerI, my Department and the HSE are committed to addressing the concerns of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) and to constructive engagement with the IMO in relation to matters that are of concern to the doctors and the IMO.
The IMO has highlighted a range of issues that are of concern to the NCHD's including working hours, access to training time and pay for hours worked. The National EWTD Monitoring Group has recently reconvened having been impacted by the pandemic and will renew the focus on reducing hours worked by NCHDs and excessive shifts. I recently met with NCHDs to hear first hand of their concerns. A range of initiatives will be pursued to improve their training, working conditions and work life balance.
1819. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet representatives of the RCSI hospital doctor retention and motivation project, which has researched doctor retention and working conditions in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21115/22]
View answerThe Hospital Doctor Retention and Motivation Project is a multi-year research project funded by the Health Research Board. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods and fieldwork in Ireland and Australia, it endeavours to generate information on doctor retention policy and practice in the Irish health system.
Issues highlighted in the HDRM Project papers as factors influencing doctors to emigrate, include a lack of access to training and career progression in the Irish health system, demanding expectations in respect of rosters/working hours/location of employment, leading to a poor work-life balance resulting in a deterioration in wellbeing.
My department has worked closely with the HSE on workforce policy, to produce a suite of initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for training and career progression in the Irish Health system and to alleviate concerns in respect of issues raised by trainee doctors.
The HSE NDTP Office is in the initial stages of work regarding doctors who completed an internship in Ireland. Early and provisional data shows that a high percentage of medical interns who graduate leave Ireland for at least one year. However, the data shows that 82% of interns who commenced one year intern training in July 2015 subsequently commenced a Basic Specialist Training (BST) or General Practice (GP) training programme in subsequent years (2016-2021). A small number of the 2015 cohort also remain in the Irish health system either in service grade posts or employed within the private healthcare sector.
The recruitment and retention of healthcare workers including doctors is a key priority for me and the Government. Retention efforts by the HSE both nationally and locally are in place with significant career development and progression and educational/development opportunities being offered. The Department is also an active partner in the development of the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies’ Strategic Framework 2021-2030, which addresses a number of concerns raised by trainee doctors and cited as reasons for emigration.
I am due to meet Dr Humphries in May to discuss the work of this group and how it may inform workforce planning policy going forward.
1820. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the role of an organisation (details supplied) in the provision of disability services for public patients; the oversight in place for the service; the amount paid by the State to the service in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/22]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1821. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 642 of 1 March 2022, the reason CHO 4 was not included in the data provided; and if the data will be provided. [21117/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1822. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some ambulance staff are being redeployed to be based in locations up to 109 km each way from their home and their previous base.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/22]
View answer1823. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the implications of the redeployment of some ambulance staff in locations up to 109 km from their home and their previous base in regard to the health and safety of staff and other road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1822 and 1823 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
