Written Answers Nos. 703-725
704. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if prison nurses who are not directly employed by the HSE will receive a Covid-19 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22708/22]
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 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.
705. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction rehabilitation beds currently open by facility. [22712/22]
View answer706. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction detox beds currently open by facility. [22713/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 705 and 706 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
707. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding given to addiction family support services by CHO in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. [22714/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
708. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the stabilisation facility for Cork; and the location of same. [22715/22]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to the stabilisation facility funded through the additional €4 million announced in Budget 2021. €2m of which was allocated to increase residential treatment services for people with severe drug and alcohol dependency across the country, including a step-up stabilisation facility in CHOs Cork/Kerry, Mid-West and South East and a low threshold programme in Dublin North East Inner City. This funding was approved in 2021.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
709. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding given to each taskforce in 2022. [22716/22]
View answerThe funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces at the beginning of 2022 is set out in the attached table and remains unchanged from 2021.
710. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the north inner city task force in Cork. [22717/22]
View answer760. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in respect of funding his Department and the HSE provide to the North Inner City Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force; if he has engaged with the body in respect of resolving the governance issues his Department cited in the context of the suspension of its funding. [23006/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 760 together.
The Department of Health provides €2.249m per annum to community-based drug and alcohol services under the remit of the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NICDAFT). The City of Dublin Youth Services Board (CDYSB), and the HSE (CHO Dublin North City and County) act as channels of funding for the administration of this funding to front line drug and alcohol projects. CDYSB administer in the region of €394,856 to four front line drug and alcohol projects in NIC on behalf of the Department of Health. The HSE acts as a channel of funding for the distribution and oversight of €2.025m in funding to services in the NIC.
The Department has asked the HSE and the CDYSB to provide reassurance to the front-line services that funding will continue in 2022. In this regard, the Department understands that HSE has recently met with each of the funded organisations as part of the annual Service Level/Grant Aid Agreement process.
In 2021, the HSE allocated €244,473 for the NICDATF company for office programmes and resources. The HSE holds a Service Level Arrangement (SLA) with the company for the delivery of these activities. The Department understands that the HSE met with the company on 13th January and again on 10th March in relation to service delivery issues, including the parameters of funding in 2022 that could be provided to the company. It was agreed that a work plan could not be developed while the task forces is not functioning. Consideration will now be given to re-allocating the funding of €224,000 for the provision of drug and alcohol services in the north inner city.
The Department of Health remains committed to addressing the drug and alcohol issues affecting the north inner city in conjunction with community-based service providers and has provide significant additional resources in Budget 2022 for drug and alcohol services in the area and north Dublin region.
The Department is continuing to work with stakeholders in the north inner city to establish effective, inclusive, and transparent governance of the task force and of the funding that it allocates. It is currently engaged in a consultation process with members of the task force and other stakeholders on the next steps.
The Department has recently met with local councillors from Dublin City Council, and with front line services funded under the ambit of the CDYSB and the HSE to get their views. Further meetings with stakeholders are planned.
I look forward to getting a report on the consultation process and to identify the next steps to establish effective, inclusive, and transparent governance of the task force in the north inner city.
712. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
713. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that costs in respect of the provision of a specific health service is reduced for patients (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22722/22]
View answerUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for medical services provided under the contract.
GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for medical services provided to medical card or GP visit card holders, while patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis. I have no role in relation to the fees charged by individual GPs or GP out of hours cooperatives for private in-person or telephone consultations, as the fees charged by GPs for services to private patients are a matter of private contract between the clinician and their patient.
714. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the residents of a centre (details supplied) have been transferred from single rooms to shared rooms in other facilities over the past 12 months; if so, the number of former residents and the number of persons that they are now sharing with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22724/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
715. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reasons that the sale of Millfield House, Blackpool has been provided as the rationale for the HSE purchasing Glenwood House, Carrigaline given that Millfield House was not subsequently sold and no renovations were carried out there in the two years since its residents have been living in Garnish House, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22725/22]
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.
716. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reasons that retention was not applied for to convert the use of Glenwood House, Carrigaline, Cork from a guesthouse to a mental health facility until fourteen months after Glenwood House was purchased by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22726/22]
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
717. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reasons that the first dose Covid-19 vaccination schedules for HSE patients can be released through freedom of information requests while the vaccination of HSE staff who were controlling the roll-out of the vaccine appear to not be accessible through the same process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22727/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. The HSE is an independent body for the purposes of FOI and have sole compliance themselves for queries in relation to HSE matters.
718. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the exact dates in 2021 that CHO7 and CHO9 mental health service management staff (details supplied) were offered first-dose Covid-19 vaccinations as part of the HSE vaccination roll-out by role in tabular form; the exact dates in 2021 that CHO7 and CHO9 that mental health service heads of discipline were offered first-dose Covid-19 vaccinations; the dates that each head of discipline received vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22728/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
719. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reasons that the rental of Garnish House, Cork has continued for two years; when Cork and Kerry HSE intend to terminate this contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22729/22]
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.
720. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for respiratory appointments by hospital; the current length of time that they have been waiting; his plans to tackle respiratory waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/22]
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 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 meets 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.
The NTPF have provided the information in the attached document. This document shows the OPD Respiratory Medicine waiting list by hospital and time-band for March 2022.
|
Row Labels |
0-6 Mths |
6-12 Mths |
12-18 Mths |
18+ Mths |
SmallVolTimeBands |
Grand Total |
|
Beaumont Hospital |
412 |
153 |
565 |
|||
|
Cavan General Hospital |
223 |
162 |
57 |
120 |
562 |
|
|
Children's Health Ireland |
458 |
264 |
161 |
898 |
1781 |
|
|
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown |
726 |
36 |
762 |
|||
|
Cork University Hospital |
533 |
257 |
109 |
176 |
1075 |
|
|
Galway University Hospitals |
629 |
390 |
256 |
676 |
1951 |
|
|
Letterkenny University Hospital |
515 |
268 |
169 |
329 |
1281 |
|
|
Mallow General Hospital |
230 |
41 |
6 |
277 |
||
|
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital |
704 |
271 |
115 |
99 |
1189 |
|
|
Mercy University Hospital |
314 |
183 |
139 |
514 |
1150 |
|
|
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise |
17 |
8 |
5 |
30 |
||
|
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda |
243 |
56 |
299 |
|||
|
Our Lady's Hospital Navan |
135 |
69 |
10 |
214 |
||
|
Portiuncula University Hospital |
214 |
111 |
83 |
184 |
592 |
|
|
SmallVolHospitals |
12 |
12 |
||||
|
St. James's Hospital |
507 |
55 |
26 |
588 |
||
|
St. John's Hospital Limerick |
111 |
35 |
31 |
127 |
304 |
|
|
St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny |
314 |
166 |
25 |
505 |
||
|
St. Michael's Hospital |
66 |
66 |
||||
|
St. Vincent's University Hospital |
853 |
478 |
161 |
202 |
1694 |
|
|
Tallaght University Hospital |
531 |
176 |
132 |
217 |
1056 |
|
|
Tipperary University Hospital |
158 |
108 |
76 |
159 |
501 |
|
|
University Hospital Limerick |
601 |
420 |
333 |
1409 |
2763 |
|
|
University Hospital Waterford |
319 |
272 |
189 |
635 |
1415 |
|
|
Grand Total |
8813 |
3979 |
2057 |
5771 |
12 |
20632 |
721. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if Crohn's disease, IBS, and colitis will be included on the list of medical illnesses that are eligible for the free parking scheme. [22738/22]
View answerI am aware that hospitals that charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses.
Consequently, some hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge and reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship.
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. I am very aware of the financial burden this issue can cause some patients and families. Accordingly, my Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
722. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the proposed World Health Organisation Global Pandemic Treaty should be signed by Ireland without first consulting with the people of Ireland; if he is satisfied that this proposed treaty will comply with the Irish Constitution; if the matter will be discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas in advance of any possible signing of the proposed treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22743/22]
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.
723. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to a contract for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22744/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
724. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1565 of 26 April 2022, his views on whether that losing a medical card will disincentivise applicants to the fair deal scheme from renting out their principal residence after they have entered long-term residential care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22760/22]
View answerThe Government has approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme “Fair Deal”, to incentivise applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental properties will be reduced from 80% to 40% for income from all principal residences.
This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. It is expected that legislation will be brought forward in the coming months. The change will be made through Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022.
It is not possible to determine how the financial consequences of property rental will impact individual cases as each situation is different. Medical card eligibility notwithstanding, people aged 70 or older are automatically eligible for a GP visit card regardless of income, while the financial burden of continuing health care can be mitigated by other schemes such as the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) and the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). In certain circumstances a person may also retain entitlement to a discretionary medical card. Please note under the DPS, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Furthermore, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%. Nursing home residents and their representatives will need to carefully consider their personal circumstances and the potential consequences of their decisions in this regard and it is advisable to make an informed decision before making a commitment to rent their property.
It is also worth noting that Fair Deal participants are under no obligation to make their homes available for rental if they do not wish to do so. However, if income were derived from any rental agreement, it would be necessary to notify the HSE in order to re-evaluate the relevant person's financial assessment and entitlement to a medical card.
725. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the general practitioners who have been assigned to Ukrainian refugees in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22761/22]
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 and such it is providing the necessary supports to those who have arrived here, as well as the large numbers of further people expected to arrive.
It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainians arriving to Ireland are provided with appropriate health and social care services including primary health care services for adults, children and older people, ongoing care of priority medical conditions and vaccination services including for COVID-19 and childhood immunisations. Ukrainian refugees will be able to access the equivalent health services as people who are ordinarily already living here, including Irish citizens.
There is a simplified and streamlined medical card application process for Ukrainians granted temporary protection status. For those placed in temporary accommodation, the HSE and local healthcare workers are providing GP and primary care services and connections to more specialist services as needed.
As the provision of GP services to Ukrainian refugees in County Roscommon is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
