Written Answers Nos. 781-795
782. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of any complaints or requests for refunds of inappropriate charging for phlebotomy services in each of the past five years; the details of any complaints or requests for refunds of inappropriate charging for phlebotomy services for patients that are part of the general practitioner chronic disease management programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23164/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
783. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the awareness campaigns that are in place to advise patients with medical cards of the circumstances in relation to phlebotomy services charges; the way that patients are informed that they can make a complaint and seek a refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23165/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
786. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if nurses working within the Irish Prison Service will be eligible for the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/22]
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 front-line 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 front-line 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.
787. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there are financial supports available for an Irish person (details supplied) who has had a stroke while living in Australia and needs medical assistance to get home to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23177/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
788. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of contracts awarded in 2022 by his Department or bodies under his aegis outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23197/22]
View answerAll procurement within my Department is carried out in compliance with relevant National and EU policy and legislation, and is operated on a devolved basis whereby individual units carry out their own procurement exercises. My Department advertises, where feasible, all contracts valued in excess of €25,000 (excl. VAT) on the eTenders website.
I am not aware of any instance where contracts have been awarded by the Dept of Health outside of the standard procurement process, in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
I have referred this PQ to the HSE to provide information directly to you in relation to HSE contracts.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
789. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23226/22]
View answerThe Department of Health does not currently employ any firms or individuals to deal with Public Relations.
790. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be given access to a speech and language therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23239/22]
View answer791. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when a speech and language therapist will be appointed to St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23240/22]
View answer792. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the length of time that St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary has been operating without a full-time speech and language therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23241/22]
View answer793. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that persons who are recovering from a stroke in St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary are not being provided with access to a speech and language therapist given that the post has not been filled by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23242/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 790 to 793, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
794. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason persons availing of the Northern Ireland Planned Health Care Scheme are now required to supply bank statements proving payment for treatment, in addition to invoices, receipts, discharge letters as required under the Cross Border Directive; the reason this requirement is not outlined on the HSE website; the way in which this is in compliance with the GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23243/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
795. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic payment for front-line HSE workers will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23247/22]
View answerOn 19th April, the HSE published additional details on this payment, including full eligibility criteria, particulars, and terms and conditions that apply to HSE and Section 38 organisations' 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 question, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct answer and reply.
