Written Answers Nos. 695-714
695. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health when IVF treatment will be available through the public health system in Ireland; the clinics in County Cork that will be included in the provision of the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27545/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to introducing a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment as provided for in the Programme for Government.
The model of care for infertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE in order to ensure that infertility issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This model of care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF, and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways.
Phase One of the roll-out of the model of care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with infertility issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out, envisaged before the end of this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs in each of the six Hospital Groups across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care will see the introduction of tertiary infertility services, including IVF, in the public health system. Substantial planning, development and policy work is required to establish the scope, design and requirements for this component of the model of care. At this juncture, the design and scope of this aspect of the model of care have not been finalised as detailed consideration of a range of issues including service and treatment design, eligibility and access criteria, and associated resource implications is required. This work will also need to be informed by the final Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act, the progress of this Bill – which has recently passed Second Stage in the Dáil – and associated regulations that will be developed following the enactment of this legislation. My officials are continuing engagement with the HSE in relation to the necessary programmes of work required to further advance consideration of the issues arising for commencing Phase Two of the roll-out of the model of care. As precursors to the development of this phase, the priority has been to establish the necessary services at secondary level and to develop a regulatory framework, both of which are progressing well.
While advanced AHR treatment, such as IVF, is not currently funded by the Irish public health service, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Arrangements administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Arrangements must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and authorised for supply to the client’s nominated community pharmacy by the High Tech Hub managed by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the client’s eligibility, i.e., Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme. Given the costs associated with certain fertility medicines, I understand that these schemes can have a material impact on the total cost of AHR treatment for individuals who avail of them.
In addition, there is other support available in that patients who access IVF, or other advanced AHR treatment, privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme.
Nevertheless, my Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the model of care for infertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
696. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the crisis situation regarding the provision of respite disability services in CHO7; the measures that are being taken to resolve this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27553/22]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
697. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when urgent and vital early intervention will be provided to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27555/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
698. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on abortion provision in 2021; the breakdown of the amount spent in general practitioner and community settings; the amount spent in hospitals; the amount spent on counselling; and the other training expenditure or miscellaneous expenditure in relation to same. [27559/22]
View answerAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
699. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the urgent requirement to address ophthalmology services for children in County Louth and to fill vacant posts as quickly as possible; the current vacant roles within the service in County Louth and when they are expected to be filled; if there is a process by which parents can access private appointments and recoup the cost from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27566/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
700. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will remedy the removal of a person (details supplied) from services at the National Gender Service, Loughlinstown Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27567/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
701. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised in respect of industrial action (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27568/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you are aware, the current public service agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. Despite continued engagement between the MLSA and Health management since November 2021, and several proposals being explored, it had not been possible to agree a route to fully resolve the long-standing claim due to insufficient funds being available through Sectoral Bargaining.
This matter was escalated through the dispute resolution mechanisms under Building Momentum and considered twice by the Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG) on 31 March and 11 May. PSAG recommended that this matter be referred to the WRC for urgent engagement and that industrial peace be maintained. The MLSA met with Health management on 17 May at the WRC, however, no resolution was reached.
Following engagement at the Labour Court on 25 May, the parties have agreed to reconvene at the WRC for a further final engagement. This engagement will take place within a three week period. Any outstanding issues that cannot be resolved through the WRC process will be referred to the Labour Court. All industrial action will be suspended throughout the engagement process and pending any Labour Court Recommendation.
I welcome the engagement that took place through the Labour Court and the suspension of industrial action.
702. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department has taken in order to try and resolve the medical scientists’ dispute in view of the invaluable service they provide to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27570/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you are aware, the current public service agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. Despite continued engagement between the MLSA and Health management since November 2021, and several proposals being explored, it had not been possible to agree a route to fully resolve the long-standing claim due to insufficient funds being available through Sectoral Bargaining. #
This matter was escalated through the dispute resolution mechanisms under Building Momentum and considered twice by the Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG) on 31 March and 11 May. PSAG recommended that this matter be referred to the WRC for urgent engagement and that industrial peace be maintained. The MLSA met with Health management on 17 May at the WRC, however, no resolution was reached.
Following engagement at the Labour Court on 25 May, the parties have agreed to reconvene at the WRC for a further final engagement. This engagement will take place within a three week period. Any outstanding issues that cannot be resolved through the WRC process will be referred to the Labour Court. All industrial action will be suspended throughout the engagement process and pending any Labour Court Recommendation.
I welcome the engagement that took place through the Labour Court and the suspension of industrial action.
703. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will review the extension of Kaftrio drug therapy to 35 children aged between six and 11 years in Ireland with cystic fibrosis who are currently being denied access to a life-changing drug, in particular, in the case of a child (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/22]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
704. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the availability of Evusheld to immunocompromised patients in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27583/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
705. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27618/22]
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.
706. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed in his Department by gender and by Civil Service salary scale, in tabular form. [27599/22]
View answerMy Department has 662 staff or 645.7 FTE as of 30 April 2022.
Civil Service Pay Scales, as of 1 February 2022, are listed in Circular 04/2022 which is published on the DPER website.
A breakdown of the staff employed in the Department of Health by gender and civil service salary scale, as of 30 April 2022, is set out in tabular form as follows.
|
|
Female |
|
Male |
|
Total Headcount |
Total FTE |
|
Grades |
Headcount |
FTE |
Headcount |
FTE |
|
|
|
Administrative Officer |
55 |
54.8 |
38 |
38 |
93 |
92.8 |
|
Assistant Principal |
111 |
107.7 |
78 |
77.4 |
189 |
185.1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5 |
4.4 |
3 |
3 |
8 |
7.4 |
|
Clerical Officer |
39 |
37.9 |
27 |
26.6 |
66 |
64.5 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
59 |
57.2 |
47 |
45.3 |
106 |
102.5 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
65 |
59.9 |
57 |
56.4 |
122 |
116.3 |
|
Principal Officer |
33 |
32.1 |
35 |
35 |
68 |
67.1 |
|
Secretary General |
|
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Services Officer |
1 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
Grand Total |
369 |
356 |
293 |
289.7 |
662 |
645.7 |
707. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the way that the Covid recognition payment will be paid to homecare workers who are working for a provider contracted by the HSE; and when this payment will be made. [27635/22]
View answerThe pandemic recognition payment is being rolled out to eligible HSE and Section 38 staff currently. Some cohorts have received the payment, and every effort is being made by local sites to process the remainder through their payroll systems.
Separately, my Department is preparing 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. I am keen for this work to conclude shortly so that rollout and payments can begin. 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
708. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason that the HSE pay two different rates for the care of older people and the care of disabled people to homecare providers; the reason that the hourly rate paid by the HSE is 38.8% less for disabled people; and the reason that the two rates are not the same for both older people and disabled people. [27636/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
709. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason that the hourly rate of payment paid to homecare providers for the care of disabled people has not been reviewed for three years; and if he will review this rate and bring it in line with the rate paid for the care of older people. [27637/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
710. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if two different rates are paid by the HSE for the care of older people and the care of disabled people to all homecare providers; if this rate varies by provider; and if not, if it is the same for all providers. [27638/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
711. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she has had any engagement with the Minister for Justice regarding international Garda clearance to allow refugees to take-up employment with homecare providers, to ensure that this process is simple and easy to access; if not, if she will consider same given the current recruitment and retention crisis in the homecare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27639/22]
View answerI would like to thank Deputy Kerrane for her question.
My Dept and the HSE are committed to supporting Ukrainians in working in healthcare in Ireland, in line with provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive.
The HSE is currently reviewing the process by which Ukrainians can complete Garda Vetting while adhering to the HSE’s legal requirements for all those who undertake certain work or activities relating to children or vulnerable adults.
The HSE is considering what documentation a Ukrainian could reasonably provide to evidence their identity and a current address. When this review is complete the HSE will share any revised standards with the relevant employment agencies who may review their practices in line with HSE standards.
The Minister for Mental Health and Older People and I are very aware of the strategic workforce challenges in the home support and nursing homes sector.
Minister Butler has established a cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group to examine strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes.
The Department of Justice is a member of the Group.
To this end, a 'Call for Submissions' was issued by this Department to relevant stakeholders in December 2021.
Following receipt of these completed submissions in January, Department officials undertook a short-life scoping exercise to gather initial data and evidence on the nature and extent of the challenges in the sector to inform the structure and membership of this cross-departmental Group.
On completion of the scoping exercise, the inaugural meeting of this Group was held on 3 March, 2022.
At this meeting, the Terms of Reference for the Group and action timelines were agreed. These Terms of Reference were published and are available on the Department’s website.
The Group has been working with key sectoral stakeholders in a structured programme of ongoing consultative engagements to further explore and define the issues.
Areas being considered by the Group include recruitment, retention, training, pay and conditions, and the career development of front-line carers in home support and nursing homes into the future.
The Group provides a forum for agreement on strategic approaches to address the workforce challenges in the sector nationwide and will develop a set of recommendations for Minister Butler’s consideration outlining the Group’s key findings and a proposed action plan to support implementation of these recommendations by September 2022.
712. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no unit for the treatment of intestinal failure in adults in Ireland and up to 100 people are diagnosed with intestinal failure in Ireland every year and must travel to England for treatment; and if he will engage with the HSE to pursue the establishment of this unit, particularly when one exists for children in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. [27641/22]
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 James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to implement a way of recognising Ukrainian medical qualifications in Ireland so that Ukrainians can work in the medical field (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27642/22]
View answerThe Medical Council is the statutory agency responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in Ireland. Like many organisations across the State, the Medical Council is committed to supporting people arriving from Ukraine and is supporting doctors arriving here. The Medical Council has established an internal working group to examine ways in which the Council can support these doctors and has a dedicated email address and webpage for doctors arriving from Ukraine. The Council is working with a range of stakeholders to examine ways in which it can further support doctors arriving from Ukraine into Ireland.
Officials from my Department form part of a coordination group established by the European Commission to examine the registration of Ukrainian health and social care professionals arriving in EU States as a result of the conflict. This group shares knowledge and best practice and is examining methods to streamline and expedite recognition of Ukrainian professional qualifications for these professionals, including the use of electronic databases, the EU information centres for academic recognition and machine translation tools.
My Department, along with the Medical Council and the HSE will continue to ensure that all avenues are being explored with a view to enabling Ukrainian qualified doctors to apply for registration, always conscious of the need to ensure that patient safety, is to the fore of any decisions regarding registration. I understand that the Medical Council has been in direct contact with the individual concerned.
714. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1849 to 1851, inclusive, of 26 April 2022, if his Department requested the HSE to comment on the way that these transfers (details supplied) align with clinical treatment protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27750/22]
View answer715. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1849 to 1851, inclusive, of 26 April 2022, if his Department made contact with the clinical leadership in the acute coronary syndrome programme to examine the proportion of cardiac STEMI transfers and the possible implications to health outcomes given these delays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27751/22]
View answer716. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1849 to 1851, inclusive, of 26 April 2022, if his Department made contact with the clinical leadership in the acute coronary syndrome programme to examine the proportion of cardiac STEMI transfers and the possible implications to health outcomes given these delays (details supplied); if his Department considered the potential of State risk to medical injury claims through the courts as a result of not providing full-time service access at University Hospital Waterford which could significantly reduce the transfer times and by extension reduce the times to receipt of optimal PCI treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27752/22]
View answer718. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1849 to 1851, inclusive, of 26 April 2022, the present status of the Herity report that was compiled in 2016 advising that a transfer window of 90 minutes was possible between hospitals in Cork and Waterford given the transfer time referred to in the response; if this standard has been dispensed with as having relevance to the treatment of STEMI heart attack for patients in the south-east when the Waterford Cath laboratory suite is closed given the new evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27754/22]
View answer721. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1849 to 1851, inclusive, of 26 April 2022, if he will publish the communications between his Department and the clinical leads in the acute coronary syndrome programme that make reference to the elongated transfer times being experienced by University Hospital Waterford for STEMI heart attack patient transfers; if the preferred latest transfer protocol timelines of an organisation (details supplied) will be published with reference to European and United States transfer standards also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27757/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 714 to 716, inclusive, 718 and 721 together.
In line with its performance oversight role my Department meets with Health Service Executive (HSE) colleagues regularly on issues across the entire range and volume of public health services and their associated targets as set out in the HSE's National Service Plan.
In regard to the details enclosed with the Deputy's questions, the HSE's response to him of 5 May 2022 concerns the National Ambulance Service's (NAS) operation of Protocol 37 hospital to hospital patient transfers. The Protocol 37 Standard was introduced by the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) and is intended to ensure that requests from hospitals for emergency inter-hospital transfers are clinically prioritised in the same way as 999 emergency calls. Protocol 37 calls are clinically categorised as Bravo (serious not life threatening – urgent), Charlie (serious not life threatening – immediate) or Delta (life threatening other than cardiac or respiratory arrest) depending on the patient’s condition and need for transfer to another facility. Protocol 37 Transfers are allocated the nearest appropriate resource, and subject to P37 category, may respond on blue lights and sirens to the referring hospital. All Protocol 37 requests are made by a registrar, consultant or clinical nurse manager, and all Protocol 37 requests must come through the 112/999 system. The timeframe within which the emergency ambulance or intermediate care vehicle is needed is provided by the hospital at the time of booking. The ability to achieve the desired timeframe is dependent on the availability of resources at the time of the request. I have been informed by the HSE that the majority of the information provided by the HSE in its reply of 5 May to the Deputy relates to non-cardiac-related cases.
Since early summer 2021 and into 2022, the NAS has experienced a growing demand for its services when set against available capacity. Last year the NAS dealt with a record 366,438 emergency calls and the latest data to the end of March indicates that current demand is already around 12% higher than at the same period last year. Patient transfer delays at highly pressured hospital Emergency Departments and the continuing requirement for ambulance crews to carry out necessary Covid 19-related infection prevention and control measures also continue to present significant challenges for the NAS and mean that its performance in servicing all requests is very much dependent on resource availability.
The Government remains committed to increasing capacity in the NAS. The operating budget for NAS in 2022 has reached €200.7m, up from €187.5m in 2021, which at the time was also a record allocation and overall it represents an increase of approximately €30 million since 2019. This year's investment includes a total of €8.23m in funding for new service developments and involves the recruitment of an additional 128 staff, which will help build further front-line capacity in the service, strengthen governance arrangements and improve access to alternative care pathways for patients.
Regarding contact with the clinical leadership in the acute coronary syndrome programme, as Minister for Health, I am awaiting the final report of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services, which was established in late 2017 under the independent chairmanship of Professor Philip Nolan. The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is examining the delivery of cardiac services nationally with the aim of ensuring that as many patients as possible have access, on a 24/7 basis to safe, quality assured and sustainable emergency interventions following an acute myocardial infarction. The Review seeks to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. The review is underpinned by a rigorous systematic evidence review, data analysis of existing service provision, and examination of relevant international good practice.
In regard to the further points raised by the Deputy in his questions I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him in the matter, as soon as possible, with any further pertinent details it may have.
