Tuesday, 21 Jun 2022

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (891)

Marian Harkin

Question:

891. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32651/22]

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Written answers

Under 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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (892)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

892. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the frontline bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32655/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html

The HSE and my Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.

Officials in my Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. I have asked that information be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 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:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help/home care/home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;

6. 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.

I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (893)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

893. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the frontline bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32657/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

While my Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html

The HSE and my Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.

Officials in my Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. I have asked that information be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 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:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help/home care/home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;

6. 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.

I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (894)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

894. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the HSE €1,000 pandemic bonus payment. [32659/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

While my Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html

The HSE and my Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.

Officials in my Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. I have asked that information be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 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:

1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);

2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;

3. Agency roles working in the HSE;

4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help/home care/home support) contracted to the HSE;

5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;

6. 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.

I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.

Medicinal Products

Hospital Procedures

Questions (898)

Alan Dillon

Question:

898. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason surgery has been cancelled four times for a person (details supplied); when this surgery will take place; the reason behind the cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32664/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.

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.

Under 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.

Hospital Procedures

Question No. 905 answered with Question No. 756.

Health Services Staff

Questions (906)

Niall Collins

Question:

906. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided to a person (details supplied) in relation to a matter regarding HSE staff who continue to have health issues post-Covid infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32683/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I am aware of the changes planned for Special Leave With Pay from 1 July referred to in the correspondence provided.

However, it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement on the matter until the current high level engagement between officials and relevant stakeholders that is in train concerning the issue are concluded.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (907)

Alan Dillon

Question:

907. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed timeline for the resumption of day care services for the elderly at Sacred Heart Hospital Castlebar; the reason for the delay; the reason that the HSE has not published plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32750/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (908)

Alan Dillon

Question:

908. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the details of the respite service for the elderly at Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar; the number of beds and average wait times for planned respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32751/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (909)

Alan Dillon

Question:

909. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds and locations provided by Community Healthcare West across County Mayo; the way that the HSE manages this service through referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32752/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.