Written Answers Nos. 300-314
300. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the total funding allocated by his Department to nursing homes, both state and private, to fund the specific promotion of physical health, fitness and well-being for residents for each of the years 2018 to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36515/22]
View answerThe NHSS, commonly referred to as ‘Fair Deal’, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means, while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person
- Bed and board
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living
- Laundry service
There are items and services that are outside of the scheme – for example, social activities, hairdressing, and newspapers, as well as certain therapies that fall outside standard nursing and personal care. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.
Funding is therefore not specifically allocated to private and voluntary nursing homes through the nursing home support scheme for health promotion, fitness or well-being outside of the core services covered by the scheme.
I will refer your question to the HSE in case they are able to provide any further information with respect to funding for services in these areas that are delivered in nursing homes.
301. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of active retirement groups by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/22]
View answerI am very much aware of aware of the excellent contribution that voluntary organisations continue to make across the country.
I understand that Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a national network of more than 400 local Active Retirement Associations with more than 20,000 members. ARI works at a national level to promote older people as independent, self-organised and active members of their communities; act as a voice for older people; promote positive ageing attitudes in Ireland, and to provide training, support and information to the local active retirement groups.
The organisation is structured regionally through 9 regions whose role is to bring the local groups together for information, training, seminars and activities and can be contacted at info@activeirl.ie or on 01-8733836. Detailed information is available on the organisations website at www.activeirl.ie.
These community based groups are generally voluntary in nature and while some funding may be provided by the Department through the HSE to individual groups at a local level the information on their profile is not collated in the way referred to by the Deputy.
I and the Department recognise and value the role active retirement groups can have in keeping older people active and well. These provide an outlet for many older people who may not have the type of needs that would be met through our health and social care services, but who otherwise feel isolated or lonely.
302. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of day care centres for older persons by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36518/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
303. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the bodies delivering services to the HSE during Covid-19 will become eligible for the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment, for example section 39 organisations. [36520/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the deputy is aware, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line 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. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will 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 or 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 the Defence Forces to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
304. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding care for children with additional needs. [36521/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
305. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Disability Capacity Review to 2032; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of care providers regarding the pace of its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36528/22]
View answerThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised.
306. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) remains waiting for their arthritis appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36530/22]
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.
307. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of installing touch-free buttons for lifts in each HSE healthcare setting. [36533/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
308. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment at the ENT Department, Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [36540/22]
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.
309. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of health workers who qualify for the pandemic bonus payment; the number of workers who have already been paid; if all section 38 disability employees have been paid; if section 39 organisations will be paid; if he will provide a complete overview on the status of the pandemic bonus payment relative to the cohort of workers who have been paid, those who are awaiting payment, those who have been excluded and those who are pending a decision. [36567/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this challenging period.
As the deputy is aware, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line 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.
Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE and will be completed as soon as possible. As of Friday, 1st July, approximately 75,815 eligible HSE and Section 38 staff have received payment around the country. All payments across the HSE and Section 38 organisations are being progressed by local management and each site will assess the eligibility of their staff before processing payment. As eligibility is still being assessed across sites locally, I cannot provide you with an estimated number of public service workers who are eligible to receive the payment.
The HSE and the 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. It is hoped that information will 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 the Defence Forces to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
As the rollout of payments to the eligible workers highlighted above has not yet begun, and eligibility has not yet been assessed across the private sector, I cannot provide an estimated number of workers who will receive the payment. We expect the rollout to begin shortly and for eligible workers to be paid as soon as possible.
310. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the action being taken by the Government to address the ongoing situation in which 35 children with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis cannot access the drug therapy kaftrio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36568/22]
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.
311. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin and in Cork over each of the past five years in tabular form. [36575/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
312. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 415 of 3 February 2022, if he will revise the public health advice given that the incidence of long-Covid in children is rare and mainly of short duration in view of the systematic review and meta-analyses of long-Covid in children published on 23 June 2022; if as a result he will expedite the establishment of long-Covid clinics for children; the locations of these child focused clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36582/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
313. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason HSE hospital kitchen staff have not received the pandemic bonus payment yet clerical staff with no patient contact have received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36584/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the deputy is aware, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line 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. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will 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 the Defence Forces to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision 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, but this work is being given priority attention.
314. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health when the staff at a hospice (details supplied) will receive their €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36593/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the deputy is aware, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line 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. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will 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 the Defence Forces to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision 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, but this work is being given priority attention.
