Written Answers Nos. 307-322
307. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number and the grade of former employees of the Health Service Executive who were facilitated in retiring with the benefit of the enhanced abolition of office terms following the re-structuring of the Health Service Executive for the period 2005 to 2009, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36827/22]
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 James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if approval will be given for funding a Cork-based disabilities service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36830/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
309. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be reached on an application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo given the length of time that has passed since the application was submitted. [36834/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
310. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a comprehensive reform of trans healthcare in Ireland and a move towards an informed consent model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36838/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to create and implement a general health policy for Trans people, based on a best-practice model for care, in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) and deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and multidisciplinary teams for children and adults.
The HSE is committed to developing services for the transgender community in accordance with international best practice across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals and primary care. This includes a robust and agreed care pathway for young people with gender dysphoria, in line with international best practice.
I am advised that a model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model recommends a comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy by endocrinology services, and also outlines the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.
While there are definite challenges in responding to the needs of this population, there have been many positive developments: -
* embedded clinical services, with expertise, in certain parts of the country,
* constructive advocacy groups in place with both individual and family experience of this issue,
* funding for a number of posts exists, and
* development of a model of care.
The challenges mainly centre around operational and governance issues which reflect the fact that the health services are delivered by a range of voluntary and statutory services and have grown up along with demand and clinician-led responses.
I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.
312. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health when the Action Plan for Disability Capacity Review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36847/22]
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.
313. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an application for a primary medical certificate will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36849/22]
View answerAs the matter raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, I have referred the matter to the Health Service Executive, for a direct reply to the Deputy.
314. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to publish the Action Plan for the Disability Capacity Review; the reason for the delay with this; if funding will be provided in this year's budget to implement this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36662/22]
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.
315. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the amount that consumers subscribe by way of payments for cover to all private health insurers on an annual basis; the number of consumers who subscribe to private health insurance; and the amount that was paid out by private health insurers in claims in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [36873/22]
View answerFurther to the Deputy's question on health insurance, the details requested for the years 2018-2020 are provided in the table below. It should be noted that the information below relates to open membership undertakings only, and the consumer payment figure below is inclusive of tax relief at source on private health insurance premia. Restricted membership undertakings, which cover only employees of particular organisations and their families, make up approximately 4% of the insured population and pay out around €100m in claims annually. It should also be noted that substantial refunds on premia were paid to customers in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19 on private hospital treatment capacity.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
Consumer payments for cover to all private health insurers on an annual basis |
€2.527m |
€2.564m |
€2.485m |
|
Number of consumers who subscribe to private health insurance (as of 1 July each year) |
2.078m |
2.131m |
2.179m |
|
Total paid out by private health insurers in claims |
€2,121m |
€2,248m |
€1,876m |
316. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when ultrasound general practitioner referrals will be returning to Nenagh Hospital. [36876/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
317. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the longest period that any inpatient has stayed in one admission in each acute hospital in the country over the past ten years in tabular form. [36880/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current projected total cost of the National Children’s Hospital; the amount by which it has increased since 2018; if the contract has been amended to allow for inflation; if the contractor has an entitlement to seek an increase in the contract amount in view of the inflation experienced in 2022; if the current contractual position is compliant with procurement law; if a price variation clause that is, the right to claim for inflation was agreed recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/22]
View answerThe new Children’s Hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James’s, the Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and the Outpatient and Emergency Care Centre at Tallaght University Hospital. Both of these satellite centres are successfully delivering a new model of ambulatory and urgent care for children and adolescents in the Greater Dublin Area.
In 2018, the Government approved a capital budget of €1.433bn for the NCH project. This included the capital costs for the main hospital at St James's Hospital campus, the two satellite centres, equipment for the three sites, and the construction of the carpark and retail spaces. The capital budget has not yet been depleted and to date, just over €1bn (73%) of the €1.433bn budget has been drawn down for works on the project across the three sites.
There are a number of items not included in this investment figure as there was no price certainty for them and nor can there be, for some, for the duration of the project. These include construction inflation in excess of the 4% threshold in the construction contract, the impact of Covid-19, statutory changes, any change in scope resulting in healthcare policy changes, and the Employment Order.
Tender inflation is based on external factors within the construction industry that are not in the control of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB). The construction contract for the NCH, provides for a risk-sharing mechanism for construction inflation. As set out in the Contract, national construction inflation is calculated by the averaging of three published indices, with the contractor bearing the costs of the first 4% of construction inflation, and where tender inflation above 4% is recoverable from the NPHDB. This came into effect from August 2019.
The Government has identified the risk of construction inflation in this current economic environment is not tenable, viable or sustainable for the construction industry to achieve the goals outlined in the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 and acted accordingly. In November 2021 and May 2022, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath T.D., announced measures to address the impact that exceptional inflation in construction sector and energy is having on public works contracts.
In recognition that neither party is responsible for the global events that have given rise to inflation, the “Inflation Co-operation Framework” apportions the additional inflation costs between the parties, with, subject to budgetary constraints, the State bearing up to 70% of the additional inflationary related costs.
However, for a project as advanced as the new children’s hospital, the new Framework does not apply. The collaborative, risk-sharing approach contained in the construction contract for the NCH remains. Total inflation payments for 2019, 2020 and 2021 have been €21million. Construction inflation figures for 2022 will not be available until 2023 and any additional inflation costs for 2022 will fall due for payment in 2023. However, the compound effect of the unprecedented increase in construction inflation will be a driver of additional costs for the capital project.
Additional costs in relation to the integration and transfer of the services of the three children’s hospitals to the new sites brings the total programme cost to €1.73bn. This includes investment in ICT, a new Electronic Health Record system, and the Children's Hospital Integration Programme (the merging of three paediatric hospitals) including commissioning.
Brexit, the pandemic and recent geopolitical developments have severely impacted supply chains and NCH project is not immune to these external challenges. Every effort is being taken to mitigate the risks but these externalities beyond the control of the contractor and the NPHDB make speculation and more definitive forecasting unwise.
Definitive updates on costs cannot be provided due to the fact that we are talking about a live contract and speculation on any costs will be detrimental to the Development Board’s commercial engagements.
As the NPHDB has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital, I have referred your queries regarding the current contractual position and price variation clause for inflation to the NPHDB for direct reply.
319. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36885/22]
View answerA new five-year NAS strategic plan is currently being finalised by the HSE. This plan will facilitate a strategic organisational re-design and continued focus on key priorities including alternative care pathways, specialist paramedic roles, and progress towards meeting capacity requirements and performance targets. It is being informed in part by an independently conducted NAS-commissioned National Demand and Capacity Analysis to inform future capacity requirements and workforce planning to 2027. In this regard I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with any further detail.
320. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of surgical terminations of pregnancy provided at each location which should be providing the service in tabular form; if he will request this information from each of the service providers where it is not collated centrally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36886/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters we have asked the HSE to address the question.
321. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the funding drawn down by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the amount of funding in each year spent on procuring services from private healthcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36887/22]
View answerImproving access to Scheduled Care and reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. The year-on-year increases to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) since Budget 2017 reflect this priority and Budget 2022 provided a total allocation to the NTPF of €150 million.
The NTPF procures capacity for high-volume procedures in order to positively impact waiting time for patients. Such procedures may be procured in both private hospitals (outsourcing), or public hospitals (insourcing). In order to ensure competitive pricing as part of their outsourcing programme, the NTPF works with private hospitals from a panel agreement and engages in procurement processes through e-tender. In relation to insourcing, a public hospital may have some spare capacity but require further funding in order to utilise it. Such public hospitals may make a proposal to the NTPF, whereby the NTPF pay a fixed price per procedure performed. The amount paid by the NTPF meets the extra costs incurred by the public hospital in performing the procedures.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached document.
|
Area |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Jan - May 2022 |
|
Funding Drawn Down by the NTPF (Oireachtas Grant) |
22,600,000 |
55,022,000 |
75,000,000 |
80,000,000 |
110,000,000 |
15,000,000 |
|
Procuring services from private healthcare providers |
9,948,651 |
31,420,173 |
29,204,118 |
22,957,536 |
44,913,597 |
20,470,783 |
The information provided in relation to 2017-2020 is from audited NTPF Annual Financial Statements. I would inform the Deputy that the NTPF has advised that the 2021 financial data is from the unaudited 2021 Annual Financial Statements and that the 2022 figures are from the May Management Accounts and maybe subject to change as further reports are received from hospitals.
322. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is entitled to the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36888/22]
View answerFirstly 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, 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.
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.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
