Michael Healy-Rae
Question:684. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite two appointments for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38813/22]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (684)
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 Supports
Questions (685)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:685. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the pandemic bonus payment to front line workers of €1,000 was paid to all primary health care workers, including primary care workers working with the Travelling community; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38817/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly 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 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
Payment to eligible staff is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 8 July, 68,943 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 20,000 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 88,943.
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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (686)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:686. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of district medical officers on salary from the HSE in the State; the location of each; the increase in salary for these doctors in the past ten years; the basis on which their salary is set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38824/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Departmental Reports
Questions (687)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:687. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the annual report on the babies’ organs that were incinerated that was to be published on 30 June 2022 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38826/22]
View answerWritten answers
The final draft of the report will be furnished to the families affected as soon as possible once the process is complete.I wish to again express my sympathy to the bereaved families and acknowledge the distress and upset that has been caused to these families. I am aware of the paramount importance of dignity and respect for these parents who have experienced the loss of a child.Within the public health service, when an incident occurs, it is important that the health service where the incident occurred is responsible for ensuring that the incident is appropriately investigated, so that the service can learn from what went wrong to improve services in the future.The HSE advise that a Systems Analysis Review of the incident is ongoing. The Review Team continues to have ongoing engagement with the families affected every three weeks with an update provided last week. I understand that the further delay in completion of this review is very upsetting for the families affected.This incident was originally advised to my Department via the Patient Safety Communications Protocol on 12th May 2020. Officials from my Department have been liaising directly with the HSE on this matter since this time. Following requests from my Department, 19 updates have been received from the HSE with the most recent update provided on 7th July 2022. I have been provided with formal briefing by my officials on five occasions. They continue to engage directly with the HSE and to brief me on developments.The HSE advise that the Review Team are currently engaging legal opinion on the draft report before sending to participants in accordance with factual accuracy checking and fair procedures. Once this process is complete the final draft will be shared with the families for input on factual accuracy checking.
Health Services Staff
Questions (688)
Róisín Shortall
Question:688. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason that only five of sixteen promised nursing posts for adult neurology services have been funded this year further to statements issued by the HSE and his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38828/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medicinal Products
Questions (689)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:689. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a status update on the availability of Cariban; if it is being made more affordable for pregnant women in Ireland suffering from hyperemesis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38839/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (690)
Michael Ring
Question:690. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when funding will be approved to the four new consultant anaesthesiology posts in Mayo University Hospital which have been sanctioned to allow the recommended on-call rota cover of two consultants and two non-consultant hospital doctors; if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental effect on Mayo University Hospital if this funding is not approved by 1 September 2022; if he will ensure that this funding is approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38845/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (691)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:691. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason that mature students who have been offered places in college cannot avail of the sponsorship in acute hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38849/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, there is a sponsorship scheme in place for Public Health Service Employees wishing to train as Nurses/Midwives. This funding initiative is available to employees in the Irish Public Health Services currently encompassed under the support services grades such as Health Care Assistants/Multi Task Attendants who are involved in the direct delivery of care to patients/clients within a nursing/midwifery context. The HSE's HR Circular 40/2020: Sponsorship for Public Health Service Employees wishing to train as Nurses/Midwives is the governing circular for this scheme.
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-40-2020-sponsorship-for-public-health-service-employees-wishing-to-train-as-nurses-midwives.pdf
As the Deputy's specific question is related to an operational matter I have asked the HSE to reply to the him directly.
Home Help Service
Questions (692)
Chris Andrews
Question:692. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if home help care will be provided to a person (details supplied). [38853/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (693)
Alan Dillon
Question:693. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a project (details supplied); the stage that the project is currently at; the estimated timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38876/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 2022 Capital Plan reiterates the government's commitment to investing in our health and social care services. Health capital funding available for Building and Infrastructure in 2022 is €1.02 billion, an increase of 4% on 2021. This investment will enable the HSE to progress projects in 2022 at National and Regional level, including government priority programmes and major capital projects as well as investment in primary and community care settings.
The construction of the 50 Bed Ward Block at Portiuncula Hospital is an important project and will deliver accommodation in line with current standards. The 50 bed ward block is included in the 2022 HSE Capital Plan. Construction has commenced, with an estimated construction period of 20 months.
Departmental Properties
Questions (694)
Alan Dillon
Question:694. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the ownership of a building (details supplied); if any engagement has taken place on the sale of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38877/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Health Services Staff
Questions (695)
Dessie Ellis
Question:695. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatric consultants in CH09 working out of the Ballymun health centre; the number of hours and days worked; the number of cases waiting for assessment; the average wait times for such assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38900/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (696)
Dessie Ellis
Question:696. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a vulnerable young person (details supplied) who is currently awaiting a psychiatric assessment, who has been given an appointment for November of 2022 for this assessment and has been waiting months for such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38901/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (697)
Patricia Ryan
Question:697. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will award a discretionary medical card to each amputee who applies for one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38919/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.
Medical Cards
Questions (698)
Patricia Ryan
Question:698. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the criteria used to decide an award of a discretionary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38920/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (699)
Pa Daly
Question:699. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a medical appointment. [38926/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (700)
Paul Kehoe
Question:700. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to have pharmacies involved in the roll-out of the second booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38927/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (701)
Paul Kehoe
Question:701. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of over 65 Covid-19 second booster appointments in County Wexford; the plans that are in place to increase the number of clinics and appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38928/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Ambulance Service
Questions (702)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:702. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances available in the UL Hospitals Group on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38930/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (703)
Mark Ward
Question:703. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the mental health hospital in Portrane will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38940/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.