Written Answers Nos. 704-723
704. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 419 of 10 February 2022, if he has ever directed the HSE to fund any capital project in the State since he assumed office. [38942/22]
View answerThere is a formal process in place for the appraisal, approval and prioritisation of capital projects for funding and inclusion in the HSE Capital Plan. I can confirm that since I assumed office this is the process that has been applied in the selection of projects for funding and development of all Capital Plans.
Each year, after the budget, details of funding and priorities are set out in the Letter of Determination I issue to the HSE. Upon receipt of the Letter of Determination, the HSE must develop a National Service Plan and Capital Plan, which must then be submitted to me for review and approval.
In the development of the Capital Plan, the HSE have detailed and robust systems and procedures in place to appraise, approve and prioritise infrastructure projects required for the provision of health services. These are set out in the HSE Capital Projects Manual and Approvals Protocol, which is in line with requirements set out in the Public Spending Code.
The number and cost of projects competing for inclusion in the annual capital plan invariably exceeds the funding available and it is necessary to conduct a prioritisation exercise involving a project prioritisation group in the HSE to determine which projects can be funded in any given year. The prioritisation exercise requires each project to be evaluated and scored by the project evaluation group against a range of criteria agreed with my Department including regulatory requirements, alignment with Sláintecare and climate action.
A draft capital plan is then prepared based on the prioritised projects. The draft capital plan progresses through the HSE internal approvals process prior to being issued to me in conjunction in conjunction with the National Service Plan for my review and approval.
Officials in my Department engage with the HSE through the drafting and review process to ensure alignment with policy, strategy and Letter of Determination requirements.
The 2022 Capital Plan, prepared in accordance with the above process, 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.I and officials in my Department will be working closely with the HSE in the implementation of the plan.
705. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if a medical service (details supplied) will be relocated to Bray, County Wicklow in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38944/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
706. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who are abated under his Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, in tabular form. [38954/22]
View answerThere is currently one individual abated under the aegis of the Department of Health.
707. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of the schemes being devised as a replacement to the motorised transport grant scheme and the mobility allowance which were closed in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38966/22]
View answerThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative Schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of the availability of accessible public transport and is committed to this in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.
Work is continuing on the policy proposals for the provision of transport supports for people with disabilities. Recent developments which will impact on the policy options include the following:
- The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's review of active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;
- The Cost of Disability Study, commissioned by the Department of Social Protection, which will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs;
- The Working Group established under Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, which is now under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disabilities, Integration and Youth, to lead a review of all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities. The Working Group was reconvened on 26 January, 2022; and
- The Department of Finance's commitment to review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.
708. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he and or the Chief Medical Officer have received or undertaken an assessment and or have been able to quantify the number and type of injury that persons have suffered as a result of being hit by or falling from an electric scooter. [38970/22]
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 Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will offer immunocompromised & vulnerable patients access to a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38973/22]
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 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason that pensioners who used to work for the HSE and received their salaries on a fortnightly basis receive their pension on a monthly basis in arrears; if he intends on instructing the HSE to pay these pensions at the same frequency as they were paid their salaries while working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39028/22]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
711. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if workers who work for a contractor providing catering services in a hospital (details supplied) and work alongside HSE catering staff will be paid the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment similar to directly employed HSE catering staff; if not, the reason, given the equal contribution both sets of workers made and the risks they took; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39029/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all 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: https://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 now 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.
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.
712. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if spinal muscular atrophy is a condition under consideration for addition to the conditions tested for in the new-born heel prick; if so, when that decision will be made; if not, if he will now place it under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39034/22]
View answerThe expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot (NBS) Programme is a priority for me, and the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) has been progressing work on this expansion.
The NSAC is an independent, expert committee which makes recommendations to me and the Department on the introduction of new screening programmes or changes to existing programmes relating to a number of conditions such as cancer, non-cancer and newborn conditions, based on international processes and best practice.
The NSAC has been working closely with HIQA, clinicians and other stakeholders, including patient advocates, in setting out the best approach for Ireland in relation to the further expansion of newborn screening.
I am pleased to report recent progress in expanding newborn screening with a ninth condition, ADA-SCID (Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), being added to the NBS programme on 23 May 2022. The NSAC has commissioned HIQA to undertake a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) looking at the addition of other SCID types to the NBS programme. This HTA is underway and I am looking forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee on this condition after the HTA process is finalised later this year.
The NSAC is now well established and recently published its second annual report which detailed significant progress in 2021. The Committee's first Annual Call for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a significant response with a total of 53 submissions received, including on newborn screening. Submissions were received from various sources and are now undergoing consideration by the committee. The NSAC intends to publish its full work programme later this year once it has considered all proposals submitted.
Given that this is a complex area, careful consideration must be given to the expansion of the NBS programme and these things can take time, however, it is important that decisions are made based on internationally accepted criteria and scientific rigour.
I am aware of how difficult it is for parents whose children have received a diagnosis of a rare disease, and how challenging daily life can be for them, their families and their children. It can be an overwhelming situation and can be very isolating for many families because of the significant work that is involved when a rare disease is diagnosed. I am committed to the further expansion of newborn screening in Ireland and in identifying opportunities for future additions to it.
713. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when children between six and 11 years of age will be given access to a drug for cystic fibrosis (details supplied); the reason for the delay in doing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39036/22]
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.
714. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1446, 1447 and 1448 of 14 June 2022, if he will follow up with the HSE as to the reason that detailed responses were not issued; if he will seek an explanation as to the reason that detailed replies did not issue in relation to these questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39048/22]
View answerIn relation to the Parliamentary Questions the Deputy refers to, I have been advised by the HSE that answers to the PQs referred to the HSE were sent to the Deputy on 10th June 2022 addressing the issues raised.
This information provided in response to the three PQs is included below for ease of reference.The Government is committed to addressing the long-standing deficit in critical care capacity. Very significant funding of €77 million has been provided by Government across 2021 and 2022, to increase national capacity to 340 critical care beds by 2023. The HSE has advised that 51 of these beds are now open, bringing permanent adult critical care capacity to 306 beds, from a baseline of 255 beds in early 2020.The Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Government in December 2020 will, when implemented fully address the recommendation of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review for 430 critical care beds by 2031. In fact, it surpasses that recommendation, delivering an increase in capacity to 446 over time.Importantly, capacity expansion in critical care is focused on the larger “hub” hospitals, in line with the clinical advice and hub and spoke model of care for critical care. The funding provided in 2021 and 2022 has allowed for the opening of eight additional critical care beds in Saolta University Health Care Group, including six beds in University Hospital Galway, one in Sligo University Hospital and one in Letterkenny University Hospital. The provision of additional critical care capacity in accordance with the hub-and-spoke model of care also reflects the overall strategic direction of Sláintecare - delivery of the right care, in the right place at the right time.As advised in correspondence sent by the HSE in reply to the previous PQs, renovation works in the ICU in Mayo University Hospital are to be incorporated into the overall hospital development control plan. Currently, preparatory work for the implementation of a clinical IT system for the ICU is underway.
I have asked the HSE to forward to you any additional relevant information, if available, on these clinical IT system preparatory works in the ICU in Mayo University Hospital.
715. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the interest that there has been to date in relation to a building owned by the HSE (details supplied); if the HSE has sought interest from Government Departments; if this has led to any meaningful talks; the plans that the HSE has for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39054/22]
View answerAs 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.
716. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on outpatient waiting lists per department in Roscommon University Hospital; and the average waiting times. [39055/22]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, regarding outpatient waiting lists at Roscommon University Hospital, this information is published monthly and is available on the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) website at:www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm
The NTPF only collects data on patients currently on the waiting list. The time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. As a result, the health system does not have the data necessary to calculate true average wait times.
717. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have been treated by a unit (details supplied) in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [39056/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
718. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of current vacancies in a hospital (details supplied). [39057/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
719. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in the new disability network teams in counties Roscommon and Galway; and the specific vacancies in tabular form. [39058/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
720. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in the new e-mental health hub in Castlerea, County Roscommon; the specific vacancies; and the length of time that they have been vacant for in tabular form. [39059/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
721. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of calls that the National Ambulance Service responded to in Roscommon in 2021 and to the end of June 2022, broken down by call type in echo, delta, charlie, bravo, alpha and omega in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39060/22]
View answer724. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the average response time of National Ambulance Service category 1 echo calls for Roscommon in 2021 and to the end of June 2022; the average call wait time as a percentage of the KPI for an echo call broken down by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39063/22]
View answer726. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the average response time of National Ambulance Service category 2 charlie calls for Roscommon in 2021 and to the end of June 2022; the average call wait time as a percentage of the KPI for a charlie call broken down by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39065/22]
View answer729. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the average response time of National Ambulance Service category 3 omega calls for Roscommon in 2021 and to the end of June 2022; the average call wait time as a percentage of the KPI for an omega call broken down by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 721, 724, 726 and 729 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
722. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if there has been any staff or crew personal shortages in the National Ambulance Service servicing Roscommon in any of the months in 2022; the nature of and the reason for any shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39061/22]
View answer723. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the average amount of overtime worked by ambulance paramedics servicing Roscommon in 2021 and to the end of June 2022, broken down by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39062/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 723 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
