Róisín Shortall
Question:1906. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on private hospitals under the EU cross-border directive since its inception, by year and hospital, in tabular form [41200/22]
View answerCross-Border Co-operation
Questions (1906, 1908, 1909, 1910)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1908. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if any private companies that assist Irish patients in accessing treatments abroad under the EU cross-border directive have been provided with funding from the HSE, aside from the reimbursement of patients using those companies' services; if so, the amounts paid to each company since the scheme was implemented, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41202/22]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:1909. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the cost of inpatient and outpatient care under the EU cross-border directive, by treatment for the ten most common treatments; the comparative cost of those treatments in the Irish health service, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41203/22]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:1910. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in respect of companies that act as a go-between for patients and hospitals in respect of the cross-border directive; the list of all such companies that carry out this role and through which the HSE provides reimbursement for procedures; the regulation, if any, that applies to these companies or the criteria for approval that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41204/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1906 and 1908 to 1910, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (1907)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1907. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the engagements he has had with a company (details supplied) regarding the opening of a hospital abroad; if funding was provided by the HSE to open this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41201/22]
View answerWritten answers
The EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) 2011/24/EU provides rules for the reimbursement to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. The CBD enables persons resident in the State to access and be reimbursed for healthcare in another Member State by the HSE, provided such healthcare is publicly available within Ireland.
The patient is responsible for paying the provider of the treatment and claiming a reimbursement.
The HSE is responsible for the operation of the Cross-Border Directive and under the terms of the Directive there is a National Contact Point (NCP) in each Member State. The NCP for Ireland is located within the HSE's CBD Office and I have ask the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the query raised.
Question No. 1908 answered with Question No. 1906.
Question No. 1909 answered with Question No. 1906.
Question No. 1910 answered with Question No. 1906.
Disability Services
Questions (1911)
Thomas Pringle
Question:1911. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact there is no manager in a centre (details supplied), which is a day services centre for people with disabilities covering the north Donegal area; if there are plans in place to employ a suitably qualified person to fill the role; if additional staff will be employed to fill other vacancies in the centre and if additional support staff, including bus escorts, will be employed to meet the needs of the people using the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41205/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1912)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1912. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1503 of 14 June 2022, if copies of the Consultant Psychiatrists - Recruitment and Retention Plan have been provided to stakeholders who participated in the consultation; if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41206/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (1913, 1932)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1913. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); if an immunocompromised person is required to provide a letter from a general practitioner or consultant to receive their second booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/22]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:1932. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); if an immunocompromised person is required to provide a letter from a general practitioner or consultant to receive a second booster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41250/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1913 and 1932 together.
Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recently advised a second booster dose for people over 65 and people with a weak immune system aged 12 and over. The Committee will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
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 (1914)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1914. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the cohort of workers who will be eligible for the Covid recognition payment; and if security staff assigned to hospitals during 2020 and 2021 are eligible for the payment [41228/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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 roll-out to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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 front-line 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. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1915)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1915. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who worked from home in full or in part in 2020 and 2021 who are eligible for the Covid recognition payment; and the number of those who waived and-or gifted the payment back to the State. [41229/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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. In order to be eligible for this payment, this cohort of workers must have worked between 1st of March 2020 and 30th of June 2021 in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, for a minimum of 4 weeks.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the roll-out to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. 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 front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Again, this measure will be ring fenced to the above cohorts of staff who meet the eligibility requirements and who worked a minimum of 4 weeks onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment between 1st of March 2020 and 30th of June 2021. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff.
In relation to the deputy's second query concerning the number of eligible staff that have waived or gifted the payment back to the State, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy in relation to the HSE and Section 38 roll-out.
Disability Services
Questions (1916, 1918, 1919)
David Cullinane
Question:1916. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for disability services by service type and CHO; the number for each month of 2021 and for each month to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41234/22]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:1918. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CHO waiting lists for speech and language therapy for initial assessment, initial therapy and intervention and further therapy and intervention lists, by CHO, in tabular form; the number by wait length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41236/22]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:1919. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CHO waiting lists for occupational therapy for initial assessment, initial therapy and intervention and further therapy and intervention lists, by CHO, in tabular form; the number by wait length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41237/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1916, 1918 and 1919 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Care Services
Questions (1917)
David Cullinane
Question:1917. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for primary care, by service type and by CHO; the number for each month of 2021 and for each month to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41235/22]
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.
Question No. 1918 answered with Question No. 1916.
Question No. 1919 answered with Question No. 1916.
Disability Services
Questions (1920)
David Cullinane
Question:1920. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CHO waiting lists for physiotherapy on initial assessment, initial therapy and intervention and further therapy and intervention lists, by CHO, in tabular form; the number by wait length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41238/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1921)
David Cullinane
Question:1921. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on CHO waiting lists for psychology on initial assessment, initial therapy and intervention and further therapy and intervention lists, by CHO, in tabular form; the number by wait length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41239/22]
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.