Written Answers Nos. 671-690
671. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason that CORU social care worker registration status has not been given to the BA in professional social care (disability) degree from Open Training College courses for students who completed the course in 2020; the steps that students who completed this degree course in 2020 can take to get registered as a social care worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51758/22]
View answerCORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. Its role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals.
CORU will open the Social Care Workers Register on the 30 November 2023. This will begin a 2-year transition period during which existing practitioners may apply to register with CORU. On 30 November 2025, the title 'Social Care Worker' will become a legally protected title in Ireland. This positive milestone will ensure all service users receive the highest standards of care and empower CORU to act when any deficiencies are identified.
CORU has confirmed that the Open Training College (OTC) did not apply for approval of the programme titled Bachelor of Arts in Professional Social Care (Disability). CORU is aware that this programme is no longer offered by the OTC and would be considered a historical qualification.
The 2005 Act currently provides that during the two-year transition period, an existing practitioner who has been practising the profession of social care work for a continuous two-year period out of the previous five years, and whose employer states that they meet the standards for that profession may be eligible for entry into the register.
CORU remain available to support existing practitioners and provide guidance on the entry routes to the Social Care Workers Register.
I would like to thank you for raising a matter of understandable concern.
672. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the list of schemes that qualify under employment incentive schemes or education opportunity schemes that entitle medical card holders to retain their medical card for three years on taking up employment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51097/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
673. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a person did not receive a 1% increase in their pension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51098/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
674. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health in view of the recognition of long Covid by the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work as an occupational disease for healthcare workers, if he will justify the reason he has set a date of 84 days prior to 7 February 2022 as the threshold of special leave with pay for those with long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51103/22]
View answerThe EU Advisory Committee on Health & Safety have recently recommended the recognition of Covid as an occupational illness in health and social care, however Member States vary in respect of their treatment of Covid in this regard.
I am advised by officials from the Department of Social Protection who operate the national Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, that Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 and that they do not intend on revising this position.
In Ireland, all civil and public sector employees have access to DPER's Special Leave with Pay re Covid. With effect from 7th February this year, access was capped at just 10 days paid leave, and this was further reduced by DPER to paid leave for the required isolation period only (currently 7 days) with effect from 1st July this year.
While a temporary Scheme for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection had been introduced for eligible public health sector employees in recognition of the increased level of risk faced by some of our staff in clinically exposed settings, it was necessary to include some eligibility criteria in respect of access to the Scheme, particularly noting that the Scheme is specific to the public health sector only, and will provide paid leave for an additional period to those who faced the highest risks at the most challenging phases of the pandemic.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and employees who meet the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme will have transferred to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
675. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting on radiation therapy since January 2022 until the end of September 2022, by county and radiotherapy centre in tabular form; if he is satisfied that there are enough radiation therapists working in the HSE to carry out radiation therapy treatment to those on waiting lists; the measures that are being taken to alleviate the obstacles to having radiation therapy provided to patients in the earliest timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51105/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if NDT thyroid tablets have been removed from the reimbursement list for the drugs payment scheme and medical card; is so, the reason for same; if they will be replaced on this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51107/22]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
677. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when the Covid-19 recognition payment will issue to health care workers who work for organisations funded under section 39; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51108/22]
View answerThe rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment for eligible HSE and Section 38 employees is currently receiving priority. As of Friday 30th of September, 85,463 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 38,287 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 123,750.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment 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 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.
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.
678. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of radiation therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51113/22]
View answerAn independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been agreed under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
679. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will remove any roadblocks by Government Departments to the setting-up of the independent radiation therapist review, in addition to his commitment to implement any recommendations which could emanate from the review dealing with the crisis in recruitment and retention of radiation therapists and-or service improvements, including advanced practice and safe and adequate staffing levels. [51130/22]
View answerAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair. Outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
680. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of all local health centres in County Tipperary that closed during Covid-19; the centres that have re-opened; the centres that remain closed; when all centres will be re-opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51155/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the date on which workers in the section 39 organisation Brampton Care Home, Oranmore, County Galway, will receive the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51159/22]
View answerThank you for your correspondence on behalf of Brampton Care Home staff.
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
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. 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.
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.
I want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
682. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the total spend by his Department and the agencies under his remit on cybersecurity measures since 2019 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51175/22]
View answerMy Department has spent the following on cybersecurity measures:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2019 |
€48,509 |
|
2020 |
€129,931 |
|
2021 |
€734,411 |
|
2022 to date |
€528,286 |
Significant extra resources were made available in response to the cyber-attack on my Department in 2021, with further spending in 2022.
In respect of the HSE, I have forwarded your query and asked that they respond directly to you on this.Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
683. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if supplements (details supplied) will be included under the medical card scheme given that those on waiting lists for transplants rely on such medication. [51186/22]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) for the HSE and makes recommendations on reimbursement to assist HSE decisions. The NCPE uses a decision framework to systematically assess a drug's clinical and cost effectiveness as a health intervention.
Both products, which are not licensed medicines in Ireland, are covered on a patient-specific basis under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements for those who require supplementation as a result of a serious clinical condition. Only licensed products are added to the formal GMS Reimbursement List in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. It is a matter for the Marketing Authorisation Holder to apply for licensing in Ireland through the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
684. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the proportion of his Department’s IT data stored in the cloud; the proportion of the data held by all agencies and subsidiaries of his Department in the cloud; if this represents an improvement; if so, the development that has been made towards cloud storage since 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51199/22]
View answerApproximately 33% of my Department's data is currently stored in cloud services. This represents a significant improvement over the period prior to 2019. Over the last 4 years, my Department has implemented a number of cloud-based services, including cloud-based email.
In line with 'Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service', we continue to engage with OGCIO regarding the sharing of services delivered through the Government Cloud to drive efficiency, reduce cost and support integration across the Public Service.
In respect of the HSE, I have forwarded your query and asked that they respond directly to you on this.Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
685. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department can provide clarity as to the outcome in the matter of the double welfare payment due where nursing homes have automatic access to and control of a resident’s regular payment; if in this case the resident will have independent control of, and access to, the second part of the payment, or if it will be treated in the way of the usual payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51218/22]
View answerAll participants within the NHSS contribute up to 80% of their income (40% if part of a couple) and 7.5% per annum of the value of their assets (3.75% if part of a couple). The first €36,000 (€72,000 if part of a couple) is excluded from assessment. For the purposes of financial assessment, income includes:
- Earnings, including income from farming or business activities
- Pension income
- Social welfare benefits/allowances
- Rental income
- Income from holding an office or directorship
- Income from fees, commissions, dividends or interest
- Any income which an applicant has deprived themselves of in the five years prior to applicationFinancial assessments are undertaken at application stage to establish the client contribution amount and is based on an established annual sum. A re-assessment of means is normally undertaken at the request of the client under certain circumstances, as per the NHSS Act. The HSE can also undertake a re-assessment at any time.
This means that, whilst social welfare benefits and allowances are considered to be assessable income under the scheme, at a practical level, once-off payments that do not have a substantial impact on a participant's overall level of means - such as the second part of the double welfare payment - are not taken into account for financial assessment.
686. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure that a review (details supplied) will proceed without delay. [51229/22]
View answerAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair. Outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
687. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the staffing crisis in radiation therapy is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51230/22]
View answerAn independent review of the Radiation Therapist profession has been agreed under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
688. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a bed in the Dún Laoghaire acquired brain injury unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51234/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
689. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current average processing time for the payment of completed applications under the EU cross-Border Directive; the date when current applications being processed were received; the present number of staff processing such claims; the number of claims to date in 2022; the corresponding figures for 2021;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51235/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
690. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time optometrists employed by the HSE working in County Donegal in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the locations where these optometrists are located. [51236/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
