David Cullinane
Question:731. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for a new chronic disease clinic in Sligo-Leitrim. [51409/22]
View answerDepartmental Projects
Questions (731)
Written 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 (732)
David Cullinane
Question:732. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time advanced nurse practitioners in urology oncology services in Beaumont Hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased [51410/22]
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 (733)
David Cullinane
Question:733. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time clinical pharmacists working in University Hospital Kerry in each of the years of 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51411/22]
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 (734)
David Cullinane
Question:734. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant neonatologists attached to Limerick Maternity Hospital in each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51412/22]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (735)
David Cullinane
Question:735. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of staff members that are currently employed and working in children's disability network teams in County Laois by role and by team in tabular form; and the number of unfilled posts. [51413/22]
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 (736)
David Cullinane
Question:736. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant plastic surgeons working in Tallaght University Hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51414/22]
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (737)
David Cullinane
Question:737. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish sign language interpreters currently available to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing patients attending Wexford General Hospital. [51415/22]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (738)
David Cullinane
Question:738. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time psychologist posts in Donegal CAMHS teams in 2021 and to date in 2022. [51416/22]
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 Data
Questions (739)
David Cullinane
Question:739. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current and capital funding required for a second cataract theatre at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. [51417/22]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (740)
David Cullinane
Question:740. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time autism therapists and autism support workers in the Finglas children's disability network team in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51418/22]
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (741)
David Cullinane
Question:741. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of hours provided at each of the locations in north Dublin in which D-Doc services operate in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51419/22]
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 (742)
David Cullinane
Question:742. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of international recruitment fairs where staff from Letterkenny University Hospital were in attendance in the years of 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the number of jobs offered in each recruitment fair. [51420/22]
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 (743)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:743. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department have ever received any data, evidence or information from a drug manufacturer (details supplied) that indicates that its Covid-19 vaccine was ever tested in terms of its ability to stop the transmission of Covid-19. [51421/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
COVID-19 vaccines can only be approved and used if they comply with all the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy set out in the EU pharmaceutical legislation. Any authorised vaccine will be subject to ongoing monitoring in Ireland by the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
The EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and recommended by consensus a formal Conditional Marketing Authorisation (CMA) be granted by the European Commission. The awarding of a CMA provides a high level of assurance that a vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and has met the requirements of the independent regulatory process as regards demonstrating its safety and efficacy.
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 National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.
It should be noted that evidence on transmission of COVID-19 following vaccination is limited. The main vaccine efficacy trials were not designed for this purpose.
Industrial Relations
Questions (744)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:744. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in getting a review (details supplied) up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51422/22]
View answerWritten answers
An 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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (745)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:745. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of radiation therapists who have been recruited by the HSE in each of the years 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51423/22]
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 (746, 799)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:746. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if there is a medical recommendation to make a second booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine available to the broader public; his views on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51425/22]
View answer
Johnny Mythen
Question:799. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the estimated timeframe for when the Covid-19 booster vaccine will be offered to the general population that is those outside the current recommended groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51815/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 746 and 799 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 updated guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf.The NIAC has recommended a first mRNA booster vaccine for those aged 5-11 years; a second mRNA booster dose for those aged 50-64 years, persons aged 12-49 years with an underlying medical condition or are residents of long-term care facilities.
The NIAC has also made a number of recommendations regarding the Autumn/Winter period. It has advised that healthcare workers are offered a second mRNA booster and a third mRNA booster is recommended for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these recommendations and the rollout is now underway. The NIAC 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.Further information on the booster vaccine rollout can be viewed here: www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (747)
Gino Kenny
Question:747. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances in which GPs are charging menopausal women fees well in excess of normal rates for appointments relating to the menopause, including prescriptions for HRT medications, meaning that some women who do not have a medical card are having to go without GP visits and their medication; if he will acknowledge the necessity of healthcare and HRT treatment for women in menopause, and that it should not be based on ability to pay; his views on this practice; if he can intervene in these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51426/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess." There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for medical services provided under the contract.
GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for medical services provided to medical card or GP visit card holders, while patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis. I have no role in relation to the fees charged by individual GPs for services to private patients as they are a matter of private contract between the clinician and their patient.
Currently, the HSE operate two schemes which offer financial assistance to people in receipt of prescribed HRT medication on the reimbursement list. HRT medications on the reimbursement list are available without cost to medical card holders, subject to the statutory prescription charge. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card under the GMS scheme is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. Furthermore, under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines, which includes certain HRT medications.
Progressing women’s health is a priority for this government. Among the initiatives undertaken for the improvement of women’s health services is the development of six specialist menopause clinics. While the majority of women who seek support for their menopause can be effectively supported by their GP, a proportion of symptomatic women will require specialist medical expertise in menopause; it is intended these more complex cases can be dealt with, upon referral by their GP, in a specialist menopause clinic.
Two specialist clinics have been opened with a third opening this week. It is anticipated that the last three clinics in Cork, Dublin and Galway will open before the end of this year, which will result in a total of six such clinics nationwide, one in each maternity network, for women who require complex, specialist care.
In addition, the HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme are in the process of establishing a Professional Menopause Network which will comprise the clinical leads in this area from across the region and will include representation from the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). The purpose of this network is to promote standardised care for women accessing the specialist clinics, but also to allow health professionals to learn from one another particularly in the implementation phase. It is also intended that clinical teams within the specialist menopause clinic setting will provide advice and guidance to GPs in the community to support the effective management of menopausal symptoms for women closer to home within primary care.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (748)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:748. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51428/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
Please be assured that work on rolling out payment to non-HSE/Section 38 organisations is being prioritised.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (749)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:749. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a public appointment with a cardiologist at St Vincent’s Hospital; the average waiting time for a public appointment with a cardiologist when a referring GP submits an urgent request at the same hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51430/22]
View answerWritten answers
Waiting list information by hospital and by specialty 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (750)
Robert Troy
Question:750. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a former agency worker (details supplied), now permanent HSE employee, will receive their pandemic bonus payment. [51432/22]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
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.
Please be assured that work on rolling out payment to non-HSE/Section 38 organisations is being prioritised.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.