Written Answers Nos. 504-523
504. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of an additional managed clinical rehabilitation network team; the number of such teams currently in operating; the CHOs not served by such teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2783/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
505. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans for the future development of Kilcreene Hospital Campus, Kilkenny; if services provided at this hospital will be expanded; if new services will be introduced; if there is a capital plan in place between now and the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2784/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
506. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health when staff in a centre (details supplied) will receive the Covid-19 pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
507. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when section 19 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 will come into effect. [2805/23]
View answerSection 19 on a Broadcast Watershed requires consultation with relevant stakeholders under Section 1 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. This is to ensure the most efficient and effective enforcement of this provision on commencement. It is my intention to commence section 19 as soon those consultations are satisfactorily completed.
508. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE audiologists working in Grangegorman primary care centre in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [2806/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
509. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the emergency department activity at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in 2022; the number of presentations and admissions; and the average patient experience time to admission. [2807/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
510. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the international recruitment campaigns that took place in 2022 for healthcare workers. [2808/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have referred to the Health Service Executive.
511. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to recruit three extra WTE acute oncology services nurses for Beaumont Hospital. [2809/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
512. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of stroke units, by location, that are operating below the recommended nurse and other staffing levels; and the estimated cost of putting the recommended staff levels in place. [2810/23]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
513. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on his plans to fully resource all existing community neuro-rehabilitation teams; when it is expected that community neuro-rehabilitation teams will be established in each community healthcare organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
514. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent positions allocated to Clonmel CDNT; the number of the positions that are vacant; the number of children attached to the team as of 31 December 2022. [2825/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
515. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances which waited longer than standard procedure would dictate outside of a hospital to decant a patient, in the full year of 2022 by month, by hospital and length of wait in tabular form; the number that waited longer than 30 minutes, one hour, two hours or other measurements as appropriate dependent on the manner in which data is collected; if this data is not collected, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2829/23]
View answerThis PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
516. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances which waited longer than standard procedure would dictate outside of a hospital to decant a patient, in January 2023 to date by hospital and length of wait in tabular form; the number that waited longer than 30 minutes, one hour, two hours, or other measurements as appropriate dependent on the manner in which data is collected; if this data is not collected, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2830/23]
View answerThis PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
517. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2855/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) have responsibility for the provision of aids and appliances under the Community Funded Schemes, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
518. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if provisions have and will be made by his Department to provide direct funding for nurses in an organisation (details supplied) to support motor neurone disease patients and families throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2856/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
519. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the community neuro-rehabilitation teams that have been set up in every CHO, particularly for CHO 7 (details supplied). [2867/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
520. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a ceiling track hoist for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2870/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities to meet their needs. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.
The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These works can include making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet or a stairlift. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In late 2020, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offered guidance to local authorities that ceiling track hoists should not be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants. That Department did not consult with the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive (HSE) at the time, prior to making the decision to remove funding. Engagement has been ongoing between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this matter – with a view to resolving the difficult issues involved as soon as possible and ensuring that people receive the services they require.
Applications to the HSE for a wide range of aids and appliances are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility under the Health Act 1970 (as amended). These applications are made under the Community Funded Schemes and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets. These aids and appliances play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community. The Community Funded Schemes have not generally funded ceiling track hoists given the need for structural adaptations necessary to install them and, also, that they had been funded under the Housing Adaptation Grants.
I am aware that the unilateral decision to remove funding without ensuring that another Government agency could take over the funding of these items has caused considerable distress to many people who can no longer access a service that they require to meet their health and safety needs. I also understand that the HSE has seen an increase in the number of applications for mobile hoists, but that these may not be as clinically appropriate as ceiling track hoists in some situations.
In respect of the specific case raised by the Deputy, I understand that the HSE did provide a mobile hoist to the family on the 2 September 2021 and that this is being used daily. However, I also understand that the relevant Occupational Therapist (OT) is of the clinical opinion that a ceiling track hoist would reduce the manual handling requirements and make care giving more efficient. The OT had requested that the equipment supplier complete a site visit to the home to provide a quotation for the required ceiling track hoist. The HSE have advised that they will communicate with the family directly once a decision regarding the pathway for ceiling track hoists has been identified.
However, it is important to note that to date there has been no agreement that the HSE would take on the provision of ceiling track hoists under the Community Funded Schemes. Indeed, my Department has requested that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage reverse its decision to remove funding for ceiling track hoists under the Housing Adaptation Grants.
521. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the issuing of a pandemic bonus payment for a healthcare worker (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2884/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
522. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to increase the threshold for medical card holders in line with increases in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/23]
View answerEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account, i.e. mortgage payments, which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review, including in relation to current medical card income thresholds. More generally, Government considered and agreed the range of measures announced as part of Budget 2023 taking account of the broader general economic and overall fiscal outlook.
523. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when nursing home staff (details supplied) will receive the pandemic bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2889/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
