Written Answers Nos. 158-177
158. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in issuing Covid-19 recognition payments; when he expects outstanding payments to be made to frontline workers in private nursing homes, hospices and agency healthcare assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3400/23]
View answerSubject at all times to the eligibility criteria, the pandemic recognition payment is payable to certain specific non-public-sector cohorts below:
1. Private Sector/Independent Nursing Homes and Hospices
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;
The HSE, with administrative help from external contractor KOSI Corporation, are asking employers in the cohorts above to identify current and former eligible staff, collate this information and documentation into an application pack which has been sent to them, and upload to a secure portal established by KOSI Corp. Once received, KOSI Corp verify the information in these application packs and advise the HSE of the payment value, so that payment can then be transferred to the organisation and passed on to their eligible employees. The HSE can turn around these payments quickly.
As of 20 January, the HSE have received returns from 676 employers, and while 405 of these have been processed, many of these returns have required review. While these reviews can take time, they are necessary and have averted €1.054 million in potential overpayments so far. To assist employers with their applications and queries, a dedicated helpdesk has been set up, which has fielded over 3,000 employer queries to date.
The Department and HSE are keen to ensure that eligible frontline workers will receive their payment as quickly as possible, and as of 20 January, funding has been transferred to 405 covered employers for 32,609 eligible employees' payments, to a total value of €30,010,600 so far.
While the HSE are making every effort to expedite payments, until they receive information regarding the number eligible staff in an organisation, they cannot issue funding. You will understand that, as this information is being collected and acted on in real-time in a self-assessment manner, it is not possible to estimate exactly how many individuals have yet to be paid.
159. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if and when funding will be made available to fund CHO5 for a community neuro-rehabilitation team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3417/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
160. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the details of former nursing accommodation blocks in each public hospital in the country; and the current use and state of repair of each in tabular form. [3438/23]
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.
161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total number of assessment of needs' applications that were received in 2022; the amount per CHO; the number that are incomplete; and the number that have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3440/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
162. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of new clinical leadership posts that have been created under the national oral health policy; the number that have been filled to date; the number of other supporting staff that have been put in place; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3441/23]
View answerThe Government recognises that substantive reform of oral healthcare services is required, as set out in the National Oral Health Policy. My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused implementation structures for the Policy to drive implementation. These implementation structures include the need for new clinical leadership and reform leadership posts in the HSE, as well as other supporting staff. Resources will be provided for these posts as a Budget 2023 new initiative. My Department is currently in discussion with the HSE regarding the specifics of these posts, to support progression towards recruitment.
163. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently awaiting dermatology in CHO1 by county and hospital in tabular form; the new services or technologies that have been deployed recently for dermatology in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3448/23]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic and the current pressures on Emergency Departments.The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system. The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan set targets to reduce both the number of people waiting for care and the length of time they are waiting. Positive progress was made in 2022 in relation to both targets, despite negative impacts throughout the year on scheduled care from continued COVID-19 surges, emergency department pressures and other operational factors, including staff hiring. In 2022, there were c.1.56m patients removed from the Waiting list and c.1.53m patients added to the waiting list – a net reduction of c.30k (4%). Long waiters were significantly reduced in 2022: the number of patients exceeding the 18-month maximum wait time target for new outpatient (OPD) appointments target decreased by c.59.0k (38.5%) and the number of patients exceeding the 12-month maximum wait time target for in-patient day case (IPDC) procedures and GI Scopes has decreased by c3.8k (22.6%) and c.3.5k (86.5%) respectively.Through the 2022 Plan, €350m funding was allocated to the HSE and the NTPF to provide additional public and private activity to reduce the waiting list backlogs that were exacerbated during the Pandemic, but also as the first stage of an ambitious multi annual approach, to lay the foundations for important reforms that will deliver sustained reductions in waiting lists.For 2023, funding of €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists, some €360m of which is targeted at acute hospital waiting lists. The plan to utilise this part of the funding is being developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE and NTPF. This will include details of new capacity planned for 2023 as well as important reforms that will improve capacity in the public hospital system.
The attached document shows the number of patients on dermatology waiting lists in hospitals within CHO Area 1, and also the number of patients on dermatology waiting lists with an area of residence within CHO Area 1.
|
IP |
||
|
Area of Residence |
date |
Count |
|
Cavan |
22/12/2022 |
5 |
|
Donegal |
22/12/2022 |
6 |
|
SmallVolArea |
22/12/2022 |
6 |
|
Sligo |
22/12/2022 |
9 |
|
OP |
||
|
Area of Residence |
date |
Count |
|
Cavan |
22/12/2022 |
1028 |
|
Donegal |
22/12/2022 |
1862 |
|
Leitrim |
22/12/2022 |
272 |
|
Monaghan |
22/12/2022 |
604 |
|
Sligo |
22/12/2022 |
1171 |
|
IP By Hospital |
||
|
HospitalName |
date |
Count |
|
Sligo University Hospital |
22/12/2022 |
20 |
164. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the primary care centres within CHO5 that provide walk-in dentistry services and the locations of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3454/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
165. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the specific training that is available to general practitioners for the identification and treatment of Lyme disease; the awareness campaigns that will be in place for 2023 in regard to Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3455/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant ophthalmologists at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023; the days and times that each consultant is at the hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3456/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
167. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the status of the capital build programme to deliver a new disability centre in Waterford in conjunction with a charity (details supplied); the timeline for the project; the capital approvals sought and approved to date; the expected timeline to build and deliver the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3457/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
168. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of all services being offered at St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick on Suir; the operating hours of each; the number of staff employed in the building; the capacity in which they are employed; the services directly available to the public; the services to which the public must be referred; the referral access for each service; the services which are located at the facility temporarily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3462/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if Saxenda will be approved for persons covered by a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3464/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug 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 Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
The HSE has approved reimbursement for Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen under the community drug schemes from 1st January 2023.
This product is approved for reimbursement on the basis of managed access. Reimbursement under the community drug schemes is for adults prescribed Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, with an initial body mass index of 35 kg/m2 with prediabetes and high-risk of cardiovascular disease.
The relevant HSE circular (002/23) can be accessed at:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-002-23-saxenda.pdf.
170. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason it is taking 20 weeks for testing of routine samples at University Hospital Waterford; the efforts that are being made to reduce this time given the concern that such a long wait time can be harmful to a patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3465/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
171. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died from Covid and the flu, respectively in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3466/23]
View answerThis PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
172. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who died from Covid and the flu, respectively in each of the years 2014 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3467/23]
View answerThis PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
173. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can have the medication saxenda liraglutide made available under their medical card, given their medical treatment for cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3469/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug 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 Minister for Health has no role in these decisions.
The HSE has approved reimbursement for Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen under the community drug schemes from 1st January 2023.
This product is approved for reimbursement on the basis of managed access. Reimbursement under the community drug schemes is for adults prescribed Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, with an initial body mass index of 35 kg/m2 with prediabetes and high-risk of cardiovascular disease.
The relevant HSE circular (002/23) can be accessed at:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/pcrs/circulars/pharmacy/pharmacy-circular-002-23-saxenda.pdf.
174. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will consider sponsoring medical, nursing and paramedical students on condition of providing two years contracted employment with the public health service post qualification as a mechanism to meet workforce shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3511/23]
View answerIn 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.
175. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the motorised transport grant for new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3515/23]
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.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, a Transport Working Group has been established to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The commitment under Action 104 is to ‘lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and [to] develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources ’.
The Working Group will consider proposals to inform the development of a coordinated plan for the enhancement of Government-funded transport and mobility supports available to people with disabilities.
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; and
The Department of Finance's review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.
176. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a dentist who is registered in both Ireland and the United Kingdom is obliged to notify the Dental Council if they are struck off in the UK; if they are entitled to continue practising in Ireland in such circumstances; and if he will outline the continuous vetting procedures followed by the Dental Council to ensure that registered dentists are fit to practise. [3524/23]
View answerThe Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care)(Amendment) Act, 2020 contains provisions which, once commenced, will require dentists registered in Ireland to notify the Dental Council of sanctions in other jurisdictions. The Act also contains provisions to provide for the Dental Council to deal with these notifications. My Department is working with the Dental Council to commence these provisions as soon as possible. Section 66 of the Dentists Act 1985 requires the Dental Council to guide the dental profession on all matters to do with ethical conduct and behaviour. The Council has developed and published Codes of Practice in a wide range of areas. Under Part V of the Act, a serious falling short in the standards expected of a dentist may lead to fitness to practice proceedings being taken by the Dental Council against the registered dentist under the Dentists Act 1985.
177. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has still not been paid the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
