Written Answers Nos. 1178-1197
1178. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 733 of 31 January 2023, if he will provide an up-to-date timeframe in which a person (details supplied) will be awarded the pandemic bonus payment given that they were a frontline worker at a nursing home until its closure in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12397/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
1179. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the process to have the social work qualifications of a person recognised and registered with CORU in cases in which the person worked in Tanzania in the Department of Social Welfare and has a masters degree; if it is unusual for an applicant who applied in August 2022, not to be registered to date.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12400/23]
View answerAll applications for recognition of qualifications awarded outside the State are assessed in the same way and to the same criteria. Applications are assessed, in order, according to date and time of receipt. Education and training and, where required, lifelong learning are assessed to ascertain whether an applicant has addressed the requirements of the standards of proficiency for practice as a Social Worker.
The average time required for assessment and decision on an application for recognition of qualifications by CORU was 69 days in Q4 of 2022. This average timeframe has been declining steadily over the past two years.
An application cannot be assessed until it is complete. The applicant referred to initiated the process in August 2022 but did not actually submit the full file required until the 10th February, 2023. The final document received - the course syllabus - was essential to the process. The application is currently being considered by expert assessors. As of 21st March, 39 days have passed since the applicant submitted a complete application.
Regarding the registration process which follows once a person's non-national qualifications have been recognised, the applicant may be aware that applicants are able to initiate an application for registration as soon as they have submitted a complete application file to the recognition department and pending the outcome of that process. This has the effect of reducing the period of time required to complete both the recognition and the registration process.
I trust this provides a satisfactory explanation but if there are any further follow up queries, I would suggest the applicant concerned contacts CORU directly on the matter.
1180. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on primary care and community healthcare waiting lists, for each care service, for January and February 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form; the breakdown by length of wait and by age; the numbers waiting for initial assessment, initial therapy/intervention, and follow up therapy/intervention for each specialty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12408/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1181. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on CAHMS waiting lists by CHO and length of wait for January and February 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [12412/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1182. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on waiting lists for Jigsaw by CHO and length of wait for January and February 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [12413/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1183. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric orthopaedic appointments, by appointment type, cancelled in January and February 2019-2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12415/23]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
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.
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.
1184. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 23 February 2023, if the independent reviewer who has been engaged in the case referred to will be asked by his officials to engage with a group (details supplied); if he agrees that section 17.3 and other provisions of the agreement to which the question refers provides scope for the reviewer to engage with all parties affected by the issues at hand, and that this includes survivors and their representative and advocacy body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12416/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Deed provides the procedures to apply and the jurisdiction of the independent expert. The scope of the expert’s remit under the deed is narrow, with the sole consideration for the expert being whether the fund is adequate to meet anticipated claims. To ensure the integrity of the process and given the sensitivity of this matter, it is imperative that the expert should be facilitated to make the determination independently and within the provisions and procedures provided for under the Deed of indemnity.
However, with the agreement of the Expert, my Department will be submitting a position paper to the expert for consideration, and this will be informed by the correspondence from the advocacy body referred to by the Deputy.
1185. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with scoliosis and the number of children with spina bifida on waiting lists for December 2022 and January and February 2019-2023, inclusive, by waiting list; the number of suspended cases, by specialty and by location, in tabular form; the number waiting 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18+ months; and the average waiting time of all relevant patients on each list. [12418/23]
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.
1186. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists for December 2022 and January and February 2019-2023, inclusive, by waiting list; the number of suspended cases, by specialty and by location, in tabular form; the number waiting 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18+ months; and the average waiting time of all relevant patients on each list. [12419/23]
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.
1187. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion and other paediatric orthopaedic procedures carried out by Children's Health Ireland in each of the years 2017-2023, by month at each location, in tabular form; the number which have been outsourced; and the location at which they were conducted. [12420/23]
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.
1188. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children removed from paediatric orthopaedic waiting lists in November and December 2022 and January and February 2023, by reason for removal; the number removed without having a procedure; and the reason why. [12421/23]
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.
1189. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on home support waiting lists for January and February 2019-2023, inclusive, in tabular form; and the breakdown by length of wait. [12422/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12424/23]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
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.
1191. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the benefits to Ireland of a decision to join the EU4Health Joint Action on Diabetes and CVD; the further action that his Department is taking in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12427/23]
View answerThe aim of the JA(s) is to reduce the burden of Non Communicable Diseases and related risk factors, both at personal and societal level, targeting or addressing the specifics of CVDs and diabetes and their health determinants, as necessary. The action will implement projects on disease prevention and health promotion, which are expected to reduce the burden of CVDs and diabetes in Member States.
Ireland joined a European consortia to prepare and submit an application for the direct grant to Member States on the prevention of NCDs (Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes). This application was submitted on the 15th February and is now under review by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), the results of which are expected in April or May. Following approval of funding by HaDEA, a grant agreement will be prepared and signed by the beneficiaries. The grant agreement will provide details on the final budget approved by the Commission. Until the grant agreement is signed, all information pertaining to this application is confidential. The expected start date of the project is Sept/Oct 2023.
1192. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing CAMHS and CDNT services for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12445/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1193. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in the proposed 96-bed ward block at Wexford General Hospital that will provide additional capacity to the hospital; the number that will be replacement beds; the total bed capacity at the hospital after the proposed development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12453/23]
View answerThe HSE, Hospital Management and Ireland East Hospital Group are coordinating and progressing a plan for the phased resumption of services in Wexford General Hospital. Hospital Management, Ireland East Hospital Group and HSE will continue to work to achieve the safe resumption of services at the hospital.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1194. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of ICU beds that are operational in Wexford General Hospital as of January 2023; the number of ICU beds that were operational at the hospital in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12454/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1195. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when free GP care for children under seven years of age will come into effect. [12468/23]
View answer1400. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason free GP visits for children under eight years of age as part of a phased programme to provide free GP care for children under 12 on 1 February 12022, has not yet been implemented; when will this happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13289/23]
View answer1401. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the age of free health care to children that have missed out due to non-implementation of the under 12 phased programmes, given some of these children have missed out on what was promised to them. [13290/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1195, 1400 and 1401 together.
It is intended to commence the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 as early as possible. My officials and the HSE have made preparations for this expansion. Engagements were held by my Department and the HSE with the IMO, representing GPs, throughout last year, and engagement is ongoing in relation to the necessary fee structures for this service.
1196. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the services he is providing for individuals who receive assessments of need or other treatments from unqualified and/or unregistered psychologist. [12469/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1197. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide pay parity for Section 39 organisation staff [12470/23]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
A process of pay restoration for Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.
While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
The Department notes that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.
