Robert Troy
Question:1398. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a transitional nursing home payment is extended for a person (details supplied). [13263/23]
View answerNursing Homes
Questions (1398)
Written answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1399)
David Cullinane
Question:1399. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given an appropriate place for their care in the State; if not, if their care will be outsourced; if they will be transferred out of the State; and the estimated cost of outsourcing or transferring their care abroad. [13267/23]
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.
Question No. 1400 answered with Question No. 1195.
Question No. 1401 answered with Question No. 1195.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1402)
Paul Kehoe
Question:1402. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the 142 neurological nurses that are required to support population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13298/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1403)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:1403. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who is working in an agency will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13303/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1404)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:1404. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the person or body that made the decision to award a company (details supplied) the contract for distribution of the pandemic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13305/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (1405)
Johnny Guirke
Question:1405. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in organising a meeting with a person (details supplied) regarding the Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13306/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022 seeks to amend the Civil Registration Act, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection.
The Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022 passed Second Stage in Seanad Éireann on 20 October 2022. I am advised that, subsequent to that date, Senator Doherty met with officials from the Department of Social Protection, including from the General Registry Office, in relation to this Bill.
As I understand it, this Amendment Bill currently sits at Committee Stage in the Seanad. In the context of the further progression of this Bill through the legislative process, my officials will engage as required, from a health policy perspective, with the Department of Social Protection and with Senator Doherty as part of that process.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1406)
James Lawless
Question:1406. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a request (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13307/23]
View answerWritten answers
Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.
While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
- Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
- Worked ordinarily on site in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
- Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
- Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
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 front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible front-line workers faced, following careful consideration. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.
In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. As of February this year there is a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1407)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:1407. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; the reason their scheduled appointments have been constantly postponed for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/23]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
Under 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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1408)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:1408. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason clinical audiologists in Ireland do not have a professional registration body such as CORU to monitor and guide professional conduct and standards, given other clinical therapies such as speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, chiropody and so on, are offered CORU governance; if this is an issue that can be reviewed in order that audiologists can have access and receive guidance from CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13327/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. Seventeen health and social care professions are designated for regulation by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. There are currently registers open for ten professions and CORU is continuing the substantial work required to open the registers for the remaining professions.
A number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex. In light of the various issues to be considered, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/).
My officials are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This framework will be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here: single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/services-directive-handbookproportionality-test-directive-guidance-2022-12-22_en
Public Sector Pay
Questions (1409)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:1409. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to clinical audiologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13328/23]
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.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (1410)
Martin Browne
Question:1410. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if the National Treatment Purchase Fund can be used to reimburse families who have had to secure therapies not available through their CDNT due to staffing vacancies and other shortfalls with therapy availability in CDNTs; if he has plans to resource this for all CDNTs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13330/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Treatment Purchase Fund was established under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961, with the function of providing hospital treatment for citizens and the collection and validation of information in relation to waiting lists. Its role was extended in 2009, via the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009, to provide for negotiations with private nursing homes in the context of fees payable for Fair Deal Clients.
It has no statutory remit to provide or pay for non hospital treatment.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (1411)
Martin Browne
Question:1411. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being taken to address the issue of pay parity among CDNT service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13331/23]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the key role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in providing services to people with disabilities and older people. A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in 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.
Any matters relating specifically to the organisations highlighted by the Deputy would need to be addressed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1412)
Martin Browne
Question:1412. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of staff approved in each of CAMHS 1 and 2 in south Tipperary; the number and specialty of the positions which are filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13334/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1413)
Martin Browne
Question:1413. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the data used that resulted in the increase in nursing resources for the medical assessment unit in Nenagh; his views on whether the increase in WTEs is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13336/23]
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 Services
Questions (1414)
Martin Browne
Question:1414. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on the bid by the HSE for €5.2 million to support the medical assessment units at Nenagh, Ennis and St. John's Hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13337/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1415)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:1415. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmologists with a special interest in extracapsular cataract at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [13351/23]
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 (1416)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:1416. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE audiologists working in each primary care centre within CHO8 as of 9 March 2023, in tabular form. [13352/23]
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
Questions (1417)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:1417. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number and location of palliative care beds in County Meath; and if palliative care services will be further improved during the remainder of 2023. [13353/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1418)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:1418. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of jigsaw youth mental health services currently in operating in each CHO area, in tabular form. [13354/23]
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.