Cathal Crowe
Question:357. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update following talks (details supplied) in relation to the kaftrio drug for cystic fibrosis. [14491/23]
View answerMedicinal Products
Questions (357)
Written answers
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff
Questions (358)
Niamh Smyth
Question:358. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14493/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Social Media
Questions (359)
Catherine Murphy
Question:359. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the protocols and or guidelines he has issued in respect of the use of personal social media accounts by officials in his Department; the number of sanctions imposed by his Department on its own officials in the past ten years to date in respect of social media output by its officials, verbal, written or otherwise; if social media platforms are restricted on his Department’s network; if an application (details supplied) is available to use and or download onto Department issued mobile phones; and if not, if it is barred from use. [14515/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's Acceptable Usage Policy outlines requirements in respect of the use of Departmental resources. The policy states that software owned by users in a personal capacity is not permitted to be installed or stored on any Departmental ICT Resource.
In respect of social media, the policy also confirms that when participating in activities on behalf of, or related to Departmental business, users must familiarise themselves with and adhere to the Departmental guidelines. Users remain responsible for their own use of such facilities in line with all departmental policies, whether blocked or not.
There have been no sanctions imposed against officials in respect of personal social media accounts in the period outlined.
Access to social media platforms is currently permitted on the network but are restricted as per the requirements of the Acceptable Usage Policy. My Department sandboxes all official applications on mobile devices and social media applications cannot be installed into these protected areas.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (360)
Denis Naughten
Question:360. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 8 March 2023, if he has responded to a request from the Minister for Social Protection to designate long-Covid as an occupational illness; the current status of the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14529/23]
View answerWritten answers
There has been a delay in responding as officials required time to engage with relevant bodies, to explore available options. I will be responding this week and confirming to Minister for Social Protection that the Department of Health officials will liaise with relevant parties to support our Health Care Workers.
Health Services Staff
Questions (361)
Willie O'Dea
Question:361. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will revert to this Deputy with a response to an issue (details supplied) which was raised recently during questions on priority legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14559/23]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by all support staff across our health service whose roles were evaluated under Phase IV of the Job Evaluation Scheme.
As the Deputy is aware, the Job Evaluation Scheme was an assessment of the responsibilities and tasks undertaken by support staff across the Health service and to determine whether any changes to their bands of pay were required based on a specific set of determiners. The evaluation process took place in four distinct phases, as agreed under the provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The fourth phase of the scheme has been completed and HSE HR circular 003 2003 has been released by the HSE and highlights the agreed bands of pay for support staff.
At the beginning of the Job Evaluation process, a National Monitoring Group was established, comprising of HSE and SIPTU officials. During Phase IV of the scheme, the National Monitoring Group held regular meetings to discuss and review progress. The methodology for the evaluation process was agreed by the National Monitoring Group. The recommendations under Phase IV of the scheme were evidence-based and made without prejudice based on a specific set of criteria. All four phases have now been completed and no formal mechanism for appeal was established under the process.
Pension Provisions
Questions (362)
Brendan Griffin
Question:362. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14560/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.
Home Help Service
Questions (363)
Robert Troy
Question:363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form in each CHO region the current number of home helps employed; the nuance of vacancies; if there are plans to hire additional numbers; and his views on the optimal number to be employed in this critical service. [14567/23]
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.
Care Services
Questions (364)
Brendan Smith
Question:364. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in advancing a project to provide additional accommodation at a health care facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14585/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.