Written Answers Nos. 1327-1341
1327. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to upgrade and enhance paediatric care and services in Cork University Hospital, CUH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16056/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1328. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in relation to the installation of a helipad at Cork University Hospital, CUH (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1329. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when an urgent transfer will proceed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16060/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1330. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to be seen by child and adolescent mental health services by Community Healthcare Organisation, CHO, and Local Health Office, LHO; and the length of time that persons are waiting to be seen, in tabular form. [16061/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/23]
View answer1354. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation with regard to those foreign healthcare assistants already working in Ireland for two years who have been advised they will only be given renewed employment permits if they complete the QQI Level 5 courses, but where the NARIC Ireland international qualification comparison requirement finds that QQI level 5 is not required for those with higher qualifications in nursing (level 7 or level 8 qualification) from overseas institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16380/23]
View answer1359. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns of HSE-employed healthcare assistants from outside Ireland in relation to amendments in their QQI employment requirements, and a lack of clarity in relation to qualification comparisons from non-EU college courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16394/23]
View answer1371. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health in relation to the Government’s ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship’, part of which seeks to develop a public sector National Framework of Qualification QQI level 5 courses for the occupation of healthcare assistants, if healthcare assistants who have nursing qualifications from outside of Ireland (QQI level 7 and 8), will be required to complete the QQI level 5 courses to remain working as a healthcare assistant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16438/23]
View answer1390. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on the matter that persons currently employed as healthcare assistants with comparable qualifications from another jurisdiction over QQI 5 level will not be required to complete QQI level 5 course for the occupation of healthcare assistant in Ireland, when it comes into operation, to retain their jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16513/23]
View answer1412. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties being faced by overseas healthcare assistants in terms of getting renewed work permits; if those qualified above QQI level 5 in the health care sector will need to repeat the QQI level 5 due to HSE changes to the National Framework of Qualification QQI level 5 course for the occupation of healthcare assistant in Ireland; if he is aware of the importance of overseas healthcare assistants in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16607/23]
View answer1471. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that healthcare assistants who are qualified above QQI level 5 do not need to repeat or obtain a QQI level 5 qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16825/23]
View answer1497. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason healthcare assistants who come from abroad to work here, with qualifications above QQI level 5 will only be given renewed employment permits if they complete the QQI level course for healthcare assistants in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the NARIC Ireland international qualification comparison requirement (details supplied) that those who are qualified above QQI 5 level in the health sector, do not need to repeat the QQI 5 level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16905/23]
View answer1544. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17199/23]
View answer1551. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17187/23]
View answer1575. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will address the ambiguity regarding the Government's Action Plan to develop a public sector National Framework of Qualification QQI level 5 course for the occupation of healthcare assistant in Ireland, particularly in relation to health care assistants from abroad who are qualified above QQI 5 level in the health sector; if he will confirm that they do not need to repeat the QQI 5 level (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17295/23]
View answer1768. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that healthcare assistants working in Ireland under the general employment permit are not compelled to complete a QQI level 5 healthcare course to renew their permit in situations where their existing international qualifications and experience meet or exceed level 5 qualifications; the steps he is taking to address ambiguity regarding existing qualifications and experience in respect of non-EEA healthcare assistants; the engagements he has had with Quality and Qualifications Ireland and a representative body for these workers (details supplied) in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18228/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1331, 1354, 1359, 1371, 1390, 1412, 1471, 1497, 1544, 1551, 1575 and 1768 together.
In June 2021 the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment provided access to the General Employment Permit for the role of Health Care Assistant.
The framework agreed with the Department of Health included the requirement for the employment to offer a remuneration level of €27,000 or more and for the permit holder to achieve a relevant Level 5 Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) qualification after two years employment in the State. The Level 5 qualification after two years is the minimum required for this role. This criterion was established to ensure all workers in the Health Care Assistant role would work towards building their skills and range of qualifications and in safeguarding the care of vulnerable patients that a similar standard of learning will be met and delivered upon across care settings.
Ideally, all Health Care Assistants should obtain their QQI Level 5 in Healthcare support. However, it is now clear that some Health Care Assistant staff who are availing of the employment permits framework have other qualifications, aligned to the care industry but not as Health Care Assistants. There appear to be three other Nursing/ Care qualifications from the NARIC website that staff from the Philippines and India can obtain at a Level 7 and Level 8 QQI level. However, the education, training and experience aligned with these qualifications are unclear.
The HSE currently accept QQI Level 5 or equivalent as part of their eligibility criteria. It is therefore not unreasonable to accept a healthcare award at Level 6/7/8 instead of the QQI Healthcare Support Level 5 award for employment permit purposes if the clinical lead in the organisation or the employer provides assurances that the staff member has demonstrated the skills, experience, and knowledge to carry out the role competently as compared to those staff members with the QQI L5 qualification. A “sign-off” from the clinical lead in the organisation or employer would be required. A standard form will be available for this purpose. This would allow for those staff who have demonstrated competence to continue to apply for the extension of the permit and identify those staff who may be required to complete the qualification within two years to proceed with a renewal of the employment permit. This may involve the full award or individual modules.
The eligibility criteria for Health Care Assistants specific to professional qualifications and experience for employment permit purposes is as follows;
The relevant health skills FETAC Level 5 qualification
OR
An equivalent relevant health care qualification
AND
Be currently employed as a Health Care Assistant or a comparable role
AND
Candidates must have the personal competence and capacity to properly discharge the duties of the role.
1332. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to improve the resourcing of genetic services in Ireland for the detection and treatment of rare diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16081/23]
View answerThe Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. The Strategy outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. In 2023, the HSE will begin developing a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics, which will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait time. The Strategy also outlines a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. To start implementing the Strategy in 2023 I approved €2.7 million including the appointment of key staff. These appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.
In addition to expanding a broad genetics and genomics service, I have also supported several key measures in rare diseases. My Department has worked with the National Rare Disease Office to facilitate Irish entry into 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases and support an EU Joint Action for the integration of ERNs into the national system. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. The Department has also progressed Irish entry into Horizon Europe Partnerships on Rare Disease and Personalised Medicine. Participation in ERNs and Horizon Europe Partnerships ensure greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing with European partners. Finally, I have recently announced a plan to develop a revised National Rare Disease Plan. This Plan will be a key step in progressing an improved overall service for individuals living with a rare disease.
1333. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred healthcare service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the programme for Government commitments in this area. [16083/23]
View answerIn 2020, a steering committee was established to address specific issues in relation to the development of transgender healthcare services. The committee had a wide range of stakeholders from the agencies involved in delivering care, as well as service user representatives, including a representative from TENI.
Further to the Cass Interim Report on the Tavistock Clinic, the HSE held an event recently with Dr Hillary Cass, which was attended by a wide range of stakeholders from the HSE, the Department of Health, Children’s Health Ireland, the Ireland East Hospital Group and others involved in providing services.
The HSE is committed to developing a seamless and integrated service for those with gender identity issues on an ongoing basis, with the support of all relevant stakeholders, and are focused on providing a high quality and safe service to an often extremely vulnerable patient group. Throughout this process, the HSE will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the new model of care. Including those who provide and use these services, and advocacy groups.
I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred health care service for adults and children in the transgender community.
1334. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the locations of defibrillator machines in areas (details supplied). [16084/23]
View answerAutomated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available in many locations nationally and are managed by individual organisations. The individual organisations are responsible for the location, maintenance and upkeep of those AEDs.
The Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Strategy Governance Implementation Group aims to implement a National AED Registry that is mapped to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) dispatch system, with a supporting application to dispatch community first responders (CFR) to the scene of the OHCA. The National Ambulance Service has a network of more than 250 CFR schemes, supported by a Community Engagement Team.
An AED Registry is currently in development ensuring the cyber safety of our NAS dispatch system. The facility to register defibrillators with the NAS exists and AEDs can be registered at; www.nationalambulanceservice.ie/community/aed/
1335. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of funding of clinical staff required supplemental to general funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16100/23]
View answerIn 2022, the Health Vote was allocated additional funding of €1,392 million through a Supplementary Estimate, as approved by the Dáil on 7th December 2022. This included €1,302m for additional Current expenditure and €90m for capital expenditure. The capital expenditure related to additional funding allocated to Health for capital purposes but held centrally outside of the Health Vote.
The Supplementary Estimate generally related to unfunded expenditure (primarily the costs of additional COVID responses required during 2022 (Vaccination Programme, Testing and Tracing, PPE and the continued need for extensive Acute and Community COVID responses across the Health System) rather than specific additional funding to expand the Health workforce, including the recruitment of clinical staff. The Supplementary Estimate also provided funding for the payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to eligible Healthcare staff.
In addition to COVID responses, the Supplementary Estimate also provided within this overall additional allocation an amount of €351 million for additional pay funding. This funding related primarily to the extension to Building Momentum agreed in October 2022 which had not been provided for in the original Health Estimate. Due to the legacy nature of the HSE's financial and payroll systems, it is not possible to readily quantify how much of the pay award funding within the supplementary estimate related to clinical staff.
1336. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE conducts exit interviews for staff that are leaving the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16101/23]
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.
1337. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of people attending the diabetes clinic in Dundalk who are living with type 1 diabetes; the number of people with type 1 diabetes on a waiting list for an appointment for the clinic; the average length of waiting times for those appointments for existing patients and newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16320/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1338. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if dose adjustment for normal eating, DAFNE, carbohydrate counting courses are proceeding at the Dundalk diabetes clinic, either remotely or in person; if so, how many people have completed DAFNE courses at the clinic; how many are on the waiting list for DAFNE courses; the average waiting time for patients to get a place on the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16321/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1339. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will outline how many diabetes specialist nurses, DSNs, and dietitians are currently working in the diabetes clinic in Dundalk, both full-time and part-time; if these posts are solely dedicated to serving people with type 1 diabetes at the Dundalk clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16322/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1340. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if a new endocrinologist has been appointed to the diabetes clinic in Dundalk; when this appointment will commence; if a new endocrinologist has not yet been appointed, when this post will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16323/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1341. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a new pump clinic will be provided at Dundalk’s diabetes clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16324/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
