Written Answers Nos. 1433-1447
1433. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to make the non-invasive prenatal tests available free of charge to all pregnant women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16687/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1434. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of persons within CHO5 awaiting respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16688/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1435. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if those working as Covid vaccinators are entitled to the pandemic special recognition payment; if so, when they can expect to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16695/23]
View answerLast 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 onsite 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:
Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
Agency roles working in the HSE;
Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
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 also 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.
1436. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a required surgery carried out; if a guarantee can be provided regarding a date, given the surgery has been cancelled three times in the past eight weeks; and the reason the cancellations occurred. [16702/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1438. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when an application for a primary medical certificate will be finalised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16717/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1439. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if there will be any State-funded fertility treatment programme available in the State in the coming period; if his Department has plans in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16721/23]
View answer1476. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the scheme to publicly fund IVF treatments; when people will be able to apply; the criteria that will be used to determine eligibility; if it will involve means testing; when funding will be made available to support access to advanced AHR treatment via private providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16837/23]
View answer1524. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm in relation to the details of the public funding for IVF treatment if there will be waitlists, who might qualify; if one is eligible if one has previously received treatment; if it will be means tested; and if it will cover IUI, IVF, ISCI and egg/sperm donations. [17054/23]
View answer1601. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17438/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1439, 1476, 1524 and 1601 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Model of Care for Fertility was developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) in order to ensure that fertility-related issues are addressed through the public health system at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.
This Model of Care comprises three stages, starting in primary care (i.e., GPs) and extending into secondary care (i.e., Regional Fertility Hubs) and then, where necessary, tertiary care (i.e., IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and other advanced assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments), with patients being referred onwards through structured pathways. Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care has involved the establishment, at secondary care level, of Regional Fertility Hubs within maternity networks, in order to facilitate the management of a significant proportion of patients presenting with fertility-related issues at this level of intervention. The completion of Phase One of the roll-out of the Model of Care, envisaged later this year, will result in fully operational Regional Fertility Hubs at six locations across the country.
Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care will see the introduction of tertiary fertility services, including IVF, provided through the public health system. In this regard, funding was secured in Budget 2023 to support access to advanced AHR treatments, including, crucially, to allow the commencement of Phase Two of the roll-out of the Model of Care.
This investment will facilitate the first steps to be taken towards the provision of a complete publicly-provided fertility service, which is the ultimate objective of Government. In particular, it will allow the historic development of the first National Advanced AHR Centre, delivering IVF and ICSI through a wholly public clinic and this is scheduled to open in 2024. Subject to the provision of additional funding in future, it is envisaged that additional National Advanced AHR Centres will be developed and become operational on a phased basis elsewhere in the country.
The 2023 allocation is also being utilised to support the Regional Fertility Hubs in order to expand their scope of services by introducing the provision of IUI (intrauterine insemination), which can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive, type of AHR treatment.
Separately, as an interim measure, I have instructed that some funding be made available to support access to advanced AHR treatment via private providers from September 2023.
My officials, in conjunction with NWIHP, are continuing to actively prepare for the operationalisation of both the publicly- and privately- provided service, including finalising a national eligibility framework and determining how the interim funding for private treatments will be provided to individual eligible patients. However, as the design and scope of this final phase of the Model of Care for Fertility have not yet been finalised, the Department is not in a position at this juncture to provide details in respect of, for instance, any specific criteria to be utilised for accessing advanced AHR treatment.
My Department and the Government is fully committed, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, to ensuring that patients always receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and then those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system. The underlying aim of the policy to provide a model of funding for AHR, within the broader new AHR regulatory framework, is to improve accessibility to AHR treatments, while at the same time embedding safe and appropriate clinical practice and ensuring the cost-effective use of public resources.
1440. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the location of all automated external defibrillators local to Terenure, Dublin 6; if a national database of defibrillator locations can be provided for communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16722/23]
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/.
1442. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for people with a rare disease to access genetic testing and then to receive a subsequent diagnosis after a referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16738/23]
View answerThis question has been referred to the HSE for response.
1443. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown in tabular form of staff numbers, rank and hours worked (full-time or part-time) at the Department of Clinical Genetics of Our Lady’s Children's Hospital Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16739/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have referred the question to the HSE for answer.
1444. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason behind the long wait times for processing applications in CORU; the issue regarding qualification requirements (details supplied) in circumstances where a professional will be working in an unrelated field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16750/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department have been in touch with CORU to obtain further information in relation to the questions that have been raised in this PQ. As no detail on the individual involved has been provided, it is not possible to provide a response specifically in relation to this particular case. However, I have been informed that, in order for a professional to practise using the title of Physiotherapist in Ireland, they need to meet the Standards of Proficiency for Physiotherapy. These standards can be accessed at: www.coru.ie/files-recognition/standards-of-proficiency-for-physiotherapists.pdf.
I am also aware that CORU provide an appeal mechanism for persons who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their application for recognition. Information on the appeals procedure is available here: The Appeals Procedure and Appeals Form - Coru.
Please be advised that CORU are currently developing pathways for applicants who need to undertake an adaptation period to help them obtain the required learning to practise safely in Ireland and I would advise the person in question to contact CORU to see if any further assistance can be provided in this matter.
1445. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if any consideration has been given to providing much needed core funding to a charity (details supplied) for their counselling, well-being and emotional support service; if not, the reason considering the vital role these services provide to their service users suffering from mental health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16752/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1446. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of the Covid-19 recognition payment to eligible workers in non-HSE and non-section 38 organisations; the number of non-HSE and non-section 38 organisations whose claims have not been processed; when he expects all payments to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16758/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health about Clúid Housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16761/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
