Wednesday, 19 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 137-152

Health Services Staff

Questions (137)

Richard Bruton

Question:

137. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has received any reports on the speed with which CORU can process international recognition of therapists, who were trained overseas and have long working experience overseas at the highest level, where it appears that very demanding detail of all training and working experience is insisted upon, which must be each notarised, and where no facility for in-person exchange is afforded which could unravel some of the complexity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18406/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Officials in my Department are in regular contact with CORU and I am aware of the difficulties that some applicants with non-Irish qualifications face with the recognition process. Please be aware that, across all professions, the average time for a complete application for recognition of non-Irish qualifications to receive a decision in 2022 was 75 days. Across the therapist professions, the average time for a complete application for recognition of non-Irish qualifications to receive a decision in the same year was 72 days.

Delivering a recognition decision is a complex process and includes checking and verifying of all evidence supplied such as: evidence of eligibility to practice; degree certificates; transcripts and course curriculums/syllabi/module descriptors; additional training and/or education; and relevant work experience. CORU require this information to be notarised to ensure it is true and authentic. Applicants are advised of the documentation and notarisation requirements in the guidance notes available.

Following the submission of a complete application, there is a portfolio-style assessment of all of the required information, formulation of a recommendation by a team of experts, and consideration of that recommendation and final decision by the Registration Board. In some cases, this involves a request for, and analysis of, additional information. This is to ensure that professionals meet the standards of proficiency (the minimum standards required for entry to the profession in Ireland) and to ensure public protection and safety.

Applicants submit their applications via an online portal and can communicate with the team via email or telephone, as needed, to clarify issues as the process progresses.

Applicants are given extensive guidance notes on CORU's website and online application portal. CORU's phone lines are open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and emails are responded to as per service level agreements as set out in CORU's customer charter (2 days). Telephone calls are also facilitated outside of these times where necessary.

Health Strategies

Questions (138)

Denis Naughten

Question:

138. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when he intends to publish an evaluation of the national cardiovascular health strategy which expired in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18410/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.

The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend configuration for a national adult cardiac service to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.

The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the Cardiac Services Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is now finalised. The Report is being prepared currently for presentation to the Minister for his consideration.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (139)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

139. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the establishment of a working group on foot of the publication of a report (details supplied) into Ireland's reimbursement process; if he will outline the membership of this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18415/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In February, I published the Mazars Review which examined the governance arrangements around the HSE’s Drug Pricing and Reimbursement Process. I fully support the recommendations contained in the Mazars report around improving the process, increasing transparency, providing easier access, and supporting value for money.

An implementation group has been established between my Department and the HSE to consider and progress the various recommendations contained in the Report as well as other options to improve the process. The Group will engage with stakeholders including patient groups and industry, in seeking to bring about further improvements to the reimbursement process.

The membership of the Group includes representatives of the Drugs Group, the HSE, the NCPE, and the Department of Health.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (140)

Matt Carthy

Question:

140. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1476 of 21 March 23, the reason the HSE has not adequately answered the Question; if he will provide the information as to the civil registration offices that remained operational during the Covid pandemic restrictive periods; the centres in which staff were awarded the pandemic special recognition payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18419/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (141)

Denis Naughten

Question:

141. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to introduce a national screening programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18423/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, such as screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

A number of conditions, including familial hypercholesterolaemia, are undergoing active consideration by NSAC. The Committee also published its Work Programme on its website, setting out the proposals currently being considered.

It may of interest to note that the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives. The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend configuration for a national adult cardiac service to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.

The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the Cardiac Services Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response. Substantial progress has been made on the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services and it is now complete. The Report is being prepared currently for presentation to the Minister for his consideration. Any recommendations relevant to population screening for cardiac or related conditions will be considered by the NSAC.

Health Services Staff

Questions (142)

Brendan Smith

Question:

142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being implemented to eliminate the unacceptable delays experienced by persons who qualified in Northern Ireland or in Britain in having their qualifications recognised in Ireland in areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Every application for recognition of non-Irish qualifications is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It should be noted that many applications from those with qualifications obtained in Northern Ireland and Great Britain are recognised in a shorter timeframe than those of other jurisdictions. This is due to familiarity with, and greater knowledge of, the UK system of qualifications.

In Q1 2023, the average time for therapist professions (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy) who qualified in Northern Ireland and Great Britain to receive a decision on their application for recognition was 65 days. In 2022, CORU’s Registration Boards made 48% more decisions on applications for recognition of international qualifications than they had in 2021. The average time required to deliver a recognition decision for all professions was 69 days in Q3 and Q4 of 2022. This was a significant reduction on the 2021 average of 87 days and the 2020 average of 75 days (the 2018 and 2019 averages were 72 and 75 days respectively).

CORU has undertaken several measures aimed at reducing timeframes which are listed below:

• The process for recognition of international qualifications has been fully digital since September 2021.

• Guidance notes were updated and guidance has also been incorporated into the front-end online application portal which should assist applicants to submit a complete application when undertaking the application process.

• Work has also been ongoing to identify possible new approaches for recognition of international qualifications. In addition, new systems operable within the law as it stands are being researched and tested to speed up the process.

• CORU also invite applicants whose files are considered complete to apply for registration so that the recognition and registration tasks can processed in parallel.

• The frequency of Registration Board meetings has also been increased to allow for quicker decision-making.

Abortion Services

Questions (143)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

143. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when he will introduce legislation to provide for safe access zones around sites where abortion services are provided. [18433/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Minister is committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the area remains an ongoing priority for him, the Government and the Department of Health, including progressing legislation this year.

Pre-Legislative Scrutiny hearings for Safe Access Zones legislation were held with Department officials on 19 October 2022 and 18 January 2023.

The Department has responded to the Joint Committee on the queries raised during the PLS process, and their Report is now awaited. The drafting process is at an advanced stage and it is hoped to finalise the bill as soon as possible following receipt of the PLS Report.

Education Policy

Questions (144)

Holly Cairns

Question:

144. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to ensure that funding is provided to trainee educational psychologists to enable them complete professional training. [18458/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.

I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.

Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.

Health Service Executive

Questions (145)

Holly Cairns

Question:

145. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking in relation to the high volume of cases of alleged sexual harassment and workplace bullying in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18459/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ensuring the safety of our employees is a priority concern. It is completely unacceptable that the staff of our health service have to endure harassment or bullying in the course of delivering their duties. I note the HSE are focussing on improvements in this regard, and I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to steps they are taking to tackle this matter.

Health Services

Questions (146, 147, 148)

Thomas Gould

Question:

146. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding given for respite services in each CHO in each of the past five years in tabular form. [18460/23]

Thomas Gould

Question:

147. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding given for residential respite services in each CHO in each of the past five years in tabular form. [18461/23]

Thomas Gould

Question:

148. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the funding given for development of new respite services in each CHO in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [18462/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 to 148, inclusive, together.

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 147 answered with Question No. 146.

Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 146.

Health Services

Questions (149)

Thomas Gould

Question:

149. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of applications made for respite services in each of the past five years, by CHO in tabular form. [18463/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 (150)

Thomas Gould

Question:

150. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of applications made for residential respite services in each of the past five years, by CHO in tabular form. [18464/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.

Education and Training Provision

Questions (151)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

151. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify if financial support will be forthcoming for the current cohort of students on the trainee educational and child psychologist programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18465/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.

I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.

Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.

Mental Health Services

Questions (152)

Matt Carthy

Question:

152. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the list of ‘mental health conditions – people aged 16 and younger’, that are included under the section - medical conditions covered by the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18470/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.