Darren O'Rourke
Question:599. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. [21279/23]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (599)
Written 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 Staff
Questions (600)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:600. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric urologists attached to CHI Crumlin in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [21280/23]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (601)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:601. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs based in each health centre and primary care centre within CHO 8 as of 2 May 2023, in tabular form. [21281/23]
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (602)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:602. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of lung injuries and all other injuries arising from e-cigarette use admitted to the HSE in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21293/23]
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.
Civil Registration Service
Questions (603)
Sorca Clarke
Question:603. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to provide the HSE civil registration service at the primary care centre, Athlone, County Westmeath as it had been. [21301/23]
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.
Healthcare Policy
Questions (604)
Paul Murphy
Question:604. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the rules in relation to unhealthy food outlets being located close to schools; if she will introduce a national ban on unhealthy food being sold within 400 m of schools, including transportable retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21305/23]
View answerWritten answers
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a co-ordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland and the increasing burden placed on individuals and society.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
OPAP prescribed 'Ten Steps Forward' that would be taken to prevent overweight and obesity. Implementation of the plan is overseen by an Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) under the Chair of the Department of Health. It is comprised of representatives from a range of Government Departments and Agencies - including the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The Review of OPAP by the Department of Health was published in November 2022 and can be found on the Healthy Ireland website at gov.ie - Healthy Ireland Policies (www.gov.ie).
Step 2 of the OPAP is Regulate for a healthier environment. One of the Actions under this Step is to "Develop guidelines and support material for those working in developing the built environment for urban development and planning in relation to reducing the obesogenic environment". The OPAP recognised that changing the obesogenic environment is a critical factor underpinning the success of maintaining the population at a healthy weight. The prevention approach aims to gradually change Ireland's food environment to one that facilitates consumption of healthier food and drinks and fosters active lifestyles.
The question of legislation around planning matters for the issue raised by the Deputy is ultimately a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and I have consulted with officials in his Department in relation to this query.
‘Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ were published under section 28 of the Planning Act in June 2022 that set out national guidance to promote consistency and to assist planning authorities in integrating zoning and development objectives into city and county development plans, including mandatory objectives for the provision of transport infrastructure and supporting amenities, facilities and services such as healthcare in tandem with new development. Development plans are required to be consistent with the National Planning Framework, National Policy and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, reflecting a shift towards plan-led development with the development plan as the primary basis for decision making by planning authorities.
‘Draft Compact Settlement Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ are to be published for consultation in summer 2023 to provide consolidated guidance on compact growth and place making for a range of settlement types. These will also ensure consistency of approach to inform development plans, with a focus on more ‘compact’ housing models and the creation of active streets and spaces to deliver integrated, sustainable neighbourhoods. An initial policy approach was published in March 2023 which outlines the main elements of the forthcoming guidelines.
The policies set out in the updated Development Plan Guidelines and forthcoming Compact Settlement Guidelines are focused on promoting a built environment that facilitates active and healthy living patterns for local communities, by ensuring schools are linked to walking and cycling networks and accessible to sustainable travel modes, open spaces, recreation and sports opportunities.
The appropriateness of the location of fast-food outlets is ultimately a matter for local authorities to address through their own planning functions and is considered on a case-by-case basis in view of the mix of uses typically found in urban areas and the wider policy context of creating attractive places to live, work, study and play.
Health Service Executive
Questions (605)
Ged Nash
Question:605. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is engaging formally with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to assisting with its funding needs; if the HSE will provide an update on the status of that engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21331/23]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (606)
Holly Cairns
Question:606. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that clinical employees in section 39 organisations who engaged in clinical work with clients in residential care are eligible for the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21343/23]
View answerWritten answers
Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline 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:
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 frontline 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.
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.
Parliamentary Questions
Questions (607)
Catherine Murphy
Question:607. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of parliamentary questions he received in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and number of those per year he has referred to the HSE for a direct answer. [21376/23]
View answerWritten answers
Parliamentary Questions statistics requested by the Deputy are set out below.
|
Year |
PQs received by the Department of Health |
PQs referred to the HSE |
|
2023 (to date) |
5,068 |
2,867 |
|
2022 |
14,468 |
8,862 |
|
2021 |
15,209 |
7,113 |
|
2020 |
9,261 |
5,287 |
Health Services
Questions (608)
Seán Sherlock
Question:608. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for therapies; and the dates for same. [21390/23]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (609)
Mattie McGrath
Question:609. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the special leave with pay for healthcare workers who got Covid will be extended beyond June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21391/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Special Scheme of Paid Leave in respect of long-Covid introduced for a certain cohort of staff in the public health sector is a temporary Scheme, and as the Deputy has pointed out, is due to conclude at the end of June. At present, those who remain unwell beyond that date may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.
I am keenly aware of the impact of the Scheme concluding on employees, and I have asked officials in my Department to review options in this regard.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (610)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:610. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 663 of 7 March 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied) who worked as clerical staff at Mullingar Regional Hospital will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21397/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (611)
Seán Canney
Question:611. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if staff working in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service are included in the Covid bonus payment as front-line workers; if so, when he expects that they will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21414/23]
View answerWritten answers
Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline 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:
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 frontline 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 frontline 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 (612)
Seán Sherlock
Question:612. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a date for an urgent ophthalmology appointment. [21422/23]
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (613)
Brendan Smith
Question:613. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when GP visit cards will be extended to cover children aged six and seven years, as announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21449/23]
View answerWritten answers
It is intended to commence the expansion of GP care without charges to all children aged 6 and 7 as early as possible. My officials and the HSE have made preparations for this expansion. Engagements were held by my Department and the HSE with the IMO, representing GPs, throughout last year, and engagement is ongoing in relation to the necessary fee structures for this service.
EU Directives
Questions (614)
Seán Sherlock
Question:614. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a reimbursement of funds under the HSE's EU cross- border directive. [21463/23]
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.