Denis Naughten
Question:707. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant occupational therapy roles in children's primary care services in CHO 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/23]
View answerHealth Services Staff
Questions (707)
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (708)
Denis Naughten
Question:708. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant occupational therapy roles in children's primary care services in CHO 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21841/23]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (709)
Denis Naughten
Question:709. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant occupational therapy roles in children's primary care services in CHO 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21842/23]
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (710)
Denis Naughten
Question:710. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant occupational therapy roles in children's primary care services in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21843/23]
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 (711)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:711. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when an application for the pandemic special recognition payment will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (712)
Pauline Tully
Question:712. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if a person who was employed throughout the period of the Covid-19 pandemic in the cleaning of ambulances is entitled to the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/23]
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 Facilities
Questions (713)
Marian Harkin
Question:713. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of extra inpatient beds allocated to each hospital nationally for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/23]
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.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (714)
Marian Harkin
Question:714. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the total number of inpatient beds by hospital nationally for the years 2006 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21852/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (715)
Marian Harkin
Question:715. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of newly employed, full-time medical staff by hospital in the Saolta region for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21853/23]
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (716)
Róisín Shortall
Question:716. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further details regarding the recently announced €25 million in funding for 854 additional nursing posts to fully implement the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skillmix in all acute hospitals; the timeline he is working towards for filling these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21863/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Framework for Safe Staffing is an evidence-based approach to determine safe staffing and skill mix for nursing that is fully supported by Government and being implemented by the HSE. It is determined by patient need and demonstrates impact through the measurement of a range of outcomes.
Since 2018, two safe staffing policy documents have been published, Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings. Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings.
There has been significant investment of approximately €31 million to date to support implementation of the Framework, with 870 additional Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants in post across acute hospitals.
Completing implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework in all hospitals by the end of 2023 is a priority for me and have sanctioned the HSE to prioritize recruitment of the 854 additional posts needed.
The Framework methodology uses new/additional posts along with conversion of agency to permanent posts to achieve the required workforce stability. Nursing posts are a combination of Registered Nurses (RN) and Health Care Assistants (HCA) and this combination refers to the skill-mix.
The breakdown applying the methodology above equates to €25m in new posts ( funding already provided to the HSE ) as well as conversion posts.
|
- |
RN |
€ |
HCA |
€ |
|
New funding |
353.5 |
22m |
50 |
3m |
|
Agency |
333.5 |
0m |
117 |
0m |
|
Total |
687 |
22m |
167 |
3m |
Agency conversion is an important component of the Framework to achieve nursing workforce stability. There is no additional funding required for the 450.5 WTE agency conversions and the evidence has shown cost savings at hospital level through reduced reliance and use of Agency overtime.
The total number of posts required, combining both new posts and agency conversions, to fully implement the Framework is 854.
My Department will work with the HSE to achieve this timeline and progress of recruitment will be reported through the national oversight group to support monitoring against this timeline.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (717)
Holly Cairns
Question:717. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure individuals on waiting lists are made aware of their options to seek treatment under the cross-border directive. [21869/23]
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.
Health Services
Questions (718)
Michael Ring
Question:718. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if his Department is paying for private assessments to be carried out on all children with autism; if so, if his Department is paying for everybody who has to have a private assessment carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21870/23]
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.
Education Policy
Questions (719)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:719. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the principle of academic freedom and parity of esteem can be embedded in the Research and Innovation Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/23]
View answerWritten answers
The General Scheme of the Research and Innovation Bill 2023 forms a key part of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. Its main purpose is the formation of a new competitive research and funding agency, through the amalgamation of the functions and activities of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.
The Impact 2030 strategy clearly sets out the Government’s ambition for Ireland to a be research and innovation leader. The objectives of that strategy include the promotion and support of excellence in research and innovation across all disciplines, spanning fundamental research to applied research activity. The strategy also highlights the importance of growing Ireland’s international offering and reputation in the field of excellent research and innovation.
These ambitions and objectives are widely shared. So too, are the values of academic freedom and parity of esteem among research disciplines. That is why the new agency will put all disciplines on an equal statutory footing for the first time. The concept of parity of esteem pervades the legislation, just as academic freedom is a core value of our higher education sector, as set out in section 8(1)(f) and section 120 of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022.
Information and Communications Technology
Questions (720)
Ciarán Cannon
Question:720. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if officials from his Department are using an application (details supplied) to conduct business; if his Department has had official meetings regarding the use of the application by officials; if his Department has assessed the risk of using the application by Department officials and the input of Government-related data into the application; if his Department is using or is considering using other forms of artificial intelligence; if his Department is considering banning the use of the application by Department officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21090/23]
View answerWritten answers
The current position is that my Department and officials do not presently use ChatGPT or any other form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate official text. No meetings or risk assessments have yet been held regarding its use and no such software is installed on my official's devices.
Third Level Fees
Questions (721)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:721. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of further reducing third-level fees to €1,000 in 2023-2024, and subsequently to abolish these fees in 2024-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21115/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the cost of living response in Budget 2023 included, for the 2022/23 academic year, a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible undergraduate students.
Separately I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support through SUSI from September 2023. For students whose families have incomes between €62,000 and €100,000, there will be a new grant of €500 towards the undergraduate student contribution payable by free fees eligible undergraduate students. I am also increasing the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant. These measures mean that 42,500 to 50,000 extra students may be eligible for additional help towards paying the undergraduate student contribution once these measures come into effect.
The student contribution replaced the student registration fees levied by higher education institutions and, while the student contribution stands at €3,000 for academic year 2023/24, it is important to recognise that free fees students may be eligible to have the student contribution paid in full (€3,000) or part (€1,500 or €500) through the aforementioned student grant scheme.
In advance of Budget 2024 this autumn, and as I did last year, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various measures to address the cost of education. This will include estimated costs of options to reduce the student contribution. This is being worked on by officials in my Department and I will be pleased to provide the detailed estimates to the Deputy once available.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (722)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:722. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total estimated yearly cost to the Exchequer of abolishing apprenticeship registration fees, broken down by consortia-led and craft; the average cost per apprentice, broken down by craft and consortia-led apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/23]
View answerWritten answers
There is no apprenticeship registration fee, for either employers or apprentices.
There is a very substantial allocation of resources to apprenticeships, drawing on the funding raised through the Employer Training Levy into the National Training Fund.
Calculating a cost-per-apprentice is a complex matter involving fixed costs, such as programme development costs, and variable costs per participating apprentice. The nature of specific apprenticeships is also an influencing factor. The different teaching methods and materials/resources required across programme will naturally vary and impact on programme costs.
In 2019, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform published a Spending Review of Apprenticeships. This estimated the average annual cost per apprentice in craft apprenticeships at €7,159 and €9,877 for consortia-led programmes.
However, as noted above, there are many variables across the 66 programmes and both figures are caveated by that factor.