Written Answers Nos. 679-695
679. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 433 of 8 February 2023, if he will investigate the reason a person (details supplied) has yet to receive their pandemic recognition payment. [22832/23]
View answerAs 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.
680. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will enquire as to the reason that a person (details supplied) has not received the pandemic recognition payment to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22904/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
681. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the new home care tender 2023; the reason for any delays to date; how they are being expedited; if he is committed to engaging with those operating in the home care sector on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
682. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if the new tender process for the home care sector will be completed by the HSE in time for when the current arrangement expires on the newly revised date of 30 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
683. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has a timeline for the publication of the current review of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22939/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
684. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the pandemic bonus payment for three agency workers (details supplied) in County Mayo. [22941/23]
View answerAs 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.
685. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the publication of Tender 2023 which will set out how the homecare sector will operate over the next several years; the reason the publication of Tender 2023 has been delayed on a number of occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22950/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
686. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will agree to meet with an organisation (details supplied) to agree funding for a new rate on Tender 2023 that reflects the increased costs of care and that allows homecare providers to offer their homecare staff a living wage, travel time and mileage costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22951/23]
View answerThe existing tender for home support services was extended by the HSE at the end of 2022, initially to the end of April 2023. The HSE has proposed a further extension of the contract arrangements to Friday 30th of June, to allow time to finalise tender arrangements. This is a priority area and the process of developing the new tender is at an advanced stage. Officials in the Department of Health are engaging at a senior level with the HSE and the HSE has ongoing engagements with home care providers to progress the new tender.
A strict communication protocol applies in all phases of the procurement process, therefore a meeting with a particular organisation on Tender 2023 cannot be facilitated at this time.
687. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an outline of the current situation regarding tender for new home care (Tender 2023); the reason there have been three extensions of the existing tender since 2018, including most recently in April last; if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) on this matter; and if he will take immediate steps to conclude Tender 2023 at the earliest possible date. [22962/23]
View answerTender 2023 is a priority area and the process of developing the new tender is at an advanced stage. My officials are engaging at a senior level with the HSE and the HSE has ongoing engagements with home care providers to progress the new tender. As a strict communication protocol applies in all phases of the procurement process a meeting with a particular organisation on Tender 2023 cannot be facilitated at this time.
I have asked the HSE to reply further to the Deputy on Tender 2023.
688. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progression of the new home care tender (details supplied); if he will outline an expected timeline for same; if he will ensure that it reaches a timely conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22965/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
689. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health what progress is being made in appointing an Independent Commissioner for Ageing and Older People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22985/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting healthy, active, and autonomous ageing as well as to ensuring that older persons can continue to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
Acknowledging the disproportionately negative impact of the pandemic on older persons, the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future (2020) commits to the establishment of a commission on care that will ‘assess how we care for older people and examine alternatives to meet the diverse needs of our older citizens’, learning the lessons from COVID 19.
In 2022 preliminary desk research was undertaken within the Department of Health in preparation for the establishment of a commission on care. In 2023 the scoping and planning for the commission on care are being further advanced as a priority. While the scope of the commission has yet to be finalised, it is envisaged that consideration of matters such as whether there is a need to establish an independent commissioner for ageing and older people will fall within the commission’s remit.
690. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an up-to-date timeframe as to when he expects the statutory home support scheme to be finalised and operational. [22986/23]
View answerWork is ongoing to progress the development of the new home support scheme within the broader context of the ongoing reform of our health and social care system, as envisaged in the Sláintecare Report. The scheme will provide equitable access to high-quality services based on a person’s assessed care-needs. It is envisaged that the Heads of Bill, Memo for Government and Regulatory Impact Analysis will be brought to Government for approval before the end of this year.
Work is ongoing across four workstreams:
(i) Regulation of home-support providers
The Department is currently developing a regulatory framework for home-support providers with the aim of ensuring that all service-users are provided with high-quality care. This framework will comprise of primary legislation for the licensing of providers, secondary legislation in the form of regulations (minimum requirements), and HIQA national standards.
On 27 April 2021, Government gave approval to the Minister for Health to draft a General Scheme and Heads of Bill to establish a licensing framework for home-support providers. The Heads of a Bill are currently being drafted. This is being progressed by the Department with a view to bringing it through the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity. A Regulatory Impact Analysis is being progressed by the Department to ensure effectiveness and mitigate risks.
Development of regulations and standards are at an advanced stage. The Department has completed a targeted stakeholder consultation on draft regulations (minimum requirements) that will form the criteria against which a provider’s eligibility to hold a license will be determined. Draft regulations for home support providers have been developed by the department and amended following targeted stakeholder consultation. This has been enhanced by regular discussions with HIQA, HSE, Providers' representative groups and legal expertise assisting with legal text and interpretation of core issues, such as, capacity legislation, employment laws and health and safety issues. A 6-week public consultation was completed in August 2022 and the analysis of the results by the IPH was published in January 2023:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/56ab1-draft-regulations-for-providers-of-home-support-services-an-overview-of-the-findings-of-the-department-of-healths-public-consultation/
HIQA have conducted an evidence review on home support which was published on May 30th 2022. HIQA have developed standards for home care and home support services which will be the focus of a public consultation. The Department is also represented on the HIQA advisory group.
(ii) Financing of home-support services
The Department of Health is currently examining a range of funding options for home support. A policy dialogue showcasing recent national and international research commissioned by the Department of Health on future funding options for home support was held in March 2023.
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) undertook a programme of work on behalf of the Department on the potential demand for, and cost of, home support which culminated in two reports:
Demand for the Statutory Home Support Scheme (published in March 2021)
Home Support Services in Ireland: Exchequer and Distributional Impacts of Funding Options (published in February 2022)
A further report from the European Observatory on Health Systems was published in March of this year titled: “Improving Home Care Sustainability in Ireland. Are user charges a promising option?”
This research will form an important part of the evidence base for the development of a sustainable funding model for home support services in the context of our ageing population.
An internal consultation process on a range of potential funding options is underway. Targeted external consultation is also underway.
(iii) Reformed model of service delivery
The development of a reformed model of service delivery for home support and the testing of this across four pilot sites has concluded. The evaluation phase has commenced, with a final report expected shortly. The pilot commenced in November 2021 in East Westmeath in Community Healthcare Organisation CHO 8, three further sites came into operation in January 2022: Tuam, Athenry and Loughrea in CHO 2; Bandon, Kinsale and Carrigaline in CHO 4; and Ballyfermot and Palmerstown in CHO 7.
The rollout of interRAI as the single assessment tool for care needs in the community will assist with equitable resource allocation and InterRAI standardised outputs will be used to determine prioritisation and levels of care required. Service users will be assured of a fair and transparent care needs assessment.
The HSE has begun the recruitment process for 128 interRAI Care Needs Facilitators to progress the national rollout of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care needs in the community.
The HSE is undertaking a recruitment process for a number of key posts to support the establishment of a National Home Support Office. Funding is provided for 15 full time jobs including 9 Community Healthcare Organisation home support manager/coordinator posts. A Head of Service has been appointed to the new Office, with the remaining posts to be filled as soon as possible this year. A proposed location in Tullamore for the National Home Support Office is being sourced by the HSE.
(iv) Implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group
In order to examine the significant workforce challenges in the home-support and nursing home sectors in Ireland, Minister Butler established a cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. The group was charged with identifying strategic workforce challenges in publicly and privately provided front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes and with developing recommendations. The group examined issues such as the recruitment, retention, training, career-development, pay and conditions and barriers to employment for front-line carers in these sectors.
Their report was published in October 2022 with 16 recommendations in the areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development, sectoral reform, and monitoring and implementation. Minister Butler strongly endorses these recommendations and they will be progressed through a dedicated implementation group. The report is available here:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/492bc-report-of-the-strategic-workforce-advisory-group-on-home-carers-and-nursing-home-health-care-assistants/
Recommendation no 9 has been implemented. The statutory instrument authorising the issuance of 1,000 employment permits for home-care workers was signed on 16th December 2022. To date, 17 organisations have availed of and utilised the process. According to statistics produced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in April 2023, 54 permits have been issued to date.
691. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his Department has conducted an up-to-date assessment of the ongoing effects of the impact of isolation on the mental health and wellbeing on the elderly population arising out of the Covid pandemic; the supports that are available to elderly people in this regard; how are these supports communicated and publicised to the targeted group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/23]
View answerEvidence shows loneliness is a significant issue for population health and a number of different studies have linked loneliness to multiple chronic health conditions. Loneliness levels in Ireland are rising, and the pandemic was a major contributory factor.
As the pandemic evolved, Ireland has transitioned from a focus on regulation and population wide restrictions to a focus on public health advice, personal judgement and personal protective behaviours.
The gov.ie website provides guidance on public health advice in place at present. This guidance is updated regularly and is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3361b-public-health-updates/ . The latest advice on Covid-19 is available here www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/
Loneliness can be detrimental for our physical and mental health, while reconnecting with others has numerous physical and mental health benefits.
In response to the increase in loneliness which particularly impacts older people, Healthy Ireland developed a nationwide campaign, aimed at older people to encourage them to rebuild their social connections and re-integrate into their communities. Post-pandemic, with vaccines and sensible precautions, it is safe for older people to reconnect with the world, to say “Hello Again World”, make up for lost time and re-establish important connections with their community.
Mental health of older people is a priority in Sharing the Vision, Ireland's national mental health policy, with actions including improving access to Mental Health Services for Older People, promoting evidence-based digital mental health interventions in the general population and with older persons, and linking recommendations with the National Positive Ageing Strategy.
To this end, the Age Friendly Homes Programme began in 2021 as a two-year pilot project, with the overall objectives to prevent early or premature admission to long-term residential care; enable older people to continue living in their homes or in a home more suited to their needs; help older people to live with a sense of independence and autonomy and support older people to be and feel part of their communities. Funding of €5.2 million has been allocated in Budget 2023 to roll-out the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme nationally in 2023.
The HSE, in conjunction with ALONE, is also continuing the roll out of a Support Coordination Service across the country. This service will support older people to live well at home independently, and for as long as possible, through support coordination and access to services such as, but not limited to; practical supports, befriending, social prescribing, assistive technology, and coordinated linkages to local community groups in their area. This service is being led out under the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme, a strategic reform programme in line with Sláintecare proposals and priorities which seeks to deliver new and enhanced services and support the move toward a more community-centric model of healthcare.
As part of the ECC programme, the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) model aims to shift the delivery of care for older people away from acute hospitals towards a community based, planned and co-ordinated care model which is closely aligned to Primary Care and Acute sector partners. The objective of the programme is to improve the quality of life for older people by providing access to integrated care and support that is planned around their needs and choices. This supports them to live well in their own homes and communities without the need to access acute care settings. As of May 2023, 23 ICPOP teams have been established across Ireland.
Additional funding was also secured in Budget 2023 for the continued implementation of the National Dementia Strategy in order to improve care provision for people with dementia.
Work has also commenced on establishing the remit of the Commission on Care. It is anticipated that the Commission will examine various care and supports for older people in a modular fashion.
At a local level, Mental Health Day Services provided by the HSE are available to those who may require them, which provide mental health and medication supports, as well as wider assistances associated with daily living
692. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he has informed himself and can provide data for each of the past five years regarding the number of complaints reported to the HSE and HIQA with respect to end of life care for elderly people in both public and private healthcare settings; if he can provide a breakdown on the number of investigations which took place on foot of reported complaints for both public and private healthcare settings; how many of these complaints were upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/23]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) regulates designated centres for older people, people with a disability and special care units. HIQA also regulates medical ionising radiation exposure and monitors standards in acute and community hospitals and some children’s social care services. HIQA does not currently have a remit to monitor private hospitals against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit. As a regulator, HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, but it does take into account all information it receives - including complaints from the public- when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities.
HIQA has advised my Department that all unsolicited information received is acknowledged, logged and examined by the Authority. If the information relates to a service within HIQA’s remit, it is reviewed by an inspector to establish if the information received indicates a risk to the safety, effectiveness, and management of the service, and the day-to-day care that the resident or patient receives. Unsolicited information (UROI) allows HIQA to:
- ensure services continue to meet high standards of care for patients and residents,
- consider how well providers handle complaints and use them as opportunities to improve care for patients and residents,
- identify any trends or patterns that could indicate that something unacceptable is happening in a service, and
- make decisions when registering and or renewing the registration of designated centres.
If HIQA considers that the service provider may not be compliant with the regulations and or national standards, it can respond by:
- asking the service provider to submit additional information on the issue,
- requesting a plan from the service provider outlining how the issue will be investigated and addressed,
- using the information on inspection, and
- carrying out an unannounced inspection to assess the quality and safety of the care being provided in the service.
In addition, where the information indicates that people may be at immediate risk, HIQA will use its full legal powers and report the incident, where appropriate, to the Gardaí, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) or the Health Service Executive (HSE’s) Adult Safeguarding Team.
The table below shows the number of UROIs received between 2020 and 2023, about an acute or community hospital that included end of life as a theme:
|
Year |
Number of UROIs |
|
2020 |
11 |
|
2021 |
4 |
|
2022 |
11 |
|
2023 |
8 |
Part of the Deputy’s question which is an operational matter for the HSE has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
693. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for an eye apointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22990/23]
View answerAs this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
694. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of statements of interest submitted by hospital consultants employed at Children's Health Ireland and its predecessor hospital organisations, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street and Crumlin Children's Hospital, as per their requirements under ethics legislation for each of the years 2015 to 2021, in tabular form (details supplied). [22994/23]
View answer695. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of nil statements submitted by hospital consultants employed at Children's Health Ireland and its predecessor hospital organisations, Children's University Hospital,Temple Street and Crumlin Children's Hospital, as per their requirements under ethics legislation for each of the years 2015 to 2021, in tabular form (details supplied). [22995/23]
View answer696. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants employed at Children's Health Ireland and its predecessor hospital organisations, Children's University Hospital Temple Street and Crumlin Children's Hospital, who submitted neither a statement of interest nor a Nil statement for each of the years 2015 to 2021, in tabular form (details supplied). [22996/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 694, 695 and 696 together.
As these Parliamentary Questions relate to an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
