Written Answers Nos. 771-786
771. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if all Section 38 workers who were entitled to the pandemic payment should have received it by now; the remedy mechanism there is for those who have not received it; and if he will request his Department to investigate the case of a worker (details supplied) who has yet to receive a payment as their employer has yet to be paid it. [24301/23]
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.
772. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied). [24311/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
773. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24315/23]
View answerUnder 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.
774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of sudden deaths reported in 2021, 2022 and quarter 1 of 2023; the number of strokes and heart attacks reported in the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24317/23]
View answerReferring to HSE as this is an operational matter.
775. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current status of the National Children’s Hospital; when the project is due to be completed; the current cost of the project; the estimated final cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/23]
View answerThe New Children's Hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James's, and two Outpatient and Urgent Care Centres at Connolly and Tallaght hospitals. Both satellite centres are now open and successfully delivering a new model of ambulatory and urgent care for children and adolescents in the Greater Dublin Area.
On the St. James's site, works are progressing well on the main hospital with the project over 85% complete against contract value. The major focus in 2023 continues to be the internal fit-out and commissioning of mechanical and electrical services.
The most advanced areas have finished floors, walls, ceilings and joinery, such as nursing stations and medical equipment installed. The first clinical rooms were completed in late 2022 and the remaining rooms will follow in a planned sequence. The elevated helipad space is progressing into the final stages of assembly, with helipad structure completed. The large glass biome, that envelopes the panoramic lifts providing intuitive access to all areas of the building, is complete, as well as the rooflights and ward end glazing to the Level 4 Rainbow Garden. Landscaping and tree planting is underway in the outdoor areas.
The last construction programme received from the main contractor, BAM, suggested substantial completion of the project could be achieved by the end of March 2024. While Government has been previously advised that the project and programme will take longer and therefore cost more, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) continues to engage with BAM to get an updated and valid programme, as required under the construction contract, and to focus on ensuring that everything possible is being done to complete the construction project as soon as possible.
There remain risks beyond the control of the NPHDB and the contractor to the timeline, arising from Brexit, the global pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine and its impact on supply chains, global supply chain difficulties more generally, including shortages of construction raw materials, and the current inflationary pressures on energy and material costs.
In 2018, the previous Government approved a capital budget of €1.433bn for the NCH project. This included the capital costs for the main hospital at St. James's Hospital campus, the two satellite centres, equipment for the three sites, and the construction of the carpark and retail spaces. €1.29bn has been drawn down to date against this budget.
Additional costs in relation to the integration and transfer of services of the three hospitals to the new sites brings the total programme cost to €1.73bn. This includes investment in ICT, a new Electronic Health Record system, and the Children's Hospital Integration Programme, (the merging of three paediatric hospitals), including commissioning. Detailed planning around the commissioning, staff training and transfer of services to the new hospital is well advanced.
A number of items were not included in this investment figure, as there was no price certainty for them and nor can there be, for some, for the duration of the project. These include construction inflation, the impact of unforeseen events (e.g. Covid-19), statutory changes, the contractor's right to claim for additional true costs in line with public works contract provisions, and implementation of the 2019 PwC report recommendations.
Definitive updates or outturn forecasts costs cannot be provided, as there is a live, commercially sensitive contract in place. Discussion of any costs outside of the approved budget, hypothetical or otherwise, could adversely affect the NPHDB's commercial engagements, contractual relationships and consequently the project itself.
Whilst there is a focus on the capital project and its delivery, we must not lose sight of the fact that the NCH project will deliver world class facilities that will improve and prioritise medical outcomes for the nation's sickest children, while bringing about transformational change to the delivery of healthcare for the children of Ireland for generations to come.
776. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date regarding the provision of an ambulance base in Carlow; the date on which the National Ambulance Service requested HSE estates to refurbish the existing building there as an ambulance base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24335/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
777. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to have an injury clinic in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24336/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
778. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date regarding the provision of a new fit-for-purpose building for Holy Angels Day Care Service for Children with Special Needs in Carlow; the date on which his Department expects HSE estates to begin works at the Kelvin Grove site; if he will provide a list of proposed tenants to the Kelvin Grove building under the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24337/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
779. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the home support tender 2023 process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24348/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
780. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking in response to the increasing cost of thyroid medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24349/23]
View answerThis Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card under the General medical Services (GMS) Scheme is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
On 1 November 2020, the statutory prescription charges payable under the GMS Scheme were reduced to €1 per item for those over 70 (with a maximum cap of €10) and to €1.50 per item for those under 70 (with a maximum cap of €15). The weekly gross income thresholds for eligibility to a medical card for those aged 70 and over were also increased in November 2020.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.
The DPS threshold was reduced twice in 2022:
• From €114 to €100 per month on 1 January 2022.
• From €100 to €80 per month on 1 March 2022.
Therefore, currently, under the DPS, no individual pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for people with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In 2022, a range of other measures were delivered which also reduced medical cost. These include the abolition of public inpatient charges for children and the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17-25.
The significant investment in Budget 2023 will facilitate better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on everyone. In 2023 this will mean:
• an expansion of GP care without charges to people earning no more than the median household income,
• all public in-patient hospital charges abolished since 17 April 2023,
• an extension of free contraception to 26-year-old women since 1 Jan 2023, and further extension to 27-30 years old women from 1 September 2023.
These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
781. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all employees of an organisation (details supplied) who worked on the front line during the pandemic will receive the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24350/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
782. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24351/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
783. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of charities or individuals in the direct employment of charities registered in Ireland that are subject to tax withholding arrangements by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24352/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE to reply directly with the information requested.
784. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the current timeframe for turnaround of reimbursement applications under the Cross Border Directive; if there is a reason for the delays experienced by some applicants; if action is being taken to ensure reimbursement is provided to applicants at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
785. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if a process will be put in place for staff (details supplied) to be provided with special additional financial recognition by his Department based on the particular additional risks they faced in the performance of their normal duty during the pandemic as employees that were at risk of exposure to SARS-COV-2 virus, as per the Government's decision of 19 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/23]
View answerLast 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 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.
786. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/23]
View answerUnder 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.
