Tuesday, 13 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 1177-1191

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (1177)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1177. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the HSE on a case (details supplied) of owed pension arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27688/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1178)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1178. 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. [27689/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Living Wage

Questions (1179)

David Cullinane

Question:

1179. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost of delivering a living wage for home care workers; and the estimated cost of providing for mileage expenses. [27690/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1180)

Seán Canney

Question:

1180. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the 600 job vacancies currently within the HSE, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff

Questions (1181)

David Cullinane

Question:

1181. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) has submitted a claim for its employees providing cleaning and support services at University Hospital Waterford, as the employees are unable to get a definitive reply from the employer. [27717/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (1182)

Mark Ward

Question:

1182. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he can confirm that the cost of hearing aids and the cost of replacing hearing aids is covered under the medical card for people over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27721/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1183)

Michael Ring

Question:

1183. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health his plans to try to improve the waiting list time for cataract procedures in Galway University Hospital given that the list is now at three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27727/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care. On the 7th March, I published the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, which is the next stage of a new multi-annual approach to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists, and builds on the foundational work done through the short-term Waiting List Action Plan between September and December 2021, which was followed by the first full year Waiting List Action Plan for 2022, both having reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists.

The 2023 Plan sets out the priorities to continue to address waiting lists this year. The 30 actions in the Plan, which are governed by the Waiting List Task Force, focus on delivering capacity, reforming scheduled care and enabling scheduled care reform.

For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to implement longer term reforms and provide additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. This will reduce hospital waiting lists by 10% in 2023 as well as continuing to significantly reduce waiting times in line with Sláintecare recommendations. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.

With this ambitious 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving our vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.

Under the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, the NTPF will arrange outpatient consultations in public and private hospitals in 2023 through funding overtime and additional staff to provide outpatient clinics out of hours in public hospitals, supporting Virtual Clinics, arranging ‘see and treat’ services where patients receive minor treatments in outpatient clinics and funding diagnostic services when these are required for effective outpatient clinics and supporting the rental of additional space by hospitals in which to hold outpatient clinics.

While the NTPF will seek to arrange over 150 different types of inpatient and day case procedures in public and private hospitals, covering the full range of complexity on waiting lists, there will be a particular focus on 20 procedures, including cataracts. The NTPF will offer treatment for any clinically suitable patient waiting more than 3 months on the IPDC waiting list for these procedures, where there is capacity at appropriate cost in the public or private health systems to deliver the care.

Nursing Homes

Questions (1184, 1186)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1184. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the nursing homes that have already exited the fair deal scheme and the nursing homes that have applied to exit the fair deal scheme, per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27729/23]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1186. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that have exited the fair deal scheme and ceased operating in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, per county, in tabular form. [27731/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1184 and 1186 together.

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

Nursing Homes

Questions (1185)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1185. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the engagement his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund in relation to the fair deal scheme as it applies to nursing homes. [27730/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I firmly believe that good communication must be at the heart of everything we do in the health service. I also believe that it is important that the HSE is made aware of all matters raised about its service, including all matters related to the operation and administration of the Nursing Home Support Scheme, as Under the Health Act 2004, the day-to-day operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health services is a matter for the HSE. In this regard the Department of Health engages with the HSE in a consistent, timely manner on all issues in respect of administrative, operational and policy-related decisions to ensure that Fair Deal functions optimally, as intended.

The Department of Health continues to engage with the NTPF to examine ways in which funding can be used to provide support to nursing homes. In addition, the NTPF will shortly be seeking up-to-date financial & operational information from nursing homes to inform further analysis and considerations of measures to support the sector. The NTPF have informed the Department that they have engaged with NHI on this matter.

The Department of Health and I have regular interaction with the NTPF. I recently met with the NTPF to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed. As a result of this meeting nursing homes which had a scheduled renegotiation of their Deed of Agreement this year with the NTPF have seen a significant uplift. In addition, other options to support nursing homes are also being explored at the moment, such as to help with the often costly nature of compliance for nursing homes under necessary HIQA regulations.

The Department of Health published a review of the NTPF pricing system in June 2021 and continues to work on bringing forward the recommendations that emerged from this review. Officials from the Department of Health and the NTPF meet regularly to report on progress of the four recommendations and a steering group has been established to oversee delivery of those recommendations. There will be opportunities for NHI to engage formally with this steering group.

In addition, officials from the Department have had continuous and ongoing engagement with Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI). As a key stakeholder, it is important to maintain constructive engagements with this representative body as we continue to discuss matters relevant to the operation and funding of nursing homes and ongoing matters relating to the operation of, and proposed changes to, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Most recently officials met with NHI to review the publication of the PWC report Challenges for Nursing Homes in the Provision of Older Persons Care which was commissioned by NHI.

I also continue to engage with other representative bodies for private nursing homes.

It is important that lines of communication are maintained with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that nursing home care continues to be provided to older people that is accessible and affordable for everyone, and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings whilst simultaneously maintaining comfort levels and standards of care.

Question No. 1186 answered with Question No. 1184.

Health Services

Questions (1187)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1187. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the status of an individual (details supplied) waiting for treatment in a public health service. [27739/23]

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 directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1188)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1188. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his views on recognising Covid-19 as an occupational disease for front-line health care workers as per EU ACSH agreement in November 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27740/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The EU Advisory Committee on Health & Safety have recommended the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational illness in health and social care settings. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, has committed to reviewing the EU Committee recommendation regarding the occupational recognition of Covid in respect of the Department of Social Protection Benefits Schemes, and the list of prescribed diseases/illnesses set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.

Minister Humphreys has sought my views in this regard and I have confirmed my support for same. The outcome of this review is awaited.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1189)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1189. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the long waiting lists for children with scoliosis for their first appointment with an orthopaedic consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27741/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.

Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. Some €19 million of current and capital funding was committed to implement the plan.

This funding is providing additional theatre access at Temple Street and Crumlin, diagnostic MRI capacity and enabling further activity and paediatric theatre lists at Cappagh Hospital or Cappagh Kids.

The additional activity is targeted at reducing the number of children waiting long periods for orthopaedic procedures (including scoliosis and spina bifida).

As of the 30th of December 2022, 509 scoliosis procedures had been carried out, compared to 380 for the same period in 2019 a 34% increase and an increase of 47% compared to 2021.

Children’s Health Ireland and Cappagh Kids continue to work to explore new innovative ways of working and develop initiatives to support additional orthopaedic and scoliosis activity.

The hospitals are working together to do as much as possible for patients. As of the 30th of December, Cappagh completed 549 (non-complex) orthopaedic surgeries and 68 surgeries for Spina Bifida patients transferred from CHI exceeding the target of 61 for the year.

Despite undertaking a record number of spinal procedures in 2022 corresponding reductions in the waiting list were offset by significant increase in demand and referrals compared to previous years with a 30% increase in additions to the spinal surgery list compared to 2021. CHI believes this is due to a loss of additional capacity elsewhere and latent Covid-19 demand via increased outpatient activity.

CHI is currently finalising a plan for 2023 to continue and build on the work done in 2022. Activity in May included 15 spinal fusion procedures carried out by Crumlin, 1 in Temple Street and 4 outsourced to the private sector. In the same period 11 spinal other procedures were carried out in Crumlin and 6 in Temple Street.

Mental Health Services

Questions (1190)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1190. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health for information and contact details for advice on how to procure for a voluntary organisation (details supplied) providing mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27744/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

There are several mechanisms whereby community voluntary organisations can seek funding. Organisations can apply to HSE Mental Health Services for national lottery grant funding through the relevant local Community Health Organisation. Details can be found at: www2.hse.ie/services/national-lottery-grants/national-lottery-grants.html.

In addition, organisations provide mental health services to or on behalf of the HSE at both local and national level, under a variety of supply arrangements, such as Section 39 funding. Under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE may support any person or body that provides or proposes to provide a service similar or ancillary to a service that the HSE may provide. Details can be found at: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/non-statutory-sector/section-39-documentation.html

Pobal administers a number of funds on behalf of other Departments. Details of these can be found at: www.pobal/programmes/

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (1191)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

1191. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied ) who is a retiree of the HSE will receive their arrears of payment under the recent pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27746/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.