Michael Healy-Rae
Question:714. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31081/23]
View answerHospital Appointments Status
Questions (714)
Written 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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (715)
Emer Higgins
Question:715. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he is considering addressing the pay disparity between section 39 workers and their section 38 and HSE colleagues in order to attract more therapists to fill vacant CDNT positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31082/23]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the key role that Section 39 organisations and staff have in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022. While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
On 17 April, officials from the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Tusla met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions' claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the Workplace Relations Commission on 15 May. A further engagement is due to take place at the WRC in the coming weeks. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (716)
Sorca Clarke
Question:716. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current average waiting times for urgent and routine paediatric dermatology appointments in each of the seven hospital groups. [31094/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
The information requested by the Deputy concerning paediatric dermatology waiting times is outlined in the attached document. The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
Average waiting times urgent and routine paediatric dermatology appointments
Hospital Staff
Questions (717)
Sorca Clarke
Question:717. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of times that the HSE has advertised for the post of consultant otolaryngologist since January 2022. [31095/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
Departmental Funding
Questions (718)
Sorca Clarke
Question:718. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to each hospital part of Ireland East Hospital Group in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [31096/23]
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 (719)
Sorca Clarke
Question:719. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres in use at Mullingar Regional Hospital. [31097/23]
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 Service Executive
Questions (720)
Michael Collins
Question:720. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of queries logged with HSE MyOptions (including phone calls and chat queries) in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, categorised in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31099/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for answer.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (721)
Michael Collins
Question:721. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of initial consultations for termination of pregnancy services that were provided by general practitioners, family planning clinics and women's health clinics in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31100/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for answer.
Voluntary Hospital Sector
Questions (722)
Catherine Murphy
Question:722. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a petition (details supplied); the steps he will take on foot of it; if he will ensure there is an end to pay disparity across the section 39 organisations; if he will implement a multi-annual, sustainable funding model for voluntary organisations; and if he will review the Health Act 2004. [31109/23]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the key role that Section 39 organisations and staff have in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022. While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
On 17 April, officials from the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Tusla met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions' claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the Workplace Relations Commission on 15 May. A further engagement is due to take place at the WRC in the coming weeks. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
The Department notes that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.
Question No. 723 answered with Question No. 638.
Hospital Staff
Questions (724)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:724. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE Health Sector Employment Report for April 2023 does not contain the equivalent staff breakdown details for Cork University Hospital, which are provided for the Mercy University Hospital and the South Infirmary University Hospital. [31113/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff
Questions (725)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:725. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the latest staff numbers in Cork University Hospital and the corresponding details for December 2019, in tabular form (details supplied). [31114/23]
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 (726)
Johnny Mythen
Question:726. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) has made a claim for the pandemic bonus payment for all its employees who qualified for the pandemic bonus payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31115/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medical Cards
Questions (727, 728)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:727. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to make the appropriate changes so that the living alone allowance is not assessable income for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31119/23]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:728. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of ensuring that the living alone allowance is not assessable income for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31120/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 728 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 728 answered with Question No. 727.
Pharmacy Services
Questions (729)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:729. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with Minister for Health regarding pay restoration for community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30871/23]
View answerWritten answers
I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform.
In that regard, various approaches to extending the scope of practice of community pharmacists are being progressed by my Department. The implementation of these necessitates engagement with a range of stakeholders and full consideration of all the relevant legislative and operational issues involved.
The regulations governing the pharmacy fee structure are set out in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (No. 34 of 2017) and in S.I. No. 639 of 2019, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (Payments to Community Pharmacy Contractors) Regulations 2019, which put the current fee structure in place, with effect from 1 January 2020.
Under Section 42(14) of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 the pharmacy fee structure must be reviewed every third year after 2020. Section 42(10) of the 2017 Act sets out the matters that may be considered during this review. My Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review.
Department officials held a meeting with the Irish Pharmacy Union on 20th June 2023 and a further meeting is scheduled for 26 July 2023.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
Health Strategies
Questions (730)
Róisín Shortall
Question:730. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to develop a national hearing care plan, as recommended by the World Health Organisation; if he has held discussions with the relevant stakeholders on an agreed model of hearing care for the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31150/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Audiology Review Group Report, published by the Health Services Executive (HSE) in 2011, identified shortcomings in the audiology services available at the time (including access issues, poor information, inadequate staffing, and unacceptable waiting times) and made recommendations to address these issues.
While most of these recommendations have been implemented, and the remaining recommendations are being progressed, there is still work to do in relation to the community audiology waiting lists. These have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the HSE is actively looking at all options to increase activity and minimise patient wait times nationally. Activity has now returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The rollout of a National Audiology Clinical Management system for community and acute services is facilitating accurate data collection, including for the purposes of waiting list management.
The World Health Organisation’s World Report on Hearing published in March 2021 recommends, among other things, that governments develop a comprehensive people-centred hearing care plan within their national health care plan.
The HSE published revised Best Practice Guidelines for the Provision of Hearing Aid Services for Adults in Ireland on the 7 February 2023. The HSE also published Quality Standards for Paediatric Community Audiology Services on the 13 October 2022. These standards are sequenced to reflect the patient pathway.
In light of the recent development of best practice guidelines and standards, the Department is examining further with the HSE the need for an additional hearing care plan. The Department continues to liaise with the HSE to improve health outcomes for all those suffering from hearing loss.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (731)
Brian Stanley
Question:731. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the arrangement that has been put in place regarding the pandemic bonus payment for employees of a nursing home (details supplied), given that to date they have not received this payment. [31151/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Pharmacy Services
Questions (732, 770, 771, 772)
David Cullinane
Question:732. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; the dates on which he has or will engage with the organisation; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; and if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacy in the terms of reference of the review. [31193/23]
View answer
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:770. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; the dates on which he has or will engage; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; and if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacy in the terms of reference of the aforementioned review. [31339/23]
View answer
Johnny Guirke
Question:771. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; the dates on which he has or will engage; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacies in the terms of reference of the aforementioned review. [31352/23]
View answer
Darren O'Rourke
Question:772. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied); the dates on which he has or will engage; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; and if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacies in the terms of reference of the aforementioned review. [31353/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 732 and 770 to 772, inclusive, together.
I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform.
In that regard, various approaches to extending the scope of practice of community pharmacists are being progressed by my Department. The implementation of these necessitates engagement with a range of stakeholders and full consideration of all the relevant legislative and operational issues involved.
The regulations governing the pharmacy fee structure are set out in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (No. 34 of 2017) and in S.I. No. 639 of 2019, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (Payments to Community Pharmacy Contractors) Regulations 2019, which put the current fee structure in place, with effect from 1 January 2020.
Under Section 42(14) of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 the pharmacy fee structure must be reviewed every third year after 2020. Section 42(10) of the 2017 Act sets out the matters that may be considered during this review. My Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review.
Department officials held a meeting with the Irish Pharmacy Union on 20th June 2023 and a further meeting is scheduled for 26 July 2023.
I believe that there is a real opportunity to work collaboratively with community pharmacists, and with other healthcare providers, to make a significant difference to patient outcomes. Of course, any publicly funded pharmacy service expansion should address unmet public healthcare needs, improve access to existing public health services, and provide better value for money.
Nursing Homes
Questions (733)
Paul Murphy
Question:733. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 1 June 2023, if he can explain how a family (details supplied) are expected to pay interest. [31213/23]
View answerWritten answers
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.