Joan Collins
Question:628. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the ambulance response times relative to key performer indicators for Echo and Delta callouts for May 2023, by ambulance region, in tabular form. [32427/23]
View answerAmbulance Service
Questions (628)
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.
Hospital Staff
Questions (629)
Joan Collins
Question:629. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant maxillofacial surgeons based at St. James's Hospital in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [32428/23]
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 Services
Questions (630)
Joan Collins
Question:630. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of vascular surgeries procedures carried out at Beaumont Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [32429/23]
View answerWritten answers
This PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Staff
Questions (631)
Joan Collins
Question:631. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in Cherry Orchard Hospital in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [32430/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (632)
Joan Collins
Question:632. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, in the ophthalmology department at the Mater Hospital; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [32431/23]
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.
Nursing Homes
Questions (633)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:633. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he expects the audit of the €150 million temporary assistance payments scheme for voluntary and private nursing homes to be completed; the date the audit commenced; the number and rank of civil servants who have been allocated to this audit; if that number is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32432/23]
View answerWritten answers
The COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 in response to a public health emergency to provide support to private and voluntary nursing homes to mitigate and respond to the impacts of COVID-19. The core concept of the scheme when it was established was that the State would provide additional funding to those nursing homes that require it to contribute towards costs associated with COVID-19 preparedness, mitigation and outbreak management. The scheme was established on an administrative basis and guidelines were issued by the HSE setting out allowable and non-allowable costs and a robust regime of overall controls.Under the terms of the scheme the NTPF or the HSE would, on a sample and/or risk basis, carry out formal audits of claims made retrospectively and would be supported in this work by professional auditors. In return, nursing homes applying to the scheme needed to provide vouched evidence of COVID-19 expenditure as any expenditure that could not be vouched would be deducted from future claims or NHSS payments. Nursing homes are obliged to retain records for a minimum period of 6 years.Over €150 million has been claimed by nursing homes under the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) since its introduction. The Outbreak Assistance element of the scheme was extended, with a gradual reduction of the threshold for maximum monthly claim amounts applying to claims from 01 March 2023. The scheme ceased at the end of April 2023. This approach takes account of the changed situation with regard to COVID-19 in Ireland, and the inherently temporary nature of the scheme.The HSE administers the TAPS and makes payments to the nursing homes. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) administers the application process and provides support and advice to the HSE. Internal audits of the scheme have been finalised by the NTPF and HSE. Audits of the payments under the TAPS scheme, from its inception in April 2020 to its cessation in April 2023, are being completed by the appointed external auditors and remains ongoing. Finalisation of the audit will require ongoing contact with third parties and both agencies are working to bring this to a conclusion as soon as possible.The HSE have advised that the final date for receipt of all outstanding claims was 30 June and it will take several weeks to process those final payments.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (634)
Duncan Smith
Question:634. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health whether the national children’s flu vaccine programme will continue to be free of charge for the 2–17 age group for the 2023/2024 flu season; whether there are any plans to change age eligibility for the free scheme for the coming season; the rationale for any such proposed change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32491/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Immunisation Programme in Ireland, which includes the influenza immunisation programme, is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC make recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health.NIAC continue to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.For the 2023/2024 flu season, the flu vaccine will be available free of charge to adults over 65 years, individuals in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 12 years. This approach ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to the flu vaccination without a charge.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (635)
Duncan Smith
Question:635. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE tender for the delivery of the nasal flu vaccine to children in primary schools and special schools between October and December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32492/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational query, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (636)
Duncan Smith
Question:636. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to outline the implementation of the Cost of Disability Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32496/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (637)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:637. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the meetings held by his officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in 2022 and 2023 to date; the dates, attendees and matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32502/23]
View answerWritten answers
Since 1st January 2022 to the present date, three meetings, which included officials of AP Grade or higher, have taken place with representatives of the food industry (see attached table for details).
In addition to these meetings, on 12th May 2022, the Department of Health, assisted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland held an event to listen to stakeholders’ views on the EU Commission’s proposed revision of the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation, which is aimed at better informing consumers so they can make informed decisions in support of a healthy and sustainable diet and the reduction of food waste.
The Department is coordinating the development of an Irish position on the EU’s proposed changes to the FIC Regulation. In this regard, the Department has been working closely with, including for this stakeholder event, the Departments of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Environment, Climate & Communications; and Enterprise, Trade & Employment, as well as relevant agencies under the remit of the four Departments. This work is ongoing.
In accordance with GDPR guidelines, personal details of individual attendees have not been retained on file.
Department of Health Food Unit meetings with Industry 2022-2023
|
Date |
Topics for discussion |
Attendees |
Meeting |
|
16-02-2022 |
Food Drinks Ireland (FDI) views about the EU Commission’s proposed Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Revision Package. |
Department of Health Food Unit: Louise Kissane (Principal Officer); Anne Barry Reidy (Administrative Officer);Caroline Gibbons (Executive Officer); Ursula O'Dwyer (National Health Promotion Policy Advisor, Healthy Ireland); Food Safety Authority of Ireland: Senior Technical Executive, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance Building); Food Drink Ireland (FDI) Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) Director; PCF, Executive; Irish Beverage Council, Director; Dairy Industry Official; |
Virtual |
|
20-06-2022 |
FDI views about the FIC Revision Package. |
Department of Health Louise Kissane (Principal Officer); Tommy Wilson (AP); Carolyn Phillis (AP); Caroline Gibbons (EO); Ursula O’Dwyer (National Health Promotion Policy Advisor, Healthy Ireland); FDI PCF Director; Regulatory Executive; |
In-person |
|
01-06-2023 |
1. Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) 2. Reformulation 3. Responsible Marketing and Advertising |
Department of Health Minister Hildegarde Naughton; Paul Melia, Advisor; Louise Kissane, PO (Food Unit); Catherine Curran, AP (Health & Wellbeing Unit); FDI Director; Deputy Director; and Chairperson. |
In-person |
|
12-05-2022 |
Stakeholder event where representatives from health interest groups, industry and environmental groups discussed the FIC Revision Package. |
Industry Groups Represented · Food Drink Ireland; · Irish Cooperative Organisation Society; · Lidl; · Meat Industry Ireland; · Drinks Ireland; · Dunnes Stores; · Irish Distillers Association; · Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association; · Dairy Industry Ireland; · CAIS - Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers; · Musgraves; · Ornua; · Irish Farmers Association; |
Hybrid |
Question No. 638 answered with Question No. 552.
Budget Process
Questions (639)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:639. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he has received the pre-Budget 2024 submission from a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32519/23]
View answerWritten answers
Decisions on the funding of cancer services next year are being made in the context of the Estimates process for 2024. The points raised in all Pre-Budget Submissions have been noted and please be assured that all stakeholder views will be considered during the Service Planning process for 2024.
Hospital Services
Questions (640)
Holly Cairns
Question:640. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to avoid individuals who do not wish to be in mixed gender wards being placed in these settings. [32528/23]
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 (641)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:641. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 1 February 2023, while filling vacancies may be a key priority, what is the current strategy to fill vacancies in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32569/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Questions (642)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:642. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 29 March 2023, if “exceptional circumstances” includes capacity issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32570/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (643)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:643. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Clare on a waiting list for speech and language therapy services, by age and length of time that they have been waiting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32571/23]
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.