Written Answers Nos. 739-755
739. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on home support waiting lists at the end of May and June 2018-2023, inclusive, in tabular form; and the breakdown by length of wait. [35081/23]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
740. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on CAMHS waiting lists, by CHO and length of wait at the end of May and June 2018 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [35085/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
741. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of people on waiting lists for Jigsaw, by CHO and length of wait at the end of May and June 2018 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [35086/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
742. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on diagnostic waiting lists at the end of quarter 2 of 2023; the number for each quarter of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35087/23]
View answerThe HSE advises that a pilot project commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National Integrated Medical Imaging System (NIMIS) Team, Hospital Groups, and the support of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for data collection and data management expertise.
The information that is currently being collected is presently being tested and validated at hospital, hospital group and national level and as such should not be used/reported without the context of the caveats set out below:
• Data is subject to inclusions and exclusions which are documented in the Data Profile Document. This document is available from Acute Operations and has been circulated to all Hospital Groups.
• Data contains urgent, routine and surveillance/planned activity which is currently not broken down in detail, as such this includes surveillance/planned activity which may not be exceeding planned date.
• Data is still undergoing validation at Hospital and Hospital Group level. Data does not take into account local nuances at site level (Site profile developed to support understanding of same).
• The purpose of this aggregate data is to provide a National Level overview of the number of patients waiting for modalities of CT, MRI and Ultrasound.
• This report is not intended to be used for the active management of hospital diagnostics waiting list, local reports and mechanisms should continue to be used for the management of diagnostics waiting lists at hospital level.
In relation to the number of persons on diagnostic waiting lists at the end of quarter 2 2023, the National Treatment Purchase Fund commenced collating this data at the end of June and the Quarter 2 report will be available in the coming weeks.
I have provided the Deputy with the Quarter 1, 2, 3 and 4 reports for 2022 in response to Parliamentary Question No. 320 of 30 March 2023.
743. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of claims before the CervicalCheck Tribunal; the number of claims resolved by the tribunal; the timeframe for completion of the tribunal's work; the cost of the tribunal to date, by cost type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35088/23]
View answerThe number of claims before the CervicalCheck Tribunal
Twenty-six [26] claims (of which two were combined) have been lodged with the
Tribunal since March 2021.
Twenty [20] claims were lodged by women and six [6] claims were lodged by or on behalf of the statutory dependants of women.
The number of claims resolved by the Tribunal
Sixteen [16] claims have been resolved on the basis of a settlement reached between the parties.
Seven [7] cases were resolved on the basis of a Notification issued pursuant to s. 12 of the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act, 2019. This means that the claimants were notified by the Tribunal that it was not in a position to hear and determine the claim for want of either respondent or third-party consent in circumstances where such consent was either not forthcoming or had been withdrawn.
One [1] case was struck out when an ‘Unless Order’ came into effect.
Two [2] cases remain pending and are at an advanced stage in the proceedings.
The timeframe for completion of the Tribunal's work
Subject to the parties' compliance with the procedural time limits as directed by the
Tribunal in accordance with its Rules of Procedure, it is anticipated that the Tribunal
should be in a position whereby the processing of the remaining claims will have been completed by the end of the third quarter of 2023.
Costs
Information on the costs of the Tribunal was furnished to the Deputy further to Question No. 546 of 24 January 2023. Updated information on the costs of the Tribunal to date will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is collated.
744. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists on the dental treatment services scheme at the end of May and June for each year 2019 to 2023, by LHO, in tabular form; the number of dentists who submitted claims and the total number of claims in quarter 1 of each year and each full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35089/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
745. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children on HSE dental and orthodontic waiting lists at the end of May and June of each year 2019 to 2023, broken down by standard waiting times, by area in tabular form. [35090/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
746. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the value of all claims made against the HSE or hospitals funded by the HSE which incurred a cost, broken down by the cost of the claim and legal costs for the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35091/23]
View answerThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. I have been informed by the SCA that the information contained in the attached report has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS) according to the below criteria.
Response from SCA:
• The information contained in this report has been extracted from the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• HSE claims relate to claims against the HSE locations, i.e. Acute and Community settings, Section 38 service providers and the National Services and Disability sector locations. It does not contain any private scheme locations.
• Amounts include VAT.
• This report is correct as of 30/06/2023.
Definitions:
National Incident Management System (NIMS): Incidents (which include claims) are reported using the “National Incident Management System”, hosted by the State Claims Agency (SCA). An incident can be a harmful Incident (Adverse Event), no harm incident, near miss, dangerous occurrence (reportable circumstance) or complaint.
Claim: A claim refers to notification of intention to seek compensation for personal injury and/or property damage where it is alleged the State was negligent. The application may be in the form of a letter of claim, an InjuriesBoard.ie application, or a written/oral request.
Transaction Reporting Date: This refers to the date that payments were issued.
Damages Payments: Can includes both General Damages and Special Damages.
Legal Cost: This represents Plaintiff Legal Costs and Agency Legal Costs.
Plaintiff Legal Costs: Legal Costs incurred by the Plaintiff and paid by the SCA.
Agency Legal Costs: Fees paid to solicitors and barristers engaged by the SCA.
Other costs: Fees paid to experts engaged by the SCA e.g. medical experts, private investigators etc.
747. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the number of staff working in the HSE and his Department whose income exceeded €100,000 a year in 2022, broken down by the following income brackets: €100,000 to €150,000, €150,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €500,000, €500,001 to €600,000, €600001 to €700,000, €700,001 to €800,000, €800,001 to €900,000, €900,001 to €1,000,000, and greater than €1,000,001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35092/23]
View answerOutlined below are the staff working in my Department whose salary exceeded €100,000 in 2022, broken down by as requested in tabular form -
|
Salary Brackets |
Total Staff in 2022 |
|
€100,000 to €150,000 |
38 |
|
€150,001 to €200,000 |
4 |
|
€200,001 to €300,000 |
2 |
|
Total |
44 |
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
748. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the total agency and consultancy spend by his Department and the HSE for the years 2018 to 2022, broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35093/23]
View answerIn response to your question, the Department's total expenditure for agency and consultancy for the years 2018 to 2022 is provided in the table.
It is the policy in the Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
The Department has also managed contracts for cleaning, security, canteen services and for its IT helpdesk. The costs associated with these contracts are not included in the table attached.
In relation to the amount spent by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact myself or the Department.
|
2022 € |
2021 € |
2020 € |
2019 € |
2018 € |
|
|
Consultancy |
958,459 |
923,768 |
1,340,413 |
1,142,148 |
1,506,710 |
|
Agency Staff |
116,236 |
173,054 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total |
1,074,695 |
1,096,882 |
1,340,413 |
1,142,148 |
1,506,710 |
749. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the total agency and consultancy spend by his Department and the HSE for the months of January to June for years 2018 to 2023, broken down, by month and by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35094/23]
View answerIn response to your question the Department's total expenditure for the months of January to June from 2018 to 2023 for agency and consulting spend is set out per the table attached.
It is the policy of my Department only to engage the services of external consultants and agency staff where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.
The Department also has managed service contracts for Cleaning, Security, Canteen and IT helpdesk. The costs associated with these contracts are not included in the attached table as these would fall outside the scope of the question which related to agency and consultancy.
In relation to the amount spent by the HSE I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
If you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact myself or the Department.
The figures in the table below relate solely to the Department and exclude HSE expenditure which we have asked the HSE to respond on separately.
|
Consultancy |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Total |
|
Department of Health only (excluding HSE) |
|||||||
|
2023 |
11,947 |
82,694 |
82,742 |
45,365 |
103,966 |
59,377 |
386,091 |
|
2022 |
59,862 |
58,989 |
64,825 |
36,940 |
15,273 |
110,057 |
345,945 |
|
2021 |
13,375 |
13,329 |
65,156 |
57,415 |
39,070 |
18,156 |
206,501 |
|
2020 |
141,173 |
36,994 |
115,272 |
184,001 |
13,992 |
39,397 |
530,829 |
|
2019 |
35,768 |
151,895 |
40,366 |
164,385 |
13,174 |
26,714 |
432,301 |
|
2018 |
86,719 |
- |
329,119 |
- |
44,187 |
8,715 |
468,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consultancy Spend |
348,844 |
343,900 |
697,480 |
488,106 |
229,663 |
262,416 |
2,370,408 |
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Total |
|
Agency Staff (Press and communications support) € |
|||||||
|
Figures are for Department of Health only (excluding HSE) |
|||||||
|
2023 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2022 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2021 |
- |
- |
41,557 |
- |
45,322 |
86,176 |
173,054 |
|
2020 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2019 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2018 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Agency Staff € |
- |
- |
41,557 |
- |
45,322 |
86,176 |
173,054 |
|
Figures are for Department of Health only (excluding HSE) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consultancy and agency € |
348,844 |
343,900 |
739,036 |
488,106 |
274,985 |
348,591 |
2,543,462 |
750. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline all legal costs incurred by his Department and the HSE for the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35095/23]
View answerThe table below sets out legal expenditure incurred by my Department for the years 2018 - 2022. It should be noted that the expenditure outlined includes Medical Defence Union Refusals, the Farrelly Commission of Investigation and the Cervical Check Tribunal.
|
Dept of Health Legal Expenditure 2018-2022 |
€'000 |
|
2018 |
11,496 |
|
2019 |
29,722 |
|
2020 |
9,363 |
|
2021 |
11,154 |
|
2022 |
6,422 |
In relation to HSE expenditure on legal costs I have asked the HSE to reply directly.
Note to HSE: please copy the Department's Finance Unit on your response.
751. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, all Department of Health and HSE expenditure on non-HSE organisations, including outsourcing of care, assessments, recruitment, diagnostics, legal, professional and consultancy fees and any other service delivered for the HSE or his Department by a non-HSE organisation for the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35096/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. My officials are collating the information in respect of the Department of Health and engaging with the HSE to source the information in respect of HSE expenditure.
A consolidated reply will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.
752. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the number of people employed on a contract for service by his Department and the HSE for the years 2018 to date, broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35097/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
753. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the cost of providing hospitality by his Department and the HSE for the years 2018 to date, further broken down by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35098/23]
View answerThe following table outlines the hospitality costs for the years in question. This period includes my Department's move to a new HQ in 2018 and the Covid-19 response from 2020 onwards.
I have forwarded your query to HSE and asked that they respond directly to you on this.
|
Year |
Outline Costing |
|
2018 |
€42,392 |
|
2019 |
€91,321 |
|
2020 |
€19,915 |
|
2021 |
€851 |
|
2022 |
€42,043 |
|
2023 |
€52,693 |
I have forwarded your query to HSE and asked that they respond directly to you on this.
754. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the value of goods and services procured by the HSE where the procurement was non-compliant with procurement rules and guidelines for the years 2018 to 2022, further broken down by year, by goods or service type and by amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35099/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
755. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline the projected budget overspend in health for 2023; if a financial control framework is in place for 2023, the nature of the framework; if cost-containment plans have been drawn up by his Department or the HSE; if he will list the areas or sections of the HSE in which cost-containment plans have been drawn up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35100/23]
View answerBudget 2023 saw a record allocation of €24.0 billion to the Health Vote for 2023, the highest level of funding ever allocated to the Health service and an increase of €1.8 billion (8.2%) above the 2022 allocation, and an increase of €8.0 billion (50%) on the allocation in 2018. This increase reflects Government’s ongoing commitment to resourcing the Health system to deal with a range of pressures and to includes a range of new investments to incrementally deliver on the Sláintecare reform agenda.
However, the system has continued to see significant pressures in 2023 which in turn are having an impact on the overall expenditure position of the HSE. These pressures highlight the need for ongoing structural reform of our Health system, which is a high priority for the Minister for Health and the Government.
Activity levels have remained high across the Acute hospital system through the early part of 2023 but at the same time waiting lists have remained a challenge given the significant impacts of the COVID pandemic over the past 3 years on the delivery of care. This points to a position where there is significant demand for Health services and which is ultimately resulting in increased pressure on and presentations to Acute hospitals as the Health provider of last resort. In this regard, a level of financial risk is acknowledged for 2023, following the need for a large supplementary estimate in 2022 which was allocated to the Health Vote on a non-recurring basis.
This risk, which is presenting mainly within the Acute hospital system, arises primarily because of the following factors:
• The significant service pressures on the Health system noted above have had an impact on the need to deploy a range of service responses (for example the ongoing requirement to procure additional private hospital beds to support access to urgent and time sensitive care) as well as high rates of Agency and Overtime.
• Agency and Overtime have also been impacted by the reduction in working hours as a result of the restoration of Haddington Road Hours to Health staff.
• There are significant price inflation pressures in relation to a range of clinical and non-clinical inputs within non-pay expenditure, such as electricity and fuel, drugs costs, transport costs, food costs, cleaning costs, etc. The HSE has the largest non pay budget (excluding Department of Social Protection) in the public service and is therefore especially exposed to non-pay price inflation factors in the wider economy. These inflationary pressures are causing a number of expenditure categories to run ahead the level of funding provided for 2023.
• In addition to price factors, HSE Acute hospitals expenditure is also driven by increasing activity levels including the level of presentations in 2023 to hospital emergency departments and increased service demands which are driving activity levels and impact on expenditure across a range of clinical non-pay lines including the cost associated with additional volumes of drug prescribing in Acute hospitals (including oncology drugs with a very high unit cost) and higher levels of diagnostic testing than in previous years.
• Finally, the system continues to incur significant expenditure in relation to a range of local measures which were stood up initially to respond to the COVID pandemic. Work is underway between the Department of Health and the HSE to review the continuing need for these measures and to consider the most appropriate funding mechanism for same.
It should be noted that the HSE has a statutory obligation under the Health Act 2004 (as amended) to plan its services in line with the funding determination allocate to it by the Minister. At the same time, it also has a requirement to respond to the Health needs of the population.
The latest recently published Fiscal Monitor figures (see gov.ie - Fiscal Monitor June 2023 (www.gov.ie) detail that Health Vote Current expenditure was €328m above profile at end-June 2023 while Health Vote capital expenditure was €77m behind profile, largely driven by an underspend on the New Children's hospital project.
The drivers of the additional current expenditure incurred this year beyond profile by the Health Vote comprising are all resulting within subheads for HSE current expenditure which collectively were €350m above profile to end June while the other current expenditure subheads in the Health Vote (for the Department of Health costs and a range of other Health funded agencies) were €22m below profile.
D/Health and HSE projections based on the expenditure data trends for the year to date indicate that there will continue to be financial risk for the remainder of 2023, and while this will likely see some offsets arising from the impact of the expenditure management actions detailed below, it is not expected that the savings arising from the measures currently underway will have a material effect on the "in year" overall position.
The projected level of financial risk for 2023 is being continually assessed and revised by the Department and the HSE as the year progresses.
An internal financial management framework within the HSE is in place for 2023 and is supported by a range of expenditure management initiatives which are jointly underway between the HSE and the Department (including but not limited to the expenditure management measures which are detailed in NSP 2023), the aim of which is to manage the overall position and to implement savings and efficiency programmes which will mitigate risks to the Exchequer. The HSE CEO has also recently instituted additional control measures in relation to the recruitment of management and administration workforce within the HSE and has also established a programme to reduce expenditure/dependency in relation to the use of external consultants.
These expenditure management programmes are an important area of focus for the Minister/Department of Health and the HSE Senior management team alike, and there is a clear agreement between the HSE and the Department that our joint efforts to control costs will not impact on patient access to service or waiting times.
The outputs/impacts of these initiatives are subject to external governance processes including the Health Budget Oversight Group where Health expenditure is reviewed on a monthly basis by both organisations along with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
