Written Answers Nos. 1590-1609
1591. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to increase the numbers of children receiving diagnostic assessments from the primary care autism assessment team in Wexford, which is currently assessing ten to 12 children per month (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37643/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1593. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to sanction the immediate recruitment of a chief pharmaceutical officer within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37646/23]
View answerThe Department of Health recognises the value and importance of pharmacists and pharmacies in conserving, protecting and enhancing the health of our citizens.
The practice of pharmacy and the provision of pharmaceutical care has the potential to be further evolved to deliver optimal patient outcomes - this potentially will provide a vehicle to alleviate the pressure on, and support, primary care practitioners.
On the 24th July 2023 the Minister for Heath established an Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland and look at the vision for pharmacy in Ireland. The Taskforce has formally commenced and will work intensively in the coming months. The Minister has requested that the first of their recommendations be sent to him by the end of October this year, which the Taskforce has committed to.
At this time currently there are no active proposals to develop a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer role in the Department of Health. A number of units within the Department have responsibility for advancing policy in key areas of our health service. They are cognisant of potential deliverables that can be realised by and through pharmacists and pharmacy services, to deliver patient centred care in line with the vision of Sláintecare.
The Department has professionally qualified pharmacists among its staff and is currently engaged on the recruitment of additional pharmacist roles.
1594. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to request a review into the decision to exclude certain workers (details supplied) from the pandemic recognition payment despite the staff working in Covid-positive conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37647/23]
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 in now 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.
1595. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on the reason neurology services were not included in the allocation of ANP posts in 2022 and 2023, considering the pressing issue of waiting lists and its impact on patient care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37650/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1596. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of adults waiting for primary care psychology services in Cork and Kerry for over 52 weeks, by number of years, in tabular form. [37656/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1597. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for primary care psychology services in Cork and Kerry for over 52 weeks, by number of years, in tabular form. [37657/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1598. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to detail how Cork and Kerry primary care services respond to the needs of young people who are at risk of 'ageing out' of eligibility for assessment or intervention by the time they are due to be seen by a psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37658/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1599. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to urgently review the decision by the HSE to recommend that home care givers (details supplied) cease taking clients for much-needed walks as part of the service provided in CHO 8, considering that in many cases these walks are essential for people with no other way of getting out for exercise or fresh air and the obvious knock-on well-being impact, in particular for clients who are elderly or have limited mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37659/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1600. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a staff nurse (details supplied) who was employed in a healthcare facility during the pandemic and had to go on sick leave for a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent annual leave can expect their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/23]
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.
1601. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the actions taken by his Department to try to reach a resolution for orthodontic patients at a practice (details supplied) in Oranmore, County Galway, who were left without treatment suddenly; if patients will be able to get refunds; if there any further steps his Department can take to ensure a fair outcome for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37661/23]
View answerSince this situation first came to the attention of the Minister, officials in the Department of Health have worked with the Dental Council and relevant stakeholders to ensure that everything possible was done to resolve the concerns of patients affected.
The normal course of events would be that orthodontic practices are wound down in an orderly fashion when necessary and for patients to continue to receive care in other practices as arranged by the dentist providing their care. Due to the circumstances of the dentist’s suspension this was not possible.
To support patients to receive continuity of care, the Dental Council wrote to orthodontists located nearest to the practice to seek their co-operation to provide care to former patients of this practice.
The Orthodontic Society of Ireland (OSI) coordinated with its members and the appropriate bodies to seek ways to resolve this situation to ensure that ongoing care is restored as soon as possible.
The Department contacted the Dental Council regarding an update, and they have informed us that the Orthodontist’s suspension remains in place.
While the Minister has every sympathy for the patients involved, consumer law is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), and so issues relating to the refunding of fees are not within the remit of the Department of Health. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland and are best placed to advise on any concerns regarding refunding of professional fees.
1602. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographers required to ensure BreastCheck screenings take place every two years for those who are eligible; how many radiographers currently work for BreastCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1603. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health whether it is possible for the BreastCheck programme to provide screening to the eligible population every two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were eligible for participation in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form, even if they did not respond to an invitation for screening. [37665/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1605. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were invited for screening; the number of people who attended screening; and the number of people who were referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37666/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1606. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37667/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1607. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in BreastCheck for an individual person referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37668/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1608. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of filled genetic counsellor posts in the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital; how this compares with international standards; whether any recruitment challenges exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37669/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1609. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current grants being paid to medical card holders for wigs and hairpieces, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37670/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
