Written Answers Nos. 249-269
249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide funding for a full pay restoration for all section 39 organisations and return to their alignment with HSE pay scales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/23]
View answerIt is important to acknowledge the vital role that Section 39 and Section 56 organisations and their staff play in our health and social care sectors. They continue to have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children, older people and in other social care settings. Government has a clear interest in ensuring the stability and sustainability of these services.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are the lead Department on this topic, as the majority of the organisations in question fall under their remit. I am aware that they have been engaging extensively with the unions over recent months under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), and have been supported in these discussions by officials from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Tusla.
This process culminated in an offer being made in line with that accepted by the same trade unions in other sectors across the wider public sector in recent months. The offer to workers in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023, with 3% backdated to April 2023, and a commitment to re-engage with trade union representatives following the next public sector pay agreement.
Unfortunately this offer was not accepted by trade union representatives. It is disappointing that their members were not afforded the opportunity to vote on whether they wished to accept the 5% increase in pay funding, and that the unions instead elected to ballot for industrial action. Any such action would impact negatively on people who rely on these services, and I would urge all parties to work on resolving any disputes through the appropriate forums, and to uphold industrial peace in the interests of people who use our health service.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
250. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that cancer treatment units are adequately staffed, in view that nationally there are approximately four treatment units closed, with another three capped at 50% capacity, and a number of treatment units are understaffed wherein they are usually staffed at four but now are running with three staff to keep the service going; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40751/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
251. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that all CT planning scanners are operational nationally, in view that presently two CT planning scanners are not operational due to a staff shortage, and as a result patients have their start dates pushed out which is reflective in the National Cancer Control Programme national key performance indicators data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40752/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
252. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if any chief executive of a State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department received any benefit from taxable benefits being paid on their behalf by the body/organisation for each of the years 2019 to date; if so, the amount and details, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40762/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of the HSE and the Section 38 organisations under their aegis. Responses from each of the Non Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department will be collected, collated and a response will issue to the Deputy with that material by way of a separate letter shortly.
253. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on patient and public involvement within the health service; if the Government has plans to pay those involved in PPI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40781/23]
View answerThe Department of Health has been working on a policy for the selection and remuneration of a certain cohort of patient representatives, to be known as Patient Voice Partners or PVPs. The Department recognises and values the vital role that patients play in the development of health policy and the reform of health services.
Throughout the health service, patient representatives or “Patient Voice Partners” make a significant contribution on an ongoing basis to the work of the Department of Health, the HSE and health agencies. Patient Voice Partners are patients/service users who are willing to share their experiences and perspectives of the health service to inform the development and reform of health policy and services.
The purpose of developing a Patient Voice Partner Policy is to ensure that patient participation is embedded in health policy and service development and to ensure that Patient Voice Partners are recognised and valued for their contribution. The policy will set out guidance for organisations on the recruitment and selection of and the rates of remuneration for certain categories of patient representatives which are defined in the policy.
Following the completion of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement with key partners , including patient representatives, the Department of Health (DOH) developed a draft. This Patient Voice Partner (PVP) policy has also been informed by both International and Irish policy and guidance documents.
In line with best practice, a Public Consultation on the draft PVP policy took place earlier this year. In total, 120 submissions were received via the EU survey website. The responses received from the online survey were processed and analysed and the findings show very positive support for the Patient Voice Partner policy.
The findings of the public consultation have been considered and are being used to inform the final draft of the Policy prior to its publication. Once this has been completed, the policy will be published, and implementation will commence.
254. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied). [40803/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
255. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason Naas General Hospital does not appear to have sufficient wound dressing for their in-patients (details supplied) and are telling patients that they must bring in their own dressings from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40804/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
256. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon can now return to the admission of new patients in view of the closure of the church in the facility which has been the reason for no intake of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40814/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
257. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when will works commence on the upgrading of facilities at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
258. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will review hidden healthcare costs by ensuring all medical needs are covered by the medical card and ensuring speedy access to mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40820/23]
View answerIt is understood in regard to hidden health costs that the Deputy is referring to instances of GPs charging medical card holders for certain services, namely obtaining certain documents and for blood tests.
GP services are provided free of charge to people who hold a medical card or GP visit card. Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess."
The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services (blood tests) is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should taken to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition are made by the GP concerned. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for such blood tests. In addition, blood tests undertaken in the context of services provided under the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care.
The issue has been raised previously with the relevant GP representative body. However, it did not prove possible to achieve agreement that no charges for blood tests would be applied in any circumstances.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, or has been charged for a blood test provided under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, contact the GP concerned and carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
The GMS contract stipulates that fees for medical and GP visit card holders are not paid to GPs in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences".
Any fees charged by GPs for services provided outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patients. The HSE does not have any role in relation to such fees.
Core objectives of our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision 2020-30, and of the HSE Service Plan 2023 is to improve access to mental health care for all the population. A range of mental health supports are available to persons experiencing mental health difficulties, including supports provided by the HSE, HSE-funded organisations, counselling services, helplines and online supports. Information on mental health supports is available through the HSE website and the HSE Your Mental Health Information Line. GPs can provide support to patients experiencing mental health difficulties and can arrange for referrals to mental health services in the community or specialised services.
259. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to unregistered dentists (details supplied) [40824/23]
View answerThe practice of dentistry is underpinned by a range of legislation, of which the Dentists Act 1985 is only one. Currently five separate state and regulatory agencies (Health Information and Quality Authority, Health Service Executive, Health and Safety Authority, Environmental Protection Agency and Local Authorities) have a regulatory interest and oversight of dental practices, primarily for the protection of the public.
While I am aware that the Dentists Act 1985 needs to be updated to align with other healthcare profession regulatory legislation, the Act was amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law in October 2020.
In the context of the wider need to update dental legislation, the Department of Health is committed to reviewing the Dentists Act 1985. The protection of the public and ensuring high oral healthcare standards will continue to be the central focus of this work. The review and updating of the legislation also, necessarily, is directly related to the wider implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which envisages a fundamental reform of oral health services. As such, any new legislation will also be informed by this work.
Additional resources have been allocated to commence this work to further strengthen the regulation of dentists in Ireland. The Department is currently undertaking preparatory scoping and planning work to support the review. As part of this preparatory scoping work, the Department is considering the necessary timelines required to deliver a robust, evidence based modern regulatory framework with due consideration to the policy alignment referenced above.
The Department meets with the Dental Council on a regular basis in order to discuss strategic and governance issues including the regulatory framework, the operation of the regulatory system and legislative reform. The Department will be engaging closely with the Dental Council as part of our work to reform The Dentists Act.
260. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the Dental Act 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40829/23]
View answer261. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to give powers of investigation and sanction to the Dental Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40830/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
The practice of dentistry is underpinned by a range of legislation, of which the Dentists Act 1985 is only one. Currently five separate state and regulatory agencies (Health Information and Quality Authority, Health Service Executive, Health and Safety Authority, Environmental Protection Agency and Local Authorities) have a regulatory interest and oversight of dental practices, primarily for the protection of the public.
While I am aware that the Dentists Act 1985 needs to be updated to align with other healthcare profession regulatory legislation, the Act was amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law in October 2020.
In the context of the wider need to update dental legislation, the Department of Health is committed to reviewing the Dentists Act 1985. The protection of the public and ensuring high oral healthcare standards will continue to be the central focus of this work. The review and updating of the legislation also, necessarily, is directly related to the wider implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which envisages a fundamental reform of oral health services. As such, any new legislation will also be informed by this work. Additional resources have been allocated to commence this work to further strengthen the regulation of dentists in Ireland. The Department is currently undertaking preparatory scoping and planning work to support the review. As part of this preparatory scoping work, the Department is considering all of the necessary inputs required to deliver a robust, evidence based modern regulatory framework with due consideration to the policy alignment referenced above.
262. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the numbers of patients who have been treated under the dental treatment service scheme for the years 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40831/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
263. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the spend under the dental treatment service scheme for the years 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40832/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
264. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health what communications his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) to date regarding reform of the Dental Act 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40833/23]
View answerWhile I am aware that the Dentists Act 1985 needs to be updated to align with other healthcare profession regulatory legislation, the Act was amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law in October 2020.
In the context of the wider need to update dental legislation, the Department of Health is committed to reviewing the Dentists Act 1985. The protection of the public and ensuring high oral healthcare standards will continue to be the central focus of this work. The review and updating of the legislation also, necessarily, is directly related to the wider implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which envisages a fundamental reform of oral health services. As such, any new legislation will also be informed by this work. Additional resources have been allocated to commence this work to further strengthen the regulation of dentists in Ireland. The Department is currently undertaking preparatory scoping and planning work to support the review. As part of this preparatory scoping work, the Department is considering the necessary timelines required to deliver a robust, evidence based modern regulatory framework with due consideration to the policy alignment referenced above.
The Department has met with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) in order to discuss a wide range of issues including legislative reform. The Department will be engaging closely with the lDA as part of our work to reform The Dentists Act.
265. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to reform the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40834/23]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Since May 1st 2022, there has been additional prevention treatments included and a 40-60% increase in fees across most treatment items. This has had a positive effect: from January to July this year, 131,626 additional treatments have been provided under the Scheme, with over 24,500 extra unique patients treated when compared with the same period last year.The Government is committed to fundamentally reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused structures to drive implementation of the Policy. These implementation structures will include clinical leadership and reform leadership posts in the HSE. These implementation structures will help to substantively reform the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages, in line with the Policy. This will include work on planning new services for medical card holders.While it will take a number of years to bring reform to complete fruition, there will be an early emphasis in implementation on addressing the current issues, including the reform of the provision of services for medical card holders.
266. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists registered to the dental treatment service scheme for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40835/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit more dentists into the HSE public dental service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40836/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
268. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to accommodate, locally, children who have been informed there will no longer be speech and language therapy available to them in Kilcock from October due to staffing issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40840/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
269. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if GPs are assigned to applicants applying for medical cards who have three GPs declined to accept them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40848/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
