Written Answers Nos. 698-713
698. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will include employees of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service for the pandemic payment for health care workers, given that they worked throughout the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42753/23]
View answerLast year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line 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 front-line 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 in this 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 front-line 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.
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.
699. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the security officers working in vaccination centres and those working in hospitals were awarded the Covid €1,000 bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42760/23]
View answerLast year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line 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 front-line 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 in this 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 front-line 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.
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.
700. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of additional charges being introduced by nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42763/23]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
• Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
• Bed and board;
• Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
• Laundry service.
Costs not covered by the NHSS include those individually incurred for items like social activities, newspapers and hairdressing. This may also include medical services such as therapies and some medical equipment. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.
It is important to state that residents of nursing homes should enjoy the same levels of support and access to services for which they are eligible as when they lived in their own homes. It is acknowledged that the reason they require 24-hour levels of support is due to their level of dependency, which in turn may require access to clinical services including hospital and other outpatient appointments in the community.
The Department of Health does not currently hold data relating to additional charges in private nursing homes; these vary according to each individual nursing home depending on the services offered. It is important to note that it is private nursing homes who hold responsibility for delivering care to their residents in line with their terms of registration and the relevant regulations under the Health Act 2007. It is clear that under the terms of the NHSS Act 2009, private nursing homes should not levy additional charges on NHSS residents for services coming within scope of the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has published consumer protection guidelines for contracts of care in long-term residential care services for older people. The guidelines set out the obligations and responsibilities that providers must adhere to under consumer protection law and are aimed at providing greater transparency, clarity and certainty for consumers.
I am aware of the challenges being faced by residents and their families in relation to additional charges being applied by nursing homes. The Department of Health is currently reviewing the available evidence and a focused piece of work to examine the issue in relation to additional charges is under way. There are a number of separate factors driving this issue and potential actions to address each of these are being actively considered.
701. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he can advise on a response to the representation to his office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42771/23]
View answerThe response for this representation has been issued.
702. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current status of the health sector's special scheme for front-line workers who contracted Covid-19 and who have been unable to work due to ongoing health issues associated with Covid-19; when the scheme is expected to come to an end; if the scheme will be extended beyond the current expected end date; if he will outline, in the absence of an extension to the scheme, the supports that will be available to those currently on the special scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42773/23]
View answerFor a certain cohort of employees suffering from long-Covid, a Special Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection, specific to the public health service was introduced on 1 July 2022.
This Special Scheme was due to conclude on 30th June this year. In recognition of this ongoing matter, sanction to extend the Special Scheme for a period of 12 months was sought from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) in April 2023. The sanction provided by DPENDPR was for a period of just four months. This extension was sanctioned by DPENDPR on a once-off basis and is restricted only to those employees who are currently availing of the Special Scheme. The Special Scheme will now conclude on 31st October 2023 in light of this.
I wish to continue to support the health care workers currently on the Special Scheme, and I have recently written to Minister Donohoe again seeking his sanction to further extend the Special Scheme.
Any employees on the Special Scheme who remain unwell beyond its concluding date, may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme thereafter.
703. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he can advise on a response to a representation (details supplied) recently made to his office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42783/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
704. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if his Department has a policy on the use of artificial intelligence; and if any Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots (details supplied). [42818/23]
View answerArtificial Intelligence is not currently used in my Department. We will continue to follow best practice advice resulting from the Government's "A National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland", the National Cyber Security Centre's "Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies" and through regular communications with other departments/public service bodies in relation to the use of artificial intelligence.
705. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a national lung cancer screening programme. [42834/23]
View answerAs Minister for Health, I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
Any decisions about further changes or expansion of cancer screening, including the introduction of a lung cancer screening programme, will be made on the advice of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
I would stress to the Deputy that careful consideration must be given to any proposed expansion of Ireland’s screening programmes and that this process must be afforded the necessary amount of time to complete. In this regard, I am pleased to report that the Committee is already progressing work on the further expansion of our current cancer screening programmes. However, this expansion is currently focused on the age range eligibility for the BowelScreen and BreastCheck programmes.
Under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, an updated European Council Recommendation on cancer screening was published in December 2022. This recommends extended screening for colorectal (bowel) cancer and breast cancer, along with other recommendations in relation to cervical, lung, prostate and gastric cancer screening. The NSAC will consider this Recommendation and advise myself and my Department on the evidence as it applies to Ireland.
Any advice received specifically in terms of the Recommendation on lung cancer will help to inform priorities for the national population screening programme in Ireland going forward.
706. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1045 of 20 September 2023, the specific requirements for the advertising of local recruitment competitions, as opposed to national panel recruitment competitions, for HSE staff grade and senior grade psychology posts, such that they are compliant with the Commission for Public Service Appointments and the HSE's own recruitment protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42846/23]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
707. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1045 of 20 September 2023, the difference between internal and external appointments in respect of HSE psychology recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42847/23]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
708. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will expand the list of documents acceptable to SUSI to verify independent residence (details supplied) for students whose accommodation is through the rent-a-room scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42133/23]
View answer709. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider unlocking the €1.5 billion surplus in the National Training Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42141/23]
View answerThe National Training Fund (NTF) is a dedicated fund established under the National Training Fund Act, 2000 resourced by the Training Levy paid by employers to raise the skills of those in employment; provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment and provide information in relation to skills requirements in the economy. The Deputy may wish to know Minister Coveney and I have worked together to bring forward proposals to unlock the NTF surplus. As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions on proposals for the use of the NTF surplus will be made in the context of Government decision-making on the fiscal and expenditure framework for 2024, consistent with the budgetary and Estimates process agreed by Government.
710. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current estimate of first-time registration on traditional apprenticeships and newly developed apprenticeship, respectively; the number of occupation paths under each heading now in place and the further occupations which he anticipates will be in place by the end of 2024. [42143/23]
View answerThe Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make them more accessible to achieve a target of 10,000 annual registrations by 2025. 2022 saw 8,286 new apprenticeship registrations an increase of 34% on the pre-Covid figure in 2019. There are a total 4711 registrations to date in 2023, of which 3783 are craft and 928 are consortia led.
Expansion to date has widened the impact of apprenticeship to areas of skills shortage such as engineering, technology skills, logistics, and fintech. There are currently 72 programmes available and a further 17 in development, of these 8 are due to commence by end of 2024. Lists of apprenticeships available, along with corresponding registration figures, and those in development are attached.
711. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current estimate of recipients of undergraduate student support from SUSI, and if he will indicate their distribution between adjacent colleges and distant colleges, and within these categories at the special maintenance rate, at standard maintenance, at partial maintenance and at contribution reduction only support. [42144/23]
View answerThe student grant scheme, administered by SUSI, provides maintenance grants to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of students whose normal residence is 30km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The Deputy has requested the current estimate of recipients of undergraduate student support from SUSI. Table 1 below outlines the number of students awarded who have received a maintenance payment, and the number of students awarded with their first maintenance payment pending at the 28th September 2023. The table below also includes the total awards in all categories including fee awards.
9,174 students have been awarded a maintenance grant and their first maintenance payment is currently pending. Confirmation of registration was received on 28th September for 1,458 of these students and they will be included in the next weekly maintenance payment. Further details such as confirmation of registration and bank account details are outstanding for the remainder.
To ensure students receive their first payment as soon as possible, SUSI makes weekly payments from the first scheduled payment of the 14th September 2023 and will continue to do so throughout the academic year.
|
Table 1 - Awards re Undergraduate Courses |
|||
|
Award Rates |
Awarded and received a maintenance payment |
Awarded and pending maintenance payment |
Total Awards in this category |
|
Special Rate of Maintenance Non-Adjacent (over 30km) |
6,226 |
1,635 |
7,861 |
|
Special Rate of Maintenance Adjacent (under 30km) |
3,899 |
1,391 |
5,290 |
|
Band 1 Full Maintenance Non-Adjacent (over 30km) |
9,779 |
2,743 |
12,522 |
|
Band 1 Full Maintenance Adjacent (under 30km) |
5,650 |
1,962 |
7,612 |
|
Band 2 Part MaintenanceNon-Adjacent (over 30km) |
622 |
171 |
793 |
|
Band 2 Part MaintenanceAdjacent (under 30km) |
309 |
105 |
414 |
|
Band 3 Part MaintenanceNon-Adjacent (over 30km) |
1,198 |
365 |
1,563 |
|
Band 3 Part MaintenanceAdjacent (under 30km) |
690 |
243 |
933 |
|
Band 4 Part MaintenanceNon-Adjacent (over 30km) |
1,144 |
349 |
1,493 |
|
Band 4 Part MaintenanceAdjacent (under 30km) |
670 |
210 |
880 |
|
Student Contribution 100% |
N/A |
N/A |
5,641 |
|
Student Contribution 50% |
N/A |
N/A |
7,470 |
|
Student Contribution €500 |
N/A |
N/A |
11,699 |
|
Totals |
30,187 |
9,174 |
64,171 |
As SUSI continues to accept and process applications for the 2023/24 academic year, all above figures are subject to change throughout the year.
712. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider introducing a national training voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42148/23]
View answerThe prioritisation of the skills industry needs and those our citizens seek is a key focus for my Department. Our responsiveness to the requirements of enterprise is couched in key policy initiatives such as the Action Plan for Apprenticeship, Green Skills for FET Roadmap, National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital, the Human Capital Initiative and Springboard +, the establishment of the National Tertiary Office, and our work to deliver more flexible learning options for example through the microcredentials project. All of this work is carried out in partnership with enterprise and is informed by the workforce development agenda led by Skillnet Ireland.
For our citizens, the tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from apprenticeship are equipped with the cognitive skills, the essential transversal skills, and the vocational and professional skills and competencies which will equip them for success in work and society.
However, against the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying digital and green transitions, it is essential that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape. In this context, key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy published last May were the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive, diversified supply of skills in Ireland; and how we can encourage adult participation in learning as part of achieving that balance.
While Ireland is a strong performer in skills, we know we need to do more, and the comprehensive roadmap provided by the OECD Review provides a strong basis for ensuring that we get skills policies right, ensuring societal well-being and sustainable growth in Ireland for the future. In light of that, together with a refreshed National Skills Council, I will consider how best to respond to the full recommendations of the OECD Review, and whether a national training voucher scheme might have a place in that response.
713. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure technological universities have access to a borrowing framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42151/23]
View answerIn November 2022, I received Government approval of €1 million to support our Technological Universities (TUs) in the development of a feasibility study to ascertain student accommodation needs on a local, regional and national level. This study will include data analysis and engagement with local authorities and other key stakeholders to determine the level and potential sources of student accommodation together with the corresponding demand in each region.
Department officials and I have had continuous engagement with the sector in relation to the feasibility study. On the 22nd of June I announced the commencement of phase one of this study as part of the Governments’ commitment to support the TUs in the development of their student accommodation strategies. My Department and I recognise that given the varying regional locations, a range of accommodation options will need to be considered including purpose built student accommodation, the promotion of digs accommodation and the identification and reuse of vacant premises.
Enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions (HEIs) of student accommodation. The Department is exploring the development of a specific TU borrowing framework with Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The options arising from the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement. It is anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
In December 2021 the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage confirmed that his Department had reviewed the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 (as amended) and was satisfied that the legislation in place was robust enough to allow the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to also lend, in addition to universities designated under the Universities Act 1997, to TUs, Institutes of Technology and other institutions encompassed by the definition of “Institutes of Higher Education” in the Higher Education Authority Act 1971, where such borrowing is in respect of the provision of housing accommodation for students.
This provision was further strengthened under Section 130 of the Higher Education Authority Bill (as amended) by copper-fastening and broadening the type of institution to which the HFA can lend to with relevant consents, including other education institutions not designated under the remit of the HEA but who are in receipt of core funding through the public system.
Institutions, other than traditional universities, would firstly require consent to borrow following consultation with the Higher Education Authority. This will necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained. Having passed those primary screening tests the prospective borrowing entity would then be required to pass the relevant tests, procedures and requirements of the HFA before accessing borrowing funds.
The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such borrowing are key considerations in this context. In addition to accessing borrowing on commercially viable and appropriate terms such as would not adversely impact the financial position of TUs themselves or the wider public finances, as stated requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes would also need to be established. I am confident that there will, as appropriate, be robust and adequate systems in place to ensure any proposed borrowing is rigorously examined to protect both Exchequer funding and HEIs themselves.
