Robert Troy
Question:590. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason why a report (details supplied) cannot be accepted as part of an LTI application in view of previous reports approved on that basis. [45165/23]
View answerHealthcare Policy
Questions (590)
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.
International Agreements
Questions (591)
Colm Burke
Question:591. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when he and his Department will be prepared to sign the Joint Ministerial Declaration on the Guarantee of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the European Union; the reason it was not possible to sign the declaration with the other Member States at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45168/23]
View answerWritten answers
Both domestically and internationally Ireland is recognised for having a strong record as a champion of human rights including sexual and reproductive rights. This also includes commitments to promote and defend LGBTI+ rights internationally.
The Joint Ministerial Declaration on the Guarantee of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the European Union was introduced by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union during a high-level conference in Zaragosa, Spain on the subject at the end of September
The Department was not provided with sufficient time prior to the request for signing for full consideration of the Joint Ministerial Declaration. I have asked officials in my Department to carry out due diligence on the wording of the Joint Ministerial Declaration to ensure that it is fully aligned with Government policies. Once I have received the recommendations of my officials, I will be in a position to make an informed decision.
Mental Health Services
Questions (592)
Mark Ward
Question:592. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on the statement within a review (details supplied) which states that "that 92.7% of urgent CAMHS cases were responded to within three working days"; how many people were referred in this category; the nature of the response given to people within three working days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45169/23]
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 (593)
Bernard Durkan
Question:593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it is intended to facilitate the family of a person (details supplied) in respect of fair deal scheme charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45177/23]
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.
Health Services
Questions (594)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:594. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to meeting with a group that wish to discuss current and increasing regulation on tanning bed usage; if he will consider a central database or register to regulate customer usage; if he will consider mandating the requirement of a medical clearance certificate and six monthly update or renewal of cert; including stricter ID policy to ensure no person under 18 years of age is using tanning beds; if he will carry out an education and awareness campaign in transition year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45185/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 (No. 12 of 2014) was enacted in June 2014 and commenced on a phased basis in 2014 and 2015. The policy objectives of the legislation are to:
(a) protect children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer;
(b) regulate the use of sunbeds by those over 18 years of age so as to reduce their likelihood of developing skin cancer, premature aging, damage to their eyes and other health risks from exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR); and
(c) generally promote a greater public awareness across all age groups, with a long-term view to reduce the incidence of skin cancers.
The HSE National Environmental Health Service (HSE/NEHS) Officers are authorised to enforce the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014. This involves inspections of sunbed premises, test purchasing for underage use, mystery shopping exercises, and complaint investigation. The HSE/NEHS take action as appropriate when breaches of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 have been identified. These include primarily engaging with the sunbed business operator to turn these non-compliances into compliances and may result in the service of Fixed Penalty Notices or instigation of legal proceedings as appropriate.
There are currently no plans to amend the existing public health (sunbeds) legislation for a central database or register to regulate customer usage, or to require a medical certificate clearance.
Europe's Beating Cancer Plan includes Action 18 which will 'explore measures to prevent exposure to ultraviolet radiation including from sunbeds '. The Department of Health will be engaging with any developments at a European level in relation to this action.
While there are no plans to develop a specific awareness campaign for transition year students, Action 1.4 of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 is to 'develop and deliver an annual SunSmart communications plan to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention behaviours '. The SunSmart campaign, which has run in 2021, 2022 and 2023, is rolled out across social media, radio and digital audio. Healthy Ireland has co-funded this campaign with the HSE every year. The campaign focuses on vulnerable groups with key target messaging. These groups are babies and children; adolescents and young people; outdoor workers; those who pursue outdoor sport and leisure; and sunbed users. SunSmart messaging has been included in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for 2nd year students, with a consultation due later in the year around including messaging in the senior cycle curriculum, including transition year.
Finally, while I make every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, it is not always possible to commit to every meeting request. However, it is a normal and productive practice for my officials to meet with interest groups on my behalf and I would suggest that the organisation in question submit a formal meeting request to my office.
Health Services
Questions (595)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:595. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the RTÉ report (details supplied) of August 2023 which showed there were almost 107,000 adverse incidents reported within the health service and that the number of incidents that have risen over the past five years; what steps or measures he has taken in view of these incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45186/23]
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (596)
Bernard Durkan
Question:596. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if urgent assistance through CAMHS can be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45187/23]
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.
Care of the Elderly
Questions (597)
Niamh Smyth
Question:597. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review an urgent case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45188/23]
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.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (598)
Michael Collins
Question:598. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health to clarify a pension query for a person (details supplied). [45190/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to the application of pension rules to a retired staff member of the public health service, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
Health Services
Questions (599)
Colm Burke
Question:599. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for podiatry appointments by CHO area and region including the length of time each person has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45201/23]
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 (600)
Colm Burke
Question:600. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE posts vacant across all community healthcare services by CHO area and region, including the length of time the post has been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45202/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
Regulatory Bodies
Questions (601)
Colm Burke
Question:601. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on progress made to date by his Department on work to develop a policy framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45204/23]
View answerWritten answers
A number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. It is important in this context to point out the issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.
In light of this, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/).
My officials are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This framework will also be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here: single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/services-directive-handbookproportionality-test-directive-guidance-2022-12-22_en/.
It should be noted that there are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools are in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive.
My officials will be preparing a report on progress made in developing a framework to guide future decision-making on the regulation of health and social care professions, which will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within six months of commencement of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) Act 2023.
Health Services
Questions (602, 603)
Colm Burke
Question:602. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm if any further progress has been made to date by his Department regarding the inclusion of certified athletic therapists in the CORU regulation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45205/23]
View answerColm Burke
Question:603. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to the inclusion certified athletic therapists in the CORU regulation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45206/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 603 together.
A number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. It is important in this context to point out the issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.
In light of this, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/).
My officials are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This framework will also be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here: single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/services-directive-handbookproportionality-test-directive-guidance-2022-12-22_en/.
It should be noted that there are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools are in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive.
My officials will be preparing a report on progress made in developing a framework to guide future decision-making on the regulation of health and social care professions, which will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within six months of commencement of the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) Act 2023.
Question No. 603 answered with Question No. 602.
Nursing Homes
Questions (604)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:604. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his response to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45223/23]
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (605)
Seán Sherlock
Question:605. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the pandemic recognition payment. [45224/23]
View answerWritten answers
In January 2022 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. The payment of €1,000 is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment.Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation, the Government made its decision based on the substantial risk which certain healthcare workers faced. Eligibility guidelines were first published online by the HSE on the 19th of April 2022.The HSE and external contractor KOSI Corporation remain responsible for processing applications for eligible non-public sector employees.Only those staff who meet all the eligibility criteria as set out below are covered for this payment.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.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.The Department of Health has no mandate to include other groups or employers other than those who qualify based on the set eligibility criteria. The Department also has no responsibility in receiving or processing applications.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (606)
Seán Sherlock
Question:606. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health to address the issue of non-payment of the pandemic recognition payment (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45230/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (607)
Seán Sherlock
Question:607. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the issue of the non-payment of the pandemic recognition payment (details supplied). [45231/23]
View answerWritten answers
In January 2022 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. The payment of €1,000 is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment.Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation, the Government made its decision based on the substantial risk which certain healthcare workers faced. Eligibility guidelines were first published online by the HSE on the 19th of April 2022.The HSE and external contractor KOSI Corporation remain responsible for processing applications for eligible non-public sector employees.Only those staff who meet all the eligibility criteria as set out below are covered for this payment.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.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.The Department of Health has no mandate to include other groups or employers other than those who qualify based on the set eligibility criteria. The Department also has no responsibility in receiving or processing applications.I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
Mental Health Services
Questions (608)
Mark Ward
Question:608. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health to report on the amount of money allocated to section 38 and section 39 mental health organisations in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; including a breakdown of the names of each of these organisations and how much is allocated to each organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45235/23]
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.
Question No. 609 answered with Question No. 502.