Written Answers Nos. 488-502
488. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measure he will take to close the gender pay gap, reported recently by the Central Statistics Office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46627/23]
View answerI welcome the publication on 18 October by the Central Statistics Office of the results of the 2022 Structure of Earnings Survey (SES), which includes a calculation of the gender pay gap (GPG) for Ireland for 2022. The 9.6% figure for 2022 includes all firm sizes including those with 1-9 employees and in the Public Administration, Defence, and Compulsory Social Security economic sectors.
Addressing the factors behind the gender pay gap was a key commitment in the National Strategy for Women and Girls, and is a multifaceted task involving a number of Government Departments and agencies. The Programme for Government commitment to legislate to require publication of the gender pay gap in large companies, was met in 2022 and followed by the publication last December of the first gender pay gap reports by large employers.
The Regulations made under the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 to enable reporting required organisations with over 250 employees to report on their gender pay gap in 2022. Employers were required to choose a ‘snapshot’ date in June and to base their reporting on the employees they have on that date. Employers have six months from their snapshot date to make the relevant calculations and prepare their report. The Regulations also require employers to publish a statement setting out, in the employers’ opinion, the reasons for the gender pay gap in their company and what measures are being taken or proposed to be taken by the employer to eliminate or reduce that pay gap. Employers are required to publish their report and statement in a manner easily accessible to the public, such as on their website. Gender pay gap reporting will be extended to organisations with over 150 employees in 2024.
Other measures taken by Government which impact positively on reducing gender pay gaps include the extension of family leaves to support greater sharing of caring responsibilities between women and men, and investment in quality affordable childcare.
Consultations for the development of a successor to the National Strategy for Women and Girls will begin later this year.
489. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on day service waiting lists, that is, waitlists for children with disabilities who are waiting on speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology services, by CHO and by wait length, in tabular form. [46634/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
490. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide clarity with regard to the Government commitment in budget 2024 to deliver 22 million hours of home support; to confirm the exact funding being provided for the sector in 2024 and the total increase from the 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46652/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
491. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applicants for home care support who are awaiting the allocation of home care; his views on the recruitment of home care support workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46664/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
492. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of properties in Donegal that are currently being used to accommodate refugees and those availing of international protection, broken down by area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46700/23]
View answerThis information will issue directly to the Deputy.
493. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost for 2023 and 2024 of delivering pay parity between section 56 and section 38 staff contracted by his Department through section 56 organisations. [46719/23]
View answerThe sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors and the impact of industrial action on essential services is a concern for Government.
Although the organisations are not within the public sector, my Department and the Department of Health are aware that staff working across these Section 39 and Section 56 organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration, and are largely dependent on the State for funding.
Following intensive talks under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to the process, including my Department, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and Tusla, reached a pay agreement with unions representing Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations. This agreement has resulted in the postponement of industrial action by staff working in these organisations as they consider the pay deal proposed.
The agreement, that unions have indicated will be put to their members, proposes an 8% increase in pay over three phases:
• An increase of 3% from 1st April 2023;
• An increase of 2% from 1st November 2023;
• An increase of 3% from 1st March 2024.
In addition, agreement was reached to commence a process to consider appropriate further adjustments in funding, having regard to Building Momentum and any successor public sector pay agreement.
In that context, the estimated cost for 2023 and 2024 to deliver pay parity between section 56 staff and Section 38/HSE staff is not available at present as the aforementioned process remains ongoing.
My officials will continue to engage in this process as it progresses.
494. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) with developmental delays and speech and language difficulties will be seen at a particular clinic, given the urgency of their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46722/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
495. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to consider increasing the funding allocation to an important service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46665/23]
View answerOver many years, both Day Care and the Meals on Wheels service have proven to be important components of the community services offered to older people, particularly in rural communities.
In May 2023 I announced the allocation of €5.25 million funding for Meals on Wheels and Day Centres for older people to organisations across the country.
Budget 2024 has seen increased investment in both areas building on recent investment to support these services. Community services are the backbone of social care provision and play an important part in keeping older people out of hospital and in their own homes and communities for longer. We will be investing an additional €2.7 million in 2024 for Day Care Services and an additional €1 million for Meals on Wheels nationally.
496. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 621 of 28 February 2023, whether there are plans for compensation to be offered to those who had no other option but to avail of private nursing home care with no assistance from the State; whether any further information is available for medical card holders or their next of kin who are paying fully for nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46056/23]
View answer540. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the litigation management report on 7 February 2023, what further actions are required; if these actions have been approved by the Cabinet; and is there a timeframe for implementation. [46255/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 540 together.
Up until 2004, people who were provided with publicly-funded long-stay care in public facilities and in publicly contracted beds paid a contribution towards the cost of their maintenance through a charge raised under Regulations made in 1954 and 1976.
It was accepted in 2004 that there was a flawed legal basis for raising charges on those with full eligibility in publicly funded care. This was regularised by the introduction of legislation in 2005 to provide for charges in publicly funded care and the establishment of a repayment scheme to refund charges that had been paid pre-2005. Over €450m was paid out under this scheme. The scope of the scheme was well publicised at the time and was limited to those who had full eligibility under the 1970 Act and who had paid charges to the State as a contribution towards their publicly-funded care.
It is a matter of public record that legal cases have been taken against the State seeking the repayment of private nursing homes fees in cases where people had full eligibility under the 1970 Act. Cases have been managed by the Department on a case-by-case basis in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. The consistent position has been that it was not the policy intent of Government at that time for public monies to be used in this way, and that eligibility under the 1970 Act was and continues to be subject to the availability of resources.
Upon the raising of issues about how the State has approached legal challenges taken against it in relation to pre-2005 legacy nursing home charges, the Government moved quickly to establish the facts surrounding these issues, which go back many decades, by requesting the Attorney General to prepare a Report on the litigation management strategy. This comprehensive Report was published on 7 February 2023.
The Minister for Social Protection and I have undertaken to consider the Attorney General's Report in full and hope to revert to Government shortly on any further steps required.
497. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on the decision in budget 2024 regarding funding for new treatments; how this aligns with Government commitment to healthcare advancements and the well-being of its citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46071/23]
View answer502. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to remove funding for new treatments and medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46087/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 502 together.
A record almost €3 billion, nearly €1 in every 8 spent by the State on health, will be spent this year on medicines. This is an unprecedented level of investment in supporting patients through the availability of the latest and wide range of medicines.
It is important that medicines expenditure is sustainable for the State and that we strive to maximise the available investment. This will enable us to provide as many people as possible with access to the necessary medicines.
Over the last 3 years the State has invested €98 million in new medicines funding to provide 127 new medicines or extended uses for medicines.
Going into 2024, I will ensure that my Department, the HSE and all relevant agencies and stakeholders place a priority focus on achieving the most efficient and effective use of available resources. This will require opportunities for savings to be identified and implemented. While dedicated funding for new medicines has not been allocated in Budget 2024, this does not mean that no new medicines will be approved for reimbursement in 2024. Any savings generated from identified initiatives will be immediately reinvested into new medicines for 2024.
498. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification in relation to the ground-breaking treatments, such as Sotatercept, which show potential in revolutionising the care for conditions like pulmonary hypertension; if this drug will be funded through budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46072/23]
View answerA record almost €3 billion, nearly €1 in every 8 spent by the State on health, will be spent this year on medicines. This is an unprecedented level of investment in supporting patients through the availability of the latest and wide range of medicines.
It is important that medicines expenditure is sustainable for the State and that we strive to maximise the available investment. This will enable us to provide as many people as possible with access to the necessary medicines.
Over the last 3 years the State has invested €98 million in new medicines funding to provide 127 new medicines or extended uses for medicines.
Going into 2024, I will ensure that my Department, the HSE and all relevant agencies and stakeholders place a priority focus on achieving the most efficient and effective use of available resources. This will require opportunities for savings to be identified and implemented. While dedicated funding for new medicines has not been allocated in Budget 2024, this does not mean that no new medicines will be approved for reimbursement in 2024. Any savings generated from identified initiatives will be immediately reinvested into new medicines for 2024.
In relation to sotatercept, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines. Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. In order to submit a formal application the medicine must hold a marketing authorisation.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a centralised agency of the European Union (EU) responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines in the EU. The EMA plays an integral role in the authorisation of medicines in the EU.
To date, the EMA has not granted a marketing authorisation for sotatercept for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a marketing authorisation.
499. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason times are constantly changing for home help (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46076/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
500. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a home care company (details supplied) is changing its cancellations policy whereby if a client cancels care at short notice then home care assistants will only be remunerated at 50% of their hourly rate instead of the full rate; if this is HSE policy or a private service provider policy; if it is the decision of the private provider operating on behalf of the State, how is this allowed; if he will object to this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46080/23]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
501. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the regulation of the athletics therapeutical profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46082/23]
View answerA number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.
In light of the various issues to be considered, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board (HRB) 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
Officials in the Department of Health 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
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.
