Written Answers Nos. 103-115
103. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 891 of 20 September 2023, the reason for the shortfall in reimbursement for cross-Border schemes is significantly higher for people availing of the scheme in 2022/2023 as opposed to those who availed of it in 2019 (details supplied). [48846/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
104. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when he expects to receive a recommendation from the National Screening Advisory Council on whether to expand the newborn bloodspot screening programme to include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), given NSAC has considered a health technology assessment on SMA’s inclusion at its 20 October 2023 meeting; when he hopes to make an announcement on the inclusion or otherwise of SMA in the heelprick test for all newborns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48850/23]
View answerExpansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot (NBS) Programme remains a priority for me as Minister for Health and I am pleased to note that the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) continues to make progress in this regard, as noted by the Deputy.
NSAC is an independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important that 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. As the Deputy will appreciate, these are lengthy and complex processes.
I am glad to note that significant progress has been made on expansion over the past 18 months. Since May 2022, babies have been screened for nine conditions following a recommendation from the NSAC to add ADA-SCID to the Programme.
Building on this, in January 2023, I approved a further recommendation from the Committee for the addition of T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC)-based screening for all types of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) to the NBS programme which will increase the number of conditions screened as part of the screening programme to ten. The Committee made its recommendation to me based on their consideration of a comprehensive Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report from HIQA. HTAs collect and summarises detailed information about new technologies over a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues.
Regarding the Deputy’s question on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The HTA on the addition of SMA as an eleventh condition to the NBS programme was discussed in detail at the most recent NSAC meeting on 20 October and I expect to receive a report from this meeting in the near future.
Since assuming office in 2020, I have received regular correspondence from advocates calling for the extension of the NBS programme to cover additional conditions, including SMA. I have read their stories and am conscious of how important this matter is to the children and families affected. I will carefully consider the recommendations from NSAC and issue my decision without delay.
It is important to note that should a decision be made to approve SMA for inclusion in the NBS programme, there will be number of additional steps that need to be followed before we are in a position to formally introduce screening for SMA. My officials will work closely with colleges in the HSE once this process is ready to commence.
105. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric nephrologists based in Cork University Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form [48854/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
106. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of funding allocated to domestic violence services in Tipperary for each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form. [48855/23]
View answerAs this relates to a service matter, I have referred to the HSE for direct reply.
107. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE gastroenterologist registrars based in Tipperary University Hospital in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [48856/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
108. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48868/23]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an Inpatient/Day case or Outpatient waiting list.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on a waiting list. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
109. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the home support authorisation scheme covers homecare for disabled people; the funding that providers are paid under this scheme for disability packages; and the funding that providers are paid under this scheme for older persons packages. [48869/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
110. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health what health facilities are available in the State for a person (details supplied) living with cerebral palsy who requires an MRI scan to be carried out under sedation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48870/23]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
111. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to address the current homecare situation; for an update on the progress of the statutory homecare scheme; and if the statutory homecare scheme will cater for disabled people. [48875/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to ‘Introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high quality, regulated home care’. The Government is committed to establishing a new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services, which the Department of Health is currently developing.
Work is ongoing within the Department across four broad areas to progress this commitment: (i) Regulation of home support providers; (ii) the examination of future funding options for home support services; (iii) working with the HSE to develop a reformed model of service delivery for home support (iv) Implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group.
(i) Regulation of home support providers
Establishing a regulatory framework for home support providers is a significant element of the new scheme and is a priority for government. Regulation will offer protection and quality assurance to service users ensuring they are provided with high quality care. The regulatory framework will comprise: primary legislation for the licensing of home support providers; regulations which will set out the minimum requirements that a home support provider must meet to obtain a licence; and HIQA national standards.
Legislation: The legislation to establish a licensing framework for home support providers is at an advanced stage. The General Scheme and Heads of Bill are currently being finalised by the Department with a view to bringing the Heads of Bill to Government for approval before the end of the year. Primary legislation has been prioritised for drafting in the Autumn Legislative Programme.
Regulations: The draft regulations are at an advanced stage informed by a public consultation, which concluded on 4 August 2022. The analysis of submissions has been carried out by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) which demonstrated strong agreement in relation to regulation of home support service provision. A report on the findings of the public consultation was published in January 2023. Legal advice and engagement with key stakeholders (HIQA, HSE, Private and Voluntary Providers, and service user representative groups) will assist with final revisions to regulations for providers of home support services in 2023.
The Department is working closely with HIQA and the Chief inspector who will have the legal authority to grant, amend or revoke a license. Consultation on HIQA quality standards for home care and home support services will commence early in 2024 when the scope and content of regulations have been finalised.
(ii) The examination of future funding options for home support services
Currently home support services delivered by or on behalf of the State are fully exchequer funded. The Department is examining potential options for a new funding model for home support. The ESRI undertook a programme of work on behalf of the Department on the potential demand for, and cost of, home support which culminated in two reports. The Department is exploring further research and engaging with international experts. As part of this work, the Department commissioned a rapid response from the EU Observatory on Health Systems and Policies which explores the impact of user charges on home care sustainability in Ireland. This report was published in March 2023. This research will form an important part of the evidence base for the development of a sustainable funding model for home support services in the context of our ageing population. No final decision on future funding has been made and further research is currently underway to enhance the evidence base.
(iii) The development of a reformed model of service delivery for home support
In 2022 a Pilot for testing a reformed model of service for the delivery for homecare became fully operational in 4 Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs). A draft evaluation of the pilot, produced by the Centre for Effective Services, has been completed.
The rollout of interRAI as the single assessment tool for care needs in the community will assist with equitable resource allocation. InterRAI standardised outputs will be used to determine prioritisation and levels of care required. The HSE have begun recruitment process for 128 interRAI Care Needs Facilitators. The process for the development of a home support IT system is underway in the HSE. This is a significant project which is vital to deliver reform in the sector. The business case has been submitted to the Digital Government Oversight Unit and is currently going through Peer review.
The HSE is undertaking a recruitment process for a number of key posts to support and enable the establishment of a National Home Support Office. Funding is provided for 15 full time jobs including 9 Community Healthcare Organisation home support manager/coordinator posts. Four WTEs have been appointed to date including the head of service, with the remaining posts to be filled as soon as possible. A proposed location in Tullamore for the National Home Support office is being sourced by the HSE.
(iv) Strategic Workforce Advisory Group
Addressing the shortage of care workers in Ireland is an urgent priority for the Government. To this end, the cross departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group was established in March 2022 to examine, and formulate recommendations to address, the challenges in frontline carer roles in the home support and long term residential care sectors.
The Group was chaired by the Department of Health and comprised representatives from seven government departments (Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Health; Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Justice; Public Expenditure and Reform; and Social Protection), the HSE, HIQA and SOLAS.
The Report was published on 15th October 2022. Providing an overview of the work of the Group and its key findings, the report presents a suite of 16 recommendations spanning the areas of areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development and sectoral reform.
Work is underway on all the recommendations overseen by a cross departmental Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Health. A detailed implementation plan has been published containing timelines and steps involved in delivering each of the recommendations. The Implementation Group meets quarterly and progress reports are published after each meeting. Recommendation 9 has been completed with a further four at an advanced stage.
112. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will get an appointment for orthodontic treatment; their current place on the treatment waiting list; if there are other options available to expedite the treatment required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48876/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
113. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48877/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
114. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospice care/palliative care beds in CHO7; and the location of each. [48883/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
115. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the pandemic payment has been approved for the nurses in the Blood Transfusion Service, who worked at the frontline in patient-facing roles throughout the pandemic; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48885/23]
View answerFirstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
Last 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. 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 met all of the above eligibility criteria were covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens including those working in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service provided important services during this most difficult time.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was a hard task to set out the eligibility criteria for this payment but the Government based its decision on certain aspects of all the different roles within the Healthcare sector and certain risks which eligible frontline workers faced. Undoubtedly Immense efforts have been made by all healthcare staff since the onset of the pandemic which has not gone unrecognised.
