Ivana Bacik
Question:1655. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when the review of the fair deal scheme will be published. [1174/24]
View answerNursing Homes
Questions (1655)
Written answers
In 2015 a comprehensive review of the operation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was completed and subsequently published. The review can be found by following this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6f512a-review-of-the-nursing-homes-support-scheme-a-fair-deal/
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review (2015) identified a number of recommendations for immediate implementation and a number of other complex issues that were deemed to require more detailed consideration. There are currently no plans to conduct a similar root and branch review of the scheme.
Emerging from this review, several subsequent reviews and actions incorporating different elements of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme have been completed.
In December 2021, the Department published the independently chaired Value for Money (VFM) review on nursing home costs. The review found that the cost differential between public and private/voluntary nursing homes is largely driven by variances in staff-to-resident ratios and the skill mix in public and private nursing homes.
The VFM Review made nine recommendations which the Department continues to take forward. The Value for Money Review can be found by following this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3859f-a-value-for-money-review-of-nursing-home-care-costs/
The Department of Health published a review of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) pricing system in June 2021 and continues to work on bringing forward the recommendations that emerged from this review. This review can be found by following this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/41377-review-of-pricing-system-for-long-term-residential-care-facilities/
A steering group has been established to oversee the delivery of the recommendations; this group has met on a regular basis since publication of the review. The group made four recommendations which are being progressed by the NTPF and the Department of Health.
Given the size, complexity and cost of the NHSS, implementation is complex and any changes in policy direction need to be carefully assessed and kept under review. The Department of Health is consistently seeking to identify improvements and introduce enhancements to the scheme, where feasible, which aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is sustainable, accessible and affordable for everyone and that people continue to be cared for in the most appropriate settings.
Effective from 1 November 2022, the amount of rental income that nursing home residents can retain under the Fair Deal from renting their principle private residence increased from 20% to 60%. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8. The change was made through a Committee-Stage amendment to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022.
Following a review period, as provided for in the amended legislation, proposals are currently before the Oireachtas to change the rental deduction from 60% to 100%, allowing nursing home residents and their families to retain all income accrued from renting the principal private residence. It is anticipated that this policy change will be implemented from 1 February.
It should be noted that this provision will only apply to income generated from rental of the principal private residence, and any rental income received from a property which is not from a principal residence will continue to be treated as general income and assessed at 80%.
Abortion Services
Questions (1656)
Carol Nolan
Question:1656. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide a copy of the implementation action plan, drafted to implement operational recommendations contained in the termination of pregnancy review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1187/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to a service area, I have referred it to HSE for direct response.
Abortion Services
Questions (1657)
Carol Nolan
Question:1657. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide a copy of the Regulatory Impact Analysis - Termination of Pregnancy Safe Access Zones prepared by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1191/24]
View answerWritten answers
A Regulatory Impact Analysis was prepared for the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023. This Analysis has not been published to date.
Hospital Services
Questions (1658)
Duncan Smith
Question:1658. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the inpatient services and inpatient surgical services currently at Bantry General Hospital. [1192/24]
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 (1659)
Duncan Smith
Question:1659. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting a psychologist report for MHID services in each of the CHO 6 areas; the current expected waiting time for an assessment; and his plans to extend services within this area in 2024. [1193/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy 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, 6 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (1660)
Duncan Smith
Question:1660. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the treatments available at the minor injuries unit at Roscommon hospital. [1194/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1661)
Duncan Smith
Question:1661. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of adults in County Wexford awaiting an appointment for vascular surgery, by wait times, in tabular form. [1195/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the information at the link, provided to my Department by the NTPF, sets out the number of adults by area of residence County Wexford waiting for vascular surgery, by wait times as of end of December 2023.
Emergency Departments
Questions (1662)
Duncan Smith
Question:1662. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who attended the accident and emergency department at CHI Temple Street on 24, 25 and 26 December 2023, in tabular form. [1196/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Hospital Equipment
Questions (1663)
Duncan Smith
Question:1663. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of ultrasound machines at Tullamore Regional Hospital as of 1 January 2024; and if he will provide same figures as of 1 January 2020, in tabular form. [1197/24]
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.
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 2023. 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.
Nursing Homes
Questions (1664)
Duncan Smith
Question:1664. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme as of 4 January 2024 in CHO 7. [1198/24]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 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.
Emergency Departments
Questions (1665)
Duncan Smith
Question:1665. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation suites in the accident and emergency department of University Hospital Limerick. [1199/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Hospital Staff
Questions (1666)
Duncan Smith
Question:1666. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in reproductive medicine at the Coombe Maternity Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1200/24]
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
Hospital Staff
Questions (1667)
Duncan Smith
Question:1667. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE scrub nurses working in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1201/24]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (1668)
Duncan Smith
Question:1668. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the average emergency department waiting times at Sligo University Hospital. [1202/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.