Written Answers Nos. 492-517
492. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health what assistance can be given to a person (details provided) who is living in full time care in a nursing home, registered disabled, non-verbal with no understanding, no family assistance and requires transport for various treatment at different hospitals; who is responsible for transport costs to and from medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5074/24]
View answerAs 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
493. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 8 November 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5076/24]
View answerAs the previous question related to a service matter, it was referred to the HSE for response. The HSE has been advised that a response is outstanding.
However, 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.
494. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to Parliamentary Question No. 1265 of 7 November 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5081/24]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the Health Service Executive (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.
495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to Parliamentary Question No. 1267 of 7 November 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5082/24]
View answerAs 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 were 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.
496. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if HSE members currently on a career break are not able to return to work due to the HSE recruitment embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5083/24]
View answerAs 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.
497. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the €7.5 million allocated in Budget 2024 for "new services", specifically the amount designated for expanding newborn screening; if plans for implementing SMA screening will be included in the HSE Service Plan for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5085/24]
View answerBudget 2024 saw an allocation of €100 million for a variety of new service developments across the Health service, aimed at improving patient access and the affordability and quality of healthcare, as well as delivering key reforms. In addition to this funding, a further €92 million was allocated to the Health Vote in the Revised Estimates for 2024, to fund a number of additional new service developments across a range of service areas.
The HSE has submitted its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024 to myself as Minister, which is currently being reviewed. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of the funding provided for new service developments in 2024 will be available. Engagements in relation to the NSP are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE with a view to approving the Plan at the earliest possible juncture.
Following its approval, the NSP will be published as soon as possible following laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
With regards to newborn screening, I am conscious that additional investment is required to enable the continued expansion of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) Programme. This factor was specifically noted in the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) recommendations for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). In this regard, I am pleased to confirm that an additional €700,000 of new development funding has been secured in Budget 2024 to support the HSE to advance the work of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme next year. This is a positive reinforcement of my commitment to Newborn Screening.
498. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the Cashel community nursing unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5088/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
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.
499. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a surgical appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5110/24]
View answerUnder 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.
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.
500. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision for a new primary care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5116/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
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.
501. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health how much the HSE and Department of Health spent on personal protection equipment from China; to provide details of what stock was usable and what was not usable/not suitable; what monies have been recouped for unusable/unsuitable stock and what monies remain to be recouped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5121/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
502. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if all workers entitled to the pandemic bonus payment have been paid the bonus; if any workers have not yet been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5122/24]
View answerFirstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their continuous efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
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.
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:
Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
Agency roles working in the HSE;
Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
To date, over 143,741 eligible frontline HSE and Section 38 healthcare workers have been paid. Appeals outcomes have also now been completed by a joint HSE management/union committee. The HSE advise that over 3,500 appeals were lodged. As such, payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment amongst HSE and Section 38 staff is now complete.
In relation to the non-public sector cohorts, which includes Section 39 organisations, the HSE and the external contractor KOSI Corporation are rolling out payments to those eligible for payment. As of the 24th of January 2024, funding has been issued to 767 non-public sector organisations, covering payments for 79,562 staff. Payments to these specific, eligible groups is now nearing completion.
Funding was transferred to D/Defence (€1.265m) and Dublin City Council (€0.84m) to cover cohorts 5 & 6 above on 1/11/22. Payment of these staff is a matter for those bodies but is also understood to be substantially complete.
If there is any staff who meet the outlined criteria above and have yet to receive their payment, they would need to contact their local HR. The Department of Health is unable to comment on individual cases.
503. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for processing pensions for recently retired staff in the HSE, particularly in the CHO2 district; the steps being taken to speed up the processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5132/24]
View answerAs 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.
504. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if MRI scans on one hand has been removed from the general medical card scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5149/24]
View answerThe nationwide GP Access to Diagnostics (GPACD) programme, which began accepting referrals in January 2021, facilitates direct referral by General Practitioners to diagnostics services for their patients. This direct referral pathway is open to the full adult population, does not require the patient to hold a medical card, and provides access to a suite of community radiology diagnostics. However, MRI of the hand is not, and has not previously been, included in this initiative.
GPs may refer patients with a medical card to other diagnostic services, and the conditions of eligibility for these has not changed.
505. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will consider investigating whether urinary tract infections can be tested for by pharmacists rather than GPs to reduce costs on patients and ease pressure on general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5155/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for their question.
On 23rd July 2023, as the Minister for Health, I established an Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland. The remit of the Taskforce is to identify and support the delivery of specific objectives, which will serve to align services and practices that can be delivered by pharmacists, and pharmacies, with the needs of the health service and patients.
The Taskforce submitted their initial recommendation and report at the end of October 2023. The initial recommendation will allow prescribers to write prescriptions with a maximum validity of 12 months if they so wish. Pharmacists will be enabled to extend the validity of prescriptions from the current maximum period of six months to 12 months. Work is ongoing within the Department of Health to implement this into practice.
The Taskforce continue to work together on Phase 2 - Empowering Pharmacists to Prescribe within their scope of Practice. It is expected that they will make a recommendation on this in the coming months which will alleviate the strain within primary care, improve access for patients and expand the scope of practice of pharmacists.
506. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health how many speech and language therapists are working in CHO8, including figures for full time and part time positions, in tabular form and broken down by county; if he will provide a full schedule of staff requirements for speech and language therapists in CHO8; when the full complement of staff is expected to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5156/24]
View answerAs 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.
507. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of children using the paediatric speech and language therapy services in CHO8, specifically in counties Louth and Meath. [5157/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
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.
508. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the numbers on waiting lists, and how long they have been waiting, for paediatric speech and language therapy in CHO8, specifically in counties Louth and Meath, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5158/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
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.
510. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; how families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; the status of discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5164/24]
View answerAs this question concerns the provision of services, I will ask the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
511. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can remain in Bantry hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5176/24]
View answerAs 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 were not engaging with political forums or processes. The Fórsa action has now ended. However, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
512. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in emergency medicine working in Cavan General Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [5188/24]
View answerAs 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.
513. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost to increase the number of adult critical care beds in the public health service to 400. [5189/24]
View answerThe Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Cabinet in December 2020, aims to provide for long term increases in critical care capacity to meet current and future needs. The increases in the Strategic Plan exceed the recommendations of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review, which had set out a requirement for 430 critical care beds by 2031.
Before the pandemic, there were 258 adult critical care beds. A very significant allocation of €78.2 million has been provided by Government from 2021 to 2023 to fund additional 94 beds in Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan to bring funded capacity to 352 critical care beds.
Today, there are 330 Critical Care beds in place, an increase of 72 beds. The remaining beds in Phase 1 are due for delivery once fit-out and recruitment processes are completed.
To give perspective to the 72-bed increase achieved since 2020, the nett number of additional beds delivered from 2013 to 2020 was 21, according to the census carried out by the National Clinical Programme in Critical Care.
Phase 2 of the Strategic Plan will provide further critical care capacity with developments at five priority sites and will exceed the number of critical care beds numbers recommended by the Health Service Capacity Review.
As the determination of costs for critical care is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
514. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person’s appointment was cancelled for surgery (details supplied); when he will be called again in the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5199/24]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
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.
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.
515. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5201/24]
View answerAs 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
516. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review a case (details supplied); if he can arrange an alternative appointment urgently for this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5202/24]
View answerAs 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.
517. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who was referred 12-months ago to the vascular unit at University Hospital Limerick and has yet to receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5213/24]
View answerUnder 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.
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.
