Alan Dillon
Question:518. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for vascular surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5215/24]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (518)
Written answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (519)
Niamh Smyth
Question:519. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied) and provide an update on an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5220/24]
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.
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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (520)
Sorca Clarke
Question:520. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health how many speech and language therapists are currently working in each health district; how many positions are currently vacant; and how current number compare to each of the past five years. [5221/24]
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 Appointments Status
Questions (521)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:521. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their urgent referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5227/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Official Travel
Questions (522)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:522. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5244/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since the formation of the Government I have flown on 6 trips on behalf of the state the total of the combined trips has been €8,088.41
Please see the details as requested below:
|
YEAR |
REASON |
LOCATION |
DAYS |
DATES |
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION COSTS |
|
2022 |
Gov |
Brussels |
1 |
08/12/2022-09/12/2022 |
€309.11 |
|
2023 |
St.Patrick's Day |
Canada |
6 |
13/03/2023- 19/03/2023 |
€2,301.94 |
|
2023 |
World Health Assembly |
Geneva |
2 |
21/03/2023-23/03/2023 |
€2,011.88 |
|
2023 |
EPSCO |
Luxembourg |
1 |
12/06/2023- 13/06/2023 |
€145.07 |
|
2023 |
Informal Health EPSCO |
Gran Canaria |
1 |
27/07/2023-28/07/2023 |
€932.27 |
|
2023 |
U.N General Assembly |
USA |
3 |
19/09/2023- 22/09/2023 |
€2,388.14 |
|
2024 |
None to date |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
Total days |
14 |
Total Cost |
€8,088.41 |
It is the policy of my Department to seek best value for money in terms of flight costs. Those travelling are consistently reminded to make arrangements as early as possible to secure the best available price. All travel is booked at economy/standard class unless there are specific circumstances requiring a different class of travel.
Home Help Service
Questions (523)
Pearse Doherty
Question:523. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if home help support can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal following an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/24]
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 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.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (524)
John Lahart
Question:524. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he is considering adding the shingles vaccine to the adult immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5268/24]
View answerWritten answers
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
Shingles vaccination is not currently provided as part of the national immunisation programme. Further information is available here: www2.hse.ie/conditions/shingles/
It is open to any individual who is aged 50 years and older and who wishes to receive the vaccine to consult with their GP or pharmacist.
HIQA are currently carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the herpes zoster vaccine which protects against shingles. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about a health technology. The information can cover a range of fields, including clinical effectiveness and safety, cost-effectiveness and budget impact, organisational and social aspects, and ethical and legal issues. The information is collected and presented in a systematic, unbiased and transparent manner.
The outcome of the HTA, once it is complete, will inform future decision making on this matter in relation to whether or not any amendments are required to the National Immunisation Programme.
Health Services
Questions (525)
John Lahart
Question:525. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when the new dementia specific weekend day centres are intended to be operational; the locations of same and how carer's/those suffering with dementia can avail of this new and exciting service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5283/24]
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 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.
Abortion Services
Questions (526, 527)
Carol Nolan
Question:526. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide the names of the members of the National Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Service Improvement Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5291/24]
View answerCarol Nolan
Question:527. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to identify the ten work-streams identified by the National Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Service Improvement Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5292/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, we have referred it to the HSE for answer.
Question No. 527 answered with Question No. 526.
Health Services
Questions (528)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:528. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health what is meant by the term “digital wards”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5306/24]
View answerWritten answers
With thanks to the Deputy's office who clarified that the term used by the Minister was 'Virtual Wards' rather than 'Digital Wards'. The Minister used this term during his opening comments at the joint committee on health, which he attended last week. Virtual Wards have emerged as a viable clinical intervention, enabled by technology, that is a safe and efficient alternative to inpatient hospital care. Virtual wards support patients who would otherwise be in hospital to receive the acute care, monitoring and treatment they need in their own home. The testing of the model has demonstrated good health outcomes for service users in addition to significant cost savings and high levels of patient and clinician satisfaction. Virtual wards are already used in other countries and a clinical team from the HSE had the opportunity to see these in practice at the NHS last year.Virtual wards are being trialled in Limerick and Dublin this year and will be deployed more extensively if successful.
Health Services
Questions (529)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:529. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he can advise on a tender process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5307/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. 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.
Health Services
Questions (530)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:530. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 18 January 2024, the number of homebirths by county for each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024, tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to operational data, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (531)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:531. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to provide a service at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5312/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Questions (532)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:532. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to provide a service at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5313/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Services
Questions (533)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:533. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to provide a service at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5314/24]
View answerWritten answers
Successive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival.
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 was approved by Government in 2017. The Strategy has a robust implementation framework which is used to actively track cancer services across the State. Effective prevention, early diagnosis, access to quality treatment, survivorship, patient involvement and safe high-quality patient-centred care are key aims of the Strategy.
This Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. Over 2021 and 2022, €40m new development funding was allocated to cancer services and €30m was allocated for new cancer drugs.
The delivery of cancer services across a limited number of designated cancer centres is in line with international best-practice, allowing the full integration of high-quality cancer care, combined with research and education. This ensures adequate case volumes, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural requirements, which are important determinants for patient outcomes. The Strategy notes that cancer patients should have access to high quality care staffed by appropriate specialists as close to home as possible, with specialist services centralised into the designated cancer centres as required to optimise outcomes for patients.
A number of cancer services are appropriate to be delivered outside of the eight designated cancer centres. For example, Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) is delivered in 26 centres nationally, including in the eight designated cancer centres. The hospital in question is not a designated cancer centre and does not provide medical oncology or SACT services.
In the context of the National Cancer Strategy the capacity of cancer centres is kept under regular review, and my Department works closely with the National Cancer Control Programme in ensuring that services and treatments are delivered for cancer patients in the appropriate setting, taking into account the resources, facilities, and expertise needed at each centre.
Hospital Services
Questions (534, 535)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:534. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in 2024 to extend the opening hours of a unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5315/24]
View answerViolet-Anne Wynne
Question:535. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take in 2024 to extend the opening hours of a unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5316/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 535 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. 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.
Question No. 535 answered with Question No. 534.
Hospital Services
Questions (536)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:536. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the progress of a unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5317/24]
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 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.
Hospital Services
Questions (537)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:537. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update and what services will be based out of a unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5318/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Questions (538)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:538. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he plans to amend the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 to expand the role of the National Treatment Purchase Fund so that they may facilitate a subvention of public funding to provide private assessments of need for the 20 children waiting the longest in each county each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5320/24]
View answerWritten answers
The NTPF was established under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961, with the function of providing hospital treatment for citizens and the collection and validation of information in relation to waiting lists. Its role was extended in 2009 (via the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act, 2009) to provide for negotiations with private nursing homes in the context of fees payable for Fair Deal clients.
Notwithstanding the fact that Primary Legislation would be required to expand the NTPF’s role there are other core factors that may militate against a role for the NTPF in the area identified by the Deputy in the short to medium term.
Firstly, there is the nature of private capacity in the context of hospitals versus community services. Currently, NTPF treatments are purchased from hospitals (institutions) through panel agreements with the relevant providers; community services are predominately provided via individual practitioners.
In addition, careful consideration would need to be given to the impact of the purchasing of private capacity on long-term expansion of public capacity within primary care, and ensuring appropriate skill mix to meet the needs of people including children with more complex needs.
Any changes would need to be widely consulted upon, analysed, and planned prior to enactment. The NTPF could potentially play a role in the future. However, there are foundational issues as outlined above that need systematic reform and development to enable an NTPF style approach.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (539)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:539. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5351/24]
View answerWritten answers
The amounts outlined in below table were spent on traditional and online advertising over the years 2013-2023 and in January 2024. This includes Healthy Ireland campaigns, Departmental notices, Departmental COVID-19 public health guidance and other Departmental campaigns.
The overarching aim of Healthy Ireland to bring about a healthier population by supporting people to enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing. It is the Government-led initiative aimed at delivering the Sláintecare objective of preventing ill-health and keeping people well. Since 2018, Healthy Ireland developed a number of citizen engagement campaigns designed to raise public awareness of Healthy Ireland supports under three themes – healthy eating, physical activity and mental wellbeing.
The Department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes a comprehensive advertising campaign across both traditional and online media channels for the purposes of informing the public and promoting the latest public health guidance. The level of advertising spend varies depending upon the public health requirements at the time. The HSE continues to run advertising campaigns to raise awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine programme and the latest public health advice.
The table below provides the information requested in this Parliamentary Question.
|
Year |
Traditional Advertising Spend |
Digital Advertising Spend |
|
2013 |
€ 10,716.68 |
€ - |
|
2014 |
€ 40,430.63 |
€ - |
|
2015 |
€ 89,376.59 |
€ 4,417.30 |
|
2016 |
€ 21,876.38 |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ 22,079.52 |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ 723,995.65 |
€ 321,508.46 |
|
2019 |
€ 1,631,569.74 |
€ 44,008.34 |
|
2020 |
€ 2,001,388.10 |
€ 315,101.82 |
|
2021 |
€ 2,001,388.10 |
€ 315,101.82 |
|
2022 |
€ 680,350.16 |
€ 336,919.60 |
|
2023 |
€ 1,846,662.81 |
€ 486,503.17 |
|
2024 (Jan) |
€ 6,046.70 |
€ 2,490.78 |
Departmental Contracts
Questions (540)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:540. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with departmental or ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5369/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has the following information for the period 1 January 2013 to 2 February 2024:
|
YEAR |
AGENCY |
COST |
PURPOSE |
|
2013 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2014 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2015 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2016 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2017 |
Hume Brophy |
€95,874.63 |
Provision of PR services in the bid for relocation of the European Medicines Agency to Ireland (2017) |
|
2018 |
Carr Communications |
€700.00 |
Media training |
|
2018 |
Q4PR |
€20,031.44 |
Provision of PR services for the launch of Sláintecare |
|
2019 |
Q4PR |
€3,078.08 |
Provision of PR services for Sláintecare |
|
2019 |
Q4PR |
€1,999.50 |
Communications training workshops |
|
2020 |
Q4PR |
€1,820.40 |
Media training |
|
2020 |
Hume Brophy |
€20,116.80 |
Outstanding cost re. provision of PR services in the bid for relocation of the European Medicines Agency to Ireland (2017) |
|
2021 |
Drury |
€173,054.09 |
Provision of Contract Staff (Temporary Press Officers) |
|
2022 |
Drury |
€116,235.00 |
Provision of Contract Staff (Temporary Press Officers) |
|
2023 |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
|
2024 (1 Jan-2Feb) |
N/A |
€0.00 |
N/A |
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (541)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:541. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5387/24]
View answerWritten answers
The following table shows legal costs incurred by my Department for each of the past 10 years. The costs include cost of settlements relating to Medical Defence Union Refusals, as well as the costs of statutory and non-statutory inquiries.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2024 to date |
€261,749.15 |
|
2023 |
€21,027,011.45 |
|
2022 |
€6,422,030.91 |
|
2021 |
€11,154,962.04 |
|
2020 |
€9,362,668.13 |
|
2019 |
€29,721,962.71 |
|
2018 |
€11,496,211.30 |
|
2017 |
€6,255,766.63 |
|
2016 |
€15,494,222.37 |
|
2015 |
€38,261,509.51 |
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (542)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:542. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5405/24]
View answerWritten answers
The spending related to departmental office space, furniture and office IT equipment for the time period requested is detailed below.
|
Year end |
IT Office Equipment |
Office Furniture |
Office space |
|
31/12/2014 |
€151,964.88 |
€8,263.35 |
€0.00 |
|
31/12/2015 |
€188,265.60 |
€36,057.13 |
€0.00 |
|
31/12/2016 |
€26,605.20 |
€33,163.58 |
€0.00 |
|
31/12/2017 |
€362,601.11 |
€43,519.77 |
€0.00 |
|
31/12/2018 |
€728,754.22 |
€478,986.49 |
€0.00 |
|
31/12/2019 |
€145,961.11 |
€4,002.37 |
€0.00 |
|
31/12/2020 |
€163,328.91 |
€81,333.47 |
€210,848.00 |
|
31/12/2021 |
€303,351.59 |
€22,238.88 |
€228,100.65 |
|
31/12/2022 |
€114,330.89 |
€28,553.72 |
€229,670.00 |
|
31/12/2023 |
€454,502.59 |
€50,519.97 |
€38,022.81 |
|
31/01/2024 |
€910.20 |
€966.78 |
€0.00 |
Nursing Homes
Questions (543)
Alan Kelly
Question:543. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when the required WTEs will be in place to open the new Nenagh community nursing home; and the date it is expected to be open. [5418/24]
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 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (544)
Seán Sherlock
Question:544. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen for urgent treatment. [5421/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Services
Questions (545)
Sorca Clarke
Question:545. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available to people who are dealing with sudden and traumatic deaths of a friend or family member. [5436/24]
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 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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (546)
Robert Troy
Question:546. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health how a former HSE worker (details supplied) can apply for the pandemic bonus payment. [5444/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. However, Members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer Parliamentary Questions 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.