Written Answers Nos. 627-643
627. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health in light of the large-scale qualifications fraud currently under investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK, if he is satisfied that no similar concern arises with nursing staff registered here in Ireland or on foot of their UK registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8039/24]
View answerNMBI is vigilant to detect fraudulent documents or credentials in any application and has taken a number of steps to mitigate the risks.
Nurses and midwives who practise in Ireland must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Nurses and midwives who qualified outside Ireland and who are seeking registration with NMBI must complete two processes: recognition of qualifications and registration.
The recognition process involves an administrative assessment of the application, including primary source verification of the applicant's education credentials and a verified certificate of good standing from every jurisdiction in which they practise. Most applicants from outside the EU will be required to complete a compensation measure to meet the national standards and requirements. Applicants can either complete a period of adaptation placement or undertake an aptitude test. Compensation measures can only be completed in approved sites in Ireland. There is no option to complete a compensation measure outside of the state.
Upon successful completion of a comprehension measure, the applicant can then apply for registration. Certificates of good standing may be re-verified when the applicant applies for registration.
Regarding the current investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK, I would like to assure the Deputy that the NMBI and NMC have a data-sharing arrangement in place to notify any Fitness to Practise (FTP) measures taken in relation to a registered nurse or midwife in either jurisdiction. The identity of the registrant and the measure imposed in FTP matters (with some exceptions) are shared between both regulators in the interest of public safety.
628. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.1368 of 7 November 2023, if details can be provided to the precise location of property being considered for purchase (details supplied); if he and the HSE will engage locally on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8044/24]
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.
629. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason an independent expert is no longer involved in assessing the ventilation systems in the operating theatres of the new National Children's Hospital (details supplied), given that the guidelines written by that independent expert will still be used for validation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8055/24]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the New Children's Hospital (NCH). In relation to validation of ventilation systems for the NCH, I have referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
630. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the position of St. Brendan's Community Village Project in Mulranny, County Mayo, which provides a continuum of housing care from independent living through to high support care, within the one community; if he appreciates that the viability of this not-for-profit charity is threatened by the same challenges which affect the many smaller nursing homes which have closed since 2020; the reason why this facility receives substantially less funding from the NTPF than HSE facilities; if he accepts that a smaller, local setting is more conducive to the wellbeing of older residents; if he intends to adjust the financial supports for smaller scale supported housing and nursing homes so that they are viable small businesses and appropriate care facilities for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8056/24]
View answerI am fully aware of the important role smaller and voluntary nursing homes play in their communities and I am conscious that they may not have access to the same economies of scale as larger homes or nursing home groups.
Fair Deal was designed to protect and support vulnerable older people, to ensure equal access to nursing home care based on what they could afford. This gives certainty to people and families. Government funding for Fair Deal is to support vulnerable older people at a time in their lives where full-time care is essential.
It is important to note that this Government will continue to prioritise the best interests of nursing home residents to ensure that their welfare, care and well-being is ensured whilst simultaneously ensuring that nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone. It is vitally important that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
In 2019, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme funding (NHSS) budget was €985.8m. Year-on-year the budget has increased: in 2023 I secured a funding increase of €40 million for the NHSS, and for 2024 a further increase of €35.6 million. A further €10 million has been secured to assist nursing homes to comply with HIQA regulations.
Overall, €1.4 billion of the total Health Budget was allocated last year to support over 23,000 people under Fair Deal. This will increase to over €1.5 billion for 2024, and I am cognisant that the budget must support all residents under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) for the full calendar year. This funding is allowing an increase in rates by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) of 5-6% on average per negotiation of Deeds.
It is recognised that the duration of contracts have shortened and that this increase in funding will go toward continuing to help nursing homes with inflationary costs in 2024.
The provision of free PPE and oxygen to private nursing homes continues, as of May 2023 this has cost approximately €77 million. A short-term extension to the Temporary Inflation Payment Scheme (TIPS), was also introduced last year to help with increased energy costs due to inflation.
In the weeks prior to Budget 2024 I held a roundtable discussion with private nursing home provider representative groups where the issue of continued support for the sector was on the agenda and I will continue to engage with them going forward.
The Department of Health acknowledges that there are variations in the cost of care across public centres as well as across private nursing homes, with HSE Community Nursing Units generally having a higher cost of care.
In December 2021, the Department of Health published the independently chaired Value for Money review on nursing home costs. The review found that the cost differential is largely driven by variances in staff-to-resident ratios and the skill mix in public and private nursing homes. The Value for Money Review made nine recommendations which the Department continues to take forward. It should be noted that many of the recommendations from the report were already in progress and overlap with existing reforms.
It is important to note that the HSE is statutory provider of last resort and will always step in where a resident’s needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for elsewhere in the community. The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver that kind of complex care.
I also recognise that private and voluntary nursing homes also deliver very complex levels of care to residents in many cases.
It should also be noted that the Department of Health and I have regular interaction with the NTPF and have met them to discuss ways to support the sector, where necessary and appropriate, to complement the normal process of negotiating rate increases when contracts are renewed.
The NTPF are the body designated, under Section 40 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, to negotiate with persons carrying on the business of a nursing home, for the purposes of reaching an agreement on the maximum prices to be charged for nursing home care. There is no role for Ministers in the negotiation process which is conducted and agreed between individual nursing home providers and the NTPF.
There is no other mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents outside the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. It is imperative that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
I met with Dr Cowley at the end of November, with Departmental officials, to discuss the current situation. I will continue to engage with Dr Cowley and intend to visit his facility in the near future.
631. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for hip replacement surgery at Galway University Hospital as of 14 February 2024; the average waiting time for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8060/24]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures are too long and continue to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care.
The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan built on the foundational work done in previous plans, achieving significant progress in relation to waiting lists, including advancements made on overall waiting list reduction for the second year in a row, and progress made in addressing long waiting times.
The Department of Health is working with the HSE and the NTPF to finalise both the End of Year Report against the 2023 WLAP as well as the new WLAP 2024, which will take account of learnings from 2023 as well as the funding envelope provided for 2024.
With regard to the information requested by the Deputy, the NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate true average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list. The most recently published NTPF figures giving the number of patients waiting for hip replacement surgery at Galway.
632. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if equipment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8061/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
633. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he or his Department on his behalf have done or discussed any studies about the health impact of excessive use of mobile phones at a young age; if he is concerned about this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8068/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
634. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) who has been waiting on an appointment at University Hospital Limerick for over four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8083/24]
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.
635. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the registration fee or other charges that apply to Irish nurses who qualified in Britain who wish to register and work in Ireland; if he proposes to subsidise or waive these fees in other to attract such nurses into the Irish health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8094/24]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of nurses and midwives in Ireland rests with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
The NMBI is an independent regulatory body established under the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011. While my Department is responsible for the oversight and governance of the NMBI, I have no role in setting or approving fees.
Under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, the NMBI is required to be self-financing, and the income from the Annual Retention Fee is required to carry out its statutory obligations to protect the public and to protect the integrity of the practice of the professions of nursing and midwifery. The current annual retention fee is €100 and is unchanged since 2014. This fee is NMBI's main source of income.
As the Deputy’s question relates to the registration fee and other charges, I have asked the NMBI to respond directly to him on this matter.
636. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list, per area of need, for the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8100/24]
View answerAdult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly and is available on the National Treatment Purchase Fund's website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
637. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current level of vacancies per department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8101/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
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.
638. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list per hospital in tabular form, for gynaecology for both inpatient and outpatient appointments. [8102/24]
View answerAdult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly and is available on the National Treatment Purchase Fund's website at: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
639. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 16 who are currently waiting on dental surgery per hospital, in tabular form. [8103/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
640. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists in tabular form per county for dental treatment. [8104/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
641. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of hours driven by each of the civilian drivers assigned to the Minister and Ministers of State in the Department in 2023. [7489/24]
View answerThe information in relation to the number of hours driven by each of the civilian drivers assigned to the Minister of State in 2023 is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
As previous advised to Deputy, I do not have any civilian drivers. Responsibility for provision of Ministerial transport and the specific arrangements relating to it are a matter for the Department of Justice.
642. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to fund an extension of the number of fully funded radiation therapy places in Trinity College, Dublin and University College, Cork ahead of September 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7570/24]
View answer643. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to fund an extension of the number of practise tutors for radiation therapy courses in Trinity College, Dublin and University College, Cork ahead of September 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7571/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together.
Expanding the number of places available on Health and Social Care Profession (HSCP) programmes is a priority for my Department. In July 2023, Minister Donnelly and I announced over 400 additional permanent places across HSCP related programmes from September 2023. This included five places on the Radiation Therapy programme in Trinity College Dublin.
There are some issues, which are in the control of the health sector which need to be considered in any proposal to expand places on programmes like Radiation Therapy. These relate to guarantees of clinical placements and qualified practice tutors for students on placements. This requires the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure there are suitable placements and personnel available.
There has been extensive engagement between my Department and the Department of Health, and both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork, regarding the expansion of places on radiation therapy programmes. I met with representatives from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and University College Cork (UCC) Radiation Therapy programmes, as well as Radiation Therapy Professionals, on 25th October 2023. Both my own officials and officials in the Department of Health have also had further meetings with TCD and UCC on the potential expansion of these programmes.
I understand that some funding has been allocated by the Department of Health to support the development of sustainable practice education broadly for the Health and Social Care Professions in 2024. The National Health and Social Care Professions Office in the HSE is coordinating this process and leading on a number of programmes to support practice education for Health and Social Care Professions which will include identifying essential requirements.
