Written Answers Nos. 1583-1602
1583. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health whether public health nurses in Wexford can apply for and be considered for job sharing; if not, the reasons this is not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/24]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1584. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health to ask the HSE to provide an update on the status of the its negotiations to reinstate GPs services to the health centres at Kilmacrennan and Churchill in County Donegal; and if he is aware of the widespread concern in these communities at the loss of such services. [15205/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of specialist orthodontists, consultant orthodontists and orthodontist assistants currently working within HSE dental services in County Louth for both adults and children from 2020 to date, by location, areas served, current wait times and current vacant open posts for same; if the HSE recruitment embargo has impacted on these posts; if so, if he will undertake to have the embargo removed immediately for this sector to ensure adults and children receive appropriate orthodontic care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15206/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1586. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the names of organisations funded by the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme; the total amount received yearly from 2019 to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15216/24]
View answerThe HSE Sexual Health Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) is a national programme, within the HSE, with responsibility for sexual health and well-being. It has five core functions (Clinical, Funding, Education and Training, Research, and Communications) which lead on the development and implementation of the national strategic goals outlined in the National Sexual Health Strategy (NSHS).
An independent review of the NSHS was published in 2023, finding that a large majority of the actions had been successfully progressed. Working in partnership with communities and service users was a key element in the success of the first Strategy.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1587. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if devices will be expedited for a person (details supplied) given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15220/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1588. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has any plans to reopen a health centre in County Donegal (details supplied) as a working GP surgery; if it will be advertised for a doctor to take over the practice or if he will enter talks with the previous GP who previously had a practice in the building to get a GP back in the village again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15221/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1589. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when a communications device, ordered by the HSE on 11 March 2024 (details supplied), is likely top be supplied to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15237/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1590. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to immediately interject to ensure that all remaining beds at the new wing within a nursing home (details supplied) are immediately released for use, considering the pressure in the area and the significant public investment that was put into delivering the units which now lie semi-vacant due to the embargo; and if he will provide absolute clarity on this issue. [15279/24]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1591. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if an out-of-hours GP service (details supplied) can be extended; his plans to extend the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15298/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1592. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if a situation could be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/24]
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:
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 the above eligibility criteria were covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens provided very important services during the pandemic.
As the matter raised by the Deputy is a service matter, I have now referred the query on to the HSE for further response.
1593. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on HIQA's health technology assessment of infant immunisation against RSV; his plans to ensure the development of an RSV immunisation programme prior to the next winter season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15303/24]
View answerNIAC has submitted advice to my Department which advises that RSV vaccines, which have recently received EMA authorisation, for infants and persons over 65yrs, are safe and effective and should be considered for use in Ireland. In its advice NIAC also noted that further analysis of cost effectiveness and programmatic considerations is required to determine the most appropriate use of RSV vaccination in Ireland.
Following consideration of NIAC's advice, my Department asked HIQA to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to determine firstly, whether infant or adult vaccination would provide the greatest benefit in reducing healthcare utilisation due to RSV infection, and secondly, what the most cost-effective RSV immunisation strategy for Ireland would be.
The request was revised in light of the recent RSV season and in December, my Department requested that HIQA initially undertake a rapid HTA of infant and older adult immunisation against RSV in Ireland. This will be followed by a full HTA on immunisation against RSV in Ireland, for the same cohorts.
The outcome of the full HTA will inform the development of any RSV immunisation programme in subsequent years.
1594. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if it is his intention to propose a ban on smoking and vaping in outdoor areas attached to pubs and restaurants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15319/24]
View answerI recently held a public consultation on multiple proposals to further regulate tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products such as e-cigarettes. Included in the consultation was a question seeking the views of the public on whether smoking should be banned in outdoor dining areas. The analysis of the over 15,800 submissions that were received in response to the consultation is ongoing and the proposed legislation will be guided by the consultation, as well as by evidence reviews, legal advice and regulatory impact assessment to ensure that any regulation is achievable and effective. The process is also being informed by engagement with other EU Member States.
This issue is also being considered at EU level. Europe's Beating Cancer Plan sets out that the European Commission will update the 2009 EU Council Recommendation on Smokefree Environments including give consideration as to whether smoking and the use of other emerging products should be prohibited in some outdoor public places. My Department and the HSE have previously engaged at EU level on this update and I look forward to it in order to further inform consideration of this issue.
1595. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that some GPs are continuing to issue six-month repeat prescriptions for long-term medicines and medical devices, despite the new rules introduced from 1 March, allowing them to issue these prescriptions for 12 months; what he and his Department are planning to do to ensure that GPs comply with the new rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15327/24]
View answerI was pleased to introduce changes to prescriptions which took effect from the 1st March this year.
From that date, the maximum legal validity of prescriptions was changed from 6 to 12 months.
This means that from 1st March, prescribers can write prescriptions for patients that are valid for up to 12 months, if they believe it is appropriate and in the best interest of the patient.
These enabling provisions have been put in place to support health professionals and patients. Previously, prescribers could not write prescriptions for longer than 6 months, but they now may write a prescription for up to 12 months, if they deem it clinically appropriate and feel it is in the best interests of the patient to do so.
Prescribers will use their professional judgement at all times, and what may work well for one patient may not be appropriate for another.
It is a matter for the treating GP to determine in the case of each individual patient what is proper and necessary care.
1596. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the HSE treatment abroad scheme over 24 years of age who have travelled outside of Ireland for specialised cancer treatment not available in Ireland in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the total number of applicants to the scheme seeking to avail of specialised cancer treatment for each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15331/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1597. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the HSE treatment abroad scheme aged 0-24 years of age who have travelled outside of Ireland for specialised cancer treatment not available in Ireland in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the total number of applicants to the scheme seeking to avail of specialised cancer treatment for each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15332/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1598. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether he is considering expanding the treatment abroad scheme to include an allowance for accommodation, and other such essential expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15333/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1599. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed within the health service, by categories (details supplied) for each year from 1 January 2014 to 29 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1600. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for the largest town in Ireland to develop a new ambulance station-base to meet the considerable ever growing pressures in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15371/24]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1601. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to outline his engagement with trade unions regarding the cessation of the special scheme for healthcare workers with long-Covid, including any meetings, correspondence received, and correspondence issued; if his representatives have attended any related Labour Court sessions or meetings with other Departments regarding same; if he will make any further provision for those who were injured on the frontline during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15375/24]
View answerOfficials from my Department have engaged with the staff representative bodies in respect of the conclusion of the temporary Special Scheme re Long Covid on a number of occasions, both in advance of the Labour Court hearing that took place last October, and after. The management side was represented by officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform, and the HSE at that Labour Court hearing.
There has been extensive engagement between the parties over the first three months of the year in respect of the Labour Court recommendation, which was that the parties should engage to 'explore the supports already in place that are available to those impacted by long Covid'. These engagements have taken the form of both online and in person meetings between the parties.
As part of these engagements, the HSE committed to providing data to the staff bodies in respect of numbers impacted, and this material has been submitted to the staff bodies by the HSE electronically.
Despite the extensive engagement between the parties in line with the recommendation of the Court,, the matter has now been referred back to the WRC by the staff representative bodies, where the parties have agreed to engage further.
1602. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the present status of the HSE estates development of business case and associated tender developments with respect to a new operating theatre in Kilcrene, County Kilkenny to support the Waterford and South east orthopaedic activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15380/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
