Parliamentary questions

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

652. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for orthopaedics in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway. [15971/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

653. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been waiting over six years to be seen by orthopaedics in Merlin Park University Hospital Galway; and the immediate action that will be taken to address the damage caused. [15972/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Sorca Clarke

654. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the €1,000 payment as announced on 19 January 2022 for healthcare workers will be paid. [15975/22]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

721. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby section 38 funded staff working overnight only get paid the sleepover rate which is the minimum wage even if staff are required to work and be on the floor during those times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16389/22]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

825. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of a national statutory support scheme for the licensing and regulation of home care providers. [16668/22]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

826. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct his Department officials to review the current practice by which his Department obstructs the payment of travel time to tendered service providers in the home care sector even though they provide it to their own staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16669/22]

Care Services

Sorca Clarke

827. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the right to receive care in a nursing home on a statutory basis; if he will consider giving the same statutory right to receive care at home, which is the preferred option of the majority of older persons in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/22]

General Practitioner Services

Sorca Clarke

824. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner practices with capacity to accept new patients in counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [13972/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

726. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women awaiting gynaecology appointments by hospital, in tabular form. [13123/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

727. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a gynaecology appointment by hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022. [13124/22]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

728. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer following gynaecology consultation in 2021 and to date in 2022. [13125/22]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

625. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of time that must pass before a healthcare professional is eligible to reapply for inclusion on the National Recruitment Service panel in cases in which they were removed from the panel during the recruitment process. [10892/22]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

362. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the action that has being taken and the proposals to address the significant delay in the recruitment of podiatry staff in acute and community services following the recent launched Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot by the HSE and the highlighted intention to increase the number of podiatrists via the planned HSE chronic disease management community hubs; and the current vacancies for same in each CHO area in tabular form. [10639/22]

Healthcare Policy

Sorca Clarke

736. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the community healthcare networks supporting the expansion of services based on the need and size of local populations as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9341/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Sorca Clarke

881. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the public hospitals that have the facility to take DEXA scans; the number of these DEXA scanners in each of those hospitals in question in tabular form. [10064/22]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

882. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent respiratory physiotherapists working in the Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [10065/22]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently intervene in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8865/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Sorca Clarke

806. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE staff redeployed to Covid-19 community assessment hubs for the first five months of the pandemic will be eligible for the €1,000 bonus proposed for frontline healthcare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6761/22]

Healthcare Policy

Sorca Clarke

807. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his Department has begun collating data on those suffering from long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/22]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

658. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the plans regarding the €3 million funding for the development of specialist palliative care inpatient units in the north east, that is, Drogheda and Cavan and Tullamore, County Offaly that was announced by his Department in December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4379/22]

Hospital Charges

Sorca Clarke

815. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the in-hospital charges for children will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/22]

Home Care Packages

Sorca Clarke

1555. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Longford awaiting the allocation of homecare hours; the length of time they have been waiting; and the number of hours they have been allocated. [63591/21]

Home Care Packages

Sorca Clarke

1556. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Westmeath awaiting the allocation of homecare hours; the length of time they have been waiting; and the number of hours they have been allocated. [63592/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

1690. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the available hours to access the HSE antigen online order form beyond the current 12 hours per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1332/22]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Sorca Clarke

1750. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a group (details supplied) can expect a rescheduled date for a meeting given that the original date was over 12 months ago. [1608/22]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

329. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the requirement for persons who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 and hold a valid HSE recovery certificate in relation to the new international travel Covid-19 testing measures. [61002/21]

Disability Services

Sorca Clarke

616. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can expect a date for allocation to a full-time residential care facility as recommended at a multi-discipline team meeting held on 19 November 2021 which included representations from disability services, older persons and primary care services. [60423/21]

Home Care Packages

Sorca Clarke

617. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to return home with the necessary homecare support system in place until such a time when a place in a full-time residential care home is secured. [60424/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

641. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the distribution of the booster vaccines to general practitioners by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60562/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Sorca Clarke

169. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the additional supports that will be put in place to ensure quick and local access to PCR testing given the level of additional needs of the service users of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59156/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

558. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a birthing pool is located in the maternity unit at Mullingar Regional Hospital. [58516/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

559. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional capacity an increase of €5 million in respite care services would provide. [58517/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

560. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of an additional full-time consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon for Mullingar Regional Hospital. [58518/21]

Disability Services

Sorca Clarke

561. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the 27 additional expert staff to process assessments of needs were filled after funding for these additional staff was announced in Budget 2021. [58519/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

562. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant consultant posts by speciality currently in CHI Crumlin; the length of time each post has been vacant for; and when each vacancy will be filled in tabular form. [58520/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

563. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the details of the most recent projected workplace planning requirements to meet demand in urology services; and the number of these posts that are filled in tabular form. [58521/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

572. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses employed in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin as, or working in the position of, head of ward or acting head of ward but without the mandatory five years post-qualification experience. [58597/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

573. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of resignations in Temple Street Children’s Hospital by those employed as, or working in the position of, head of ward or acting head of ward in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [58598/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

574. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant head of ward or acting head of ward positions at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin. [58599/21]

Health Service Executive

Sorca Clarke

729. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 834 of 28 September 2021, the buildings currently in use by the HSE that are either owned, leased or rented on a full or part-time basis which have been assessed as having asbestos in the buildings; and the actions that have been taken to ensure the health and safety of employees and former employees to assess the health impact that asbestos had for counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [59120/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

373. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to classifying Covid-19 as a long-term medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58250/21]

Departmental Data

Sorca Clarke

328. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children on school age team or the new equivalent on the psychology waiting lists that have been also referred to primary care psychology by county in each of the years 2018 to 2020 an to date in 2021, in tabular form. [56713/21]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

329. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children on school age team or new equivalent on psychology waiting lists that have been also referred to primary care psychology and that referral was not accepted by county in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form [56714/21]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

330. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the actions taken to date to address the longstanding difficulties in recruiting a psychologist to the disability services team in the HSE health centre, Longford Road, Mullingar as acknowledged by the complaints officer that the current staffing levels are not sufficient to provide a full service. [56715/21]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

331. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene on behalf of a child (details supplied). [56716/21]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

332. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints made to the Your Service Your Say that relate to psychology services in counties Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [56717/21]

Health Service Executive

Sorca Clarke

264. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will request a review of the decision to refuse an application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56472/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

614. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of requests by both adults and children for transport to hospitals outside the State that were not facilitated in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [55965/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

661. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he is considering recommending a return to working from home for the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56179/21]

Home Help Service

Sorca Clarke

938. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of home help hours approved but not yet provided in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in counties Longford and Westmeath in tabular form. [52573/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

939. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent report (details supplied); if additional funding and resources will be provided to the organisation and other entities that work with those in need in the midlands to address this sharp increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52593/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

1073. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending the paediatric diabetic clinic, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [53145/21]

Disability Services

Sorca Clarke

1131. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the staffing breakdown for the Children's Disability Network Teams Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive; and the waiting list, by service, in each. [53347/21]

National Maternity Hospital

Sorca Clarke

1132. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national maternity hospital; if there is a date by which negotiations are expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53348/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

119. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to those under 65 years of age and living in a nursing home residential setting who do not qualify for the third vaccination despite all fellow residents over 65 years of age and all nursing home staff members regardless of age who are equally exposed to the same risks of catching Covid-19 being eligible to receive the booster dose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50778/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

170. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waiting lists for ENT appointments in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore and a person (details supplied) who has been waiting an appointment since they were referred in 2018 and has been informed by the hospital it will be another two years before they can expect an appointment. [50777/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

801. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the details of the additional resources applied per centre to reduce waiting lists for preliminary team assessment as per the statement made by him on 28 September 2021 in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48666/21]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

802. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children in CHO8 that received a preliminary team assessment and were referred onward to an intervention pathway and are awaiting appointment for same. [48667/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

451. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the HPV vaccine. [49068/21]

Health Service Executive

Sorca Clarke

452. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to engage with a committee (details supplied) in a meaningful way to resolve the current issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49069/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

592. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason primary school children in Mullingar, County Westmeath who wish to avail of the school vaccination programme are being offered appointments in vaccination centres in Athlone and Moate which is 45 and 32 kilometres, respectively from their home with no transport links, either public or private, available. [47670/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

593. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the next session of the school vaccination programme for primary school children will commence in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [47671/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

594. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a physiotherapist at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [47672/21]

Community Care

Sorca Clarke

595. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the storage costs to date for the now defunct community hubs in CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47673/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

704. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of appointing one whole-time equivalent clinical psychologist to each acute hospital diabetes paediatric teams; and the number of additional clinical psychologists needed to meet this target. [48369/21]

Community Care

Sorca Clarke

705. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the costs associated with the national roll-out of heart failure integrated core projects in the community. [48370/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

706. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant dermatologist at Mullingar Regional Hospital; and the average waiting times to see the consultant. [48371/21]

Health Service Executive

Sorca Clarke

834. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of unused or underused HSE-owned buildings by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46814/21]

Health Service Executive

Sorca Clarke

835. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his views on the long-term leasing of suitable premises by the HSE to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46815/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

836. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the areas in which the unfilled consultant positions in Mullingar Regional Hospital exist; and the action that has been taken to fill these roles. [46822/21]

Health and Safety

Sorca Clarke

837. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the hospitals or centres of care per county which have been assessed as having asbestos in the buildings; and the actions that have been taken to ensure the health and safety of employees and former employees to assess the health impact that asbestos had. [46823/21]

Medical Qualifications

Sorca Clarke

307. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare professionals who applied to have their professional qualifications recognised in this jurisdiction in 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form. [44410/21]

Qualifications Recognition

Sorca Clarke

308. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare professionals whose application to have their professional qualifications recognised in this jurisdiction were unsuccessful 2020 and to date in 2021, by county in tabular form. [44411/21]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

1503. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of workers employed by his Department and in each office or agency under the aegis of his Department that earn less than the living wage of €12.30 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33601/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1955. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has spent to date regarding Covid-19 awareness-raising campaigns in national newspapers. [35993/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1956. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in regional newspapers. [35994/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1957. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in national radio stations. [35995/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1958. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in regional radio stations. [35996/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1959. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in local radio stations. [35997/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Sorca Clarke

1960. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 on social media. [35998/21]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

1961. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the staff of a service (details supplied) will receive backpay or compensation for the stoppage since 2012 of the incremental pay increases since to which they were contractually entitled. [35999/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

Sorca Clarke

2031. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect a date for surgery. [36328/21]

Social Workers Register

Sorca Clarke

2032. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received by HIQA relating to social workers in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36329/21]

Hospital Inspections

Sorca Clarke

2033. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the hospitals inspected for asbestos in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and the remedial works carried out on each. [36330/21]

Health Service Executive

Sorca Clarke

2194. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the buildings in Mullingar and its environs owned or operated by the Health Service Executive. [36906/21]

Medicinal Products

Sorca Clarke

2195. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if a refund mechanism is in place for those financially impacted by the unavailability of the drug payments scheme during the cyber-attack on the HSE network. [36907/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

2196. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason those attending for vaccinations in County Westmeath are being forced to attend two separate vaccination centres for either dose which are 75 kilometres apart given the restrictions on public transport; and the other options that are available for transport. [36908/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

2197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if those waiting on their second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine will be able to obtain same via a pharmacist. [36909/21]

Mental Health Services

Sorca Clarke

2198. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on psychological services in County Longford in tabular form. [36910/21]

Departmental Reviews

Sorca Clarke

2199. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 5 May 2021 and the reply by the HSE, when the boarding out scheme was last reviewed by his Department or an agency under his Department. [36911/21]

Vaccination Programme

Sorca Clarke

2572. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the reason those in the 60 to 69 year age range are not being offered a second jab of a mRNA vaccine given that they will now not be fully vaccinated before others of a much lower age despite the opinion of reputable members of the scientific profession and practice in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38130/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

2648. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the conditions treated in St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar. [38636/21]

Hospital Services

Sorca Clarke

135. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department has taken to ensure the easing of maternity restrictions is being implemented in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [37736/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

162. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the recent lifting on restrictions in the UK will have an impact on quarantine requirements for persons travelling to or from the UK from Ireland. [37737/21]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

209. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant whole-time equivalent posts in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [26812/21]

Health Strategies

Sorca Clarke

320. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the progress made to develop elective-only hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28266/21]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Sorca Clarke

321. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of claims made to the CervicalCheck Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28267/21]

Abortion Services

Sorca Clarke

322. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28268/21]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Sorca Clarke

323. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the status of the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28269/21]

Dental Services

Sorca Clarke

324. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the crisis in the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/21]