Written Answers Nos. 1227-1246
1227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the pre-1995 general nurse pay scales and allowances in comparison to the post-1995 nurse pay scales and allowances for general nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21651/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public health sector does not operate a pre-1995 rate and post-1995 rate in the way that the civil service does.
Employees in the public health sector have always paid the full rate of PRSI, and as such, are considered to be PPC employees (Personal Pension Contribution).
Rates of pay and allowances for all public health sector employees, are within the Department of Health consolidated salary scales, which are published on the internet and are publicly available at the following location https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c30735-1-january-2020-consolidated-pay-scales/
1228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when adult day services will resume at St. Raphael’s, Celbridge, County Kildare in view of the fact that such supports are highly required; if the same level of hours assigned prior to Covid-19 will be maintained in view of the urgency of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.
Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 8th July 2020.
In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports.
Day services began to gradually resume during the month of August and will continue to do so throughout early September. Service providers are working to get day services ready to reopen safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.
I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.
The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, and the latest update, a video message from the Head of Strategy and Planning HSE Disability Services, is available at the above link.
An information portal that contains the dates on which the 966 disability day service locations will reopen around the country is now available. Service users and families can access this information on www.hse.ie/newdirections
It has been recognised that additional costs may arise for service providers in providing safe services. To date, Government has approved COVID 19 Pandemic Health service funding of €2bn. The aim of this funding is to support investment necessary to address COVID 19, to mitigate risk of the spread of COVID 19 and to facilitate the provision of health and social care services against the backdrop of COVID 19. The HSE is in the process of reviewing and validating business cases from disability services providers for additional funding to support the reopening of services.
As the Deputy's question also pertains to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when adult day services in County Kildare will resume in view of the fact that such supports are highly required; if the same level of hours assigned prior to Covid-19 will be maintained in view of the extreme urgency of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21653/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.
Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 8th July 2020.
In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports.
Day services began to gradually resume during the month of August and will continue to do so throughout early September. Service providers are working to get day services ready to reopen safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.
I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.
The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, and the latest update, a video message from the Head of Strategy and Planning HSE Disability Services, is available at the above link.
An information portal that contains the dates on which the 966 disability day service locations will reopen around the country is now available. Service users and families can access this information on www.hse.ie/newdirections
It has been recognised that additional costs may arise for service providers in providing safe services. To date, Government has approved COVID 19 Pandemic Health service funding of €2bn. The aim of this funding is to support investment necessary to address COVID 19, to mitigate risk of the spread of COVID 19 and to facilitate the provision of health and social care services against the backdrop of COVID 19. The HSE is in the process of reviewing and validating business cases from disability services providers for additional funding to support the reopening of services.
As the Deputy's question also pertains to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to meet the health needs of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21654/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1231. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an assessment will take place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21658/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1232. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a hearing test will be arranged for a person (details supplied) with a view to providing hearing aids; and if an appointment will be expedited. [21672/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1233. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for an operation will be arranged at a private clinic for a person (details supplied). [21673/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving improve waiting times for patients to access hospital treatment is a key commitment for Government and in 2020 €100 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.
The NTPF works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an inpatient/day case waiting list for surgery, having been referred on to such a list following clinical assessment by a consultant/specialist at an outpatient clinic.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
1234. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
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.
1235. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there are provisions in place to allow older persons and persons in receipt of a pension to avail of free masks. [21682/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public health advice relating to Covid-19, including that relating to face coverings, is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). NPHET continues to examine all emerging evidence as it arises and provides advice relating to face coverings on an ongoing basis. Based on current advice, there are no provisions at present to provide face coverings free of charge as set out in the question.
The current face covering advice is available at
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/face-masks-disposable-gloves.html
- http://www.gov.ie/facecoverings/
1236. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the requirements for the Irish Medical Council to recognise non-EU medical internships, that is, doctors living here that have obtained their medical qualifications from outside of the EU that are unable to receive further medical training despite currently practicing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21684/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to access specialist training, a medical practitioner must be registered in the Trainee Specialist Division of the Medical Council’s register. The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 provides that medical practitioners who hold qualifications from non-EEA countries are eligible to be registered in the Trainee Specialist Division of the Register if they have passed the Council’s Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) or are exempt from the PRES in line with legislation, have an approved training post and have been granted in a third country a document which, in the opinion of the Council, is at least the equivalent of a certificate of experience (internship).
The Medical Council recognises internships in a number of countries as equivalent to Irish internships. These include Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sudan and Malaysia. However internships from non-EEA countries outside of these countries are not currently recognised by the Council.
The Medical Practitioners Act is being amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019 to remove the requirement to hold the equivalence of the certificate of experience for entry to the Trainee Specialist Division. This Bill has been passed by the Dáil and is currently before Seanad Éireann. Once the Act is amended, doctors seeking registration on this division will be required to hold a training post approved by the Medical Council for specialist training, as well as meeting all the other requirements for registration.
1237. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to medical card holders being refused treatment by dentists in view to the fact they have ceased working with the HSE due to disputes in relation to PPE; the entitlements and options of medical card holders in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21689/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over.
I expect due process to be followed in respect of any withdrawal from the terms of a DTSS contract, in particular regarding an appropriate period of notice. I also expect dentists to continue to honour their ethical and contractual obligations to patients during the notice withdrawal period, to either provide a service or to ensure that patients are referred to another dentist who will provide a service. The HSE will assist medical card holders in accessing such treatment, if required.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has advised that regular PPE, which has always been used, is generally sufficient for routine dentistry. This is supported by the Dental Council which has indicated that dentists must take a case by case assessment when deciding if additional PPE is warranted. The cost of PPE should not be a key determinant in decisions on the treatment of patients.
1238. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the transfer of a person (details supplied) to the National Rehabilitation Hospital at Dún Laoghaire will be expedited [21694/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1239. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the length of time it is taking to process and finalise applications under the fair deal nursing home support scheme; if an application by a person (details supplied) will be finalised in the near future; the reason for the delay in putting the application into payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21697/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1240. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when he plans to reverse the emergency measures guidelines introduced by his predecessor in relation to abortion services during Covid-19, which allows doctors prescribe the abortion pill without a prior physical examination in view of the assurances provided by his predecessor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21709/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together to put new arrangements in place to temporarily allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.
For the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it will be possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e. before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
The arrangement enabling remote consultation will be reviewed once the public health emergency is declared over.
1241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of tests for Covid-19 carried out each week since 1 June 2020; the number of persons engaged in testing each week; the number that were positive each week; the average time each week between testing and the result being made known to the person tested; the steps taken to increase the number of tests being carried out and the speed by which results are known; if the HSE has examined different types of testing to detect the disease to ensure Ireland is using the most effective test system at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21718/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1242. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 tests sent abroad for analysis each week since 1 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21719/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1243. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if funding for the Crossborder Community Paramedic project (details supplied) will continue beyond August 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21725/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1244. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital and current cost of building elective only hospitals as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21727/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe identification of potential costs for the elective ambulatory facilities remains a work in progress, and my Department is seeking to follow the clear guidelines set out in the Public Spending Code in terms of the appropriate steps in identifying a preferred option.
At present, the elective hospitals oversight group has completed a Catchment Area Analysis within Dublin, Cork and Galway, within a national capacity context, but also within the catchments defined by the proposed Regional Health Areas, aimed at selected scopes of service.
The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group is currently developing options for high-level facilities spatial brief and order of magnitude costs which details the elective clustering of appropriate activities for each of the three facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway. This will also include an output and facility specification, based on efficient and effective service delivery. This will assist in identifying the preferred option, which will then be required to undergo full detailed planning and costing for consideration by Government.
1245. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.
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.
1246. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses that graduated in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the institutions from which they graduated; the number that entered jobs in the public health service in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21749/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE have been asked to respond directly to the Deputy on the element relating to graduate nurses taking up posts in the health sector. However, the Deputy will need to raise the matter of the number of psychiatric nurses that graduated in 2017 to 2019 with Minister Harris, as this information is held by the Higher Education Authority who fall within his remit.
