John Brady
Ceist:584. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of the position of youth drugs liaison officer in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31115/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrug Treatment Programmes
Ceisteanna (584)
Freagraí scríofa
Drug and alcohol task forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem and in initiating appropriate responses, so that there is a coordinated approach involving all sectors to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.
The Task Forces make recommendations to the Department each year and the Department accordingly allocates funding for community projects.
The Department allocated €58,200 to the East Coast Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force in 2020. It is a matter for the Task Force to consider the post referred to by the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (585)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:585. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given permission on compassionate grounds to visit a family member. [31136/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very much aware of how difficult the current situation is for families and their loved ones who are in long-term residential care. Continued social interaction is important and I fully appreciate the challenges that have been experienced in maintaining these interactions in a safe manner, especially with older people and those who are medically vulnerable. It is important that the right to have visitors is balanced with the need to ensure that visitations do not compromise overall resident care or adherence to requisite infection control procedures.
Residential settings are people’s homes as well as places where health and social care are provided. The introduction of physical distancing, isolation and restricted contact with family and loved ones has changed the usual dynamic of social interaction. During these times there has been a particular emphasis on retaining a holistic view of the well-being of residents, remaining person-centred, being cognisant of their rights as citizens, and being vigilant that in seeking to shield them from infection that these rights are not infringed upon to an extent, or in a manner, that is disproportionate.
The Plan for Living with COVID-19 Framework has been developed to help us to go about our daily lives as much as possible, with measures aimed at the key priorities of protecting health, strengthening employment, and supporting communities. A key aim of the Plan is to provide clarity on what restrictive measures are appropriate around the country based on the pattern and progress of COVID-19 in a particular area at a particular time.
The system is communicated through a numbered system of alert Levels (from 1 to 5) with Level 1 being the lowest with the least amount of restrictive measures in place and Level 5 being the highest with the most restrictions in place. Visits under the framework are; Level 1, open with protective measures in place, Level 2 open with enhanced protective measures and Levels 3 to 5 visits suspended, aside from critical and compassionate circumstances. These Levels are applied to each county based on the current COVID-19 situation therein.
In line with this Framework, new COVID-19 Guidance on Visitations to Residential Care Facilities has been developed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), to support long-term residential care providers in the discharge of their responsibilities and to support residents, to the greatest extent possible, having regard for the challenging times in which we are living. This guidance is available on the HPSC website. Guidance documents are reviewed regularly.
The new guidance re-emphasises that in circumstances where visiting may need to be restricted or suspended in nursing homes for the protection of residents and staff, alternative arrangements such as “window visiting” is acceptable across all 5 levels of the framework of restrictive measures, providing a nursing home can safely facilitate them, and that arrangements should be in place to support virtual visiting (telephone or video-link) to the greatest extent possible. Crucially, the guidance also provides further clarity on visiting in critical and compassionate circumstances, which is a key issue for residents and families and the guidance should be referred to in making decisions with respect to visits.
At present Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan are at level 4 with the remaining counties at level 3. From midnight 21 October the country will move to level 5. In accordance with these levels and in order to reduce resident contacts, visiting in long-term residential care facilities nationwide is suspended except in critical and compassionate circumstances.
Nursing home providers are ultimately responsible for the safe care of their residents. Under Regulation 11 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 it is the legal responsibility of each registered provider to make arrangements for a resident to receive visitors, having regard to any risks that may present for the resident or other residents. I encourage all nursing home providers to maintain familiarity with the latest public health advice and support, to make every effort to continue to facilitate and ensure that nursing home residents receive visitors in critical and compassionate circumstances, in line with public health advice, and to communicate with family and friends on an ongoing basis in order to support positive mental health and well-being. It remains of critical importance that every nursing home provider takes steps and innovates to support ongoing communication between residents and their families and friends, even during periods of enhanced protective measures, while following public health advice.
Disability Services Provision
Ceisteanna (586)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:586. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to mitigate against any potential service emergency in the disability and residential care sector in view of the announcement by St. John of God that it will be withdrawing from service provision under current circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31155/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, St John of God Community Services recently served the HSE with 12 months’ notice of its intention to terminate the provision of services under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 with a view to transferring responsibility of disability and mental health services and supports to the state by 1 October 2021.
The primary concern of the Government at this time is to ensure the continuity of supports and services provided by St John of God Community Services for people with disabilities, those with mental health issues and their families.
I understand that the HSE is fully committed to continue engaging with St John of God Community Services and I would encourage the organisation concerned to work collaboratively with the HSE in the period ahead to ensure stability and continuity of service provision for those who rely on these vital services.
As the Deputy's question deals with services funded by the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Nursing Home Accommodation
Ceisteanna (587)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:587. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home bed places currently available in private nursing homes in County Kildare; the number in public or voluntary homes; the level of occupancy in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31156/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
General Medical Services Scheme
Ceisteanna (588)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:588. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of GMS general practitioners currently in the GMS systems throughout north County Kildare; the number of vacancies or replacements required to bring staffing up to the optimum levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31157/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Home Accommodation
Ceisteanna (589)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:589. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a policy decision has been made to reduce the number of beds and as a consequence patient accommodation in publicly funded nursing homes currently operated by the HSE in County Kildare and throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31158/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Ceisteanna (590)
Robert Troy
Ceist:590. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a farm as a private business rather than assets while assessing applications for the fair deal scheme (details supplied). [31160/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, (NHSS) commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The proposed policy change to the NHSS, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
The stated policy objective of the general scheme of the Bill is to introduce further safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for them their livelihood.
The amendment of the scheme will bring certainty to the duration for which a contribution to the cost of care under NHSS will be levied against family farms and businesses. This in turn will support the viability of farms and businesses by increasing the likelihood of access to financing & promoting investment, which will encourage orderly succession planning with family members, encourage young farmers to remain farming and potentially encourage family members that had changed occupation or emigrated to return to the family farm.
The General Scheme of Bill for the Amendment to the NHSS was approved by Government on 11 June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The General Scheme was sent to the relevant Joint Committee and the Department participated in pre-legislative scrutiny on 13 November 2019. Engagement with the Office of the Attorney General began in early 2020 to progress the legislative development process.
This piece of legislation is a priority for the Minister and will be progressed as soon as possible, to support Farm Families and Businesses.
Further progress on the development of the Bill has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with focus entirely on responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority.
Cross-Border Health Initiatives
Ceisteanna (591)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:591. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on an issue on the reimbursement from the cross-border healthcare directive in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31162/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (592)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:592. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of three full-time paediatric occupational therapists for social care in County Kildare. [31165/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (593)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:593. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of addressing the infrastructural issues regarding the current neuro-interventional radiology thrombectomy equipment in Beaumont Hospital. [31166/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of healthcare equipment, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Health Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (594)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:594. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of extending BowelScreen to persons aged between 55 to 74 years of age. [31167/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Home Care Packages
Ceisteanna (595)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:595. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be provided with a home care package by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31185/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (596)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:596. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) on buildings being leased as Covid-19 test centres.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31190/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (597)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:597. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the average cost his Department is paying for a Covid-19 test. [31191/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Care of the Elderly
Ceisteanna (598)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:598. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a letter (details supplied) on funding long-term support and care for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31194/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I confirm receipt of the letter and a response will issue in due course
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (599)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:599. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can get an update on the reason for the delay in required day surgery in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin 4; when it will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31197/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
The resumption of services from June onwards has allowed for increased activity, with the HSE utilising innovative methods including telemedicine to facilitate patient appointments. Patient safety remains at the forefront of service resumption. To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols which has resulted in reduced capacity and activity.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund has also recommenced arranging treatment in both private and public hospitals for clinically suitable patients who have been waiting for long periods on public hospital waiting lists.
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (600)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:600. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the current end-to-end time for those who have received a close contact notification on the Covid-19 tracker application to expect to be contacted by contact tracers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31200/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (601)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:601. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the current average time from receiving a positive Covid-19 test result to the completion of contact tracing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31201/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (602)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:602. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of follow-up calls and texts that have been made to those who have travelled to Ireland and embarked upon the 14-day restriction of movements since the passenger locator form was introduced by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31202/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form was launched in an online format on 26 August. The introduction of an online form supports an enhanced system of engagements with arriving passengers.
The main purpose of the form is for the targeting of key public health messages to arriving passengers through SMS and email - to date over 570,000 SMS messages have issued to passengers arriving from overseas. The form may also be used for the purpose of contact tracing in the event there is a suspected or confirmed case on board a flight or ferry. Since August 26, 391,460 completed forms have been received.
The latest operational statistics on the passenger locator form are as follows:
|
|
07/09-13/09 |
14/09-20/09 |
21/09-27/09 |
28/09-04/10 |
|
Total forms received |
64,954 |
59,893 |
55,394 |
47,585 |
|
Total Number of SMS Sent |
89,904 |
106,020 |
103,770 |
96,466 |
|
Number of Phone Calls Attempted |
16,059 |
23,139 |
27,209 |
30,888 |
|
Number of phone contacts made - outgoing |
8,455 |
11,862 |
13,837 |
16,428 |
|
Number of phone contacts made - incoming |
2,250 |
2,892 |
3,341 |
4,101 |
|
Total phone contacts made |
10,705 |
14,754 |
17,178 |
20,529 |
Nursing Home Accommodation
Ceisteanna (603, 604)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:603. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a suitable nursing home will be found for a person (details supplied). [31204/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:604. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied). [31205/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 604 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.