Written Answers Nos. 346-365
346. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if any member of NPHET is involved in a company connected with the provision of testing kits for the coronavirus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39259/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Public Health Emergency Team is not aware of the involvement of any member in a company connected with the provision of testing kits for the coronavirus.
On appointment to the NPHET, each member is required to complete the Declaration of Interests form. The members of the NPHET must disclose, in the Declaration to the Chair, any conflict, or perceived conflict, of interest they have at the date of signing, or at any time thereafter while they are a member of the NPHET for the duration of the public health emergency.
On 22nd October, members were notified that Declaration of Interests forms were due to be updated and resubmitted; the forms were issued to members on 28th October. All members have since returned their completed declarations and no such conflicts have been disclosed.
The Chair requests that members declare any conflicts of interest at the beginning of each meeting. These are recorded within the minutes of the meeting which are publicly available on the Gov.ie website:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
347. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase pay for healthcare assistants and other health and social care workers; if there has been any engagement from or with trade unions on the matter; the changes in rates of pay there have been for these workers over the past decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39265/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll public health sector staff, including health care assistants are paid in line with the rates set out in the Department of Health consolidated salary scales which are publicly available and can be viewed online here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5eb5e-1-october-2020-consolidated-pay-scales/
Adjustments to rates of pay across the public sector are generally agreed during a series of pay talks between trade unions and their representative bodies and the civil and public sector employer representatives during negotiations in advance of each Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA).
Adjustments to rates of pay agreed between the parties generally apply to the full public health sector cohort of grades, in return for a set of agreed productivity and efficiency measures.
Since 2016, a number of general increases to annualised salaries have been applied via public service agreements and the Public Service Pay and Pension Act 2017. These adjustments have been applied across all public health sector grades, as appropriate.
1.1.2016 - 1% increase to annualised salaries between €24,001 and €31,000.
1.4.2017 - €1,000 increase to annualised salaries up to €65,000
1.1.2018 - 1% increase to annualised salaries.
1.10.2018 - 1% increase to annualised salaries.
1.9.2019 - 1.75% increase to annualised salaries.
1.10.2020 - 2% increase to annualised salaries.
In addition to the above, the Lansdowne Road Agreement provided for a Job Evaluation scheme for support staff grades. This resulted in certain support staff grades, including the health care assistant, receiving an uplift to a higher pay band with effect from 1 September 2019.
I trust this information will be of assistance to the Deputy
348. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason it is taking so long for a child (details supplied) to be seen by the early intervention team. [39275/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the case of a child (details supplied) who has not yet been seen by the early intervention team. [39276/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.
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.
350. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the supports in place or planned to be in place for aftercare of Covid-19 patients who are suffering from one or more of the post-Covid-19 syndromes commonly referred to as long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra351. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his understanding of long Covid and associated syndromes and symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39281/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will recognise long Covid as an illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39290/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the supports in places for those experiencing long-term effects of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39291/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra357. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons suffering from one or more syndromes commonly referred to as long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to raise awareness of the combination of syndromes known as long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39293/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the changes or supplements being made to advise on persistent or long-term illness relating to long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current understanding of long Covid; the symptoms or syndromes associated with the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39295/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra361. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if clinics or similar services will open to support and treat those suffering from long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39296/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra362. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the supports, treatments and rehabilitative services that have been identified for sufferers of long Covid to address the physical, cognitive and psychological consequences of the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39297/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has or will establish a task force for developing a greater understanding of long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39298/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the learning or borrowing there has been from other health services for developing and deepening the understanding of long Covid and necessary post hoc supports and treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39299/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to raise awareness of the combination of syndromes and persistent symptoms known as long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39300/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 351 and 355 to 365, inclusive, together.
It is recognised that in some people who have been infected with Covid-19 continuing symptoms or side effects can occur during recovery. These can include physical, mental or emotional difficulties.
A person recovering from COVID-19 infection should speak to their general practitioner or their hospital team about accessing relevant care pathways to ensure that they are enabled to receive support and advice for any long-term symptoms or health problems they may be experiencing.
The general practitioner or the hospital team will understand the clinical history and the personal circumstances relating to an individual and can provide the necessary advice and guidance that suit the particular needs of the individual’s circumstances.
You may wish to note that the HSE has provided information for those recovering after Covid-19, which is available at the following link:- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/recovering-after-coronavirus.html
Income supports for people affected by COVID-19, is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
352. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the remit of HIQA to psychiatric units; if so, the timeline involved; if not, if he will consider extending the remit of HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body, established under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Commission’s principal functions are to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards and good practices in the delivery of mental health services and to take all reasonable steps to protect the interests of persons detained in approved centres under the Act.
The Commission has a number of responsibilities set out in legislation. These include:
- Making appointments to mental health tribunals to review the detention of involuntary patients and appointing a legal representative for each patient
- Establishing and maintaining a register of approved centres
- Making rules to regulate the use of specific treatments and interventions
- Developing codes of practice to guide those working in mental health services
- Appointing the Inspector of Mental Health Services, who annually inspects mental health services, including all approved centres
I have no plans to change the statutory role or functions of the Commission.
353. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans for the expansion of the Lakeview psychiatric unit in Naas; the timelines involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39287/20]
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.
354. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no public health nurse at a location (details supplied); if a nurse will be put in place urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39288/20]
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.
