Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Thursday, 21 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 427-446

Health Services Charges

Ceisteanna (427)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

427. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the reason for the HSE's use of private debt collectors to collect outstanding funds from patients still undergoing treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3305/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.

These charges typically include:

- Out-patient charges;

- Emergency Department charges;

- Daily in-patient charges; and

- Long-term stay charges.

There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.

In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.

Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful

The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (428)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

428. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the current uses for a hotel and a centre (details supplied); and the statistics detailing the number of persons who have used the facilities for Covid-19-related purposes, including self-isolation and stepdown per month since the Government entered contracts with same. [3308/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.

HSE National Service Plan

Ceisteanna (429)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

429. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has signed off on the HSE 2021 national service plan; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3310/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE formally submitted the 2021 National Service Plan on the 24th November, 2020 for my approval.

I initially responded to the HSE on 15 December, 2020 with the requirement to include the COVID vaccination strategy that had been launched since the receipt of the Plan. Following further detailed consideration of the Plan, I formally responded to the HSE on 31 December with a number of high level requirements.

The HSE formally submitted the revised 2021 National Service Plan on 15 January for my approval.

I am currently giving consideration to the revised Plan and intend to revert to the HSE promptly.

Once the Plan is approved, it must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (430)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

430. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the Government and the HSE since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic on facilities procured for Covid-19-related purposes; the size, capacity, location and purpose of each facility; the costs incurred; the number of admissions to each facility; and the length of each contract. [3311/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will gather the information and I will issue a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 387.
Question No. 432 answered with Question No. 376.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (433)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

433. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the status of the Be on Call for Ireland campaign; the number of persons that signed up; the location in which that database is stored; and the number of persons who signed up that have been offered posts in the health service. [3317/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (434)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

434. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out prioritises staff who have direct patient contact over administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3318/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient contact roles will be vaccinated in Group 2. This includes HCWs working in public, private, and voluntary settings. Other HCWs, not in direct patient contact, will be vaccinated in Group 4.

Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 376.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (436)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

436. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the traumatic and tragic incident discussed; if the current policies can be reviewed in view of the correspondence in order to allow partners to support in their loved ones when there are non-routine and non-scheduled serious health checks on expectant mothers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3326/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 437 answered with Question No. 387.

Hospital Car Parks

Ceisteanna (438)

David Stanton

Ceist:

438. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health his plans to issue guidelines to hospitals to provide free parking services for those undergoing cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3344/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals where possible, and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families.

My Department and the HSE are currently engaging on this issue.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (439)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

439. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the position of persons with Alzheimer’s disease on the Covid-19 vaccine allocation strategy priority list of groups for vaccination. [3346/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy sets out a provisional list of groups for vaccination. The Strategy was developed by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) and my Department, endorsed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and approved by Government on 8 December 2020.

Vaccine allocation is a matter for my Department and further information is available here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is the responsibility of the HSE.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to ensure, over time, that vaccine will become available to vaccinate all of those for whom the vaccine is indicated. Given that there will be initially limited vaccines available, it will take some time for all to receive those vaccines and that has necessitated an allocation strategy to ensure that those most at risk of death and serious illness receive the vaccine first.

The priority is to first vaccinate and protect directly the most vulnerable amongst us, that is, those most likely to have a poor outcome if they contract the virus. The priority is to directly use vaccines to save lives and reduce serious illness, hence the focus on the over 65 year old cohort in long term residential care facilities, and healthcare workers in frontline services often caring for the most vulnerable.

All of the groups will be covered as further vaccine supplies become available and the immunisation programme is rolled out nationally.

The evidence will be kept under review and the allocation groups may be updated, where necessary, in light of new evidence.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (440)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

440. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the medical staff of a society (details supplied) provide care to the majority of dementia specific day care; and if he will consider appointing these workers to roll out the vaccine to persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. [3349/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (441)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

441. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider using the expertise of the dental profession in assisting with the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3350/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.

Question No. 442 answered with Question No. 384.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (443)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

443. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the amount of financial support provided to facilitate the construction of the primary care centre in Ballina, County Mayo; the amount of rent paid annually by the HSE for the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3358/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (444)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

444. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the service overlap that will exist between Ballina District Hospital and the expanded primary care centre in Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3359/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (445)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

445. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if oncology blood services in the community will continue and if there are no plans to require patients to travel into hospitals in order to provide a blood sample; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3360/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Cancer patients require blood tests at various stages of their journey; during treatment, in follow up, as survivors and in palliative care. Currently these are provided through GP services, community services, hospital phlebotomy services and hospital oncology day ward services.

The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) advise that it is anticipated that these services will continue during the current wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (446)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

446. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on public nursing home care in Ireland in each of the years 2010 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Barr
Roinn