Written Answers Nos. 2389-2407
2389. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure the opening of the 16 proposed specialist treatment hubs for eating disorders; if funding for the national eating disorder programme will be increased; the steps he will take to ensure that all allocated funds for eating disorders are spent fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/21]
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.
2390. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if the Finglas and Cabra drug task force projects receiving funding to employ staff via HSE grant aid agreements, City of Dublin Youth Services Board and the Department of Justice can be included in the same pay restoration as section 39 Service Level Agreement projects following the Workplace Relations Commission ruling in December 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20491/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2018, an agreement was reached by the parties at the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a process of pay restoration for staff employed in a pilot group of 50 section 39 organisations who are funded by way of a Service Level Agreement (SLA). A further WRC agreement followed in December 2020 in relation to a final phase of 250 SLA funded organisations who were identified as part of the earlier agreement.
Only organisations who received in excess of an agreed, specified amount from the HSE by way of the Service Level Agreement process were included in this section 39 pay restoration exercise. Grant aid organisations were not included in this process. Pay restoration is absolutely limited and only applicable to those included in the WRC agreement.
I can confirm that there is no scope to revisit the eligibility criteria for the process. Any further discussion will relate solely to those organisations identified in the WRC agreement.
2391. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when all housebound persons over 70 years of age will receive their first Covid-19 vaccination from the National Ambulance Service; the reason the administration to housebound persons has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20678/21]
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.
2392. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress on the reform of the fair deal scheme relative to farming families; his plans to carry out a general review of the scheme and the way it has operated since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20679/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as the Fair Deal Scheme, has been in operation for over 10 years and there is broad agreement that the Scheme operates well and continues to provide appropriate financial assistance where it is required. When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. This review was carried out by the Department of Health in collaboration with the HSE, with input provided by Deloitte and Touche Consultants on specific issues. The review was published in 2015 and is available from the Department of Health’s website. It considers the role and future of the Scheme in the context of the wider range of services provided for older people.
However, it was recognised that the Act, in its current form, does not place caps on the financial assessment of family owned and operated farms or businesses when calculating the means to pay for nursing home care. This places a potentially onerous burden on family successors and could challenge the future viability of these productive assets.
Therefore, the Department of Health has proposed a policy change to the Scheme, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at three years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. The stated policy objective of the legislation is to introduce additional safeguards in the Scheme 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 their livelihood.
This change was approved by Government and underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in the last Dáil. Progress on the development of the Bill was negatively impacted by the dissolution of the last Dáil and by the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority. However, the Programme for Government commits to introducing this amendment to the Nursing Home Support Scheme and work on the legislation has continued to progress. Officials in my Department and draftspeople in the Office of the Attorney General have been working intensively on drafting this legislation for several months, and I am pleased to say that a finalised draft of the Bill has now been signed by the Attorney General. I am sure you will appreciate that several steps must be completed before the Bill is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, including its approval by Government. I expect to bring the Bill to Cabinet for approval in the next couple of weeks. It will be published very shortly thereafter and presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest possible opportunity.
2393. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the progression of the 50-bed new St. Joseph's Hospital in Ardee, County Louth; if he will provide other relevant details in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20681/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
2394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed east Meath primary care centre; if a site has been secured; if so, the full list of services that will be provided on-site; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20688/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
2395. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed Dundalk primary care centre; if a site has been secured; if so, the full list of services that will be provided on-site; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20689/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
2396. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the capacity of the Covid-19 contact tracing system; the number of positive cases the system can cater for including close contacts of confirmed cases; if all cases are being traced back seven days; the number of persons who are working at contract tracing; if the numbers working in contract tracing need to be increased; if additional public servants need to be drafted in to conduct contact tracing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/21]
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.
2397. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of funding provided to regional sexual healthcare centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/21]
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.
2398. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount it would cost to provide a sexual healthcare service in all higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20696/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme established the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS) in October 2015.
The NCDS functions as a central point for distributing free condoms and lubricant sachets to HSE services and other organisations working directly with individuals and groups who may be at increased risk of negative sexual health outcomes, including young people.
Since 2017, the number of organisations ordering from the NCDS has doubled. A major new development was initiated in 2019 with the expansion of the service to 3rd level institutions, with the SCHPP working with institutions to agree the location of condom dispensers in each campus.
Activities in 2019 were included in the 2019 NCDS Report and include the following:
- 105 organisations ordered over 730,400 condoms. These included 43 third level institutions and organisations.
- 90 organisations ordered over 444,400 lubricant sachets. These included 39 third level institutions and organisations.
Supported by the Sláintecare Integration Fund, Athlone Institute of Technology is delivering a comprehensive student sexual health service to meet the needs of its growing student population.
The project is supported by a full-time Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Sexual Health, who provides a complete cycle of care to students including assessment, testing, treatment and appropriate follow up. A specialist GP provides clinical governance and support. In addition to clinical services, health promoting educational campaigns are provided to the campus community supporting positive sexual health and enhancing awareness of STIs and the availability of services.
To date, AIT advises that the project has been very successful. The need for access to sexual health information, supports and services for young people has been demonstrated with 82% of people using this service in the 18-24 age group.
The shift from traditional heath care settings to an on-campus service also showed a marked increase in young people attending for consultations. Previously students had to travel around an hour to specialised clinics and 90% of those referred previously did not attend.
The value for money element of the project is evident given the high numbers supported by the project. Lessons learnt in the delivery and implementation of the project demonstrate how the service could reach even higher numbers by rolling out the service nationally.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible with regard to the detailed information requested.
2399. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the plans for the 6.42 acre site that was purchased in 2003 at a cost of €2,441,500 adjacent to Louth County Hospital, Dundalk. [20697/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
2400. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE lobbied an elected member of Louth County Council for the residential zoning on the HSE 6.42 acre site adjacent to Louth County Hospital to be transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20698/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
2401. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the practical procedures which must be followed by a person flying into Ireland but who is exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine as a result of a mandatory legal obligation in order to avail of this exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20699/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act.
The Act identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine, a full list of which are available on gov.ie/quarantine, including a person " who travels to the State pursuant to an arrest warrant, extradition proceedings or other mandatory legal obligation".
Any person arriving in the state who is an exempted traveller should have and provide clear evidence upon arrival of the details of their exemption, along with any other necessary documentation. This evidence will be assessed on arrival and the exemption confirmed or denied. Where persons who are determined to not be exempt, or where further clarification is required, such persons will be required to undergo quarantine at a designated facility.
Where further clarification is required regarding an exemption, the provisions of the Act also allows for travellers to request a review of decisions relating to their quarantine; however this can only be undertaken once quarantine has begun. An independent panel of appeals officers has been established to consider all appeals.
Neither I as Minister for Health nor my Department have a role in decisions relating to whether individual persons must enter mandatory quarantine or whether individual persons are exempted travellers. All such decisions are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
2402. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a person who is in the 65 to 69 years of age cohort and is uncomfortable receiving a vaccine (details supplied) can opt out of this cohort and wait until an alternative vaccine comes available at a later date; if a person who chooses not to receive the vaccine will be prohibited from receiving another vaccine at any other stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20701/21]
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.
2403. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting lists for PrEP treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/21]
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.
2404. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the lifetime community rating for health insurance can be examined on a case by case basis given that in some cases the amount the customer is paying more to the State between the rating and the Government levy than the cost of the premium for the cover; if he will review the manner in which the lifetime community rating is calculated by reducing the number of years over 34 years of age that a loading is applied; his views on whether there is justification for such a large levy being placed on such policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur health insurance system is voluntary and community rated. Community rated markets depend on a continuing influx of younger people. In a community rated health insurance market, insurers cannot charge individuals more for health insurance based on the likelihood that they will use health services. For this to work, the market needs a balance of younger and older people, based on the principle of inter-generational solidarity.
Lifetime Community Rating encourages people to join the private health insurance market at a younger age. Lifetime Community Rating was introduced in May 2015 to encourage people to join the private health insurance market at an earlier age and thus avoid late entry loadings of 2% per annum, which may apply at age 35 and older. The application of loadings is mandatory and applies to the premium of anyone aged 35 and over taking out health insurance for the first time.
Following a review of the system of Lifetime Community Rating in 2017, by the Health Insurance Authority, amendments were made to refine the system, including the fact that any loadings that are incurred are now applied for ten years where previously the loadings applied for life. Additionally, following this review, the maximum loading that can now be applied is 70% of the gross premium. When an individual customer purchases health insurance, the insurer calculates the loadings that should apply based on any previous periods of health insurance cover and the age of the individual customer at the time of purchasing health insurance.
It is important to note that Lifetime Community Rating loadings go to the health insurers and not to the Exchequer. The community rating levy which is charged on all health insurance products also does not go to the Exchequer, instead it is gathered into the Risk Equalisation Fund and then paid back to health insurers in the form of risk equalisation credits, which subsidise the extra costs for insuring older and sicker customers on a community-rated basis.
It is also important to note that the purchase of private health insurance is optional and that people who do not take out health insurance continue to have an entitlement to services in the public hospital system.
2405. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time radiographers working in University Hospital Limerick in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20713/21]
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.
2406. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time medical virologists based in each hospital in each the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20714/21]
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.
2407. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20728/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies; and the 2020 Annex on Gender Balance, Diversity and Inclusion, my Department endeavours to achieve the Government target of a minimum of 40% representation of each gender in the membership of state boards.
The nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. In considering applications made through the Public Appointments Service for state board membership under the aegis of my Department, due regard is given to Government policy on gender balance. In relation to nominations from external bodies, the body is requested, where practical, to nominate both a male and female nominee, and in so far as possible when making appointments to State Boards, I endeavour to ensure an appropriate balance between men and women.
