Written Answers Nos. 1952-1976
1952. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is in a position to avail of the National Treatment Purchase Fund for a knee replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35969/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (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.
In relation to the specifics of the patient's case, as this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1953. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of the adults in direct provision that have been vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35755/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1954. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health when the inquiry into the effects of sodium valproate will commence; and the supports that are available for families affected by sodium valproate. [35852/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the proposed inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in Ireland are currently being considered by officials within the Department of Health.
The question of supports for families is an operational issue, and is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems.
The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1955. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has spent to date regarding Covid-19 awareness-raising campaigns in national newspapers. [35993/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1956. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in regional newspapers. [35994/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1957. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in national radio stations. [35995/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1958. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in regional radio stations. [35996/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1959. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in local radio stations. [35997/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1960. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 on social media. [35998/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1955 to 1960, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.
As this question is also relevant to the Health Service Executive I have asked them to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1961. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if the staff of a service (details supplied) will receive backpay or compensation for the stoppage since 2012 of the incremental pay increases since to which they were contractually entitled. [35999/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Christopher's Service operates a Section 39 agency. Under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant. Section 39 legally underpins the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide.
Staff in these section 39 organisations were not subject to the provisions of FEMPI legislation and therefore did not receive those cuts that were applied to the pay of public servants. They were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements and are therefore not covered by the pay restoration provided for in these Agreements. While it is understood that pay savings were made by the organisations, the precise mix of pay cuts or other savings measures will have varied.
In 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 engagement followed in December 2020 in relation to a final phase of 250 SLA funded organisations who were identified as part of the earlier agreement.
Pay restoration was applicable to Section 39 organisations who met certain criteria, rather than types of individual workers that are employed in them. The list of section 39 organisations that was compiled, included only agencies that had service arrangements in place back in 2013 and that were still under service arrangements in 2019. Only organisations who received in excess of an agreed, specified amount from the HSE by way of the Service Level Agreement process were included.
It must be acknowledged that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the employer and the employee. Consequently, it would be beyond the remit of the Department of Health to comment on terms and conditions of employment of a Section 39 agency.
For clarification, the purpose of the pay restoration agreement was to restore pay to similar levels prior to any cuts being imposed by Section 39 employers.
I can also confirm that there is no scope to revisit the eligibility criteria for the process and that the process has reached a final resolution.
1962. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the funding available from his Department for a one-off capital project for the oldest branch of an organisation (details supplied) in Ireland; the contact details within his Department for a person that this organisation can liaise with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36000/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo be considered for capital investment, all capital development proposals/submissions must be approved by the relevant Hospital Group or Community Health Organisation (CHO) before being forwarded to the relevant HSE Directorate for support / approval and prioritisation. It is then submitted to the HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee. The HSE’s National Capital and Property Steering Committee appraises all project submissions to recommend the selection of projects for inclusion in the Capital Plan, subject to funding availability
The HSE develop a Capital Plan each year guided by national healthcare strategies, policies and Government priorities and having regard to the available funding and the number of large national capital projects currently underway. In drafting this plan, priority must be given to meeting contractual commitments.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal remains affordable and delivers value for money.
1963. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if the matter will be investigated further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36001/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a formal complaints process for issues concerning individuals or services under the aegis of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Details of this procedure are on the HSE website at www.healthcomplaints.ie. Where an individual is not satisfied with the response they receive, they may wish to take their complaint further by seeking a review from the HSE's Director of Advocacy or the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman may be contacted at:
Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, Tel. (01) 639 5600 / Lo-call (1890) 22 30 30 and via e-mail at ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie (website is www.ombudsman.ie).
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shutdown of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is ongoing, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1964. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the funding that is available for a group to set up a summer camp for children with autism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1965. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a recommendation from his office will be given that a VAT refund is appropriate for a group (details supplied). [36005/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department may provide a letter of support to a registered charity, recommending a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT), providing that the request meets certain criteria. The basis for the refund of VAT is set out under the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No. 23) Order, 1992.
The criteria for issuing a letter of support for a refund are:
Medical equipment must have cost in excess of €25,395 (EX VAT)Purchase made using voluntary donations. No part of the funds used were provided by the state or any body/group funded by the state.Purchase made using voluntary donations. No part of the funds used were provided by the state or any body/group funded by the state.
The hospital/charitable body seeking the refund (in this case the Friends of Mullingar Hospital) should provide the following documentation:
Invoice Completed VAT 72 Form Letter of confirmation that the equipment was donated Confirmation that the equipment has been received by the relevant department and is in use.
1966. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for surgery at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. [36006/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1967. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of intern doctors currently employed at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36014/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSaolta Hospital Group advise that there are currently 13 Interns covering Surgery and Medicine in Mayo University Hospital, which is set to increase to 14 in the coming weeks.
1968. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36015/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems.
The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point. It should also be noted that Oireachtas Members may contact the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service through the dedicated phone line at 018647180 for further information and assistance with medical card applications.
1969. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug antepsin was removed from the medical card scheme. [36016/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.
Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1970. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the process by which drugs are removed from the medical card scheme; and when general practitioners are subsequently informed when a given drug is removed in order to inform their patients and change their prescriptions. [36017/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services.
Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1971. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the construction cost of the Ballina primary care centre; the annual rent including VAT; the annual average service charge; if the centre will enter into public ownership at the end of the 25 year operational lease arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36031/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1972. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if there is scope for additional beds to be provided in Ballina, County Mayo following the transfer of services to the expanded primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shutdown of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is ongoing, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1973. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 205 of 4 May 2017, 777 of 6 September 2019, 501 of 5 November 2019, 745 of 20 May 2020 and 1251 of 8 September 2020, the progress made on addressing an issue raised (details supplied); if this matter will be considered with greater urgency in view of the Covid-19 emergency and the fact that many in the vulnerable categories are affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36036/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the issue raised by the Deputy where a prescribed dosage requiring different medication strengths results in separate prescription charges and it is currently under consideration. Engagement with the HSE in regard to a solution is ongoing.
1974. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of the recommendation contained in the 2018 report, A Trauma Service for Ireland, for a comprehensive fracture liaison service to provide high quality, evidence-based care to those who suffer a fragility fracture; when he expects the service to be fully functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36037/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
1975. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he will continue in 2022, the initiative announced in January 2021 to make available to general practitioners increased direct access to diagnostic services, such as X-Rays, CT scans, MRIs, and DEXA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36038/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2021, a significant investment of €25m was allocated to implement an expanded programme of structured access to diagnostics services for GPs. The aim of this initiative is to address the situation whereby patients can be inappropriately referred to hospital Emergency or Outpatient Departments to access diagnostics, thus exacerbating ED overcrowding or necessitating excessive waiting times for patients to access the required scans.
The GP Access to Diagnostics programme was successfully launched in January of this year. As of the most recently available data from the HSE in early May, there had been a total of 22,051 scans of various modalities provided, with almost 70% of these being MRI scans. The very latest information on the scheme is unfortunately not available due to the ongoing effects of the recent cyber-attack on the HSE’s ICT systems. However, the number of scans and tests which have been provided at this date can expected to be significantly higher than the May figures, particularly as the service is currently available to the full population
My Department and the HSE will review this programme in context of the Estimates process for 2022, but it is clear that improved access to diagnostics in primary care settings is a crucial part of Sláintecare reform. I wish to assure the Deputy that I certainly anticipate that I will be in a position to support the continuation of this initiative, which has been widely welcomed by GPs and has already benefitted many thousands of individual patients.
1976. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children such as a child (details supplied) have now been left without services and therapies; and when these services and therapies will be reinstated. [36060/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
