Wednesday, 29 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 205-224

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (205)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

205. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the total spend on external contractors, consultancy services and other outsourcing in 2018 and 2019. [46929/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The following table outlines the expenditure in consultancy as well as external & outsourced services in 2018 and 2019.

Service	2018	2019
	€,000	€,000
Consultancy	1,467	1,225
External & Outsourced Services
Healthy Ireland Communications & Dissemination of Information	1,159	720
Healthy Ireland Surveys	611	1,331
Print/Design	63	105
ICT Support & Security Services	752	920
Facilities Mgt. (incl. services relating to the relocation to a new premises)	686	738
Training/Education/Learning & Development	221	395
Translation	55	47
Miscellaneous	130	73
TOTAL	3,677	4,329

Health Services

Ceisteanna (206)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

206. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to deliver the carer’s guarantee; if he plans to address the situation in which the funding for the guarantee has gone into the HSE service plan rather than to family carers; his views on the way this manner of distributing the carers guarantee can create an inconsistency of funding when the varying needs of different areas of the country are taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46938/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Programme for Government commits to delivering a ‘Carers Guarantee’ proposal that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live. This commitment is consistent with the National Carers' Strategy, which seeks to support family carers to care with confidence through the provision of adequate information, training, services and supports.

In Budget 2021, €2m was allocated as a first step towards delivering a Carers’ Guarantee, providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region, in tandem with the community and voluntary sector.

My Department is actively engaging with the HSE and with representative groups on this matter to ensure the funding will improve equity of access to carer supports across the country.

Programme for Government

Ceisteanna (207)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

207. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the delivery of the National Carers Strategy which is included in the Programme for Government; and the reason the National Carers Strategy is not progressing. [46939/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Ireland’s National Carers' Strategy is a cross-departmental strategy, designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and who are empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life. 

Under the Strategy, a range of measures have been introduced or extended to support family carers in recent years. Some of the measures introduced include free GP cards for persons in receipt of the carers allowance, increased training and online supports for family carers and 27,000 hours of emergency respite funded through the HSE in the event that a care giver can no longer continue in their caring role.

Most recently, a Carers Needs Assessment will be piloted this year which will increase our knowledge of carers’ needs and €2million was allocated in Budget 2021 to further the National Carers’ Strategy in 2021 with a focus on improving equity of access to supports for carers.

My Department remains committed to progressing the implementation of the National Carers Strategy and to engaging with key stakeholders in relation to our progress in this area, including relevant government departments, representative organisations and those who advocate on behalf of family carers.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (208)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the funding available to persons with lived experience who work alongside HSE personnel in co-facilitating recovery workshops has been reduced since responsibility was given to Mental Health Ireland; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that only two persons engaged in this work in south County Tipperary were funded; his views on whether the level of funding for persons with lived experience who are involved in co-facilitating recovery workshops is adequate; if he has discussed the matter with Mental Health Ireland; if so, the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46940/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Care of the Elderly

Ceisteanna (209, 210, 211)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

209. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans to reduce the number of step-down facilities in smaller communities across Ireland. [46941/21]

Martin Browne

Ceist:

210. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he foresees a situation in which health and step-down facilities in local communities could be closed due to changes in spatial requirements in facilities brought on by Covid-19 infection prevention requirements; and if so, the factors that would be taken into account when deciding to upgrade or close these facilities. [46942/21]

Martin Browne

Ceist:

211. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will expand on the comments made by the Minister of State with special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People that as many as 350 beds could be lost in district hospitals and step-down facilities in the near future; the rationale for the comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46943/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 211, inclusive, together.

I am assuming that the deputy is referring to short-stay/rehabilitative beds when using the phrase 'step down beds'. These traditionally include respite, convalescent, rehabilitation, assessment and palliative care beds.  In recent years transitional care beds have been made available in areas where acute hospitals are experiencing service pressures with delayed transfers of care. These beds have proved to be extremely effective for easing pressures on the acute hospital services and facilitating the planning and management of older peoples’ health needs in a more appropriate environment.  As outlined in the National Service Plan for 2021,  funding in the order of €125m has been provided by the Department of Health for an additional 1,110 rehabilitation and short stay/intermediate care beds in 2021.  

In relation to the issue of a reduction of long term residential care beds, the HSE recognises the importance of providing a quality service experience for residents even in the challenging environment of ageing infrastructure where many of our public units are between 100 – 150 years old. In order to fully address this challenge and to bring all of its units to the required HIQA and legislative standards, the HSE, with the support of the Department of Health, are working through a systematic programme of development through the Community Nursing Unit Programme.  

The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the timeline for the implementation of the CNU Programme. However, it has also provided an opportunity to incorporate some of the learnings from the Covid-19 pandemic, including the recommendations of the Nursing Home Expert Panel Report into the overall Reform Programme. The current programme of works provides for nearly 90% compliance by the end of 2024 with the remaining 11 projects being completed in 2025.   

A key priority of the 2021 HSE Service Plan is to implement the recommendations of the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report and to progress the overall reform and development of both residential care and home support services to ensure that a wider range of options are available within the community in supporting older people. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the requirement for enhanced infection control measures together with the necessity to improve compliance with HIQA standards there has been a reduction in the order of over 240 long stay beds in the service with a further 10 beds to be reduced during 2021.  

The HSE will continue to support older people and their families across the health service to ensure that people are accommodated as close to their homes and local communities as possible and will continue to work with the Department of Health on the overall programme which is referenced in the NSP 2021 and in the associated Capital Plan.

Question No. 210 answered with Question No. 209.

Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 209.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (212)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

212. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a primary medical certificate will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46948/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (213)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a primary medical certificate for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46951/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Hospital Procedures

Ceisteanna (214)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of tests for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46952/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

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.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (215)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

215. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if persons employed by ShannonDoc are section 38 or section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46953/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Persons employed by ShannonDoc are Section 39 workers as ShannonDoc is a section 39 organisation. Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run and their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the employer and the employee.

Health Service Executive

Ceisteanna (216)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

216. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated by the HSE to ShannonDoc in each of the years 2018 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46954/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Staff

Ceisteanna (217)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

217. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if additional midwives and nurses have been instated due to the increased level of care that they are expected to provide in maternity settings due the restricted access of birth partners. [46956/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (218)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

218. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the work that has been carried out to ensure safe access zones are available to those accessing abortion services. [46957/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am committed to ensuring safe access to termination of pregnancy services, and the area remains an ongoing priority. 

Since services under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in January 2019, termination of pregnancy services have bedded in relatively smoothly to date. This is an extremely positive development, suggesting that termination of pregnancy services are becoming a normal part of the Irish healthcare system, in line with Government policy. However, I am aware of reports of some protests which have caused distress to those accessing and providing services. 

The Department of Health is in regular contact with the HSE and has liaised with An Garda Síochána on safe access to services. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau issued a notice to all Garda stations raising awareness about the issue. It directed that any protests be monitored, and breaches of existing law dealt with. The Department has provided information on existing public order and other relevant legislation to the HSE for appropriate distribution to services that provide termination of pregnancy. 

Officials in my Department continue to prioritise safe access to termination of pregnancy services and to examine legislative options in this area. I plan to have proposals for safe access zones on the legislative programme for Spring 2022.

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (219)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

219. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of CHOs that have access to abortion services in view of the recent survey by a group (details supplied) which found that 19% of respondents were refused treatment and were not referred to another healthcare practitioner as per legislated. [46958/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (220)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

220. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if additional staff were put in place in neonatal intensive care units to deal with the additional care needs of newborns in view of the fact that there has been limited parental access due to the restrictions imposed on maternity units across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46959/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Departmental Inquiries

Ceisteanna (221)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

221. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the status of the sodium valproate inquiry as committed to by his Department in November 2020. [46960/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Details 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.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (222)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

222. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to provide funding in Budget 2022 for the provision of flash glucose monitoring systems to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46961/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (223)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

223. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the flash glucose monitoring systems to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46962/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (224)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

224. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for flash glucose monitoring systems submitted by individual hospitals for persons with diabetes over 21 years of age; the number approved; the number that were refused in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; his plans to remove the age restriction on flash glucose monitoring systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46963/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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