Written Answers Nos. 548-570
548. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when early intervention will be provided to address the complex needs of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47468/21]
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.
549. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if a detailed update will be provided on the new building development planned for St. Vincent’s Community Nursing Home, Mountmellick, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47469/21]
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.
550. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for an operation in Galway University Hospital in view of the exceptional circumstances in this case; if they will be considered for the surgery under the National Treatment Purchase Fund given the severity of their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47470/21]
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.
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.
551. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the progress he has made in delivering the commitments made in the HIV Paris Declaration to fast-tracking measures to end AIDS by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47484/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of services to those affected by HIV is a priority action under the National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 - 2020. A major landmark was reached in the implementation of this action through the implementation of the national programme of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP).
PrEP is now being delivered in a phased manner through approved services that meet the National Standards for PrEP Service Delivery. There are currently thirteen public and nine private approved PrEP service providers in Ireland; details are available through the following link: www.sexualwellbeing.ie/getprep . Full funding of €5.4 million was secured for PrEP in 2020 and for subsequent years, including allocations for the recruitment of additional staff.
Whilst the PrEP programme remains fully funded, implementation has been impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. All health services, including STI/HIV/PrEP services, are continuing to face constraints, resulting from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include attendance by appointment only, or online as a result of the need to maintain social distancing, and the necessary redeployment of personnel to diverse COVID-19 related duties, which include testing, contact tracing, vaccination and front-line patient care.
Despite significant service restrictions in 2020/21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, PrEP services continued to see new and review existing PrEP service users. Many services adapted how they worked, delivering some care on a virtual platform.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the HSE SHCPP has been in regular communication with public STI/PrEP services and community partners, and is working together with HIV Ireland to maintain an updated list of service availability. Information for users on how to access services is available here: www.hivireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/Sexual-Health-Service-Restrictions.pdf.
Services have been working hard to restore and increase service capacity throughout 2021 notwithstanding the challenges faced by the ongoing pandemic, the recent cyber-attack and, most recently, a national Early Infectious Syphilis outbreak.
The Paris Declaration referred to by the Deputy is a commitment made by cities participating in the Fast Track Cities global initiative to scale up their local responses to HIV. Ireland joined this initiative in 2019 with initial funding of €450K provided to the HSE, to support commencement of the initiative in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick.
Fast Track Cities implementation includes expanded community HIV testing and outreach in key urban centres, targeted outreach to key at-risk groups, public campaigns on stigma reduction and promotion of the PrEP programme, and development of a co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation workstream. Steering groups, which include representation from my Department and the HSE SHCPP, have been established and are now in place, working to progress this initiative in the participating cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
552. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the testing of HIV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47485/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity in 2020/2021, affecting the provision of all healthcare services, including public STI clinics.
Over the last 18 months, public STI services have re-configured services, establishing online booking systems and providing virtual appointments, in order to support service provision in line with social distancing and infection prevention control requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public STI clinics have prioritised those with symptoms and who require treatment, in order to treat active infections and minimise onward transmission. The GMHS website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and PrEP services.
The HSE is continuing to progress a number of initiatives that aim to reduce the level of HIV and STIs nationally and improve access to services for those in need as follows:
- The promotion of safer sex messages to the public via a range of social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
- During the pandemic, the public has been advised about STI clinic restrictions and encouraged to consider safer sexual practices to reduce the risk of HIV and STI transmission.
- Guidance has been issued around sex and COVID-19 which advised the public to limit numbers of partners to reduce transmission of HIV/STIs as well as COVID-19 during the pandemic.
- Those who are symptomatic are advised to contact a clinic directly for an emergency appointment.
- Condoms are freely available to NGO partners and service providers via the National Condom Distribution (NCDS) service.
- A number of NGOs have established postal services to make condoms and lubricant accessible to service-users throughout the pandemic while venues were closed.
- Ireland joined the HIV Fast-Track Cities Initiative in 2019; the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway are current members of HIV Fast Track Cities; implementation of the initiative is progressing, with HIV FTC Steering Groups now in place for each of the four cities.
- Free rapid HIV testing is available in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick through community NGO partners HIV Ireland, Sexual Health Centre Cork, Sexual Health West and GOSHH. NGO partners have adapted their services and are currently providing free rapid HIV testing from their offices or alternative venues.
- STI/HIV testing is currently available through a HSE home STI testing pilot project in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Cork and Kerry (funded by the Sláintecare Integration Fund). This pilot commenced in early 2021, in Dublin, Cork and Kerry initially, overseen by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme through SH24.
- As a result of high demand, and in response to the pressures imposed by a public health declared early infectious syphilis outbreak, the HSE SHCPP in consultation with my Department, have extended the pilot to additional areas (Kildare, Meath and Wicklow) and for an additional time period. The possibility of further expansion is being scoped currently, given the need for the service and its success in reaching cohorts that are typically underrepresented amongst those presenting in person at STI clinics.
As this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
553. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances in service in south eastern and mid-west HSE regions in each of the years since 2016; the number of staff employed in the ambulance service in both regions for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47490/21]
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.
554. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting for a procedure; when they can expect to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
555. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the details of progress made in addressing the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders Goals 2019-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47503/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken since taking office to ensure the development of eating disorder treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47504/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 556 together.
Enhancement of specialist services for eating disorders, including improved access and shorter waiting lists, remains a key priority for me, Government as a whole and the HSE.
In response to the growth in cases presenting to mental health services, €5.7 million has been allocated for the Eating Disorders National Clinical Programme since 2016. The Eating Disorders Model of Care was launched in 2018 and was developed in partnership with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and Bodywhys, the national support group for people with eating disorders.
€1.77 million has been invested to date in eating disorder specialist posts, with 21.8 WTEs now in place. In addition, €3.94m was allocated in 2021 to enable further investment in specialist posts throughout this year. More specifically, it will allow for the establishment of 3 new specialist eating disorder teams and the completion of the 3 existing specialist teams. Premises are already under development for the expansion of the adult community team at the Mount Carmel site and is expected to be completed by the end 2021. Recruitment is progressing well for all teams.
The funding allocated to date has seen significant growth and improvement in our services. Despite the significant increase in referrals in 2020, there was a 43% increase in the number of eating disorder assessments completed, compared to 2019, with twice as many people starting treatment.
As of last year, there are 3 specialist eating disorder teams in place. This means that we can treat over 90% of people with eating disorders in the community, avoiding more serious inpatient treatment.
There are currently 2 eating disorder specialist community teams based in CAMHS, one in CHO4 Cork and Kerry Regional Eating Disorder Service CAREDS (operational since May 2019) and the other based in CHO 7 Linn Dara Community Eating Disorder Service LDCEDS (operational since April 2018). Funding has been made available in 2021 to progress the recruitment of an additional CAMHS based eating disorder specialist community team in Community Healthcare West (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, CHO2).
Specialist outpatient treatment has been found to be the most effective and fastest way for most people with eating disorders to recover. Although there is good evidence that inpatient psychiatric care is not required for most people with eating disorders, it is recognised that a small number of people, mainly with restrictive eating disorders, require inpatient care for short periods, for structured refeeding and/or stabilisation.
In circumstances where in-patient care is required, child and adolescent care is provided in all of the 4 Regional CAMHS Units across the country. Linn Dara (8 beds) and Merlin Park (6 beds) have dedicated a number of specialist eating disorder beds, while the remaining 2 CAMHS units accept relevant admissions of children with eating disorders. There is national coordination of child and adolescent admissions, with transfer arrangements in place as required by individual clinical need.
There are plans for an Eating Disorder Unit in the new National Children’s Hospital which will provide 8 additional beds. The HSE also funds individuals in private facilities. Decisions are made based on individual clinical need, as assessed by the local mental health team, and the prioritisation of available funding.
For adults, people who require in-patient care are admitted to local general adult approved centres and attend generic inpatient treatment programmes. CHO6 has 3 dedicated beds for eating disorders based in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. The number of adult beds will increase, in line with the National Clinical Programme, including an additional 3 beds in St. Vincent's, 5 beds in North Dublin, 5 beds in Galway and 5 beds in Cork. Timeframes for new beds will have to be established. These beds will be linked to eating disorder hubs. The funding available for 2021 will allow for the creation of 2 new adult eating disorder hubs in CHO4 and CHO9.
Importantly, adults with eating disorders can also access treatment from local community mental health teams. There are currently 112 adult community mental health teams nationwide. Children and adolescents can similarly access treatment through the 72 CAMHS teams units nationwide.
The HSE provides funding annually to Bodywhys to run a helpline which is delivered by a team of trained volunteers. They also provide a range of services (support groups, online groups, email and family programmes) for adults and young people with eating disorders, and their families. The HSE also supports Bodywhys to run the PiLaR (Peer Led Resilience) Programme, a 4-week online modular based programme for parents, friends and carers of a person with an eating disorder to build resilience and gain support in their role as a carer. Additionally, in March 2019 the HSE has launched the first Self Care App which provides valuable information for those with or people caring for someone with an eating disorder.
People with eating disorders can additionally avail of our general mental health supports. The HSE provide a mental health text messaging support service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days each week to connect people with trained volunteers. Online counselling and supports are provided by Turn2Me, MyMind and other organisations. There are phone, text and email supports available through existing providers such as the Samaritans, Aware, Pieta and others. Furthermore, Jigsaw provides a variety of online, phone and text supports specifically to young people aged 12 to 25 years old.
With the right support and intervention, people can and do recover from eating disorders. The Government and the Department of Health, along with the HSE and its partners, are committed to providing and expanding high-quality treatment and support for all those affected by eating disorders.
557. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the measures being put in place to ensure that medical card holders in County Laois have access to dental services; if his attention has been drawn to difficulties medical card holders have in accessing dental services due to a number of dental practices in the county having opted out of the dental service treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47507/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I am aware that there has been a reduction in the numbers of dentists participating in the DTSS since the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic and that some people are experiencing problems in accessing a service close to their home. I am assured by the HSE that they will assist anyone experiencing problems accessing a service in their locality.
Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the DTSS. The intention is to review the DTSS contract and to explore ways of mitigating the difficulties some patients are currently experiencing in accessing services.
558. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of dental practices in counties Laois and Offaly that have contracts with the HSE under the dental service treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47508/21]
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.
560. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the concept of a statutory homecare support has progressed; the terms on which the pilot scheme was made available; if an evaluation of the pilot scheme has been completed [47540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling people with care-needs to continue to live independently at home for as long as possible is a priority for the Government. To advance this, the Government is committed to establishing a new, statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services, which the Department of Health is currently developing.
It is intended that the new scheme will provide equitable and transparent access to high-quality services based on a person’s assessed care-needs. Work is on-going within the Department to progress the development of the new scheme within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms. This work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme; the examination of the options for the financing model for the scheme; and the development of a reformed model of service-delivery for home support services.
With the aim of ensuring that all service-users are provided with a standard, high-quality level of care which is safe, effective, and person-centred, it is envisaged that the regulatory framework will comprise (i) primary legislation for the licensing of public and private home support providers; (ii) minimum requirements (regulations); and HIQA National Standards for Home Support Services.
Government gave approval earlier this year to draft a General Scheme and Heads of a Bill to establish a licensing framework for home support providers. This is being progressed by the Department with a view to bringing it through the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity. It is expected that the primary legislation will give the Minister for Health the power to make regulations in respect of minimum requirements which will form the criteria against which a provider’s eligibility to hold a licence will be determined.
In parallel to this, work is ongoing in relation to the development of a reformed model of service delivery for home support. Within this context, funding was allocated in 2021 for the HSE to progress the roll-out of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care-needs in the community; the pilot of a reformed model of service-delivery for home-support; and the establishment of a National Office for Home Support Services.
The pilot of a reformed model of service-delivery is expected to commence in November and will deliver an additional 230,000 hours of home-support in four community healthcare network (CHN) sites over a six-month period. The pilot sites are: (CHO 2) Tuam, Athenry and Loughrea (CHO 4) Bandon, Kinsale and Carrigaline (CHO 7) Ballyfermot and Palmerstown (CHO 8) East Westmeath. The pilot is expected to last 6 months. The evaluation will capture the key findings of the project, which will inform the development of the service-delivery model for the new scheme. In addition, approximately 130 posts have been funded for the national rollout of the interRAI Ireland system as the standard assessment tool for care-needs.
The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021–2023 commits to the advancement of the development of the new home-support scheme in 2021 and to the commencement of its implementation in 2022. While the new home-support scheme is under development, the Government is prioritising improving access to home-support services. As part of Budget 2021, funding for an additional 5 million hours of home-support was provided. This increased investment will contribute to meeting the Programme for Government commitment to providing equitable access to home-support services.
561. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health when each day care centre for service users with a mental health illness that remain closed will reopen by county in tabular form; the reason they have not reopened to date; the centres that have already reopened; his views on whether these centres are an essential part of the recovery process; and if he will request the HSE to reopen all such centres urgently. [47541/21]
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.
562. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the level of activity under the National Treatment Purchase Fund during the most recent 12 months for which data is available; the main categories of procedure delivered; and the waiting time under the respective procedures which would trigger an offer of support from the fund for private treatment. [47553/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy regarding the level of activity during the most recent 12 months, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has provided a summary of the treatments and appointments arranged from September 2020 to August 2021 in the attached table. The NTPF has also provided accompanying tables showing the breakdown of treatments arranged by specialty for Outpatients and Inpatient/Daycases.
Table 1 –Results for September 2020 to August 2021
|
Description |
Number of Patient Episodes |
|
Number of treatments arranged Inpatient Day Case & G.I. Scopes |
34,134 |
|
Outpatient appointments arranged |
50,220 |
|
Authorisations for Diagnostics Utilised |
45,889 |
|
*Patient Stays in NTPF funded additional beds |
2,714 |
|
Total number of Patient Episodes |
132,957 |
*September to December 2020
No. of NTPF-Funded Treatments Arranged 1st Sep- 31st Aug 2021 inclusive
|
Inpatient, Day Case and GI Scopes |
|
|
Specialty |
No. of Treatments Arranged |
|
Cardiology |
1,438 |
|
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery |
107 |
|
Clinical Immunology |
406 |
|
Gastro-Enterology |
5,166 |
|
Gastro-Intestinal Surgery |
897 |
|
General Medicine |
1,755 |
|
General Paediatrics |
85 |
|
General Surgery |
9,304 |
|
Gynaecology |
529 |
|
Maxillo-Facial |
42 |
|
Neurosurgery |
43 |
|
Ophthalmology |
5,524 |
|
Orthopaedics |
2,580 |
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
1,385 |
|
Pain Relief |
328 |
|
Plastic Surgery |
243 |
|
Respiratory Medicine |
133 |
|
Urology |
3,620 |
|
Vascular Surgery |
549 |
|
Grand Total |
34,134 |
OP Insourcing Appointments Arranged Sep 2020 - Aug 2021
|
Specialty |
No. of Appts Arranged |
|
Audiology |
371 |
|
Cardiology |
2,950 |
|
Dermatology |
6,899 |
|
Endocrinology |
635 |
|
Gastroenterology |
249 |
|
General Paediatrics |
1,134 |
|
General Surgery |
629 |
|
Gynaecology |
2,462 |
|
Haematology |
442 |
|
Immunology |
84 |
|
Max Fax |
11 |
|
Neurology |
2,500 |
|
Neurophysiology |
191 |
|
Neurosurgery |
1,252 |
|
Ophthalmology |
6,487 |
|
Orthopaedic Surgery |
9,250 |
|
Otolarynology (ENT) |
7,855 |
|
Pain Management |
575 |
|
Plastic Surgery |
1,153 |
|
Respiratory Medicine |
655 |
|
Rheumatology |
1,636 |
|
Urology |
2,136 |
|
Vascular Surgery |
664 |
|
Grand Total |
50,220 |
With regard to the waiting time which would trigger an offer of support, the NTPF has advised my Department that it arranges treatment for the longest waiting, clinically suitable patients waiting for each procedure. The wait time varies over time, by procedure and by hospital. The NTPF has further advised that it is currently arranging treatment for patients waiting six months, in most cases, who are listed for Inpatient/Daycase procedures which the NTPF procures.
563. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number of persons supported under the EU scheme for treatment abroad in the most recent twelve months for which data is available; the number that were treated in Northern Ireland; the number treated in the rest of the UK; and the scope for such patients to continue to exercise these options in 202 in view of Brexit. [47554/21]
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.
564. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the charges made for private or semi-private beds in public hospitals; if the public hospital bed charge must be paid in addition to this charge; and if the charges levied are different if the patient is admitted as a private patient. [47555/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s policy is that the core function of the public hospital system is to provide equitable access to hospital services for public patients. In that context, all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland are eligible for public hospital services. In addition, patients may opt for private in-patient care in public hospitals subject to the requirement that the proportion of private activity is public hospitals should in the main be limited to 20% of total activity and private patient charges are set to recoup the cost of the hospital services provided to private patients.
Section 55 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that the HSE may make available private in-patient services to persons who do not have or have waived their eligibility to, public in-patient services. These services include accommodation, non-consultant hospital doctors, nursing staff, medicines, blood, medical and surgical supplies, radiology, diagnostics, operating theatres, laboratories, administration and support staff. It is also noted that patients opting to be treated privately must also pay the consultant fees associated with their treatment. The cost of a private patient stay is largely influenced by these staffing and operational costs rather than the room type occupied.
The statutory hospital charges under Section 55 that apply for such an episode of care is set out in the table below and depends on the category of hospital, duration of stay and whether the accommodation was provided in a single or multi-occupancy room. It should be noted that all in-patients opting to be private are liable for these charges irrespective of the designation of the bed or ward in which they are accommodated.
|
Hospital Category |
Single-occupancy room overnight |
Multiple-occupancy room overnight |
Day-Case |
|
HSE Regional Hospitals, Voluntary & Joint Board Teaching Hospitals |
€1000 |
€813 |
€407 |
|
HSE County Hospitals, Voluntary Non-Teaching Hospitals |
€800 |
€659 |
€329 |
565. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the changes being made to the fair deal scheme to reduce the assessment of vacant homes rented out or sold; and the date from which the new provisions will apply. [47556/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 'Fair Deal', is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants in the NHSS contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone, and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on 22 July, introduced further safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. The principal amendment of this Act ensures that where the owners of farms and businesses go into long-term residential care, their contributions against those assets will be capped at 3 years, providing that a named family successor commits to running the asset for a period of six years and certain other conditions are met.
It also includes an amendment in relation to applying the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a house while a resident is in long-term care. This addresses the first relevant commitment in the Housing for All Strategy (action 19.7).
Within the NHSS, the asset value of a resident's home, known in the Scheme as the "principal residence", is assessed for 3 years, with 7.5% of its value going towards the cost of care (3.75% in the case of a couple). After 3 years on the scheme, the value of this property is no longer assessed. In practice, this generally reduces the nursing home fees of those maintaining their home, from year four onwards. However, under previous rules, if it was sold, the resulting cash asset was assessable in full for the entire length of stay in care. This could act as a disincentive for those who might otherwise consider selling their homes. The 2021 Act now extends the 3-year cap to cover the proceeds of sale, so that a person will be able to sell their home without incurring additional fees from the fourth year onwards. The timeline set out in the legislation ensures that the Act will be operational by the 20 October 2021. In the development of the legislative amendment, it was projected that this change would bring between 330 and 580 homes to market each year, on average 2.25 years earlier than if sold when the resident left care.
As well as introducing the change above, the Department of Health has also agreed to action 19.8 in the Housing for All Strategy to develop a mechanism in relation to the rental of vacant properties in a way that is "targeted, equitable, evidence-based and provides appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older people". It is important to note that complex policy questions remain in meeting these criteria and there are high risks associated with unintended consequences. There is no existing exemption of rental or similar income from assessment within the Scheme and due care needs to be taken to ensure that any changes are appropriate, to protect and meet the needs of residents while also making provision for those in need of housing.
The NHSS is a complex €1.4 billion Scheme that relies on €350m of contributions from over 22,000 residents. It is important to ensure that the costs, benefits, and unintended consequences of any policy changes are fully understood and resolved before they are put in place.
The Department of Health and Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage continue to collaborate on this policy, including the identification of the number of houses that may be brought into use and the costs associated with the policy options available to address this action, with a view to introducing legislation as soon as possible once this analysis and policy development is complete.
566. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age awaiting a first-time appointment since being switched to the new children’s disability network team for west County Cork by age, intervention type, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy in tabular form. [47561/21]
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.
567. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age awaiting a first-time appointment since being switched to the new children’s disability network team for Carrigaline, Kinsale and Bandon by age, intervention type, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy in tabular form. [47562/21]
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.
568. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1364 of 9 September 2021, the monthly and yearly spend on antibiotics in each acute hospital for the year to date in 2021, by the relevant hospital in tabular form. [47564/21]
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.
569. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for a procedure at Sligo University Hospital; if the referral is general or urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47566/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
570. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason neonatal and premature baby ophthalmic care is unavailable at Letterkenny University Hospital; if there are plans to introduce this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47567/21]
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.
