Cathal Crowe
Ceist:434. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when schools will once again be running HPV vaccine drives as opposed to venues away from the school campus. [49019/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraVaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (434)
Freagraí scríofa
The HPV vaccination programme is a schools-based immunisation programme. The roll-out of the programme is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (435)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:435. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if the decision to run a HPV vaccination clinic in a school is a Government policy or individual school policy. [49020/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HPV vaccination programme is a schools-based immunisation programme. The roll-out of the programme is the responsibility of the Health Service ExecutiveThe programme for the academic year 2020/2021 was paused during the first few months of 2021 due to school closures and redeployment of staff to the COVID-19 immunisation programme.The inputting of uptake information for the schools-based programme was also delayed due to redeployment of administrative staff. However, Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) have reported that the vast majority of second level schools had their first dose of HPV vaccine delivered between October and December 2020.All CHO areas have plans to recommence their schools programme for 2021/2022 which will see continued roll-out of the HPV vaccine to the target cohort.
In addition, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (436)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:436. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the percentage of schools that ran a HPV vaccination clinic in 2019, by county in tabular form. [49021/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive collects and collates immunisation statistics, I have asked them to reply directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (437)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:437. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to appoint nine extra neurology nurse specialists at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49024/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (438)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the €100 pandemic payment for clinical placements will be paid to student nurses and midwives this academic year; if not, the financial supports that will be provided to assist student nurses and midwives during their clinical placements; the status of the review of student nursing and midwifery placements and internships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49028/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, I directed that a longer-term independent review of clinical placement allowances for student nurses and student midwives take place. The Terms of Reference for this Independent Review included consideration of the Pandemic Placement Grant for the academic year 2020 / 21 as specified in Professor Collins’ Report;
The independent review was conducted by Mr Sean McHugh and submitted to me in August 2021. I am currently reviewing Mr McHugh's Report and recommendations, along with my officials. I hope to outline my plans in this regard shortly.
The existing allowances, set out in the 2004 Circular (DOH Circular 09/2004) were available concurrently to the Pandemic Placement Grant. This Circular provides for student nurses and midwives, attending supernumerary clinical placements, to receive a weekly accommodation allowance, currently of up to €50.79 per week should their placement be away from their normal place of residence. It also entitles students to have travel costs (to supernumerary clinical placements) refunded on the basis of receipts being provided. Payment of these allowances has been continuing during the pandemic and remain available for this academic year
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (439)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:439. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will consider removing carpark charges for cancer parents as per the pre-Budgetary 2022 by an organisation (details supplied) request in view of the fact that cancer patients face additional financial pressures and invariably have to spend long periods of time in the hospital receiving treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49029/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible and to introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families. I am very aware of the financial burden this issue can cause some patients and families. Accordingly, my Department and the HSE are currently examining the issue.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (440)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:440. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will address the shortfall of eight neurological nurses in University Hospital Limerick as highlighted by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (441)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:441. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will review the existence of in-patient charges for cancer patients as requested by the Irish Cancer Society as cancer patients are financially pressured by virtue of their illness. [49031/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services. All persons, irrespective of illness or condition, accessing public in-patient (including day case) services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory in-patient daily charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 in any period of 12 consecutive months, subject to a number of exemptions which include;
- medical card holders;
- people receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases - including Coronavirus (Covid-19);
- people who are subject to 'long-stay' charges;
- children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations;
- people who are eligible for hospital services because of EU Regulations;
- women receiving maternity services;
- children up to 6 weeks of age;
- people with hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Card;
- people who are part of the Redress Scheme for Women Resident in Certain Institutions.
It should be noted that patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
There are no immediate plans to review the list of exemptions to this statutory in-patient charge. However, in line with commitments made in the Department of Health Statement of Strategy and the Slaintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023, a review of the eligibility and charges system is planned.
The main objective of Sláintecare is to provide the right care, at the right place, at the right time. Eligibility and some charges have been highlighted as an obstacle to a patient’s access to swift high-quality healthcare. The Sláintecare program is committed to addressing any eligibility anomalies through investigating the current eligibility structure. Sláintecare’s aim is to shift the system to care for those who are in greatest need first.
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (442, 443)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:442. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the gross sum of in-patient charges charged by the HSE across all hospitals in 2020. [49032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraViolet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:443. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the total sum of in-patient charges successfully collected by the HSE across all hospitals in 2020. [49033/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 443 together.
Patient charges, including the statutory in-patient daily charge, are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- Daily in-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases. There are no plans to review the list of exemptions to the statutory in-patient charge.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
Question No. 443 answered with Question No. 442.
Hospital Charges
Ceisteanna (444)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:444. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the use of debt collection agencies to retrieve due in-patient charges from cancer patients; and if he will review the use of these agencies and consider an alternative. [49034/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- Daily in-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are only engaged by the HSE when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (445)
John Lahart
Ceist:445. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the progress being made with regard to the Programme for Government commitment to extend the remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund to secure timely assessment for both child and adult psychological services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49037/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an acute hospital 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.
As psychological assessment services are generally provided in community, not acute hospital settings, they would not meet current NTPF criteria. Any change in the function of the NTPF to include the provision for treatment for patients outside of the acute hospital setting would require primary legislation. Therefore the operational and legislative implications of this need to be considered.
However, the overarching goal is to reduce these waiting lists so that children and adults can secure timely assessments. The Deputy will be aware that earlier this year I announced €4 million in funding for local initiatives to reduce waiting lists for children in primary care psychology.
In addition, 2021 saw a record budget for mental health services of over €1.1 billion to continue the progress in the development of mental health services, and I am committed to the further development of our mental health services, including as part of Budget 2022.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (446)
John Lahart
Ceist:446. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of children as of 1 October 2021 or latest date available that were awaiting a first assessment of need from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 by each CHO; the number of additional therapists recruited since July 2020 in order to address waiting times for the assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49038/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (447)
John Lahart
Ceist:447. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the number of additional residential places, respite nights and new emergency residential placements for people with a disability that have been made available since July 2020 by CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49039/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked referred the question to the HSE and asked that they respond to the Deputy directly.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (448)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:448. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49053/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked referred the question to the HSE and asked that they respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (449)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:449. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will address the staffing deficits of over 168.91 whole-time equivalent HSCP posts that exist across the children disability network teams in CHO4 when comparing current staffing levels and caseload figures against the HSE minimal staffing requirements for HSCPs as set out in chapter 9: Health Services for Children in Ireland, a Guide to Workforce Planning of the HSE Policy Document A National Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare Services in Ireland. [49063/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.