Written Answers Nos. 1063-1080
1063. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the funding that is being specifically allocated to support individual nursing homes in implementing the Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53115/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2022 €30 million will be provided for new developments for Older Person’s Services of which €17.6 million will be allocated for the implementation of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report, with a focus on Community Support Teams, safe staffing and safeguarding of residents. Details of how this will be delivered in 2022 will be finalised as part of the National Service Plan process.
Nursing homes may also benefit from the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) which was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As of 27th October 2021, 8,134 claims had been submitted as part of the Scheme. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
While applications for standard assistance have not been accepted since the end of June when the Scheme ended, TAPS has broadly fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021.
As the pandemic has continued, many further support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been made available through the Health Service Executive (HSE), including the provision of PPE on a no-cost basis, the implementation of serial testing, the support and engagement of COVID-19 response teams and public health teams, the temporary accommodation scheme for nursing home staff and further supports. Many of these supports will continue to be provided by the HSE for the foreseeable future.
1064. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal budget for 2022 will be cognisant of the escalating cost environment nursing homes are operating in and recognise cost increases within it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53116/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount of funding allocated for Long Term Residential Care in Budget 2022 is in excess of €1.049 billion which represents an increase of €5million on 2021 levels of funding. In Budget 2022 €30 million will be provided for new developments for Older Person’s Services of which €17.6 million will be allocated for the implementation of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report, with a focus on Community Support Teams, safe staffing and safeguarding of residents. Details of how this will be delivered in 2022 will be finalised as part of the National Service Plan process.
The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) was established in April 2020 as a temporary administrative measure in response to the challenges faced by the nursing home sector at the start of the pandemic. As of 27th October 2021, 8,134 claims had been submitted as part of the Scheme. In total, €134.5 million has been made available under TAPS between 2020 and 2021.
While applications for standard assistance have not been accepted since the end of June when the Scheme ended, TAPS has broadly fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021.
As the pandemic has continued, many further support measures for private and voluntary nursing homes have been made available through the Health Service Executive (HSE), including the provision of PPE on a no-cost basis, the implementation of serial testing, the support and engagement of COVID-19 response teams and public health teams, the temporary accommodation scheme for nursing home staff and further supports. Many of these supports will continue to be provided by the HSE for the foreseeable future.
1065. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the advice that was received from National Immunisation Advisory Committee regarding plans to provide staff in nursing homes with a booster vaccination; if he considers this group that are in contact with high-risk patients should receive such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53117/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
The NIAC has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities and for those aged 80 years and older living in the community. The booster dose can be given after a minimum interval of six months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
The NIAC has now recommended that a booster dose of Pfizer/BioNTech should be offered to all those aged 60-79 who have completed their primary vaccination course with any Covid-19 vaccination. The booster dose should be ideally given 6 months following completion of the primary vaccination schedule (with a minimum interval of 5 months).
The NIAC continues to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for those with waning immunity and reduced effectiveness in other groups, such as those with co-morbidities (under 60 years of age) and healthcare workers and will make further recommendations if required. I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to ensure that the NIAC examine whether there is a clinical need for healthcare workers to receive booster vaccines.
1066. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of the antigen testing initiative that was rolled out for select nursing homes; if he will share their views on the roll out of testing in nursing homes across the country, with the view of adding to the suite of measures to protect nursing home residents and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53118/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA staff self-testing programme in Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) for Older Persons has been developed under the guidance of Directors of Public Health.
Testing commenced from 20th September onwards with 52 RCFs registered to 21st October.
The aim of the programme, running for 4 weeks initially in facilities in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Wicklow and Dublin North City and County, is to test the operational feasibility of using antigen self-testing within this sector as a tool, alongside other tools such as vaccination and infection prevention and control measures to assist in reducing in the number or size of outbreaks.
Of these, 39 have commenced testing and reporting results via the online system, with 3,685 negative results and 2 positives reported as of 21st October. Both positive cases were confirmed on PCR testing.
Rapid antigen testing can play a role as another tool in Ireland’s response to COVID-19, and the Department of Health, NPHET and the HSE continue to monitor their potential utility, and explore further how they can support the existing testing programme where appropriate.
1067. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans at community level and the dedicated funding for the winter period that will be provided to support and protect nursing homes and their residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53119/21]
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.
1068. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting on an MRI Scan at UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53120/21]
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.
1069. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost savings to the community healthcare budget for counties Cork and Kerry of the closure of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, County Cork that would arise after all residents and staff have been transferred from the facility and it is no longer in operation. [53126/21]
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.
1070. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if a breakdown will be provided of single bedrooms, en-suite rooms and shared bedrooms and bathrooms for each mental health facility (details supplied) in County Cork; and the numbers of service users sharing in each instance. [53127/21]
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.
1071. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue of remuneration levels awarded to ward clerks in hospitals (details supplied); if this issue will be urgently reviewed; if a uniform grade 4 recognition will be awarded to all ward clerks throughout the hospital network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53132/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of this matter.
1072. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 350 of 30 September 2021, if there has been an update regarding HPV vaccination for a student (details supplied). [53133/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.
In 2009, the NIAC recommended HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for all 12 to 13 year old girls to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer when they are adults. In September 2010, the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of secondary school.
In June 2017, on foot of the NIAC’s recommendation that the HPV vaccine should also be given to boys, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the immunisation programme to include boys in the first year of secondary school.
The HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys, starting in September 2019, with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.
My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.
Anyone not in 1st year of secondary school or age equivalent in special schools or home schooled during the 2020/2021 school year who wishes to get the HPV vaccine, must go to their GP or sexual health clinic and pay privately for the vaccine and its administration. This applies to everyone whether or not they have a medical card/GP visit card, as it is outside of the HPV immunisation programme.At the request of my Department, the HIQA are conducting a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on a school based HPV mop-up vaccination programme (for those that were previously eligible and missed or turned down the vaccine). The HIQA has confirmed that this HTA has been added to its work programme for 2021/2022 and I have requested that my officials give consideration to the outcome of this work in the context of the immunisation programme.
As this is an operational query, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1073. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending the paediatric diabetic clinic, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [53145/21]
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.
1074. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the list of persons who can refer persons for an x-ray to include registered physiotherapists and to create the grade of advanced practice physiotherapist; if legislation is in preparation to legislate for such a change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53153/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCouncil Directive 2013/59/EURATOM (the BSSD), insofar as it relates to the designation of referrers, was fully transposed by the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 256 of 2018).
These regulations designate those who may refer for radiological tests; nurses, doctors, dentists and radiographers are designated as appropriate. Physiotherapists are not designated in the regulations and were not designated as referrers (prescribers) under the previous regulations. It should be noted that not all statutorily regulated professions are designated for the purposes of the BSSD.
HSCP Deliver, A HSCP Strategic Guidance Framework for Health and Social Care Professions 2021-2026 (National Health and Social Care Professionals Office, HSE 2021), launched by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, includes commitments for the National Health and Social Care Professionals Office regarding progressing advanced practice for Health and Social Care Professionals.
Officials in my Department are engaging with the HSE National Office for Health and Social Care Professionals in relation to HSCP Deliver and developing advance practice for Health and Social Care Professionals to ensure the introduction of new models of healthcare are planned and managed effectively to meet future healthcare need.
The requirement for physiotherapists to order x-rays needs to be determined in the context of the new models of healthcare envisaged under Sláintecare. If a requirement is established in the future then legislation changes supported by a clinical professional position, development of relevant education and competency standards of practice will also be required.
In relation to creating the grade of advanced practice physiotherapist, the Minister considers all new grades proposed by the HSE. To date the proposal for advanced practice physiotherapist has not been submitted to the Department for consideration. The HSE has a robust internal process which screens all potential new grades ensuring that they fit with Sláintecare reforms and that they are remunerated in line with their complexity and scope and represent international best practice.
The HSE is supportive of progressing advanced practice for physiotherapy as part of a wider response to population health care needs that will include all relevant professions within the Health and Social Care Professions group to assist in addressing health care priorities such as waiting list reduction, admission avoidance, patient flow and egress from the acute hospital, and develop the advance practitioner role to address key health issues and assist in the delivery of healthcare reform.
The HSE Integrated Care Lead and National Health and Social Care Professionals Office are committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to progress advanced practice including patients/service users, other clinical colleagues including medical, nursing and midwifery and other health care professionals, Professional bodies, HSE and the Department of Health.
1075. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12, 9 to 12, 12 to 24 and 24 months plus for speech and language therapy in County Cork in tabular form. [53156/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1076. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12, 9 to 12, 12 to 24 and 24 months plus for occupational therapy in County Cork in tabular form. [53157/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1077. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12, 9 to 12, 12 to 24 and 24 months plus for AON in County Cork in tabular form. [53158/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1075 to 1077, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1078. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to situations in which minors have presented to the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick in need of crisis mental health care due to the non-existence of alternative community care and due to lack of appropriate supervision have left the hospital and ended up missing (details supplied). [53161/21]
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.
1079. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the progress being made on a care plan for a person (details supplied); and if he is satisfied that the plan is adequate in addressing the physical and mental needs of the person. [53164/21]
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.
1080. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in rolling out the local intervention teams in Dublin as in the case of a person (details supplied). [53187/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
