Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:361. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to address the significant shortfall of neurology nurses in CUH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55297/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Staff
Ceisteanna (361)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (362, 363)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:362. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the Winter Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55300/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGino Kenny
Ceist:363. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the provisions which will be implemented in the Winter Plan in the areas of managing Covid-19 cases in intensive care units, the flu, elective surgeries and non-elective surgeries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55301/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.
The Winter Plan 2021/22 is in active development by the HSE and it has just submitted a revised plan on foot of a request by the Department of Health. The revised Plan will reflect the funding available and set out the measures to be implemented and the expected impacts. My Department is continuing to engage intensively with the HSE on the issue, and a finalised Winter Plan will be published in due course.
As part of the Winter Plan 2021/22, the HSE are preparing for the volume of both unscheduled and scheduled activity to return to previous levels. In order to accommodate this demand the HSE will implement new ways of working, open additional capacity, and continue to enhance infection prevention and control measures in our healthcare facilities.
In line with the Sláintecare 'right care, right time, right place' approach, the Winter Plan will be targeted at optimising and creating capacity at three critical stages in the patient pathway: avoidance of hospital admittance unless absolutely essential, patient flow through our hospitals, and safe and timely egress of patients from hospital. As in previous years, Winter Plan initiatives will aim to reduce demand on emergency care by providing additional acute bed capacity, alternative care pathways outside the acute sector, and additional discharge supports in the community.
The 2021/2022 Influenza Vaccination Programme, which is an important part of winter preparation, was launched on 4 October 2021. Vaccinations are available free of charge to adults in specified at-risk groups and children aged from 2 to 17 years of age.
Question No. 363 answered with Question No. 362.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (364)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:364. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the impact that the most recent spike in Covid-19 cases is having on the public health system; the measures to be taken in the Winter Plan and beyond to deal with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55302/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on the provision of health services in Ireland as the system faces the challenge of providing non-Covid care while simultaneously delivering care for the cohort of patients with Covid-19. The volume of patients on waiting lists has increased significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, presenting a significant challenge to hospitals which are now operating with reduced capacity as a result of infection prevention and control measures. Similarly, primary and social care services are under increasing pressure as they continue to provide services in an environment with reduced capacity, high numbers of patients on waiting lists and the ongoing requirement for infection prevention and control measures.
The health system is being supported at this exceptionally challenging time through significantly increased funding with over €1 billion extra being provided in Budget 2022, bringing total investment to a record €21 billion. This builds on the almost €2 billion in additional monies provided in Budget 2021. This will allow for enhancements to be delivered in 2022 in key capacity areas including national acute strategies, hospital beds (including ICU), community health networks, home care packages, community beds and rehabilitation beds.
Recognising the impact of the pandemic and the ransomware attack on waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures, health service funding for 2022 includes an allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. This €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. I have already published an Acute Waiting List Action Plan which runs until December 2021 and has a series of targeted measures that are designed to address the growth in waiting lists. In addition, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
In relation to the Winter Plan specifically, the Plan will provide for appropriate, safe and timely care for patients by ensuring, insofar as possible, that effective levels of capacity and resources are in place to meet the expected growth in activity levels. The Plan is in active development by the HSE and a revised Plan is expected to be submitted to my Department shortly. The revised Plan will reflect the funding available and set out the measures to be implemented and the expected impacts. The Department of Health is continuing to engage intensively with the HSE on the issue.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (365)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:365. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be given an urgent date for surgery to take place. [55316/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Covid-19 Tests
Ceisteanna (366)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:366. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the current Covid-19 testing protocols in place for hospital emergency department admissions and discharges from hospital wards; if patients are checked before, during and after admission and on discharge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55337/21]
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.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Ceisteanna (367)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:367. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the urgency with which an Assisted Human Reproduction Bill is required so as to give legal certainty to mothers of children born through surrogacy who presently have guardianship status which ends when the child turns 18 years of age removing any legal link between the child and mother; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55340/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This legislation encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in this jurisdiction, including domestic surrogacy.
The surrogacy provisions of the Bill outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, including a requirement for all surrogacy agreements to be altruistic and pre-authorised by the new AHR Regulatory Authority. The legislation sets out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate to the intending parent(s).
The draft Bill does not contain provisions to provide for retrospective declarations of parentage. Issues which arise from the assignment of retrospective parentage concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments and require detailed examination. My Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of these matters.
Publication of the AHR Bill is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. This Department will continue to engage intensively with the Office of the Attorney General in order to finalise this complex legislation.
The AHR legislation aims to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process (such as donors and surrogate mothers), while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is a key principle underpinning all legislative measures in this area.
Health and Safety
Ceisteanna (368)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:368. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will consider making it mandatory for male public toilets to have sanitary bins as in female toilets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55349/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An objective of the LGBTI+Inclusion_Strategy 2019-2021 is to ensure “Public spaces are safe and welcoming of LGBTI+ people”. One of the actions under this objective calls for all departments to
“Take practical measures to increase the availability of non-gendered toilets in public buildings.”
The LGBTI strategy is led by DCEDIY and they monitor the progress on the actions. They may be best placed to respond on this PQ.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (369)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:369. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults that were recorded on nurses each year from 2015 to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55350/21]
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (370)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:370. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults that were recorded on doctors each year from 2015 to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55351/21]
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (371)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:371. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults that were recorded on paramedics each year from 2015 to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/21]
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.