Catherine Murphy
Ceist:647. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if all public health nurses will receive a once-off €1,000 tax-free payment. [3472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (647)
Freagraí scríofa
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
Registration of Births
Ceisteanna (648)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:648. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to significant backlogs in registering a birth in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3483/22]
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 Staff
Ceisteanna (649)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:649. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if funding from his Department has been allocated for the purpose of recruiting additional neurological clinical nurse specialists for Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/22]
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.
Community Care
Ceisteanna (650)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:650. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the level of funding that has been allocated to each CHO area to facilitate persons under the age of 65 who have been inappropriately placed in nursing homes to leave long-term nursing homes and to be supported to live in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (651)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:651. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies currently being actively recruited to fill posts in the Brú Chaoimhín children’s disability network teams (details supplied); the number of the roles being filled that are new and to fill a vacancy arising from a resignation, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3489/22]
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 (652)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:652. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies currently being actively recruited for to fill posts in the team 1 Sandymount children’s disability network teams (details supplied); the number of these vacancies that are new positions; the number of these vacancies that are to fill existing but unfilled roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3490/22]
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.
Question No. 653 answered with Question No. 518.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (654)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:654. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff employed by the health service during the pandemic by role. [3514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (655)
Niall Collins
Ceist:655. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address an issue outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope and details to be included in each Digital COVID Certificate has been agreed at EU level and is standardized across the EU to allow for complete interoperability.The EU Regulation specifies that a certificate of recovery confirms that, following a positive result of a NAAT test carried out by health professionals or by skilled testing personnel, the holder has recovered from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antigen tests are not currently regulated for in relation to the issuing certificates of recovery. Certificates of Recovery can be issued upon request through the online portal following a positive COVID-19 test (RT-PCR or ‘NAAT’) taken more than 11 days ago in Ireland. The certificate will remain valid for 180 days after the day of the positive test result.Negative RT-PCR tests and antigen tests featured in the common list established on the basis of Council Recommendation 2021/C 24/01 carried out by health professionals or by skilled testing personnel are eligible for the issuing of a Test Certificate under the EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation. For more information on how to access a test certificate individuals can visit www.gov.ie/en/publication/3a698-eu-digital-covid-certificate/
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (656)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:656. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will include home support workers and staff who work in the disability service sector in the recognition payment of €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3529/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (657)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:657. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will review the contracts that are given to companies that are contracted by the HSE (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3534/22]
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 (658)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:658. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 899 of 2 November 2021, the number of interim reports by the Farrelly commission of investigation that have not been published; when these reports will be published; if he will provide copies of the first and second interim reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3535/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Farrelly Commission, which commenced work on 15th May 2017, was established to investigate the care and protection of “Grace” (pseudonym) and others in a former foster home in the Southeast, which has been the subject of abuse allegations. The Farrelly Commission is a statutory Commission of Investigation and is independent in undertaking its functions under the legislation and its Terms of Reference.
There are two interim reports not published which I hope to proceed to publish in the near future. All other interim reports are available on the Departments website.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (659)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:659. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish up to date age-related data in relation to Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations; the reason for the delay in publishing up-to-date Covid-19 statistics relating to children particularly in view of the recent rise in Covid-19 infections among children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3562/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Reporting of Covid-19 cases amongst children is based on notifications made to the national Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system (CIDR) managed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
Given the recent surge in cases, the reporting time (time from when a case is diagnosed to when they are notified to the HPSC on the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting system (CIDR)) has increased. For this reason, the daily case number of PCR confirmed cases reported since 22nd December 2021 has been an estimate based on positive SARS-CoV-2 results uploaded to the HSE COVID Care Tracker the preceding day. These data are provisional and do not represent notified cases. They serve to provide an up-to-date picture of trends during this surge period.
The notification of cases on CIDR has continued. However, publication of the HPSC’s daily ‘Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Ireland - 14 day report’ is currently paused given the increased reporting time and prioritisation of resources during this surge period.
This is the report which usually contains details of cases, hospitalisation and ICU admissions of children in the age groups 0-4 yrs, 5-12 yrs and 13-18 yrs. Publication of this report will resume as soon as possible. Uploads of this data to the COVID-19 Data Hub have also been paused.
Data on COVID-19 cases notified on CIDR in the age groups 0-4 yrs, 5-12 yrs and 13-18 yrs are currently being published on a weekly basis in the HPSC’s ‘Weekly Report on the Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Ireland’ www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/epidemiologyofcovid-19inirelandweeklyreports/
However, the HPSC note that ‘Due to the current surge in case numbers the overall reporting time (time from when a case is notified to when they are uploaded to CIDR) has increased since week 51. Therefore data on recent cases is subject to reporting delays and may not be complete. A technical issue experienced over the Christmas weekend and reduced surveillance capacity over the Christmas period contributed to the increased reporting time. However, the current case numbers continue to exceed capacity leading to the increased reporting time. Work is ongoing among surveillance partners to increase capacity and reduce reporting time.’ This means that data presented in the Weekly Epidemiology Report would be an underestimate.
The latest report was published on 19th January for Week 2 of 2022. During Week 2, 3,278 cases were notified on CIDR in the 0-4 yrs age group, 7,958 in the 5-12 yrs and 8,054 in the 13-18 yrs age group. As noted, this would be an underestimate.
More detailed analysis of cases in these age groups is published in the HPSC report ‘Weekly Epidemiological Report on COVID-19 cases aged 0-18 years and COVID-19 mass testing in schools in Ireland’ www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/epidemiologyofcovid-19inirelandcasesaged0-18years/
Data on deaths by age group is published each week in the HPSC ‘Weekly Deaths Report’. As of the latest report (19th January 2022) a total of 8 COVID-19 related deaths have been notified in Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic who were aged under 25 years. Due to the small number of persons who died due to COVID-19 in the age groups 0-25 years, this information is aggregated in order to protect patient confidentiality. www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/weeklyreportoncovid-19deathsreportedinireland/
While publication of daily data from CIDR notifications on hospitalisation and ICU admission by age group is currently paused (due to the surge issues noted above) the HSE’s Daily Operations Update reports on the number of COVID-19 patients on site in the three Children’s Hospitals www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/coronavirus-daily-operations-updates.html. As of the latest report (19th January) there were 11 COVID-19 patients admitted on site across the three CHI hospitals (7 CHI Crumlin, 2 CHI Temple Street and 2 CHI Tallaght).
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (660)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:660. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent tissue viability nurses in position within each primary care area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3565/22]
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 (661)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:661. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent tissue viability nurses in position in the Cavan and Monaghan region in which those nurses are based; if there are plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3566/22]
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (662)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:662. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason that the Donegal Travellers' primary healthcare project has been prevented from paying increments to its staff since 2008; if this is departmental policy; if not, if the HSE has acted alone in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health provides funding to the HSE for initiatives targeted at improving health outcomes for the Traveller community. I understand that the HSE funds the Traveller Primary HealthCare Projects via section 39 funding.
Voluntary Agencies funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, are managed by the application of either a Grant Aid Agreement (S39- GA) or a Service Arrangement (S39- SA).
I am advised by the HSE that pay and conditions for any worker in a Section 39 funded Agency is the responsibility of the Agency directly. There is no national agreement between the Agencies who employ Traveller Primary Health Care Workers on a national public salary scale. I understand this has resulted in a disparity in the salaries paid by Agencies to Traveller Primary Health Care staff.
The HSE have engaged directly with Agencies managed by a Service Arrangement, who were in receipt of funding during the years of the pay deductions, who remain funded by the HSE since 2019 and who were subjected to deductions in their allocations and they will have received funding relating to pay restoration. I am advised by the HSE that across the Community Health Organisations there has been a net increase in the hourly rate of pay since 2019.
The issue is a service matter and has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (663)
Robert Troy
Ceist:663. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason that private healthcare employees contracted to Government bodies do not qualify for the €1,000 bonus when they endured the same pressures during the pandemic as public sector workers. [3575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff/equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this important measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (664)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:664. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 549 of 9 November 2021 and the response from the South/South West Hospital Group, if an amended response will be issued given that it was related to services in the south east rather than the south west. [3579/22]
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.