Thursday, 27 Jan 2022

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (342)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

342. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he or officials from his Department met with an organisation (details supplied) or any of its representatives during the period 1 January 2021 to date; the purposes of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4056/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The details of meetings that I or my officials have had with representatives of the National Women’s Council of Ireland are noted below.

Meetings with Minister Donnelly

I have met with the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) on two occasions since January 2021. The details of these meeting are listed below:

- 19 February 2021: I addressed the Women’s Health Taskforce (including members of the NWCI) at the 9th Women’s Health Taskforce meeting.

- 1 June 2021: I met with the NWCI to discuss the review of the operation of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.

Meetings with the Women’s Health Taskforce

The NWCI is a key partner in ensuring women’s voices are represented throughout the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce. Representatives from NWCI participate as members of the Taskforce. Details of meetings between the Taskforce and the National Women’s Council of Ireland related to this partnership are outlined below

- 20 January 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the upcoming 9th Meeting and other work.

- 26 January 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat and MCCP to discuss the radical listening exercise, a large-scale consultation process intended to maximise the participation of women across all life stages.

- 19 February 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 9th Meeting as Taskforce members (assets.gov.ie/129866/97f341ac-305c-4529-b6e0-50e918107278.pdf).

- 26 February 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the mental health workstream.

- 9 March 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat and DCEDIY to discuss gender budgeting.

- 7 April 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the mental health workstream.

- 14 April 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 10th Meeting as Taskforce members (assets.gov.ie/139697/1deb6456-17b2-4da9-bd9a-4dbb9ed8b27a.pdf).

- 4 June 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 11th Meeting as Taskforce members (assets.gov.ie/139698/d3d85956-e476-497c-b233-cb752830b40a.pdf).

- 1 July 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the upcoming 12th Meeting and other work.

- 2 July 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 12th Meeting as Taskforce members. (assets.gov.ie/202445/5b3abfae-b491-45ae-a5f6-1bc109cb2a58.pdf)

- 27 July 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 13th Meeting as Taskforce members. (assets.gov.ie/213852/93adc477-5b83-460d-862f-2c53e9029bc9.pdf)

- 27 August 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the upcoming 14th Meeting and other work.

- 7 September 2021: NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss their input into the Radical Listening event on September 14

- 14 September 2021: The NWCI and Women’s Health Taskforce co-hosted a Radical Listening Stakeholder Event. (www.gov.ie/en/press-release/171f0-minister-for-health-publishes-report-of-womens-voices-on-womens-health-in-ireland/)

- 15 September 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 14th Meeting as Taskforce members. (assets.gov.ie/213853/b6aa8ea0-84cf-4303-b111-a04a5e8df927.pdf)

- 21 September 2021: NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat NWCI to introduce new NWCI Women's Health Officer

- 5 October 2021: NWCI met with the Women's Health Lead to discuss the radical listening exercises with groups of marginalised women prepared by the NWCI.

- 4 November 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the upcoming 15th Meeting and other work.

- 5 November 2021: The NWCI attended the Women’s Health Taskforce 15th Meeting as Taskforce members.

- 6 December 2021: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss the launch of Women’s Health Action Plan 2022 and other work.

- 10 January 2022: The NWCI met with the Women’s Health Taskforce secretariat to discuss their upcoming presentation on the findings of their Radical Listening exercise “Improving the health outcomes and experiences of the healthcare system for marginalised women” scheduled for 18th January 2022.

- 18 January 2022: The NWCI and Women’s Health Taskforce co-hosted an event presenting the findings of their Radical Listening exercise “Improving the health outcomes and experiences of the healthcare system for marginalised women” (link to Report)

Legislative Reviews

Ceisteanna (343)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

343. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will make available a copy of each the four detailed notes (details supplied) that he committed to provide to members of the Oireachtas Health Committee during its meeting on 8 December 2021 given the wider public interest in the scope and implementation of the three year review. [4057/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, I appeared before the Joint Committee on Health on 8 December 2021 to discuss the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.

My Department is preparing briefing material in relation to a request subsequently received from the Committee, and a response will be issued ?to the Committee as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (344)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

344. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if there has been a change to the reimbursement status of a drug (details supplied) in respect of the medical card scheme; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4058/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (345)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

345. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reimbursement for a drug (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4059/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Ceisteanna (346)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

346. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that general practice nurses have been excluded from the €1,000 payment announced recently; if his attention has been drawn to the significant role they have played in being the steadfast backbone in health screening, vaccination, disease management, triage and much more in addition to their role in the management of the public health emergency; if he will include such nurses in the recognition payment that many of their nursing colleagues will rightfully receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4060/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (347)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

347. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for applications for a medical card; the number of persons awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4062/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (348, 349)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

348. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on knee replacements in each hospital for 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4063/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

349. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on hip replacements in each hospital for 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4064/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Delta and Omicron variants.

As part of the response to this the HSE advised all Hospital Groups to take a series of immediate actions which included a period of prioritising unscheduled care, COVID care and urgent time sensitive work - in particular in Model 4 hospitals. Services are beginning to return to normal but elective procedures continue to be affected by staff absences due to Covid and emergency department pressures that are running above 2019 levels.

The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.

In addition, the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund.

For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists. The €250 million will be used to fund additional activity in both the public and private sectors. The €50 million additional funding provided to the NTPF brings its total allocation for 2022 to €150 million, and as a consequence there will be a budget of €350 million available to support vital initiatives to improve access to acute hospitals and community health services.

The information requested by the deputy concerning hip/knee replacements at each hospital in the requested time-bands, is outlined in the attached documents.

Hips

Row Labels	0-12 Mths	12-24 Mths	24-36 Mths	36-48 Mths	SmallVolTb	Grand Total
Beaumont Hospital	13					13
Children's Health Ireland	12	5				17
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown	16					16
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital	138	5				143
Galway University Hospitals	132	23	10		5	170
Kilcreene Regional Orthopaedic Hospital	113					113
Letterkenny University Hospital	41	23	8			72
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital	9					9
Mayo University Hospital	55	17	10	8		90
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore	56					56
National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh	369					369
Our Lady's Hospital Navan	66	10				76
Sligo University Hospital	56	9				65
SmallVolHospitals					30	30
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital	45					45
St. James's Hospital	37	6	7			50
St. Vincent's University Hospital					7	7
Tallaght University Hospital	57	6				63
University Hospital Kerry	76	15	6			97
University Hospital Waterford	11	7				18
Grand Total	1,302	126	41	8	42	1,519

Knees

Row Labels	0-12 Mths	12-24 Mths	24-36 Mths	36-48 Mths	48+ Mths	SmallVolTb	Grand Total
Beaumont Hospital	11						11
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown	7						7
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital	104	7					111
Galway University Hospitals	59	22	10	6			97
Kilcreene Regional Orthopaedic Hospital	97						97
Letterkenny University Hospital	36	13	17				66
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital	8						8
Mayo University Hospital	24	7	11	5	5		52
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore	70	6					76
National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh	380						380
Our Lady's Hospital Navan	66	8	5				79
Sligo University Hospital	27	8					35
SmallVolHospitals						23	23
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital	57						57
St. James's Hospital	27		9	5			41
St. Vincent's University Hospital						6	6
Tallaght University Hospital	43						43
University Hospital Kerry	46	16					62
University Hospital Waterford	7	7				5	19
Grand Total	1,069	94	52	16	5	34	1,270

Question No. 349 answered with Question No. 348.

Disabilities Assessments

Ceisteanna (350)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

350. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an assessment of needs in each county for 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4065/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Ceisteanna (351)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

351. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties in getting birth, death and marriage certificates in general and in particular for persons living abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4066/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Ceisteanna (352)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

352. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will request from NPHET the status of its deliberations on and ethical analysis of mandatory vaccinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4081/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, several countries have announced that they are introducing or are considering the introduction of mandatory vaccination policies, either at a population level or more commonly in certain workplace settings. There are no plans currently to introduce such a policy in Ireland. Mandatory vaccination policies represent a considerable interference with individual liberties and autonomy which requires that ethical and legal considerations should be explicitly evaluated and analysed. The paper being prepared by my Department seeks to explore the complex issues raised by mandatory vaccination as part of the wider, comprehensive, evidence-based strategy for managing the pandemic and will be discussed by the National Public Health Emergency Team in due course.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (353)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

353. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the expert advisors invited to attend NPHET meetings as provided for in the NPHET terms of reference; if these expert advisors were paid a fee; if so, the individual and total amounts incurred from February 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4084/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for COVID-19 is the mechanism for overseeing the health sector response to significant health-based emergencies. It facilitates the sharing of information between the Department of Health and its agencies and provides a forum for agreement as to strategic approaches to such emergencies. It is currently under the Chairmanship of Chief Medical Officer.

The NPHET’s membership is multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral in line with best international practice. Membership comprises representatives from across the health and social care service including the Department of Health (DOH), Health Service Executive (HSE), Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and others with relevant expertise in health and/or other related matters.

On occasion, individuals with specific knowledge and/or expertise have been invited to attend NPHET meetings in accordance with the NPHET’s Terms of Reference.

The following people have attended NPHET meetings as on at least one occasion, since its inception:

- Ms Judith Martin – In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Lead, Medical Devices, Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)

- Ms Niamh O’Beirne - National Lead, Testing and Tracing HSE

- Prof Martin Cormican - Professor of Bacteriology at NUI Galway and Consultant Microbiologist

- Dr David Hanlon - National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead Primary Care, HSE

- Dr Conor Teljeur - Chief Scientist, HIQA

I wish to advise the Deputy that none of the above were paid a fee for their participation.

Medicinal Products

Ceisteanna (354)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

354. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans to make the medication for hyperemesis more accessible and free to pregnant women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4088/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Ceisteanna (355)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

355. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his views on whether home helps and carers have done extraordinary work during the pandemic and have been patient facing at all times; and his views on whether they should be awarded the Covid bonus payment. [4096/22]