Tuesday, 1 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 733-751

Health Services

Ceisteanna (734)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

734. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of maintaining the drugs payment scheme cap at €80 on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11332/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Budget 2022 provided for a reduction in the Drug Payment Scheme monthly threshold from €114 to €100. The cost of this was estimated at approximately €11.5m per year.

On 10 February 2022, the Government announced a further reduction to €80. The additional cost of this is estimated at €21.1m per year.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (735)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

735. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the position regarding the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 which is due to expire in March 2022 if he intends to propose an extension to the emergency legislation; if he is considering a broad review of the type of powers and decision-making structures that should be retained for future health emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11335/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2021 extended to 31 March 2022 the period of application of certain emergency provisions that have been key to the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Act makes provision for one extension of these provisions, for a maximum period of three months, by way of resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas.  No decision has yet been made in relation to the latter issue.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (736)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

736. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a hospital appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied). [11338/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (737)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

737. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the progress of the vaccine injury compensation scheme for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11343/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Deputy is advised that there are no plans at present for the introduction in Ireland of a COVID-19 specific vaccine compensation scheme.

In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.

Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.

On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (738)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

738. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the HSE staff (details supplied) in CHO1 have completed the HSE online safeguarding training; and the date of completion of the course for each person. [11360/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (739)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

739. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the CEO of the HSE has completed the HSE online safeguarding training; and the date upon which he completed same. [11361/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (740)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

740. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the National Director of Social Care in the HSE has completed the HSEs online safeguarding training; and the date upon which they completed same. [11362/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a HSE operational matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (741)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

741. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress update on the new build ward extension at Raheen Community Hospital, County Clare; when the facility will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11424/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (742)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

742. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment of new staff and the expansion of the medical assessment unit at Ennis hospital; the details of any expansion of services; if consideration will be given by his Department and the HSE for a further expansion of services provided at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11425/22]

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.

Question No. 743 answered with Question No. 617.

Question No. 744 answered with Question No. 673.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (745)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

745. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently consider reviewing the treatment benefit scheme to allow for enhanced hearing devices such as a cross in cases in which standard hearing aids will not benefit the patient. [11453/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Treatment Benefit Scheme, which provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions, falls under the remit of the Department of Social Protection.

However, as the Health Service Executive provide audiology services to eligible persons, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (746)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

746. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to progress the endoscopy unit in Bantry General Hospital. [11461/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (747)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

747. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to progress the stroke rehabilitation unit in Bantry General Hospital [11462/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Legislative Reviews

Ceisteanna (748)

John Lahart

Ceist:

748. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the groups with whom he has engaged with regard to the review of the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; the rationale behind the groups that have been engaged with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11475/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. Under section 7 of the Act, a review of the operation of the Act must be initiated within three years of the commencement of the Act, i.e., before January 2022.

I have met with representatives from the following organisations: The National Women’s Council, Coalition to Repeal the Eighth, Abortion Rights Campaign, Irish Family Planning Association, START Doctors, Disabled Women Ireland and a service user.

As I have set out before, the review will comprise a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation. Independent research commissioned to inform the service user and service provider strands will form key elements of the review.

As part of the first phase of the review, I announced a public consultation (www.gov.ie/topreview) on the operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. The public consultation will provide an opportunity for members of the public, organisations, stakeholders, advocacy groups working in the area, and all other interested parties to inform the review of their views on the operation of the legislation.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (749)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

749. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if all investigative procedures can be undertaken with a view to early diagnosis in the case of a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11486/22]

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.

Question No. 750 answered with Question No. 617.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (751)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

751. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 601 of 9 November 2021, if he has given further consideration to the need for an additional 100 neurology nurse specialists across Ireland, which includes eight additional nurses for the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11513/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.