Written Answers Nos. 188-207
188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS inpatient beds by the lowest available geographic unit in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13187/22]
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.
189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment for an operation in Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13195/22]
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.
190. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting on funding for home support by CHO area; the number of persons waiting for a homecare worker to be assigned by CHO area in each month since the beginning of 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13203/22]
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.
191. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the situation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13208/22]
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.
192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he intends to put in place a process in which HSE inspectors pay visits to houses in receipt of homecare packages to ensure that the services provided by the HSE and private homecare companies are up to standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government agreed in 2020 commits the government to ‘Introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high-quality, regulated home care’.
Consequently, work is on-going within the Department of Health to progress the development of the new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services. Taking place within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms, this work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme; the examination of the options for the financing model for the scheme; and the development of a reformed model of service-delivery.
In relation to the regulatory framework, Government gave approval to draft a General Scheme and Heads of a Bill to establish a licensing framework for homecare and support providers in April 2021. The framework will comprise: (i) primary legislation for the licensing of public and private home-support providers; (ii) minimum requirements (i.e., regulations); and (iii) HIQA National Standards for Home Support Services. Development of regulations and quality standards are at an advanced level and public consultation on both is planned for Q2 2022. They are underpinned by four key principles – a human rights-based approach, safety and wellbeing, responsiveness, and accountability – all working together to achieve person-centred care and support.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the statutory body established under the Health Act 2007 to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. It is envisaged that the HIQA Chief Inspector will be responsible for licencing and inspection of the provision of homecare and support services to ensure that governance, management, service delivery, and staff training are in accordance with regulatory requirements and quality standards. The focus of the inspection is on the registered provider and it is not envisaged that this will involve home visits. HIQA may have some discretionary powers regarding examination of individual complaints.
The importance of integrated care pathways, communication and coordination of care between services to enable people to get the right care, at the right time and in the right place is fundamental to Sláintecare. As a commissioner and provider of homecare and support services, the Health Service Executive will have its own quality assurance processes in place. Regulations together with national standards and service provider policies and procedures will provide a system-wide quality approach to addressing homecare and support in Ireland. As a result of this process, people using homecare and support services will better understand what high-quality, safe services should be and what they should expect from a well-run service.
It is important to emphasise that the regulatory framework of the scheme is still in the development stage, meaning that the provisions outlined above may change.
193. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the wait time for a person (details supplied) awaiting a breast clinic appointment at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/22]
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.
194. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health is no longer responsible for processing grants to such organisations outlined in your question since the end of 2016. These grants are now processed by the HSE and my Department has no act or part in determining levels of funding provided to successful applicants.
195. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if there is a consultant specialising in Parkinson’s in Cork University Hospital; if not, the length of time the role has been vacant for; and if other staff members are taking clinics in the interim [13256/22]
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.
196. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the wait time for a hospital appointment for person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13257/22]
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.
197. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans for general population Covid-19 booster vaccines and annual boosters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 vaccination programme is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations to my Department based on the prevalence of the disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for population cohorts where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.
At my request, the Health Service Executive has begun planning for the development of a future Covid-19 vaccination operating model. Given the continued uncertainty around future vaccination requirements, the operating model is being designed to account for a range of vaccination scenarios.
198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13266/22]
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.
199. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of current vacant posts in maternity departments in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022 by department and profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13275/22]
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.
200. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed in Covid-19 testing and tracing for each month in 2021 and in January and February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13276/22]
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.
201. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of community health networks established; the current staffing compliment in each network; the number of vacancies in each network by network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13277/22]
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.
202. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical specialist teams for older persons that have been established; the current staffing complement for each team; the number of vacancies in each team by team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13278/22]
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.
203. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical specialist teams for chronic disease established; the current staffing complement for each team; the number of vacancies in each team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13279/22]
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.
204. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the arrangements that have been made for part-time home care workers employed by a private provider on behalf of the HSE to receive the pandemic bonus; the way that the payment will be calculated pro-rata; when the Government will announce the terms and conditions of the bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13293/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The Government announced a 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. 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 (eg: nursing homes and hospices that are private, public, section 39, voluntary etc.) that were affected by Covid-19. As previously announced, the measure shall be paid free of tax, PRSI and USC.
Subject to the criteria mentioned, the measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE.
The Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly. Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars including the pro-rata application of the measure shall be published by the HSE. It is intended that payments will be instructed this month, with the payment processed through local payroll thereafter.
Where the measure applies to private sector employees, (eg: equivalent healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices etc.) the arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health.
205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 696 of 1 March 2022, if he will provide details on stakeholders and persons consulted as part of the HSE review of the Model of Care; the name of the START survey referred to in the reply (details supplied); if he will direct the HSE to make a copy of the survey available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.
206. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health when the Coombe Women and Infants University Maternity Hospital pre-natal clinic will be returning to Naas Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13357/22]
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.
207. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions since 2013 to date on which there was no applicant for a hospital consultant post; the location and specialty of the post, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the data requested.
