Written Answers Nos. 681-703
681. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in the RCSI Hospital Group by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17517/22]
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.
682. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in the Saolta Hospital Group by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17518/22]
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.
683. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in the Ireland East Hospital Group by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
684. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in the South/SouthWest Hospital Group by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17520/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
685. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in the UL Hospital Group by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17521/22]
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.
686. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17522/22]
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.
687. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by staff in each of the hospitals in Children’s Health Ireland by staff category, for example, medical and dental, and grade, for example, consultant, from 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, on an annual basis, in tabular form; the number of persons to whom the overtime hours refer in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17523/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the Housing for All plan for an amended fair deal scheme to remove disincentives for sale and rental of vacant properties. [17551/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraActions 19.7 and 19.8 within the Government's Housing for All strategy are relevant in this matter. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on 22 July 2021, and commenced on 20th October, introduces further safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. It also includes an amendment in relation to applying the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a house while a resident is in long-term care, which removes a disincentive for scheme participants against selling properties that might otherwise remain vacant. This addresses the first relevant commitment in the Housing for All Strategy (action 19.7).
My Department is actively collaborating with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other Departments in the development of a mechanism in relation to the rental of vacant properties "in a way that is targeted, equitable, evidence-based and provides appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older people", as committed to in Housing for All action 19.8. Complex policy questions are currently being resolved in order to meet these criteria and mitigate the high risks and costs associated with unintended consequences, with a view to introducing legislation as soon as possible once this is complete. I expect to be in a position to bring legislation forward in the coming months.
The NHSS is a complex €1.4 billion Scheme that relies on €350m of contributions from over 22,000 residents. It is important to ensure that the costs, benefits, and unintended consequences of any policy changes are fully understood and resolved before they are put in place. There is no existing exemption of rental or similar income from assessment within the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and due care needs to be taken to ensure that any future changes are appropriate to protect and meet the needs of residents while also making provision for those in need of housing.
689. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when his Department will be in a position to publish the final and total cost of expenditure for the National Children’s Hospital. [17567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Children’s Hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James’s, the Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and the Outpatient and Emergency Care Centre at Tallaght University Hospital.
In 2018, Government approved a capital budget of €1.433bn for the NCH project. This included the capital costs for the main hospital at St James's Hospital campus, the two satellite centres, equipment for the three sites, and the construction of the carpark and retail spaces. The capital budget has not yet been depleted but there will be additional costs associated with delays and to date, €963.75m of the €1.433bn budget has been drawn down for works on the project across the three sites.
There are a number of items not included in this investment figure as there was no price certainly for them and nor can there be, for some, for the duration of the project. These include construction inflation, the impact of Covid-19, statutory changes, any change in scope resulting in healthcare policy changes, and the Employment Order.
Additional costs in relation to the integration and transfer of the services of the three children’s hospitals to the new sites brings the total programme cost to €1.73bn. This includes investment in ICT, a new Electronic Health Record system and the Children's Hospital Integration Programme (the merging of three paediatric hospitals) including commissioning.
Brexit, the pandemic and recent geopolitical developments have severely impacted supply chains and NCH project is not immune to these external challenges. Every effort is being taken to mitigate the risks but these externalities beyond the control of the contractor and the NPHDB make speculation and more definitive forecasting unwise.
690. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the expenditure on the list of completed works and work in progress on the enabling works for the National Maternity Hospital to date, in tabular form. [17568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future.
Enabling works were undertaken to prepare the site of the new NMH and de-risk the campus in advance of the construction works for the new hospital. These works comprise carpark extension and relocating some SVUH departments currently on the proposed site of the new NMH, such as the pharmacy, and diverting utilities services to other locations on the SVUH campus.
In 2018 Government noted the intention to progress the awarding of the contract for a replacement pharmacy and carpark extension, as key enablers of the main development.
This first phase of work commenced on the site in February 2019 - the pharmacy and multi-storey car park extension were completed in 2021 and both are fully operational.
A breakdown of the expenditure to date is detailed in the table below.
|
Enabling works |
Spend to date (incl. VAT) |
|
Replacement of pharmacy and an extension to the multi-storey car park |
€28.9m |
|
Aspergillus protection and prevention works |
€22.3m |
|
Enabling works / site preparation works |
|
|
Junction upgrades to the entrances at Nutley Lane and Merrion Road in line with Planning Condition |
|
|
Demolition works |
|
|
Infrastructural works, including diversions of life critical mechanical and electrical systems supporting the adult hospital |
|
|
Total |
€51.2m |
691. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); if additional extractions will be offered through the PRSI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17570/22]
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.
692. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who are currently absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes in his Department and in agencies and public bodies within his area of responsibility; the number who have been absent from work for up to three, three to six, six to twelve and over twelve months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17601/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Civil Service Disciplinary Code an individual can be placed off duty with pay as a protective measure. This protective measure is not a sanction, disciplinary action or indication of any wrongdoing, but rather a measure designed to facilitate the proper conduct of an investigation. Currently, in my Department one person has been placed off duty with pay for less than 3 months.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of the staff of the public health service. The information has been requested from the Non-Commercial State Agencies, and once collated will be provide to the Deputy by way of a letter.
693. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider expanding the income thresholds for persons over 70 years of age to access the GMS medical card scheme given increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. It should be noted that in November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the current medical card income thresholds are kept under regular review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.
694. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatient drug and alcohol treatment detox beds that were available by CHO in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17624/22]
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.
695. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase basic specialist training posts by 1%; the number of posts this would result in; the additional workforce requirements incurred by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
696. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase higher specialist training posts by 1%; the number of posts this would result in; the additional workforce requirements incurred by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17643/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
697. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to increase general practice specialist training posts by 1%; the number of posts this would result in; the additional workforce requirements incurred by same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17644/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
698. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of registrars in situ who are undergoing higher specialist training; the number who are not, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17645/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
699. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of senior house officers in situ who are undergoing higher specialist training; the number who are not, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17646/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
700. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the purpose of the senior registrar post; the number of persons in this post who are undergoing or have undergone higher specialist training; the number of persons in this post who are ineligible for higher specialist training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17647/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
701. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the eligibility requirements to become a registrar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
702. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the eligibility requirements to become a specialist registrar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17649/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
703. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the eligibility requirements to become a senior registrar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17650/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
