David Cullinane
Ceist:576. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Service Executive
Ceisteanna (576)
Freagraí 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 (577)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:577. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined; the steps that his Department is taking to help with staff shortages in laboratories and the training and pay issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.
The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11th to consider this matter. They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.
The Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA and remains open to engagement with them.
As this is an ongoing IR matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (578)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:578. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (579)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:579. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to recruit and retain a safe number of midwives specifically at Letterkenny University Hospital in order to allow for the full implementation of the national maternity strategy at the hospital, including the provision for home births which still represent an unmet demand in County Donegal. [25676/22]
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 (580)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:580. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of nurses working in neurology services in a hospital (details supplied). [25661/22]
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.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Ceisteanna (581)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:581. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1786 of 26 April 2022, the staffing costs for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland registration department; the costs, for all staff under the headings permanent, agency, contract internal and external or other in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is seeking information regarding operational matters of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) I have referred her question to the NMBI to respond directly to her.
Protected Disclosures
Ceisteanna (582)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:582. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1787 of 26 April 2022, the name of the agencies under the auspices of his Department in which protected disclosures were made directly to his Department from staff in these agencies broken down by the number of protected disclosures, by the agencies in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [25680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health has policies and procedures in place for handling protected disclosures in line with the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act.
Protected Disclosures received by the Minister for agencies under the aegis of the Department of Health are outlined in the table below excluding disclosures that were deemed not to be protected disclosures for the Department as defined in legislation.
I am very conscious of our obligations with regard to protecting the confidentiality of those who make disclosures and therefore I have not specifically broken out the number of disclosures in each agency per year in case there is any possibility that individuals might be identified. I know you will appreciate the importance of my Department complying with the protected disclosure legislation and wish to assure you of my Department’s commitment to ensuring procedural fairness in all matters relating to disclosures.
|
Agencies |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 to date |
|
HSE |
4 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
|
Other |
4 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
8 |
12 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (583)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:583. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if employees in a healthcare setting (details supplied) are entitled to the pandemic bonus payment. [25685/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (584)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:584. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the measures that he will take to address the severe shortage of speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25688/22]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (585)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:585. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the engagement that his officials had on funding for a centre in Cork (details supplied). [25696/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (586)
David Cullinane
Ceist:586. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided in relation to a matter raised in correspondence regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25701/22]
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.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (587)
Michael Ring
Ceist:587. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position in relation to a matter (details supplied); if the matter will have to come before Cabinet; if it will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if not, if the matter will be decided on a European level. [25716/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Put simply, the aim of such an instrument is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has been established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body is due to meet again by 1 August 2022 to discuss progress on a working draft of an agreement. A progress report is expected to be delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in 2023, with the aim of adopting the instrument by 2024.
As provided for in the Constitution, the conclusion of an international agreement is an exercise of the executive power of the State in connection with its external relations and is therefore concluded by or on the authority of the Government. In practice this means that Government approval must be sought for the signature, ratification or approval of every international agreement.
As the proposed instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is currently in the very early stages of negotiation, it is not possible at this time to determine the precise legal ramifications of the instrument, nor has it been determined what form the instrument shall take.
The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be respected in Ireland’s position towards the negotiations and my Department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in this regard.
It should also be noted that while certain health matters are within the competency of EU Member States other health matters are within the competency of the EU itself. A March 2022 EU Council Decision authorises the European Commission, for matters falling within Union competence, to negotiate an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response based on the Council's negotiating directives.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (588)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:588. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of its views on access to the pandemic bonus payment for Covid-19 front-line staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25722/22]
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.
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers. Eligibility guidelines for this payment, as applies in HSE and Section 38 organisations, were published by the HSE on 19th April and are available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.
Separately, the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for those other certain healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
- Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
- Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
- Agency roles working in the HSE;
- Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
- Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in the HSE in Covid-19 exposed frontline settings;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage
I am also mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (589)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:589. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if all citizens in each community healthcare organisation, CHO, have equal access to a public health nurse; the waiting time for a public health nurse in each CHO; if there is a charge for a public health nurse in each CHO for those who do not have a medical card; the cases in which the charges are imposed and not imposed, respectively; if all citizens in each CHO have equal access to community intervention teams; the waiting time for a community intervention team in each CHO; the charge to access a community intervention team; and if the charge is imposed in each CHO. [25725/22]
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 (590)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:590. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of current expenditure provided to fund services and staff at a hospital (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2021, in tabular form; the number of public staff employed in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25729/22]
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.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (591)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:591. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of capital investment by the State on the site of a hospital (details supplied) since 1990; the breakdown by year and by project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25730/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (592)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:592. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the campaign led by an organisation (details supplied) that is seeking improved pay, work structures and proper engagement with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25739/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.
I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.
The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11th to consider this matter. They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.
The Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA and remains open to engagement with them.
As this is an ongoing IR matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (593)
David Cullinane
Ceist:593. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to a licence for a product ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25742/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In Ireland, clinicians have two routes for access to medical cannabis-based products for their patients.
The Medical Cannabis Access programme (MCAP)
This is a 5-year pilot programme restricted to prescribing of cannabis-based products by medical consultants, for patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available medical treatment options. Those conditions are:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
For more information relating to the MCAP, including FAQs, please see the Department of Health’s website at the following link.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/90ece9-medical-cannabis-access-programme/.
The purpose of the programme is to facilitate access to acceptable cannabis-based products for medical use that are of a standardised quality and which meet the requirements outlined in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (as amended).
In the Misuse Of Drugs (Prescription And Control Of Supply Of Cannabis For Medical Use) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 262/2019) a cannabis product or preparation that can be used in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme is defined as ‘specified controlled drugs’ and the definition outlines the specific requirements for those products.
On the 19th July 2021, the Minister for Health announced that the MCAP was now open for medical consultants to make an application for themselves and their patients to be registered for the programme.
The operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme is the responsibility of the HSE, and any queries in relation to applications should be addressed to the HSE at the email address below:
Pharmacy.response@hse.ie.
Ministerial Licence under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016:
Doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route to prescribe cannabis-based products for their patients, should they wish to do so. In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, either by a consultant or by a GP which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time. This information can be found at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/1a5c4e-applying-to-the-minister-for-health-for-a-medical-cannabis-licence/.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/e35cb4-ministerial-licence-application-process/.
It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.
If the treating clinician wishes to prescribe cannabis-based products for the patient they may contact the Controlled Drugs Unit of the Department of Health at controlled_drugs@health.gov.ie for advice.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (594)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:594. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a formal authorisation process is necessary at stage one, in the transition of information from civil servants to a member of Government; the person who authorises same; if a formal authorisation process details the conditions under which the information was released to the recipient and stipulates the restrictions of its subsequent use (details supplied); and if an investigation is currently being undertaken into a matter. [25754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the matter referred to by the Deputy is currently before the Director of Public Prosecutions, it would be inappropriate to comment.
Cybersecurity Policy
Ceisteanna (595)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:595. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if attention of the Director General of the HSE has been drawn to the hacking of computer systems from within the HSE; if such incidents have ever been brought to his attention; if he has had to authorise an independent investigation regarding the hacking of confidential private data within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (596)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:596. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of bullying complaints made by HSE employees for each of the past five years. [25765/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.