Written Answers Nos. 1442-1459
1442. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding patients with mental health issues who cannot wear a face mask attending a general practitioner surgery; and the procedures that are in place for these persons. [29118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo help prevent the spread of Covid-19, mask wearing is advised on public transport and in healthcare settings. Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment, particularly while disease incidence is high. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so. The HSE website provides advice on when and how to wear a face mask.
General practice continues to see patients face to face where necessary, with appropriate infection-control measures in place. GPs, as private practitioners, may choose to make alternative arrangements to facilitate an appointment with patients for whom mask wearing is not suitable. In general, it is expected that clinical practice should be accessible to all patients, in line with normal risk assessment procedures as appropriate.
1443. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to 35 children with cystic fibrosis who are being denied access to the life-changing drug Kaftrio due to a new pricing dispute between an organisation (details supplied) and the HSE; his views on the fact that those with cystic fibrosis over the age of 12 years have access to the drug and it was also made available to 140 other children aged 6 to 11 years in May 2022 while 35 children in this age bracket have been excluded; if he will take immediate steps to include these children by providing access to the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29119/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1803. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the position regarding Kaftrio; if he will provide an update on the engagements between a supplier and the HSE; and if he will provide Kaftrio via another source in the interim for persons that urgently require it. [30392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1905. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the approval of the Vertex drug for children with cystic fibrosis who are being excluded from receiving this life changing drug at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1912. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the access to and availability of Kaftrio which has a life-changing impact on children living with cystic fibrosis and is anxiously awaited by the children and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1927. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the issuing of Kaftrio to children currently excluded from using the treatment; the reason that it was decided that the HSE would engage with each case on an individual basis; the amount of additional time this will add to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1443, 1803, 1905, 1912 and 1927 together.
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1444. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29126/22]
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.
1445. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health when the lease in relation to the National Maternity Hospital project is due to be signed by the HSE and an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on 17 May last, the Government approved the legal framework that will underpin the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) to the St Vincent’s campus at Elm Park.
In terms of next steps in relation to the legal framework documents, the Co-ordination Agreement between the three signatories – the HSE, the NMH and St Vincent's Healthcare Group - sets out the practical arrangements for finalisation of the documents. I understand that the HSE will be engaging with the NMH and SVHG with a view to completing the signing and execution of this document within the next month or so. The remaining legal framework documents will subsequently be signed at the relevant time as the project progresses.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the detail of next steps, as soon as possible.
1446. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the intensive care unit at Mayo University Hospital has received an increased allocation of funding given that intensive care units across the country were allocated additional funding during the pandemic. [29138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to addressing the long-standing deficit in critical care capacity. Very significant funding of €77 million has been provided by Government across 2021 and 2022, to increase national capacity to 340 critical care beds by 2023. The HSE has advised that 51 of these beds are now open, bringing permanent adult critical care capacity to 306 beds, from a baseline of 255 beds in early 2020.
The Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Government in December 2020, will when implemented fully address the recommendation of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review for 430 critical care beds by 2031. In fact, it surpasses that recommendation, delivering an increase in capacity to 446 over time.
Importantly, capacity expansion in critical care is focused on the larger “hub” hospitals, in line with the clinical advice and hub and spoke model of care for critical care. The funding provided in 2021 and 2022 has allowed for the opening of eight additional critical care beds in Saolta University Health Care Group, including six beds in University Hospital Galway, one in Sligo University Hospital and one in Letterkenny University Hospital.
The provision of additional critical care capacity in accordance with the hub-and-spoke model of care also reflects the overall strategic direction of Sláintecare - delivery of the right care, in the right place at the right time.
1447. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the current status of plans to upgrade the intensive care unit at Mayo University Hospital; and when works will commence. [29139/22]
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.
1448. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if moneys have been drawn down by Mayo University Hospital to carry out works to its intensive care unit. [29140/22]
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.
1449. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when community carers will receive their pandemic bonus payment. (details supplies) [29142/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 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:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The Government is 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.
1450. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29151/22]
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.
1451. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the plans for buildings (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
1452. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a health technology assessment was carried out on a product (details supplied); if not, the rationale for carrying out a health technology assessment on a similar product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29153/22]
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.
1453. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for such an over-arching body in Ireland to provide oversight in the public interest of the health and social care regulators similar to the UK in Ireland (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) oversees ten regulators of health and care professionals in the UK. The system of health regulation in Ireland includes regulation of health care professionals through regulatory bodies and the regulation of services and products through agencies such as HIQA and the HPRA. These organisations are overseen by the Department of Health.
The issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex. Currently there are no plans to create a body similar to the PSA in Ireland. In light of the various issues to be considered, and in line with ongoing work in my Department, the Health Research Board were requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/).
My officials are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources in the development of policy for the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future.k
1454. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 740 of 10 May 2022, if he will provide a breakdown of vacant posts by profession and by detail of area/team which these 16 vacancies relate to within the four children’s disability network teams in County Wexford in tabular form. [29186/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1455. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 740 of 10 May 2022, the number of the 26 new posts for children’s disability network teams in CHO5 will go to teams in County Wexford; the professions to be included in the allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29187/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1454 and 1455 together.
As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1456. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the actions that he is taking to ensure that persons with an intellectual disability and who are medical card holders have access to dental services; the reasons that some dental practices in County Kilkenny are refusing medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29196/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that over the last couple of years a number of contracted dentists have chosen to opt out of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme and that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services.
In order to address these issues I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022, which has provided for expanded dental health care for medical card holders. To address the concerns of contractors about the viability of the Scheme, I am also using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings and restorations. These measures, introduced on 1st May, are designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme, pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. I hope that this substantial additional investment in the Scheme will encourage more and more dentists to provide care to medical card patients. The HSE will assist anyone who is still experiencing problems accessing a service.
As the provision of dental services to persons with an intellectual disability is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct the Deputy as soon as possible on this matter.
1457. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the amount of interest that his Department has been charged by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not been charged interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced.
1458. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged negative interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board in 2021 in each of the preceding years in which such charges were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the information requested by the Deputy, please see the table attached.
|
Agency |
Negative Interest Charged in 2021 |
Negative Interest Charged in 2020 |
Negative Interest Charged in 2019 |
Negative Interest Charged in 2018 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
HEALTH RESEARCH BOARD |
2,144.00 |
17,975.00 |
11,617.00 |
13,119.00 |
|
NATIONAL CANCER REGISTRY |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATORY AUTHORITY |
114,998.00 |
26,153.00 |
12,570.00 |
1,400.00 |
|
FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY OF IRELAND |
3,231.08 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH |
76.58 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
PRE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE COUNCIL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION |
3,278.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
HEALTH INFORMATION AND QUALITY AUTHORITY |
1,051.50 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL (CORU) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
FOOD SAFETY PROMOTION BOARD |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
NATIONAL TREATMENT PURCHASE FUND |
15,348.00 |
9,868.00 |
34,028.00 |
13,896.00 |
|
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND |
36,974.51 |
410.91 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
MEDICAL COUNCIL |
50,827.00 |
7,559.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
DENTAL COUNCIL |
700.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
NURSING & MIDWIFERY BOARD OF IRELAND |
4,047.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
NATIONAL PAEDIATRIC HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD |
57,585.68 |
11,891.96 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
IRISH BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
HEALTH INSURANCE AUTHORITY |
12,372.54 |
31,605.17 |
23,347.39 |
37,134.39 |
|
VHI HEALTHCARE |
406,898.00 |
431,057.00 |
401,980.00 |
85,422.00 |
|
Total |
697,159.35 |
536,520.04 |
483,542.39 |
150,971.39 |
1459. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29224/22]
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.
