Written Answers Nos. 1878-1904
1878. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a study (details supplied) which found significant evidence of neurological and psychological complications associated with long-Covid; the steps that his Department is taking to address this emerging issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I am aware of the study referred to. COVID-19 is a new diseases and information on it, its features, incidence and course are still emerging. My Department and the HSE, continue to review new evidence, research and data on all aspects of COVID19 including Long COVID, as it emerges to ensure care is in place for all who need it.
The HSE has developed and is implementing an interim Model of Care to provide Long COVID services nationally. This builds on existing service provision to further develop the necessary services across a number of health care settings including GP, community services and acute hospitals. The first priority is to ensure there are Long COVID and Post-Acute COVID clinics operating within each Hospital Group to ensure a national service.. This involves expanding the resources at existing clinics where required and development of new clinics in line with the Model of Care.Anyone concerned about Long COVID is advised to engage with their GP in the first instance.
1881. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure that there is robust oversight of HSE accruals and a legitimate basis for same following a review of HSE spending which found that €72 million had been incorrectly recorded as spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30643/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn early 2021 the HSE Finance team commenced a substantive review of the 2020 non-pay revenue accruals element of c.€1.0bn, which formed part of the HSE’s overall closing current liabilities of €2.5bn (see Note 18 of the HSE’s 2020 Annual Financial Statements). A review of accruals balances had been planned by the HSE as part of the migration to the new Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and was brought forward in consultation with the Department of Health.
The HSE’s review found that while most of the recorded accruals were deemed to be valid, there was an element which were not able to be validated with a total value of €71m, representing 3% of the overall current liabilities balance. This gives rise to a prior year adjustment to be booked in the 2021 financial statements. A prior year adjustment relates to a restatement in the current year’s accounts of a balance or matter previously reported in a prior year’s set of financial statements.
The review of non-pay revenue accruals was a substantial exercise undertaken by the HSE, involving a large number of individual accruals balances, some of which were historical balances going back a number of years. Having completed this exercise, the HSE and the Department now have additional assurance that the current accruals balance recorded by the HSE is fully valid. The transition to the new Integrated Financial Management System Across the HSE, which is currently in the ‘Build and Test’ phase before implementation beginning in 2023, will include a more standardised process and robust controls for the posting of financial journals (including accruals) built into the system.
1882. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent staff who have been recruited into the HSE since the beginning of 2022; the number of staff who have retired or left the HSE in the same period; the expected number of staff who will retire or leave the HSE in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30645/22]
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.
1883. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time clinic liaison officer positions in ophthalmology clinics outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30663/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1884. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a day service for persons with acquired brain injury will be established in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30664/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1885. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of one additional whole-time equivalent clinical psychology for paediatric diabetes for Children's Health Ireland, Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30665/22]
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.
1886. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the current status for the provision of a new accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital; when this project will move to the next stage; the amount that has been spent on this project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1887. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant paediatric dermatologist attached to Children's Health Ireland, Crumlin in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if this number will be further increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30667/22]
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.
1888. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of public health nurses operating in the relevant areas of CHO area 9, in tabular form; the locations in which there are vacancies at present; when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/22]
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.
1889. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time speech and language therapists working in Kilbarrack health centre in the years of 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if this number will be further increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30669/22]
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.
1890. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies currently within HSE orthodontic services in County Donegal; when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30670/22]
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.
1891. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have visited the gastroenterology liver clinic at Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years of 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30671/22]
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.
1892. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres in each hospital that is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30672/22]
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.
1893. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting two additional whole-time clinical nurse specialists in neurology and two additional whole-time advanced nurse practitioners in neurology for Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30673/22]
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.
1894. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent nurses per patient in each ward at Bantry General Hospital in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the way that these numbers compare to be considered safe ratios of nurses to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1895. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of CHO area 7 funding by local team level for disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1896. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time staff by job title working in each eating disorder teams; the number of vacancies by job title currently in each eating disorder teams; when each of these vacancies will be filled in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30676/22]
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.
1897. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost full year cost of recruiting 11 additional full-time nurses for Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30677/22]
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.
1898. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of knee joint replacement surgeries carried out at Roscommon University Hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30678/22]
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.
1899. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the additional services that will be delivered to St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30679/22]
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.
1900. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 31 May 2022, the action that the Nursing Care Plan for Stroke is taking with the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director on safe staffing levels to address the issue of stroke units operating below the recommended nurse staffing level; the case that is being made for additional staff; the number of additional staff being sought; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1901. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the categories of carers that will receive the pandemic special payment; the date they are scheduled to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30688/22]
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, the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs on 19th April, 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 my Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. They shall shortly publish information 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:
- 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 frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
- Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
1902. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the managers that decided to close Owenacurra Centre in June 2021; if they consulted with any other HSE managers or stakeholders before arriving at the decision; the managers whose service plan it was to remove and not replace all 24-hour staffed mental health placements from east Cork that have been provided by the centre; the number of 24-hour staffed mental health placements that local management aim to provide as part of current service plans for east Cork; the timeframe for this plan coming into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30696/22]
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.
1903. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 484 of 16 November 2021, 1715 of 19 January 2022, 169 of 9 February 2022, 186 of 23 March 2022 and 720 of 17 May 2022, if the clinical directors of the west Cork, north Cork and South Lee HSE mental health catchment areas have agreed with CHO4 HSE senior management to accept out of area respite or long-stay referrals from east Cork into community residences under their clinical governance in the event that Owenacurra Centre is closed (details supplied); if he will provide dates for when any such agreements may have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30697/22]
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.
1904. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will categorise the differences between parent consultation clinic appointments and individual family support plan appointments; the number of parent consultation clinic appointments that have taken place since their inception; if the questionnaire issued ahead of such appointments are designed solely for parent consultation clinic appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30752/22]
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.
