Written Answers Nos. 225-244
225. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1551 of 26 April 2022, if persons who are working for an organisation (details supplied) which is part funded by the HSE, particularly those in a residential setting for adults with disabilities, are entitled to the pandemic bonus payment given that they have not received payment or clarity in relation to when they will receive same. [31193/22]
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.
226. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated timeline for the introduction of a statutory right to homecare, as outlined in the Programme for Government; the current status of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31199/22]
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.
With the aim of ensuring that all service-users are provided with a standard, high-quality level of care which is safe, effective, and person-centred, it is envisaged that the regulatory 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.
In April 2021, Government gave approval to draft a General Scheme and Heads of a Bill to establish a licensing framework for home-support providers. This is being progressed by the Department with a view to bringing it through the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity. It is expected that the primary legislation will give the Minister for Health the power to make regulations in respect of minimum requirements which will form the criteria against which a provider’s eligibility to hold a licence will be determined. A regulatory impact analysis will be undertaken by the Department in 2022 to ensure effectiveness and mitigate risks.
In collaboration with HIQA and in consultation with the Health Service Executive and other key informants, the Department developed draft regulations and a targeted stakeholder consultation was undertaken in January 2022. Evaluating the feedback of this consultation is informing amendments in the draft regulations in advance of a public consultation planned in Q2 2022.
On 24th February, the ESRI published a report on the demand for and cost of home support. This is the final output from a programme of research that the ESRI has undertaken to support the Department of Health to progress the development of the new home support scheme. This research will form an important part of the evidence base for the development of a sustainable funding model for home support services in the context of our ageing population. Government approval will be sought in due course on any proposed legislation to provide for a financial support scheme, taking into consideration the cost associated with the various options.
In addition, work is ongoing in relation to the development of a reformed model of service delivery for the new scheme. In 2021, funding was secured for the Health Service Executive to: (i) progress the roll-out of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care-needs in the community; (ii) pilot a reformed model of service-delivery for home-support; and (iii) establish a National Office for Home Support Services.
The Pilot for testing of a reformed model of service for the delivery for home-support is fully operational. It commenced in November 2021 in CHO 8, which is the first of the four pilot sites. The three other sites CHO2, CHO 4 and CHO 7 became operational in January 2022. Funding has been approved for 128 interRAI Care Needs Facilitators to progress the national rollout of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care-needs. The interRAI outputs and pilot site evaluation will be critical to the development of the new home-support scheme. A National Home Support Office is in the process of being established.
227. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to their medical treatment in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31267/22]
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.
228. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1825, 1826 and 1827 of 26 April 2022 based on the ambulance data provided the number of patients transferred from each of the hospitals listed whose primary medical transfer requirement was for the treatment for any cardiac issue in tabular form; the data to be segmented per hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31270/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my reply to the Deputy’s question 714 of 31 May, I advised that the HSE had indicated that the majority of the information provided by it in its direct response of 5 May related to non-cardiac-related patient cases. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly in the matter with any further details it may have, as soon as possible.
229. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31279/22]
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.
230. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made for a discretionary medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31289/22]
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.
231. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the introduction of the homecare-based policies in Sláintecare; if these policies will be supported by the HSE’s process of tendering for service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31337/22]
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 April 2021, Government gave approval to draft a General Scheme and Heads of a Bill to establish a licensing framework for home-support providers. This is being progressed by the Department with a view to bringing it through the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity. It is expected that the primary legislation will give the Minister for Health the power to make regulations in respect of minimum requirements which will form the criteria against which a provider’s eligibility to hold a licence will be determined. Development of regulations and quality standards are at an advanced level and public consultation on these draft minimum requirements is planned for Q2 2022.
In addition, work is ongoing in relation to the development of a reformed model of service delivery for the new scheme. In 2021, funding was secured for the Health Service Executive to: (i) progress the roll-out of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care-needs in the community; (ii) pilot a reformed model of service-delivery for home-support; and (iii) establish a National Office for Home Support Services.
The Pilot for testing of a reformed model of service for the delivery for home-support is fully operational. It commenced in November in CHO 8, which is the first of the four pilot sites. The three other sites CHO2, CHO 4 and CHO 7 became operational in January 2022. Funding has been approved for 128 interRAI Care Needs Facilitators to progress the national rollout of interRAI as the standard assessment tool for care-needs. The interRAI outputs and pilot site evaluation will be critical to the development of the new home-support scheme. Plans are progressing to establish a National Home Support Office to be located in Tullamore. The HSE are currently undertaking a recruitment process for a number of key posts to support and enable the establishment of this office.
With regard to your question if the homecare policies will be supported by the HSE’s process of tendering for service provision, this is an operational issue and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the newly established HSE Obstetric Event Support Team given the statutory role of HIQA to investigate, monitor and institute compliance across the entirety of the health service, including all aspects of the maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31338/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s Incident Management Framework was launched in 2018 and updated in 2020. The HSE’s Incident Management Framework is applied to the management of individual incidents and is the mechanism for incident investigations in the HSE, including maternal deaths.
The HSE's Obstetric Event Support Team (OEST) is a new initiative to establish a team within the National Women and Infant Health Programme (NWIHP). The rationale for establishing the OEST was to provide objective oversight over a specified list of obstetric clinical incidents occurring within Maternity Networks and to ensure all learning can be actioned with national engagement with relevant stakeholders throughout the system, to lead to safer and improved quality of care for patients and families.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has developed the “National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services”. HIQA have an associated monitoring and inspection programme and by their continued monitoring of services, HIQA acts to drive compliance with National Standards and promote quality improvement and shared learning.
233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the recruitment processes used to appoint all members of the HSE Obstetric Event Support Team; the remuneration associated with these posts; the means by which, under the HSE’s Code of Practice: Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service, the selection and appointment process ensured that it did not advantage or disadvantage any particular candidate or group of candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31339/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraReferred out to the HSE. The HSE's OEST will be aware of the recruitment processes, salaries etc. for their own team. This is not information that is available to the Department.
234. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will assist in a circumstance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the specific challenges faced by the Nursing Home sector related to price inflation and increased energy costs. I have met directly with Nursing Homes Ireland, the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes, to discuss this issue, and have written to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to request that they consider the matter alongside departmental officials. Nursing Homes Ireland has recently responded to a request for further information from the NTPF, this response is currently being considered.
Funding to support people to access services in the sector continues to be provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
The Department of Health has also provided significant specific supports to the private and voluntary nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. As you are aware, the COVID-19 Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme, also known as TAPS, was established as part of a package of support measures for nursing homes at the start of the pandemic. €134.5 million was made available under the scheme from March 2020 to June 2021. The outbreak assistance element of the scheme is still in payment. In addition to TAPS, direct support has been provided by the HSE to private nursing homes in many areas, including the provision of PPE, serial testing and support with staffing.
The Department published a review of the NTPF pricing system in June 2021. This review was conducted by the NTPF with input from stakeholders and external experts. It recommended several actions to improve the pricing system. These are now being taken forward by the Department and NTPF. Given the size and scope of the NHSS, which is expected to cost the State more than €1.053 billion this year, any changes must be delivered carefully and with due consideration to their impact and any unexpected consequences.
The Department is also taking forward the 9 recommendations of the Value for Money Review on Nursing Home Costs, which was published in December 2021. The purpose of the VFM Review was to identify, quantify and analyse the reasons for any cost differential between private/voluntary and public nursing homes and, following analysis, to make recommendations for improving the value for money obtained by the Health sector.
To continue the substantial progress being made on implementing the recommendations of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel report, nearly €18 million euro was allocated in Budget 2022 including investment in Community Support Teams and Safeguarding supports.
Finally, in response to the strategic workforce challenges in the nursing home and home care sector, a Cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group has been established. The Group is working to a tight timeline and is committed to providing a set of recommendations to me by September 2022.
235. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that he intends to support coastal communities who have demonstrated the need for increased mackerel quota; when his officials will review the existing allocated quota for mackerel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31044/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement arrangements for the State’s fisheries, including the Mackerel fishery, have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas. Pelagic stocks such as Mackerel are managed on an annual or seasonal basis with catch limits set based on allocation regimes developed over many years and related to historical catch records. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation. It should be noted that the 2017 policy is subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.
In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I as Minister must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of the policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the TCA.
Earlier this year, I asked the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 Mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration. A working group involving industry representatives recommended by the QMAC and the Department was put in place and made recommendations for the management of the 2022 Fishery which were supported by the QMAC and which I have approved. The management arrangements are available on the Department’s website. The fishery is now open, and the implementation of these arrangements will I hope assist in extending the length of this fishery this year.
236. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if large size entities will be included in the Brexit processing capital investment scheme or will it be restricted to SMEs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to announce on 12 May a new €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme. The scheme delivers on a recommendation of the Seafood Taskforce and offers grant rates of between 30% and 50% for capital investment in SME seafood processing enterprises, varying depending on the degree of value adding in the project.
The scheme is designed to counter the adverse consequences of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It seeks to support the processing sector to engage in transformational change, mitigating the effects of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and Brexit, while also building more environmentally friendly, sustainable and competitive enterprises which serve the EU and wider global markets, create higher levels of employment more locally, and make better and more sustainable use of Irish landed or imported raw material. The scheme is aimed at supporting industry led transformative capital investments that enable the sector to focus on 'creating more from less' in the wake of reduced supply of raw material and at moving enterprises in the sector further up the supply chain to produce higher value products and shift the industry to a focus on secondary processing and beyond to products targeting end-user markets. The scheme will be proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
The scheme received State Aid clearance on the basis that it provides supports to SMEs only. This is consistent with the European Commission’s State Aid Guidelines which require consistency with the provisions of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation, which in turn restricts grant aid to the processing sector to SMEs only.
237. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will sign off the energy crisis fund to support fishermen with ever increasing operating costs and send these proposals to the EU Commission for approval; the reason he has not signed off before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the publication of the Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021), I have announced a number of support schemes for our fishing fleet and wider seafood sector and coastal communities.
Over October to December 2021, a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme made available supports of €4,600 up to €88,700 per month depending on vessel size for vessels to tie-up for a calendar month. Vessels in the Rockall squid fishery could tie-up for 2 months at these rates. In total, some 179 vessels availed of this scheme at a cost of €10 million.
I introduced this tie-up scheme again last month and it will operate until October or November this year. To further assist the fishing fleet in these difficult times, I am allowing each vessel to receive aid for 2 months in 2022. Already, some 67 vessels availed of the scheme for the month of June. The scheme remains open at present for July tie-up and demand is continuing to be strong.
For the inshore fleet, a Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme operated over January to March and was availed of by 754 inshore fishing vessel owners at a cost of €2.5 million. The scheme provided aid of €2,700 to owners of vessels under 8 metres and €4,000 to owners of vessels of 8 to 18 metres. Each participant was provided with a suite of 4 training modules to assist them in adjusting their business to the post Brexit environment. In addition, a Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme is underway and is investing €600,000 in 2022 in promoting stocks of interest to inshore fishers to support prices at the quayside.
Separately, a €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme is open for applications at present, with the aim of supporting the seafood processing sector to engage in transformational change, mitigating the effects of Brexit, and assisting the sector to move further up the supply chain to produce higher value seafood products. Grants of up to 50% for capital investment are available.
For coastal communities, a €25 million Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme is open for applications and aims to counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit on businesses operating in the blue economy in our coastal regions. The scheme offers aid of up to €200,000 for capital investments and also offers aid for training and mentoring.
Further support schemes are anticipated in coming months, including a voluntary decommissioning scheme, subject to State Aid clearance.
In relation to the impacts of increased energy costs arising from the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Government is acutely conscious of the impacts across the economy. This matter is being kept under constant review and is the subject of ongoing consultation with representatives of our seafood sector.
238. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31157/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe herd number provided was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1st October 2015.
Unfortunatley the original contract holder passed away on Deecember 5th 2018. My Department wrote to the "Reps of" by letters of 4th July and 8th August 2019 to enquire if anyone would be in a position and willing to take over the GLAS contract. As a change of contract request was not submitted within the timeframe, the representatives were further advised by letter dated 2nd September 2019 that the GLAS contract was withdrawn.
A change of contract request was then received in the GLAS section on 30th September 2019. The person named was advised by letter dated 30th September 2019 that the GLAS contract had been withdrawn and the option of appealing this decision was outlined in that letter.
A letter of appeal was received by the Agricultural Appeal Office on February 3rd 2020. A response issued the same day requesting details of any extenuating circumstances as the appeal was outside the three month period allowed. As no response was received the appeals office advised by letter of 27th October 2020 that the appeal was closed.
The person named contacted the appeals office by letter 17th May 2022. This letter is being reviewed by the appeals office and they will be in direct contact with the person named when the review is complete.
239. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's procedure for informing the public of the receipt of foreshore applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31168/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for foreshore licensing functions in respect of designated harbour centres, activities wholly or primarily for the use, development or support of aquaculture, and activities which are wholly or primarily for the use, development, or support of wild fisheries.
Applications for Foreshore licences are considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well various consultees and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which is a statutory requirement. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. This period of public consultation is advertised in a newspaper, which circulates in the area close to the application site. Details of the site and purpose of the application are included in this advertisement. At the time of public consultation the Foreshore application and supporting documentation is made available for physical inspection at the appropriate local Garda Station.
240. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a grant application for an organisation (details supplied). [31266/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question asked by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara who administer grant schemes for the aquaculture sector. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to BIM for direct response.
241. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the law surrounding the transfer of equines changed on 26 April 2016 on the Dáil record (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31278/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, legislation required both parties to confirm the change in ownership of an equine prior to 26/04/2016, in practice this system was difficult to implement and there were challenges in ensuring compliance. In order to ensure more effective implentation and streamline this process, in consultation with stakeholders a revised arrangement was introduced by S.I. 201/2016 - Equidae (change of ownership) Regulations 2016, in order to record thd transfer of ownership of Equidae.
While there are no immediate plans to change the current legislation on identification of equines, my Department's policy is to regularly review existing legislation with a view to improvement and evolution as sysyems bed down.
242. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for the Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question asked by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) who administers this scheme. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to BIM for a direct response.
243. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason that a local authority (details supplied) provided for not drawing down the full allocation of local improvement scheme funding in respect of 2021; the roads that were earmarked for this funding which subsequently were not improved in 2021; the percentage of the overall national amount of undrawn local improvement scheme funding in 2021 that was attributable to the local authority; if this will negatively impact on future funding requests for local improvement scheme roads by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Scheme is funded into the future. From 2017 to 2021, my Department allocated €80 million towards improvement works on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
In 2021, I allocated €1.187 million to the Local Authority in question in respect of road improvement works under the Local Improvement Scheme. 18 roads were submitted under the Scheme, all of which were upgraded last year. 215 rural landowners and residents along these laneways have benefitted. I understand that savings amounting to €41,225 accrued as a number of roads came in under budget. This represented a c.3.5% underspend on the county allocation and c.0.2% on the overall national allocation.
To date in 2022, €704,030 has been allocated to the Local Authority in question. Last year, I was in a position to double the initial LIS allocation to €21 million following the identification of savings in other capital areas. This year, I am continuing to closely monitor expenditure patterns. Should savings emerge, I will give consideration to again allocating additional funding to the scheme.
244. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when community activity grants will be announced. [31163/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2021, the €9m Community Activities Fund was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.
The fund supports groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.
Groups were also able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment within their community, such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment.
The once-off fund was administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). The Community Activities Fund is now closed to applicants.
Details of successful projects from each LCDC are been made available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd on an ongoing basis as they are received by the Department.
