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Tuesday, 28 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 791-810

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (791)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

791. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the programme for Government commitments on a general health policy for trans persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33808/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government commits to create and implement a general health policy for Trans people, based on a best-practice model for care, in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) and deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and multidisciplinary teams for children and adults.

The HSE is committed to developing services for the transgender community in accordance with international best practice across a number of programmes including mental health, acute hospitals and primary care. This includes a robust and agreed care pathway for young people with gender dysphoria, in line with international best practice. 

I am advised that a model of care for transgender children, adolescents and adults has been developed by the HSE Quality Improvement Division. The model recommends a comprehensive multidisciplinary psychosocial assessment prior to commencement of hormone therapy by endocrinology services, and also outlines the framework for the development of National Gender Clinics and MDTs for children and adults.

While there are definite challenges in responding to the needs of this population, there have been many positive developments: -

- embedded clinical services, with expertise, in certain parts of the country,

- constructive advocacy groups in place with both individual and family experience of this issue,

- funding for a number of posts exists, and

- development of a model of care.

The challenges mainly centre around operational and governance issues which reflect the fact that the health services are delivered by a range of voluntary and statutory services and have grown up along with demand and clinician-led responses.

I am committed to the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centered health care service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (792)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

792. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the current national policy on long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33809/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

COVID-19 is a new diseases and information on it, its features, incidence and course are still emerging. The natural history, clinical course and consequences of COVID19 are still not completely understood. It is recognised that most patients with COVID-19 return to baseline after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, but a proportion report ongoing health issues.

The number of people that are affected with longer term sequelae after acute COVID-19 remains unknown, but published reports indicate that approximately 10– 20% of COVID-19 patients experience lingering symptoms for weeks to months following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be followed up by their GP or in hospital settings as clinically appropriate. 

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. 

A HSE National Implementation Team has been established to lead the implementation of the Model of Care and clinical leads representing the areas of respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, neurology, mental health, allied health professionals, community services and general practice have been appointed. In some incidences, clinics have been established on an interim basis within existing resources until staffing provided through the model of care becomes available. The objective is to provide a full national service to ensure those who need care have access to it. 

Anyone concerned about Long COVID is advised to engage with their GP in the first instance.

Question No. 793 answered with Question No. 756.
Question No. 794 answered with Question No. 756.
Question No. 795 answered with Question No. 742.

Primary Care Services

Ceisteanna (796)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

796. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the total number of occupational therapy posts in primary care in County Carlow; the number of these posts that are filled; the number of these posts that are vacant; and the length of time that each post has remained vacant. [33818/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Primary Care Services

Ceisteanna (797)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

797. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the total number of speech and language posts in the primary care in County Carlow; the number of these posts that are filled; the number of these posts that are vacant; and the length of time that each post has remained vacant. [33819/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (798, 799, 800)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

798. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the total number of occupational therapy posts in the children’s disability network team in County Carlow; the number of these posts that are filled; the number of these posts that are vacant; and the length of time that each post has remained vacant. [33820/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

799. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the total number of speech and language posts in the children’s disability network team in County Carlow; the number of these posts that are filled; the number of these posts that are vacant; and the length of time that each post has remained vacant. [33821/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

800. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if the children’s disability network team in County Carlow is operating at 25% capacity; and the measures that are being taken to rectify this situation. [33822/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 798 to 800, inclusive, together.

As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 799 answered with Question No. 798.
Question No. 800 answered with Question No. 798.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (801)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

801. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers who have been paid the pandemic bonus; the status of payments to non-HSE workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33823/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 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 

Latest available figures from the HSE show that at 24 June 2022, over 60,000 eligible HSE and Section 38 staff have been paid the pandemic recognition payment.

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 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.

State Bodies

Ceisteanna (802)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

802. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; the details of all the persons who are currently on each board, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33834/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are 47 boards under the aegis of the Department that relate to 19 aegis bodies– details of these bodies can be found here:

www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/9c9c03-bodies-under-the-aegis-of-the-department-of-health/

The below table sets out the state boards under the remit of my Department and the maximum number of members on each board.  Details of the current membership of each board can be found online at: membership.stateboards.ie/department/Department%20of%20Health/ 

Name Of Board

Maximum number of Members

Advisory Committee for Human Medicines (HPRA)

12

Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (HPRA)

12

Advisory Committee on Medical Devices (HPRA)

12

Beaumont Hospital Board

11

Cervical Check Tribunal

3

Children’s Health Ireland

12

Consultative Council on Hepatitis C

8

Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board (Coru)

13

Dental Council

19

Dieticians Registration Board (CORU)

13

Dublin Dental Hospital Board

14

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

10

Food Safety Consultative Council

24

Food Safety Promotion Board (Safefood)

12

Health and Social Care Professionals Council

33

Health Information Quality Authority

12

Health Insurance Authority

7

Health Products Regulatory Authority

9

Health Research Board

10

Health Service Executive

12

Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal

9

Irish Blood Transfusion Service

12

Leopardstown Park Hospital Board

7

Medical Council

25

Medical Scientists Registration Board (CORU)

13

Mental Health Commission

13

National Cancer Registry Board

7

National Committee for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes

10

National Haemophilia Council

11

National Paediatric Hospital Development Board

13

National Treatment Purchase Fund Board

9

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

23

Occupational Therapists Registration Board (CORU)

13

Optical Registration Board (CORU)

13

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council

21

Physiotherapists Registration Board (CORU)

13

Podiatrists Registration Board (CORU)

13

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

17

Psychologists Registration Board (CORU)

13

Radiographers Registration Board (CORU)

13

Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland

15

Social Care Worker's Registration Board (CORU)

13

Social Worker’s Registration Board (CORU)

13

Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board (CORU)

13

St. James's Hospital Board

11

Tallaght Hospital Board

11

Voluntary Health Insurance Board

12

ListofStateBoards

Healthcare Policy

Ceisteanna (803)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

803. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he intends to bring forward regulations to facilitate the implementation of the free contraception scheme due to commence in August 2022 for 17- to 25-year-olds; when he intends to bring forward these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33845/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government, 2020 commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort.  My Department's Contraception Implementation Group was convened in July, 2021 and has been working with partners, including the HSE, towards ensuring that the scheme will commence in Q3, 2022. Funding of approximately €9m has been allocated for this in Budget 2022.

The scheme will provide for:

- The cost of prescription contraception;

- The cost of necessary consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;

- The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;

- The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;

- The cost of providing the wide range of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders, which will also be available through this scheme, including contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.

- The scheme will be open to all 17-25 year-old women ordinarily resident in Ireland. 

The design of citizen engagement information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll out of the scheme will be finalised in the coming weeks, to be launched in the month preceding and during the initial phase of scheme roll-out.

Formal consultations with medical representative bodies with regard to service provision under the scheme have commenced and are ongoing. Following recent advice from the Attorney General's office regarding the legal framework for the scheme, consideration is now being given to providing this by way of primary legislation, and not via regulations. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (804, 917)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

804. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when Irish Prison Service nurses will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33866/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

917. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if State-registered nurses in respect of circular 012/2022 on the matter of the pandemic special recognition payment working in the prison service will be regarded as eligible staff in the context of the pandemic special recognition payment. [34474/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 804 and 917 together.

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

On 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.

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (805)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

805. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card review will be completed for a person (details supplied); the reason that tax clearance is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33868/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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. 

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (806)

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

806. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the plans to provide additional neurology nurse specialists in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33937/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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

Ceisteanna (807)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

807. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if funding or grant assistance is available for a person seeking admission into a private addiction treatment facility (details supplied) and who is not in a position to afford such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33940/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (808)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

808. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all autism-specific services available for adults in the Fingal area; the types of services available; the waiting list for each service for initial appointment and average waiting times for subsequent appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33949/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this PQ refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. 

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (809)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

809. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to appoint additional neurology nurse specialists throughout the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33955/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Hospital Staff

Ceisteanna (810)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

810. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to appoint nine extra neurology nurse specialists at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33956/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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.

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