Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:811. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to introduce autism services for adults ageing out of the CAMHS service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Services
Ceisteanna (811)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Flexible Work Practices
Ceisteanna (812)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:812. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33977/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of 31 May 2022, there were 667 employees (649.5 FTEs) employed in the Department of Health.
The Department is operating under the guidance of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to remote working in line with relevant Government decisions. At the present time during the transition to formal blended working this year, all employees of the Department are required to work on-site for a minimum of two days per week, unless business requirements for particular roles require them to be on-site more frequently. It is also open to those who choose to do so, to work on-site for more than two days per week.
The Department, in line with all other Government Departments, has been developing and will implement its own Blended Working Policy in the coming weeks and months , based on the Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. The framework can be accessed at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da010-blended-working-policy-framework-for-civil-service-organisations/
Prior to the pandemic, the Department did not have a formal remote or blended working policy and all staff worked onsite at Miesian Plaza or, as appropriate, in the relevant premises for those staff assigned to work with commissions of investigation or tribunals under the aegis of the Department.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (813)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:813. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of the vaccine compensation scheme; if he will expedite the establishment of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33993/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of an expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from the Department of Health, the Health Research Board (HRB), carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation.
While some preliminary scoping work has been undertaken by the Department, during the pandemic all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the Public Health response. This has meant that progress on the development of policy in this area could not be progressed as intended.
There is still significant work required to develop proposals for consideration by Government regarding vaccine damage compensation.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (814)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:814. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if capital funding will be made available as a matter of urgency for the extension and upgrading of the renal dialysis unit at Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34000/22]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (815)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:815. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the status of the disability capacity review; if the review will be published before budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy has confirmed that this question refers to the Action Plan for Disability Services 2022-2025.
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (816)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:816. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if community pharmacists with HSE contracts will be included in the Covid-19 bonus payment for healthcare workers who worked in a clinical environment during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34007/22]
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.
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.
Home Help Service
Ceisteanna (817)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:817. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the home help hours currently being offered to a person (details supplied) will be reassessed given that they require additional assistance specifically on the weekends when no assistance is being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (818)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:818. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who was referred by the ENT department at University Hospital Limerick for a CT scan and has yet to receive an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34012/22]
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.
Question No. 819 answered with Question No. 742.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (820)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:820. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for access to psychology services and CAMHS in County Sligo; and the plans that are in place to address these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (821)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:821. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the agencies under the remit of his Department; the amount that has been spent on all Covid-19-related consultancy contracts by his Department and agencies under his remit in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the amount paid for each consultant; and the reason for the consultancy. [34018/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated reply will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the amount that has been spent by it on all Covid-19-related consultancy contracts.
Question No. 822 answered with Question No. 756.
Question No. 823 answered with Question No. 756.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (824)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:824. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34075/22]
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.
Care of the Elderly
Ceisteanna (825)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:825. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 850 of 10 February and 142 of 7 July 2021, the progress that has been made following the review in 2017 of the working group to discuss and review the 1993 boarding out regulations; the plans that are in place to change and update these regulations; the plans to change and update the financial arrangements with the small number of providers involved, just 17 in total which have been in existence for the past 27 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34076/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Boarding Out Scheme facilitates older people to remain in their communities where they may otherwise be accommodated in residential care. It can also help to reduce social isolation. While the use of the Boarding Out Scheme by the HSE has traditionally been small I consider there is value in exploring it further.
As I have previously advised the Deputy, I have requested that officials in the Department consider this model of care in the context of our overall commitment to enhancing opportunities for older people to stay in their homes and communities for longer. Unfortunately, due to competing pressures, there has been a delay in commencing this piece of work, however preliminary scoping work of the Scheme is expected to commence shortly which will include consideration of the Regulations and the financial arrangements in place with the providers.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (826)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:826. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the current shortfall of over 100 nurse specialists in neurology in the Irish healthcare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34078/22]
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
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (827)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:827. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists in the community in the Sligo area; if they are taking referrals for new patients at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34092/22]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (828)
John McGuinness
Ceist:828. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the services and supports that are available in counties Carlow and Kilkenny to parents that have a child with Down's syndrome; if he has plans to expand the services available and improve existing services; if funding is in place for the next three years to achieve the improvements and expansion necessary; the funding that was provided over the past three years; and the headings under which the funding was spent relative to Down's syndrome services. [34094/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (829)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:829. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he or the Minister of State with special responsibility for disability has met with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the ongoing delays in assessment of needs for the children of its members. [34100/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the organisation's request for a meeting is currently being considered.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (830)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:830. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres that are open and operational across the country; the location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34103/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.