Written Answers Nos. 693-712
693. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare workers who have initiated litigation proceedings against him and the HSE based on a claim that they suffer from long Covid after contracting the virus during the course of their work in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [35554/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the State Claims Agency that the National Incident Management System (NIMS) has identified a small number of Covid infection claims that have been lodged, however as the claims are at an early stage, it is not possible to advise how many of them feature, or the extent to which they feature long-Covid.
694. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if a review of the nursing home support scheme financial assessment will be conducted; the timeframe that has to elapse before the review can take place; if the value of a second house is capped for three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 'Fair Deal', is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants in the NHSS contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The process and procedure for determining financial assessment of means is prescribed in the existing legislation.
The capital value of an individual’s principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three-year cap, which is intended to protect the value of a principal private residence. However, this three-year cap is not applied to other assets, unless they are farm or business assets to which a family successor has been appointed.
Remaining non-cash assets, including a second house, land or additional properties, are assessed at 7.5% of their value per annum (3.75% if the person applying is part of a couple). The first €36,000 (€72,000 if part of a couple) of assets is excluded from the financial assessment.
If non-cash assets include land and property, the7.5% contribution based on this can be deferred by applying for an optional nursing home loan (Ancillary State Support).
Another financial review can be requested 12 months after the first assessment or the most recent review.
695. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35563/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
While my Department does not comment on individual cases, I can advise that 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: hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
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. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 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 the Defence Forces 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.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
696. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, to introduce a new national cardiovascular strategy in Ireland given the rising number of persons who are suffering from a form of cardiovascular disease; if any evaluation has been done as to the success of any previous strategy in this regard; if not, when same will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35564/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCardiovascular disease has been declining as a cause of death in Ireland, in line with trends throughout the Western World. This trend was reported in 1999 in Building Healthier Hearts, recording that death rates from CHD declined across all ages from the late 1970s through to the 1990s. This trend was further recorded in Changing Cardiovascular Health, noting that over 30-year period from 1980, age-standardised death rates from diseases of the circulatory system in Ireland had decreased by 67% in those both under and over 65 years of age. This declining trend in Ireland has continued in recent years.
In 2018, the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services was established by the Minister for Health to review the delivery of cardiac services nationally. The Review seeks to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. The National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults. Moreover, the Review considers the delivery of cardiac services nationally with a focus on the current prevention, detection and treatments of cardiovascular disease.
The COVID-19 Pandemic impacted on the progress of the review during 2020 and into 2021 as the Chair of the National Review has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. However, the Cardiac Services Review is now making progress again, and the Steering Group reconvened in September 2021 with a view to finalisation of the Report. The Steering Group most recently met on 26/05/2022 and the next meeting is being planned. The Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report.
697. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
698. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the percentage of acute inpatient beds occupied in public hospitals in each of the months to date in 2022, by hospital group and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35579/22]
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.
699. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the position in respect of the cessation of the pandemic bonus payment to front-line HSE workers on 1 July 2022; if he has plans to extend this scheme. [35580/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly 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: hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
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. 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 the Defence Forces to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
To clarify for the Deputy, the rollout of the pandemic recognition payment is not ceasing on 1 July. Rollout of the payment continues to eligible HSE and Section 38 employees who have not already received it, and work on the rollout of the payment to eligible employees of the 6 specific organisation types listed above is being progressed as a matter of priority.
700. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE fully funded vacant whole-time equivalent posts across primary, community, acute services and all other HSE-funded services, broken down by service and by post type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35593/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I've asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
701. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE fully funded whole-time equivalent posts not filled on a permanent basis, broken down by service and by post type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35594/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I've asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
702. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts which are fully-funded but vacant by consultant type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35595/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the data sought as soon as possible.
703. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts that are fully funded but not filled on a permanent basis, by consultant type, broken down by vacant post or post filled by agency staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35596/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the data sought as soon as possible.
704. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and bed type in each hospital; the number of staff employed in each level 4 hospital by staff grade; the total HSE revenue funding allocated to each hospital for 2021 and 2022; the number of hospital procedures and appointments carried out in each hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of cancellations of appointments and procedures in each hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35597/22]
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.
705. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and bed type, the number of staff by staff grade employed in each level 3 hospital, broken down by hospital; the total HSE revenue funding allocated to each hospital for 2021 and 2022; the number of hospital procedures and appointments carried out in each hospital in 2021 and to date; the number of cancellations of appointments and procedures in each hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35598/22]
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.
706. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and bed type, the number of staff and by staff grade employed in each level 1 and 2 hospital, broken down by hospital; the total HSE revenue funding allocated to each hospital for 2021 and 2022; the number of hospital procedures and appointments carried out in each hospital in 2021 and to date; the number of cancellations of appointments and procedures in each hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35599/22]
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.
707. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department presentations to each level 3 and 4 hospital in 2021 and to date in 2022 , broken down by month and by hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35600/22]
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.
708. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to local and minor injury units in each level 1 and level 2 hospital for 2021 and to date in 2022, broken down by month and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35601/22]
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.
709. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the functions of an acute medical unit, the nature of the work carried out in such a unit; the hospitals which have an acute medical unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35602/22]
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.
710. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the functions of an acute medical assessment unit; the nature of the work carried out in such a unit; the hospitals which have an AMAU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35603/22]
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.
711. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the functions of a medical assessment unit, MAU; the nature of the work carried out in such a unit; the hospitals that have an MAU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35604/22]
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.
712. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the functions of a medical short-stay unit; the nature of the work carried out in such a unit; the hospitals that have one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35605/22]
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.
