Written Answers Nos. 1591-1610
1591. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of respite beds available in County Louth in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, inclusive, in tabular form, by year, number and location, including services for disabled persons and older persons; the details of future plans to expand the number of available beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42325/22]
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.
1592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of transition and step-down beds available in County Louth in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, inclusive, in tabular form, by year, number and location, including services for disabled persons and older persons; the details of future plans to expand the number of available beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42326/22]
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.
1593. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for section 39 workers to achieve pay parity with public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42327/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
Under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides assistance to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to a service that the HSE may provide. However, Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the employer and the employee.
1594. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the necessary early intervention services will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42328/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1595. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of beds available in Our Lady of Lourdes and Louth County hospitals in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, inclusive, by department; the projected increase and decrease in the number of beds in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42329/22]
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
1596. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposal for an etender framework to outsource audiology services to reduce waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42330/22]
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.
1597. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek details on the discussion from within the HSE to open a new primary care centre in Dunleer, County Louth given the significant population increase in the area; the details of HSE owned premises in the area that would be suitable for the project; the projected cost of such an addition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42339/22]
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.
1599. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if it is intended for Covid-19 to be considered as an occupational injury for those working in health, social and other care settings, in which infection risk is increased, as is the case in several other European Union member states. [42343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1600. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason that the criteria in HR circular 22/2022, which relates to the new temporary scheme of paid leave for public health service employees who are unfit for work post Covid-19 infection, excludes employees who do not work in a Covid-19 exposed environment as defined in the Risk Assessment for Covid-19 Vaccination Guidelines for Healthcare Workers but who contracted Covid-19 in their workplace during 2020 and 2021; and if his Department will reconsider this exclusion given the number of healthcare workers impacted by long Covid. [42344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1601. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the action that has been taken by his Department and individual hospitals to provide support to employees who contracted Covid-19 in their workplace; and the supports that are provided to staff who contracted Covid-19 in their workplace and now live with long Covid. [42345/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1599 to 1601, inclusive, together.
Both the Government and I recognise that the staff of the public health service have gone beyond the call of duty, providing patient care in frontline Covid clinically exposed environments, treating Covid positive patients throughout the most challenging phases of the pandemic. Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) is available for the recommended isolation period, for public health sector workers who contract Covid. SLWP provides for paid leave, including full pay, any fixed allowances payable as well as premium payments.
For those who remain unfit to attend the workplace and are suffering from long Covid, a scheme, specific to the public health service has been developed to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection. This Scheme will ensure that eligible public health sector employees who remain absent from the workplace re long Covid, do not experience a ‘cliff edge’ in respect of the revision of SLWP provisions from the 1st July 2022. There is no proposal to change or extend the eligibility criteria of the Scheme.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and employees who meet the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme will be notified promptly by their employer that they will transfer to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in respect of occupational supports being provided in this regard.
1602. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on dentists who have re-registered, if any, to provide services to medical card holders in counties Louth and Meath since the recent announcement on improved contracts for the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42347/22]
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.
1603. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further details on the need to provide additional HPV vaccination supplies and options to secondary schools for those not vaccinated in the 2020-2021 term considering the figures to date which show a considerable reduction on uptake in the previous two years, in particular to ensure that students from low-income families can still avail of the vaccine where they cannot pay privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42348/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage.
In October 2021, my Department asked the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
I can confirm that the NIAC has submitted its advices in relation to the HPV Vaccination Programme to my Department. As part of its advices, the NIAC noted that HPV vaccination should be prioritised for unvaccinated second level students and females under the age of 25 years.
In line with that advice, I have asked the HSE to provide an opportunity for all boys and girls in secondary schools who were previously eligible to receive the HPV vaccine and who have not yet, for whatever reason, received it, to now be offered the vaccine.
I have also asked the HSE to provide options on how best to introduce a catch-up programme for young women who have now left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when they were eligible.
I will be in a position to outline timeframes once the HSE has completed its examination of potential implementation options.
1604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to set up scalp-cooling services in the oncology ward of the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42355/22]
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.
1605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to introduce a national screening programme for persons aged 60 years and over for cardiovascular disease, including structural heart disease given that early diagnosis is vital in the treatment of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, or the introduction of new programmes, such as screening for structural heart disease, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
It may be of interest to note that the NSAC held its first 'Annual Call’ in 2021, which gave the public an opportunity to suggest new screening programmes or modifications to existing ones and the Committee are currently reviewing the submissions received. I will be guided by their advice to ensure Ireland’s population-based screening programmes continue to evolve in line with new evidence and developments.
It is important to remember that population-based screening programmes are for healthy people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP who will arrange appropriate follow-up care. The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Philip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults which includes structural heart diseases.
The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is in the concluding stages and the Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report with the most recent meeting held on 11th August 2022, and the next meeting scheduled for mid-September 2022. As noted above, any newly proposed heart disease screening recommendations resulting from the review will be subject to consideration and advice of NSAC.
1606. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time boys must wait for an operation for hypospadias; the number of children who have now passed the age of two years, by which they should normally have been treated; the average age for a child still waiting for an operation; the number of surgeons who perform the operation in Ireland; the discrepancies, if any, that exist in waiting list times for children based on geographical areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42381/22]
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.
1607. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will make dexcom available to all persons with diabetes under the general medical card scheme or long-term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42388/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical items, 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.
1608. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health when the issue regarding the provision of ceiling hoists and tracks for persons with disabilities will be finalised with the HSE and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities to meet their needs. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.
The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These works can include making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom, toilet or stairlift. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Applications to the Health Service Executive for a wide range of aids and appliances - including beds, wheelchairs, mobile hoists, respiratory equipment etc - are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility under the Health Act 1970 (as amended). These applications are made under the Community Funded Schemes and are considered by Resource Allocation Groups within each Community Health Organisation. A determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets. These aids and appliances play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community. The Community Funded Schemes have not funded fixed ceiling-track hoists given the need for structural adaptations necessary to install them and, also, that they had been funded under the Housing Adaptation Grants.
In late 2020, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offered guidance to local authorities that fixed ceiling-track hoists should not be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants. Engagement is ongoing between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this matter – with a view to resolving the difficult issues involved as soon as possible and ensuring that people receive the services they require.
1609. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years who await first-time intervention in all areas of early intervention in each community healthcare organisation, CHO, by individual area and each composite local health office, LHO, within each CHO; the number on the public list; the number on the children's disability network team list in each CHO, in tabular form; and the length of time children have waited for intervention, by age. [42393/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1610. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [42397/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
