Written Answers Nos. 1652-1671
1652. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in distributing the €1000 pandemic bonus payment to certain eligible frontline workers, including section 39 workers; when all those eligible will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42538/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the Deputy is aware, 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. 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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision 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, but this work is being given priority attention.
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.
1653. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be given a healthcare appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42542/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1654. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if section 39 organisations will receive the pandemic payment as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42547/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
As the Deputy is aware, 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. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
While the Department cannot comment on individual cases, 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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-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.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
1655. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic recognition payment will be paid to student nurses and midwives in University Hospital Galway, Merlin Park hospital and Portiuncula hospital Ballinasloe. [42552/22]
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:
www.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 recognition payment will be made to those employed directly by the HSE or a Section 38 organisation and who fit the eligibility criteria set out at the above link. Eligibility includes having worked onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments for a minimum of 4 weeks between the 1st of March 2020 and 30th of June 2021. For those who meet all eligibility criteria set out, payments should be made as soon as possible.
1656. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the consultation on draft regulations for providers of home support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe are happy to address concerns you have raised on behalf of the Justice of Wards group relating to the public consultation on ‘draft regulations for providers of home support’. We in the Department of Health acknowledge that recipients of home support services are a diverse group of people and it is our hope that they have been represented in the 200 plus responses we received when the 7-week consultation closed on August 4th. The Institute of Public Health has begun to analyse responses, but it is estimated that over 50% were from individuals of which a significant proportion were service users or their relatives.
Organisational responses indicate a broad reach including Age Action, Alzheimer Society, Inclusion Ireland, SAGE, Family Carers Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. We engaged with a large stakeholder communication list which included public, private and not for profit providers, health professional groups, trade unions and patient advocacy and disease specific support groups.
Survey links were shared through reminder email communication and home support providers were asked to share this information with service users. On the Department of Health website, we made available the draft regulations in easy read and plain english versions and the survey was designed to accommodate those who did not wish to answer all of the questions. Contact details were provided if further information required.
With the support of the Disability Partnership Consultation Network, information sessions were facilitated online in order to engage service users that may have otherwise found it difficult to express their views. We have also facilitated presentations to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group and to other groups.
The perspective of those who use services is important to us. All responses received will inform amendments to the regulations which will enhance the quality of home support services by introducing minimum requirements. If the Justice for Wards group require any further information, they can make this request by emailing HSRConsultation@health.gov.ie.
1657. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on the shortage of retail pharmacists in Ireland; and if he has made representations to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation, Research and Science with a view to developing a strategy to increase the number of persons qualifying as retail pharmacists. [42561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for raising this issue. This is a complex problem with many contributing factors and multiple stakeholders. Workforce challenges are being experienced in other sectors nationally, and in the pharmacy sector in a range of other countries. However, robust data for Ireland is needed to be able to determine the current landscape, assess future health system needs and understand existing sectoral challenges now and into the future.
I understand that currently there are reports of a current acute workforce issue, particularly in relation to community pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has been liaising with stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), on efforts being taken within the sector to understand and address the issue.
In February 2022, PSI met with a number of superintendent pharmacists and the IPU. The PSI also circulated a survey on behalf of the IPU to all registrants to support efforts to understand and address the issue in the short term. The fieldwork on the research was undertaken online by the IPU between 22 March and 8 April 2022. The results of which have just been finalised and recommendations have been prepared by the IPU based on their findings. The report is currently under review by the Department of Health who will continue to liaise with relevant stakeholders on this matter.
In developing its Corporate Strategy 2021-2023, the PSI was aware, through its role as the pharmacy regulator as well as through reports from stakeholders, of an increasing risk to the continued availability of a pharmacist workforce. This highlighted a need to focus on community and hospital pharmacy, with a concern being that the issue might be exacerbated into the future. The PSI are currently undertaking a project, due to run across 2022-’23, titled ‘Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce’. This project is set to “assess emerging risks to the continued availability of a professional pharmacy workforce within community and hospital pharmacy in Ireland”.
The European Commission is also currently supporting a health and social care workforce planning strategy and action plan, a health and social care workforce planning model, health and social care workforce projections and gap analysis project. Support includes recommendations for health and social care workforce reforms.
There are currently three Schools of Pharmacy within universities in Ireland – TCD, RCSI and UCC who each provide an accredited five-year fully integrated Master’s degree programme in pharmacy (MPharm). On successful completion of the five-year programme, graduates are then eligible to apply to the PSI for registration through the National Route of registration. As part of their Emerging Risks to the Future Pharmacy Workforce project, PSI have committed to share any relevant data emerging as part of that project with relevant Government departments, along with relevant first-time registration data with the relevant Government departments, particularly if trends are identified that indicate a future deficit.
It will be on the basis of gathering and analysing up-to-date, robust and relevant data, that recommendations can be proposed to address Ireland’s needs for a pharmacist workforce in the future, as Ireland’s healthcare system evolves, and in the context of Sláintecare implementation. I will engage as necessary with government colleagues in addressing relevant issues as they arise.
1658. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the very serious concerns raised in the recently published HIQA Disability Overview Report 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42563/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Disability Overview Report 2021. Overall, the report highlights the extent of the work undertaken by inspectors in 2021, and notes that a majority of centres provide good quality support and care to people with disabilities
However the reported deterioration in overall compliance with Governance and Management regulations since the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. Good governance and management are vital in order to provide high quality services to all residents in the centres.
In centres where the quality of support is insufficient or inadequate, the inspection and monitoring of centres by inspectors ensures that providers are required to take action to rectify issues in relation to the safety and quality of life for people with disabilities.
I am also confident that work currently underway around Regulatory Reform, Safeguarding Legislation, and The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act (2015), further underpinned by legislation and policy already in place will lead to positive outcomes, ensuring a safe, good quality of life for all within Designated Centres for Disabilities.
Officials of the Department of Health continue to engage with key stakeholders and sector partners on relevant matters arising from the Overview Report.
1659. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention and that of his Department were drawn to the protected disclosure in respect of an unnamed care home in Cork (details supplied); if the care home has subsequently been inspected by HIQA; if so, the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42564/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the national independent regulator of health and social care services and through its powers assesses whether services are providing high-quality, safe and effective services and supports. As a regulator HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints, however, the Authority does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections.
The Department received correspondence in relation to the unnamed nursing home referred to in the Deputy’s Question. The concerns raised in the correspondence were referred to the Authority. HIQA has confirmed that following receipt of the unsolicited information an inspection of the centre was conducted. I understand that the report of the inspection is currently being finalised and will go through HIQA’s standard publication process.
1660. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when section 38 and 39 organisations and their staff will receive the Covid bonus payment; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42568/22]
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: www.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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision 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, but this work is being given priority attention.
It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-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.
1661. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the provision of the primary care centre scheduled for Bangor Erris, County Mayo; the timeline for delivery of this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42569/22]
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.
1662. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he plans to ensure that the recently announced free contraception programme for women aged between 17 and 25 years will also apply to those availing of online prescriptions for oral contraceptive pills; if online consultations and repeat prescriptions will be part of the proposed free access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 2020 commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort. My Department has been working with partners, including the HSE, towards ensuring that the scheme will commence in September, 2022. Funding of approximately €9m has been allocated for this in Budget 2022.
The scheme will be open to all 17-25 year-old women ordinarily resident in Ireland and will provide for:
- The cost of prescription contraception;
- The cost of consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same. Consultations will include both initial discussions of suitable contraception for each patient, and necessary check-ups to provide repeat prescriptions;
- 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 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 cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
The legal framework for the scheme is provided by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 2022, which was enacted in July, 2022. It is envisaged that the Act will be commenced, and the scheme launched, once the Regulations setting the terms and conditions relating to the provision of services and fees, etc., are expected to be enacted later this week. It is envisaged that the scheme will go live next week (the week commencing 12 September 2022).
The Department of Health and the HSE are working with service providers in term of preparations for scheme commencement. It is typically the case that formal agreement with the main medical and pharmacy representative organisations is reached regarding the detail of service provision, prior to engagement with other smaller providers.
I can confirm that officials in the Department have contacted smaller specialist service providers, with a view to discussing possible engagement with the scheme and to discuss any issues they may wish to raise.
With specific regard to telemedicine, it will be necessary to have the provision of prescription contraception in this manner reviewed by clinical experts, prior to inclusion in the scheme. Advice from the relevant clinical experts has been sought in this regard. If the clinical advice is that it is appropriate in terms of patient safety, etc., for prescriptions for oral contraceptives to be issued through online consultations under a State sponsored scheme (i.e. without the ability to carry out physical checks using calibrated equipment, etc.), amendments will be required to the Regulations that will lay out the terms and conditions of scheme participation for providers, following negotiations with providers to agree these.
Completing these requirements may take a little additional time; therefore it may not be possible to include such providers in the scheme from the outset. However, their inclusion is being actively worked on and we are hoping to include these options as soon as the appropriate clinical and regulatory processes have been completed.
The design of citizen engagement information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll out of the scheme is currently being finalised by officials in the Department’s Press and Communications Team, the HSE’s Communications team and relevant subject matter experts in the Department and HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
The campaign will target 17-25 year olds with a broader reach to all adults through an extensive media engagement and outreach programme on broadcast and video on demand services; digital out of home advertising in a variety of locations including third level institutes, retail settings etc; targeted and an organic social media campaign. Digital information regarding the scheme and how to access it will be available through www.sexualwellbeing.ie shortly and contraceptive choices materials will be placed in GP surgeries from later in September.
1663. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic bonus payment will be paid to section 39 staff in an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42592/22]
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: www.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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-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.
1664. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health if agency staff such as a person (details supplied) who are working on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic are entitled to the pandemic bonus payment; and when they can expect payment. [42593/22]
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: www.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.
While the Department cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise that 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. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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;
Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
Information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/non-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.
I would like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
1665. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42594/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1666. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42596/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1667. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the provision that is being made to increase the current general anaesthetic MRI services for children at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin; when further funding will be provided to increase the current two-day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42597/22]
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.
1668. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of paediatric patients in Ireland awaiting a general anaesthetic slot for an MRI; the average length of time spent on the waiting list for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42598/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
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.
1669. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the expenditure of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan funding of €75m for e-health and ICT by programme to date in tabular form; the amount remaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42614/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Recovery and Resilience facility (RRF) is funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Ireland will provide funding for two important digital projects in the health sector. It will part fund the investment required to deliver the Integrated Financial Management System and also provide an important source of funding for the ePharmacy programme and investment in community ICT. 2022 is the first year that Health can draw down from the RRF. Actual drawdowns will depend on the performance of vendors contracted to provide key deliverables, and the HSE being satisfied with the quality of those deliverables. The HSE have estimated that the total expenditure in 2022 will be in the order of €9 million. There is a total of €75m allocated for digital health projects over the lifetime of the EU RRF programme. The HSE estimate at least a further €20 million of expenditure in 2023.
Disbursement of funds is performance based and funds requested by project will be based on expenditure incurred for milestones and targets achieved. No application for funds under the facility for the suite of digital health projects has yet been made. Payment requests will be made through the coordinating national implementing body, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, at the appropriate times agreed by them under operational arrangements with the European Commission.
Any funding that cannot be drawn down in 2022, because of the timing of the digital health projects versus the schedule for drawing down funds as defined by the EU, can and will be drawn down in 2023.
1670. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the total cost staffing across all grades including management and agency workers within the UL Hospital Group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42619/22]
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.
1671. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged immediately at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied). [42625/22]
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.
