Written Answers Nos. 1772-1791
1772. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the research that has led to the HSE national home birth service recommending that women accessing the service should reside 30 minutes or less blue light distance from their nearest maternity service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42981/22]
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.
1773. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The HSE and the Department have been examining progressing the rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment 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 on-site 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 front-line 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.
1774. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that front-line non-residential staff working in section 39 agencies are eligible for the pandemic bonus payment (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42990/22]
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 19 January, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19 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 have been 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 on-site in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. 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 front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The Department is not in a position to assess or comment on individual cases. Please be advised that 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.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played an important role during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It was very tough to draw a line on this matter. 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.
1775. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to update the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland overseas application process; if he will ensure clarity and address any issues around required applicant information and documents as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42991/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) is responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives in Ireland, including the registration of nurses and midwives.
During the latter part of 2021, the NMBI had been experiencing an increased volume of overseas registration applications as well as delays in processing applications overall. Following consultation, my Department sanctioned additional resources to deal with the backlog. These have been in place for some time now and producing results.
In the period 01 January to 31 July 2022, NMBI issued 3,583 Decision Letters (DLs) to overseas applicants. This is higher than the number issued during the full year of 2021 (2,430) and NMBI expects to have issued about 5,500 by year-end, which will be more than double the 2021 total.
A Decision Letter is a key milestone for applicants and allows them to take the final steps toward registration. Approximately 80% of nurses and midwives pass their required compensation measures (either an adaptation period or an aptitude test) and convert to a registrant within six months of their decision letter being issued. Following registration, they can join the nursing and midwifery workforce.’
In the period up to January 2022, 95% of initial applications received by NMBI were incomplete applications. This increases the lead in time for registration as time is lost while individuals gather (and supply to NMBI) the necessary documents and information which had not been supplied initially. As of the end of August 2022, only 55% of applications were incomplete at the point of submission, which is a substantial improvement. The NMBI continues to work with key agencies and stakeholders as part of its role in supporting applicants, including aiming to further reduce the number of incomplete applications received.
In addition to assisting applicants, the NMBI’s approach is to reduce the timeframe in responding to incomplete submissions, thereby speeding up the process. Currently, these applications are assessed within 4 days of submission and applications that require re-assessment are reviewed within 5 days of receiving the additional necessary documents or information which had been sought from applicants. Once again this is a significant improvement since January 2022.
As the Deputy may be aware the NMBI has a number of statutory obligations to protect the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and to protect the integrity of the practice of the professions of nursing and midwifery. Maintaining a high level of scrutiny in the assessment of applications is an essential element of this protection.
1776. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of monkeypox vaccines administered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42995/22]
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.
1777. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the criteria applied to determine the person or body that is eligible for a monkeypox vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42996/22]
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.
1778. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of monkeypox vaccines available; the anticipated number of persons who will require a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42997/22]
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.
1779. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the body of evidence used to inform the recent recommendation by the National Women and Infants Health Programme that no woman who lives further than 30 minutes away from a maternity hospital or maternity unit can give birth at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42998/22]
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.
1780. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the organisation structures and rationale of groups (details supplied) within the HSE; if he will confirm the person or body that has oversight over each of these groups; if he will outline to whom each of these groups are accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1781. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43005/22]
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.
1782. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the eligibility criteria for the pandemic bonus payment for healthcare workers; if staff from an organisation (details supplied) who worked on the front line throughout the pandemic are eligible for this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 19 January, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19 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 have been 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 on-site 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 front-line 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.
1783. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedics in training with the National Ambulance Service by year of training and cohort in tabular form; the intake number in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the numbers graduating in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43021/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1784. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by HSE staff by staff category to date by month in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43022/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1785. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of overtime hours worked by HSE staff by staff category by month in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43023/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1787. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider including Tusla social care workers who worked through the Covid-19 pandemic in the pandemic bonus payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 19 January, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19 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 have been 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 on-site in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. 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. 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 front-line 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.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played an important role during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It was very tough to draw a line on this matter. 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.
1788. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in progressing an MC1(e) emergency medical card application in the case of a person (details supplied); when a card is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43048/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
1789. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review the pandemic bonus payment of €1,000 for a healthcare worker (details supplied); if he will provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On 19 January, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19 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 my Department cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise that the HSE and the Department have been 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 on-site 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 front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
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.
1790. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in CHO 8 who are currently waiting to access the child disability network team in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43059/22]
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.
1791. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if respite will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43061/22]
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.
