Written Answers Nos. 1853-1873
1854. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are eligible for the pandemic bonus payment and have received same; the number of eligible persons who have not received the payment to date; the date on which all persons eligible will receive the payment; if his attention has been drawn to a delay in payment; and his plans to address this. [43278/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The rollout of the Pandemic Recognition Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 2nd September, 85,012 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes Section 38 agencies which are estimated to have paid 36,475 staff to date thereby bringing the total number of employees paid to 121,487.
In relation to the number of eligible HSE/Section 38 staff that are yet to be paid, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
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 onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments. This shall cover eligible staff in:
- 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.
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. Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
As the rollout of payments to the eligible workers in non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations has not yet begun, and eligibility has not yet been assessed across the private sector, I cannot provide an estimated number of workers who will receive the payment.
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.
1855. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an issue (details supplied) regarding the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43280/22]
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 cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise that 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 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.
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.
Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
I would like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
1856. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the impact of rising inflation on the nursing home industry and the resulting rising costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43283/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1857. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on the current crisis caused by rising inflation and costs for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1858. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to nursing homes to help them combat rising inflation and costs that are putting pressure on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1856 to 1858, inclusive, together.
I am acutely aware of the specific challenges faced by the Nursing Home sector related to price inflation and increased energy costs. I am currently working on proposals to support smaller and voluntary nursing homes in relation to the specific challenges they are experiencing and hope to make an announcement soon.
I engage consistently on an ongoing basis with Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes. I have met directly with NHI and updated them in detail on progress being made in relation to this matter. I have also met with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to request that they consider the matter alongside departmental officials. I have visited a number of Nursing Homes to discuss this issue with management of both public and private/voluntary nursing units. It is imperative that nursing homes manage potential cost pressures in line with their regulatory and contractual responsibilities, maintaining their quality of care so that residents’ lived experience and comfort is not affected.
The Government has also provided substantial supports to the nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €143 million has been claimed by nursing homes under the TAPS scheme since spring 2020, and the scheme continues in effect. Substantial additional supports have been provided by the HSE in terms of serial testing, PPE, the deployment of specialist teams and other services. Many of these supports continue.
1859. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the new European Union Health Union proposal which allows customers to collect their prescription in any pharmacy in Europe; if Ireland will join this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43287/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 504 of 2014), facilitate the recognition of medical prescriptions issued in another EU/EEA Member State. This regulation arises from legislative change at a European level regarding patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare and the recognition of medical prescriptions issued in another EU/EEA Member State. They give effect in Ireland to Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare and Commission Implementing Directive 2012/52/EU of 20 December 2012 laying down measures to facilitate the recognition of medical prescriptions issued in another Member State
There is no specific format or form for a prescription, however it must contain minimum specified information, and the prescription presented will be dispensed in accordance with the prescribing and dispensing rules of the Member State it is presented in. The medicinal product being requested must also be licensed for supply in that state, and practitioners are only entitled to prescribe medicinal products which they are legally entitled to do in the EEA state in which the prescription is issued. The prescription must also not be issued with a view to enabling the supply of a medicinal product by mail order.
Currently patients are advised to obtain a paper copy of any prescription intended to be obtained in another Member State as e- prescribing is not uniformly implemented across all EU states.
In Ireland, the HSE ePharmacy Programme has initiated the National e-Prescribing Project to plan, resource and implement e-Prescribing. Successful delivery of e-Prescribing will facilitate further developments in e-Prescribing including the EU Open NCP project, which will allow the cross border sharing of prescriptions to allow patients to collect their prescriptions in the EU
1860. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) for a hearing aid will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43291/22]
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.
1861. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the steps that he will take to address the recruitment and retention issues for staff working in section 39 organisations and the consequences which the current pay differential is having on service delivery for these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43293/22]
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.
1862. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if payment of the pandemic bonus payment is available to a home help healthcare support assistant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43295/22]
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 cannot comment on individual cases, I can advise that 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 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 non-HSE/non-Section 38 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.
1863. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43296/22]
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.
1865. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on an amended fair deal scheme to remove disincentives for sale and rental of vacant properties under Housing for All. [43334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on 22 July 2021, and commenced on 20th October, introduces further safeguards in the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. It also includes an amendment in relation to applying the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a house while a resident is in long-term care, which removes a disincentive for scheme participants against selling properties that might otherwise remain vacant. The 2021 Act now extends the 3-year cap to cover the proceeds of sale, so that a person will be able to sell their home without incurring additional fees from their fourth year in long-term residential care onwards. This applies even if the home is sold before 3 years in care; the proceeds of sale will be assessed up to the 3-year point, but excluded from assessment after that. This addresses the first relevant commitment in the Housing for All Strategy (action 19.7).
The Government has also approved a policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme “Fair Deal”, to incentivise applicants to the Scheme to rent out their principal residence after they have entered long term residential care. The rate of assessment for rental properties will be reduced from 80% to 40% for income from all principal residences. This will be reviewed after six months of operation, with the potential for further amendment after that point. This policy change addresses the commitments made under Housing For All Action 19.8.
The change was made through Committee-Stage amendment to the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment) Bill 2022. The Bill was approved by the Oireachtas on 30th June and signed into law by President Higgins in July. However, there will be a further period before the Act comes into force, in order to allow for administrative and operational changes, as well as any other necessary arrangements, to be put in place.
1866. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will take action to address the lengthy waiting lists for public orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe waiting list for the orthodontic service is maintained based on chronological date of referral and clinical need. Some children are given priority for treatment if the severity of their case requires it.
In 2021, the HSE commenced a new procurement that allows patients to have treatment with private Specialist Orthodontists. The Waiting list plan initiative for 2022 included €11 million in funding to be made available for identified community initiatives, including a focus on orthodontics.
A HSE orthodontic treatment waiting list initiative in 2022 will see Children and Young People assessed as Grade 4 who have been waiting over 4 years for treatment at a cost of €2.8m. As of 30 August, 884 children and young people have been taken off the orthodontics waiting list using private providers under this new procurement framework. It is anticipated that the orthodontics waiting list initiative will continue to the end of the year.
The option of the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme may be available to patients who have a urgent clinical need for treatment. The Scheme allows patients to choose to go to Northern Ireland for treatment. This option is managed through a National Service and has a separate funding structure to the Orthodontic Service. If a patient opts to avail of orthodontic treatment through the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme the patient is discharged from the HSE Orthodontic Service.
1867. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the Minister for Education on the matter of school transport since June 2022; and if he will publish any correspondence shared with the Minister for Education on same. [43358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not engaged with my colleague, the Minister for Education on the matter of school transport during the period outlined by the Deputy. My constituency office has received various correspondence on this matter from constituents, which have been handled like any other representations received, responded to where appropriate, and forwarded, where required, to the relevant departments for follow up.
1868. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount that his Department has spent on advertising on social media in 2021 and to date in 2022; the amount spent per platform; and the campaigns per platform in tabular form. [43377/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked my officials to prepare an updated table on the amount spent by my Department on advertising on social media in 2021 and to date in 2022 in the requested format, which will be sent to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1870. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he, in consultation with the HSE, will ensure that the recruitment process in the National Ambulance Service is streamlined (details supplied). [43397/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the matter enclosed with the Deputy's question is an operational issue for the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly as soon as possible.
1871. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the services available for children who have ASD and who also have mental health difficulties. [43401/22]
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.
1872. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost if 500,000 extra dementia home support hours were provided in 2023. [43402/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1873. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) is eligible for a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43419/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The rollout of the Pandemic Recognition 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 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 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.
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.
Once this process is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
I would like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
