Written Answers Nos. 527-542
527. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to upgrade the radiology machine in a centre (details supplied); if there are plans to ensure both machines there are in full working order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have sought further information regarding this particular radiology machine from the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). The NCCP have notified my officials that they will respond as soon as possible, and my officials will update the deputy without delay once they receive the NCCP's response.
528. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when Tullow, County Carlow, will get a primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47020/22]
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.
529. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the payment of the pandemic bonus to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47021/22]
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 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 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.
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.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
530. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when a list of doctors providing free contraception will be made available by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47022/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with Programme for Government and Women’s Health Action Plan commitments to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort, I launched the free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25 on Wednesday 14th September. Funding of approximately €9m was allocated for free contraception in Budget 2022.
The scheme is now open to all 17-25 year-old women ordinarily resident in Ireland and provides for:
- The cost of prescription contraception;
- The cost of necessary consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;
- 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 training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
- The cost of providing the wide range of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders, which are also 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 legal framework for the scheme is provided by the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 2022, which was enacted in July, 2022. The contraception provisions of the Act were commenced on the 14th September, 2022.
Citizen engagement information and publicity campaigns to support and promote the roll out of the scheme were launched, also on the 14th September, by 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.
Digital information regarding the scheme, how to access it and wider information on contraceptive options is available through www.sexualwellbeing.ie; printed contraceptive choices materials will be placed in GP surgeries from later in September.
As the Health Services Executive are updating the www.sexualwellbeing.ie site with the resources to support implementation and as this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
531. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have received the pandemic bonus payment; and the number of applications received for same. [47023/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The vast majority of eligible HSE and Section 38 staff have received the Pandemic Recognition Payment, with approximately 123,549 such staff having received the payment by 16th September 2022.
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:
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.
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. Once a process for payment is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
In relation to the Deputy's second query, as a process for payment to eligible staff in non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations has not yet been put in place, applications for these staff have not yet been received.
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a payment for approved application under the discretionary hardship arrangement in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reinstated, which seems to have temporarily stopped given that the patient still requires the medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47068/22]
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.
533. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when the day care services will resume to five days per week at a centre (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47078/22]
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.
534. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the plan to move therapists from the children’s disability network team to special schools; if any obstacles have arisen in the transfer; and the action that is being taken to overcome them. [47080/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
535. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the reason that there is a delay in issuing Covid recognition payments; when the Covid recognition payment will be made to agency healthcare assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47085/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The vast majority of eligible HSE and Section 38 staff have received the Pandemic Recognition Payment, with approximately 123,549 such staff having received the payment by 16th September 2022.
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:
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.
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.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of these non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations 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. Once the process for rolling out payments is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
536. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when funding will be allocated to an applicant (details supplied) to the nursing home support scheme in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47086/22]
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.
537. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the plans that are under way to ensure that adequate support is provided to home dialysis patients in the context of the current crisis to ensure that they continue to receive their lifesaving and sustaining treatment at home and can afford same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47087/22]
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.
538. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of care workers in both the voluntary and private care sectors yet to receive the pandemic bonus payment for front-line workers; when such outstanding payments will be made; the reason for any delays in payments being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47088/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
The vast majority of eligible HSE and Section 38 staff have received the Pandemic Recognition Payment, with approximately 123,549 such staff having received the payment by 16th September 2022.
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:
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.
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.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of these non-HSE/Section 38 organisations 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. 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, it would be premature, at this point, to provide an estimated number of workers who will be eligible for the payment.
Once the process for rolling out payments is published, the Department is keen that payments to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible thereafter.
539. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider adding desmopressin nasal spray to the general medical services scheme given that the tablet version of the same medication is already covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47098/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy Directly, as soon as possible.
540. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to close the accident and emergency department in Navan Hospital. [47114/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Lady’s Hospital Navan is one of nine designated Model 2 Hospitals under the Smaller Hospitals’ Framework which was approved by Government in 2013. Navan is the last of those hospitals identified for reconfiguration to Model 2.
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE has proposed a process of planned service changes at Navan and has advised that these changes are necessary to support safe service delivery on a sustained basis, and are driven first and foremost by patient safety considerations.
While recognising the very real clinical concerns identified, the Government is clear that several important issues, including additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care, would need to be fully addressed before any proposed transition by the HSE.
I have asked the HSE to undertake a review of capacity. This review is currently underway and the HSE has advised that it expects it to be completed shortly.
541. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting list of 900-plus grade 5 patients who are awaiting orthodontic treatment in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47121/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have the greatest level of need and have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. I am aware of that there are currently significant delays in accessing this service and that the HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times.
The HSE is developing service improvement initiatives to ensure that all referrals will receive an orthodontic assessment within 6 months and that the number of inappropriate referrals will be reduced.
Access to orthodontic treatment in another EU jurisdiction is also available under the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive for patients that are already on an orthodontic treatment waiting list. Many patients in border areas have accessed care in Northern Ireland through this route pre-Brexit. This is being continued through the Northern Ireland Planned Health Care Scheme.
As part of the question is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this, as soon as possible.
542. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will give detailed consideration to the pre-budget 2023 submission by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47127/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions on the funding of cancer services next year are being made in the context of the Estimates process for 2023. The points raised in all Pre-Budget Submissions have been noted and you can be assured that all stakeholder views will be considered during the Service Planning process for 2023.
