Written Answers Nos. 312-331
312. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of nights that there has been no doctor available in Shannondoc in 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48726/22]
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.
313. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of adult medical card holders in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48727/22]
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.
314. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the number of persons within his Department who are working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48737/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the €110m in the cost-of-living budget package that has been allocated to the Department of Health, €100m is designated to provide once-off support to Section 39 bodies; including nursing homes and hospices. The remaining €10m is designated to be used on capital projects to support the provision of mental health services. The Department is working with the HSE to plan and develop the formula for the awarding and administration of funding to individual organisations. We intend to progress and implement this as soon as possible in order to expedite payments to these organisations quickly. With regards to payments to organisations funded by Tusla, this would be a matter for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and not the Minister of Health.
315. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 827 of 12 July 2022, if he will confirm that the staffing issue with the children’s disability network team in Carlow has been resolved; if staffing levels have risen beyond 3.51; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48777/22]
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.
316. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when the three vacant whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists will be filled; the steps that he has taken to ensure that these posts are filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48778/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
317. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the dental appointment waiting list for counties Carlow and Kilkenny as of 27 September 2022; the average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48784/22]
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.
318. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that visited the accident and emergency department at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny in each of the years of 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [48785/22]
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.
319. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a person or their family with power of attorney rent out a house in a case in which the person is in receipt of the fair deal scheme which would therefore free-up housing availability. [48795/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has 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. The necessary administrative and operational changes are currently being made. Once these are in place, the amendments will be commenced imminently.
320. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current status of the National Children’s Hospital; the expected completion date; the current expected total spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Children’s Hospital (NCH) project comprises the main hospital on a shared campus at St James’s, the Outpatient and Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and the Outpatient and Emergency Care Centre at Tallaght University Hospital. The two satellite centres are open and operational.
Works on the main site are progressing well, with the NCH clearly visible on the Dublin skyline as external scaffolding is coming down. The major focus throughout 2022 has been, and continues to be, the internal fit-out. The most advanced areas have finished floors, walls, ceilings and joinery, such as nursing stations installed, and plumbing of the ensuite bathroom fittings. Other areas such as the Emergency Department, Imaging, Critical Care and Therapy areas are progressing at pace. The NCH was connected to a permanent supply of power from the ESB network earlier this year. Other key milestones expected in 2022 include the completion of the main biome glazed structure encasing the feature stairway and lifts, completion of the rooflights and ward end glazing to the Level 4 Rainbow Garden.
Nevertheless, this remains a very complex project with over 40,000 activities detailed in the contractor’s programme, to complete over 6,000 spaces within the new building. The first of the rooms will be complete in the coming weeks and ready for system commissioning, while the rest of 4,600 clinical rooms will follow in a detailed and planned sequence.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has advised that the main contractor’s own schedule suggests completion of the project can be achieved by March 2024 which would mean the NCH at St James’s could open in the second half of 2024, after the necessary commissioning period. The NPHDB is working to ensure that contractor will meet its own schedule.
In 2018, Government approved a capital budget of €1.433bn for the NCH project. This included the capital costs for the main hospital at St James's Hospital campus, the two satellite centres, equipment for the three sites, and the construction of the carpark and retail spaces. To date, just over €1.1bn of the €1.433bn budget has been drawn down for works on the project across the three sites.
There are a number of items not included in this investment figure as there was no price certainly for them and nor can there be, for some, for the duration of the project. These include the sectoral employment order, recovery by the contractor for construction inflation greater than 4%, the impact of Covid-19, statutory changes, any change in scope resulting in healthcare policy changes, provisional sums, the impact of Covid-19, the contractors right to claim for additional true costs in line with public works contract provisions, and implementation of the 2019 PwC report recommendations.
Brexit, the pandemic, and the invasion of Ukraine have severely impacted supply chains, energy and transport costs, and the NCH project is not immune to these external challenges. Every effort is being taken to mitigate the risks but these externalities beyond the control of the contractor and the NPHDB make speculation and more definitive forecasting unwise at this point in time.
321. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the present status of the setting up of an independent radiation therapy review which was agreed as part of a Workplace Relations Commission hearing in 2021 (details supplied); if a full update will be provided in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
322. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the funding schemes that are in place for children and young people requiring transport to their disability day services in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and the HSE provide specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services. The HSE has no statutory obligation to provide transport services and no funding is allocated for this. Transport is not considered a core health service and as such Day Service funding does not include transport.
Some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used upon commencement of a day programme (where applicable), local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport providers and taxis, funded via a combination of service provider, HSE funding, service user contribution, and / or combined funding; and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
There are a range of transport supports available to persons with disabilities in the State, for example the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners; the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; and CLÁR funding, approved by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, to voluntary organisations providing transport for people with significant mobility issues.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport. Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy contains a commitment to review all Government-funded transport and mobility supports, and to develop proposals for better coordination in this space going forward, and as such a Transport Working Group has been established under the NDIS. The Action 104 Transport Working Group is co-ordinated by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The outcomes of the work being progressed by the Action 104 Transport Working Group will provide a valuable evidence base for future policy development, which will progressed through appropriate structures going forward, including the successor strategy to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy.
323. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when he intends to establish an independent radiation therapist review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48832/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
324. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will set up an independent radiation therapist review as soon as possible; if he will commit to implementing any recommendations that arise of the review dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis of radiation therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent radiation therapist review has been agreed under the auspices of the WRC. Discussions are ongoing between the parties to finalise a Terms of Reference and appoint an independent chair. Outcomes of the review will be given due consideration by the Department of Health.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
325. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will approve funding sought by for the expansion of Westdoc in the southeast Galway general practitioner rota area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48836/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
326. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the national audit of CAMHS, following the Maskey report into south Kerry CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48859/22]
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.
327. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of each of the 35 recommendations in the Maskey Report for south Kerry CAMHS in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48860/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the status of the primary care centre in Rathdrum; the estimated completion date for the primary care centre; if a structural assessment has been carried-out on the site due to unfinished road servicing, electric vehicle infrastructure and reports of damage to internal walls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48861/22]
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.
329. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct his Department to reopen one of the PCR testing centres in Tallaght in view that that all PCR testing centres around the area have been closed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48867/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will make antigen tests free of charge and readily available to all frontline workers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48868/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
I have accepted updated advice from the interim Chief Medical Officer relating to COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Surveillance which has also been approved by the Government.
Based on the revised public health advice, COVID-19 testing will no longer be recommended for the general population. In the coming weeks, the HSE will be adopting a more targeted approach for COVID-19 testing which will be based on a clinical assessment where a clinician requires the result to contribute to the diagnosis and management of an individual patient, or where deemed necessary by Public Health in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk.
The approach to COVID-19 testing is facilitated by the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland. This is mitigating against the worst impacts of infection.
The HSE is also enhancing existing infectious disease surveillance systems so that we can ensure effective monitoring and signalling of what is happening with the virus at population level, and so that we can understand disease transmission and severity along with population immunity and risk.
The pandemic is not over and COVID-19 is still a concern so testing remains an important part of our ongoing response to the disease for individuals vulnerable to its effects and for whom testing is indicated. For everybody, continuing to follow our public health advice available on hse.ie is still important. Anybody who has symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone.
Anybody who has concerns about an underlying condition or their level of risk in relation to COVID-19 is advised to seek advice from their GP or treating clinician.
My Department, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL), overseen by the interim Chief Medical Officer, continue to review the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Ireland and internationally. This includes the on-going close monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and assessment of any potential threat to population health.
331. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will elaborate on the way that Budget 2023 will address capacity issues in CAMHS services; the amount of funding that will go towards increasing the availability of CAMHS services and mental health services for young persons in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48869/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.
