Written Answers Nos. 155-170
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a payment of €300 recently made for a stamp 1 visa will be refunded to a person (details supplied) who was subsequently awarded stamp 4 within a short number of months and had to pay another €300 fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50665/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have confirmed that once the person referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application online to register the Stamp 4 immigration permission granted and that application is at processing stage, a refund of that fee will then be issued.
Since 20 July 2020 all renewals for the Dublin area are being processed online at: inisonline.jahs.ie.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
156. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he is taking steps to pay those undertaking work placements to become a social worker for their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50683/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent social workers like many other healthcare students do not receive remuneration or an allowance to support time spent on clinical placements as part of their training.
There are only a small number of healthcare courses where the students receive allowances to support clinical placements during training. These allowances have been in place for a number of years and based on specific requirements of the individual training program.
Across the health and social care disciplines, there are approximately 7,330 Health and Social Care Professional students in training who will, at different stages, require clinical placement in hospital and healthcare settings. The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements varies between disciplines. Students are not employees and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity. This is a key part of the learning in all undergraduate programs.
The HSE will continue to support the training of student social workers and to seek ways to improve their training experience including considering ways to support student placement closer to the college in which they train.
157. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if Beaumont Hospital is lacking five neurology nurse specialists (details supplied); the efforts that are being made to fill these posts; when the posts will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/22]
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.
158. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of meetings and expenses allocated to members of a forum (details supplied) payable by the HSE in 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50403/22]
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.
159. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will address the urgent situation facing a family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50404/22]
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.
160. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the closure of a nursing home (details supplied) in County Cork and the lack of respite beds. [50405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding to support people to access long-term residential care is provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include:- Costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home
- Local market prices
- Historic prices- Overall budgetary capacity The NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009 and there is no role for Ministers or the Department in these negotiations. It should also be noted that the Department continues to work with the NTPF to take forward the recommended actions that emerged from the review of the NTPF pricing system published in June 2021. I am aware that a number of nursing homes have closed this year, with several new closures notified in recent weeks. The closure of any nursing homes reduces bed capacity and puts pressure on other local health and social care facilities, including acute hospitals. Ensuring the welfare and safety of residents is secured when nursing homes close is the most important thing and work to alleviate the concerns of nursing home residents must continue. All nursing homes, as registered providers with HIQA, have well-established obligations under the legal framework in terms of the delivery of safe care to residents. As per regulations, HIQA must also be notified of any closure with 6 months’ notice. It is essential that when nursing homes are intending to close, residents and their families are consulted with and given appropriate notice so that new homes can be found and they can be moved in a safe, planned way. The continued wellbeing of nursing home residents and their families remains my continued focus. The Government has provided substantial supports to the nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €144 million has been claimed by nursing homes under the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) since its introduction in 2020. The Government has now agreed to extend TAPS to the end of the year by maintaining the availability of Outbreak Assistance support. The scheme will also be refocused on addressing this year's inflationary pressures related to energy and heating, whilst continuing to support nursing homes with the cost of managing COVID-19 outbreaks. Details are being finalised and these will be communicated in the coming days. Substantial additional supports have also been provided by the HSE in terms of serial testing, PPE, the deployment of specialist teams and other services. Many of these supports continue. Finally, in response to the strategic workforce challenges in the nursing home and home care sector, a Cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group was established earlier this year. The Group has been working to a tight timeline and is currently finalising a report which will outline a set of recommendations for my consideration. Respite care may be based in the community within the persons own home or in residential care settings through HSE managed facilities, by agreement with local/ national voluntary organisations or by contracted private facilities. As of 31 August 2022, the HSE Bed Public Register for Older Persons reports that there are 1,466 short stay beds available across our public residential units. 225 of these beds are identified as general respite and a further 24 beds defined as dementia specific. There are also a further 189 beds categorised for convalescent care, which may also be used for respite purposes. In CHO 4 the register reports that there are 142 short stay beds, of which 42 are identified as respite with a further 50 identified as for convalescent care. It is important to note that these figures relate to publicly managed residential units and do not take into account respite beds sourced though contractual arrangement with voluntary or private agencies. In addition, Transitional Care funding continues to support discharging patients who have completed their acute care and who required long stay residential care under the Nursing Home Support Scheme or who required convalescence up to 4 weeks prior to returning home.
161. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of adults and children who are on public dental and orthodontic waiting lists for each month of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, by county, region and CHO in tabular form. [50408/22]
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.
162. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of claims that were made under the dental treatment services scheme; and the number of dentists making claims for each month of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, by LHO, CHO and region in tabular form. [50409/22]
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.
163. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of publicly-employed dentists, orthodontists, dental surgeons, dental nurses, and other dental orthodontic staff by staff grade for each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, by LHO, CHO and region in tabular form. [50410/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
164. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been provided for MS sufferers in Budget 2023; if he has included a request by an organisation (details supplied) for additional funding from the HSE to provide an additional 1220 additional bed nights at a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50423/22]
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.
165. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure an ASD assessment is prioritised and scheduled for a person (details supplied). [50426/22]
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.
166. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the support for the Irish survivors of thalidomide Bill; when he expects to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with members of the Irish Thalidomide Association in February last and assured them of the Government’s commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs. Following that meeting, the designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs, commenced a process to develop recommendations for future planning and pathways of care for survivor’s health care needs now and into the future. The recommendations will also inform the work already underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on a statutory footing as committed to by the Government. It is not possible at this stage to say when the Bill will be published.
Following a Government decision in 1975, Irish survivors of thalidomide have been in receipt of monthly payments for life from the Irish State. The range of supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor also include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means, which includes access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment and housing adaptations.
The German Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013 it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury. It is open to any Irish person to apply to the Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government, commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors.
167. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will include ADHD inattentive on the long-term illness scheme for those aged 16 years and over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50439/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Children under 16 years of age with a diagnosis of ADHD come within the ‘mental illness’ category of the LTI scheme.
Statutory Instrument No. 277 of 1971 sets out the following limitation on Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970: "Arrangements for the supply of drugs and medicines to persons suffering from mental illness in pursuance of section 59 (3) of the Act shall be made only in respect of persons under the age of 16 years." Therefore, the HSE must regard 16 years of age as the upper age limit in terms of eligibility under the LTI scheme for those with a diagnosis of mental illness.
The LTI scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. However, it is not possible at this juncture to say what the outcome of this review will be.
In the meantime, there are other arrangements which protect people from excessive medical costs. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
168. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has been provided with an estimate of the increase in nursing home running costs; if the payment levels towards running costs under the fair deal scheme will be re-evaluated; and the provision that has been made for this in the estimates for 2023. [50443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has provided substantial supports to the nursing home sector over the course of the pandemic. Over €144 million has been claimed by nursing homes under the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) since its introduction in 2020. The Government has now agreed to extend TAPS to the end of the year by maintaining the availability of Outbreak Assistance support. The scheme will also be refocused on addressing this year's inflationary pressures related to energy and heating, whilst continuing to support nursing homes with the cost of managing COVID-19 outbreaks. Details are being finalised and these will be communicated in the coming days.
Substantial additional supports have also been provided by the HSE in terms of serial testing, PPE, the deployment of specialist teams and other services. Many of these supports continue.
Funding to support people to access services in the sector continues to be provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF following negotiations and based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include:- Costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home- Local market prices- Historic prices- Overall budgetary capacityThe NTPF carry out this role independently under the NHSS Act 2009 and there is no role for Ministers or the Department in these negotiations. It should also be noted that the Department continues to work with the NTPF to take forward the recommended actions that emerged from the review of the NTPF pricing system published in June 2021.
As I announced prior to Budget Day, my priority over the past weeks has been to secure additional funding for Budget 2023 to ensure the continuation of all services to a high standard. Long-term residential care will be supported through €47 million of additional funding for the Nursing Home Support Scheme to maintain services and manage inflationary increases.
In addition, the Department is also taking forward the nine recommendations of the Value for Money Review on Nursing Home costs published last December.
169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if he will provide a schedule of the services that his Department provides to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50452/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department coordinates the provision of healthcare services for refugees, including beneficiaries of temporary protection and applicants for international protection. The Department is committed to providing access to healthcare services for refugees arriving in Ireland under the various government programmes that are in place, including international protection and temporary protection. Currently, healthcare services are being provided for over 60,000 refugees across over 800 accommodation facilities, including primary care, public health, mental health, disabilities, acute hospitals and maternity services. To supplement the activities of staff coordinating this work across various policy units in the Department, the Department has established a Ukraine refugee coordination group. This group has an Administrative Officer and Higher Executive Officer assigned on a fulltime basis.
The Department works closely with the Office of the National Director, Integrated Operations – Planning and the National Office for Social Inclusion in the HSE, which has operational responsibility for the delivery of healthcare services for refugees.
My Department engages on an ongoing basis with the Department Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to the provision of healthcare services for refugees in the accommodation facilities provided by that department. Similarly, the HSE has regular engagement with officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to the provision of healthcare services for refugees in the accommodation facilities it provides. The HSE is co-located at the national transit and reception centre for refugees in Citywest, which is managed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The HSE is also a partner in the community forums set up by local government to coordinate services for Ukrainian refugees.
The Department is represented at Principal Officer level on the programme board to oversee the transition to the new International Protection Support Service, convened by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Department is represented at Assistant Secretary level on the senior officials group coordinating the government’s humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis, convened by the Department of the Taoiseach and including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
170. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health if he will he clarify the net income threshold for single householders to qualify for free GP care (details supplied); the expected date for the implementation of this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced, Budget 2023 will increase the eligibility of people for General Practice (GP) access cards. The scheme will be expanded to cover all children aged 6 and 7 by the end of 2022 and, from 1 April 2023, eligibility will be extended to people who earn the median household income of €46,000 or less. It will be adjusted for people living alone and for those with children; further operational details will be made available prior to the commencement of the income-based expansion. It is envisaged that these measures will be supported by a significant package of additional capacity supports to GP practices
