Written Answers Nos. 586-605
586. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are currently on the waiting list for an appointment to attend the weight management clinic (details supplied) broken down by CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals are still impacted by operational challenges arising from the pandemic.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
For 2023, funding of €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists. This includes:
- €123 million in funding for delivery of the HSE Waiting List Action Plan, including priority areas such as Obesity/Bariatrics, Spina Bifida/Scoliosis and Gynaecology, as well as progressing longer-term reforms to sustainably enhance capacity. Other actions in the Action Plan will streamline and reconfigure care pathways.
- €150 million for the NTPF to procure additional capacity to reduce waiting lists.
- €90m for additional short-term measures to address acute scheduled care waiting list backlogs.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
587. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has been briefed by his officials in relation to other countries offering Covid booster vaccines to those under 50 years this winter (details supplied). [52752/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.The NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can view the updated guidelines here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
The NIAC has recommended a first mRNA booster vaccine for those aged 5-11 years with a weak immune system; a second mRNA booster dose for those aged 50-64 years, persons aged 12-49 years with an underlying medical condition or are residents of long-term care facilities.
The NIAC has also made a number of recommendations regarding the Autumn/Winter period. It has advised that healthcare workers are offered a second mRNA booster and a third mRNA booster is recommended for persons aged 65 years and older, and those aged 12-64 years who are immunocompromised. Both of these rollouts are now underway.
The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness and will make further recommendations if required.Further information on the booster vaccine rollout can be viewed here: www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-booster-dose/
588. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of people working in the Department’s press office; communications team; and social media team. [52783/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 12 officials working full time in my Department's Press and Communications office. The details requested by the Deputy are set out below:
|
Number of people working in the Department’s press office; communications team; and social media team. |
12 |
Duties carried out by the staff of the Press and Communications office include:
- Preparing / writing / editing and issuing press releases and speeches about the work of the Department and the Minister for Health, the Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability.
- Organising press briefings, media events and photocalls.
- Responding to media queries by phone, email, and letter.
- Developing and implementing communications campaigns.
- Collaborating and coordinating communications with colleagues across the health service, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), the seven Hospital Groups (HG) and the Community Healthcare Organisation's (CHO) communication teams.
- Managing the Department’s social media channels and content, providing videography production for the Department of Health and assisting with the maintenance of the Departmental website.
- Establishing and maintaining good relationships with journalists and the Government Information Service (GIS).
- Providing a news monitoring service for the Department of Health.
- Supporting and facilitating information sharing with Department of Health colleagues and other Government Departments.
589. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the new extension of a facility (details supplied) which is fully completed with 60 additional beds, will be fully operational; if the required number of nurses, care assistants, porters and administrative staff have been recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
590. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when work on the Golf Links Hotel in Blarney, County Cork, which was purchased by the HSE for the provision of step-down beds, will be completed; when it is envisaged that this facility will be fully staffed and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
591. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will set out in detail the number of additional step down-beds that will become available in each of the HSE operational areas from 1 November 2022, given that there will be increased pressures in the hospital services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52800/22]
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.
592. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the current position in respect of the discharge of patients from hospitals to step-down facilities in cases in which the patient or their immediate family are given no say by the HSE in respect of which step-down facility they are transferred to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52801/22]
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.
593. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting physiotherapy appointments in counties Roscommon and Galway; the length of time that they have been on the waiting list; the current wait time for an appointment; the steps that are being taken to address waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52803/22]
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.
594. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 568 of 14 September 2022, if he will provide a breakdown of the length of time that children have been on the waiting lists for occupational therapy appointments in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
595. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the reason that an organisation (details supplied) transferred its occupational therapy waiting list to the HSE in County Galway; if this has happened in other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52808/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
596. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway; if the referral is an emergency referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
597. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will honour Dr. Kathleen Lynn by naming the new national children’s hospital after her, recognising both her role in paediatric health and her role in the revolutionary period with both Cumann na mBan and the Irish Citizen Army, and in view of the efforts to recognise the historic contribution of women to Irish society. [52819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Children’s Health Act 2018 provided for the creation of Children’s Health Ireland, as the single new entity responsible for providing secondary and tertiary paediatric healthcare services, which are currently provided at four sites – Temple Street, Crumlin, Tallaght and Connolly. As was noted by my predecessor during the passage of this legislation through the Oireachtas, consideration will be given to a naming process. I can advise the Deputy that consideration of this matter is ongoing.
598. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) is now worse-off on their welfare payments due to increases in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
599. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 27 September 2022, the timeline for non-HSE and non-Section 39 organisations to receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52834/22]
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 are currently 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 onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/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.
Regarding cohorts 1-4 above, the HSE has recently tendered for an external provider to assist in setting up and implementing the process of gathering required information from the relevant employers, to facilitate payment of the Pandemic Recognition Payment to their eligible staff. I am eager for an efficient rollout process to begin very shortly as this contract comes into force.
Regarding cohorts 5 and 6, the Department and HSE are engaging with other Departments involved to progress payments as soon as possible for eligible staff.
600. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant properties that are owned by his Department; the estimated economic value of the vacant properties; and if he will provide a list of such properties. [52852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra601. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of properties that are being leased by his Department that are currently vacant; and if he will provide a list of such properties. [52870/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. I will survey the Department and the collated replies will be prepared into a full response to the Deputy as soon as possible.
602. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further detail on the national diabetes registry provided for in Budget 2023; if there is a framework for the delivery of the registry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2019 Sláintecare Integration funding was allocated to the HSE to design and procure a National Diabetes Registry demonstrator product and develop a full specification plan for a National Diabetes Registry. However, the project was paused as it was dependent on the input and expertise of key HSE staff who were redeployed onto urgent on-going COVID-19 work.
Following engagement with the HSE and with Diabetes Ireland, Budget 2023 provides the resources necessary to commence the work towards building the national registry. The funds allocated will permit the full scoping and design of the registry, the first stage in what is anticipated to be a multi-year project.
603. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified educational psychologists currently working within primary care services; the number of qualified educational psychologists currently working within children and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra666. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified educational psychologists currently working within primary care services; the number of qualified educational psychologists currently working within CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53309/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra686. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the current number of qualified educational psychologists working within primary care services and within CAMHS services. [53429/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra697. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified educational psychologists that currently work within primary care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra698. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified educational psychologists that currently work within children and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53481/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra719. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of qualified educational psychologists who currently work within CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53590/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 603, 666, 686, 697, 698 and 719 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
604. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the downgrading of health services on Arranmore island, for example the current community-registered nurse is not on the island full-time and there is no public health nurse, leading to people waiting longer for treatment and having to go to the mainland more often; his views on whether this is appropriate at a time when the population of the island is increasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52906/22]
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.
605. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the public health nurse network in the Dublin west region; if there is a timeframe available regarding when the service will return to normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52908/22]
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.
