Written Answers Nos. 171-191
171. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if the new interim clinical guidance has issued to children's disability network teams; if CDNTs are currently conducting assessments of need and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53640/22]
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.
172. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of staff who have retired or resigned from children's disability network teams since all 91 teams became operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53641/22]
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.
173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made to date on the investigation into allegations made by a whistle-blower in April 2020 as a protected disclosure, regarding the care of patients during Covid-19 at a hospital (details supplied); the date this report will be published; the cost of the investigation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53645/22]
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.
174. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of residents that tragically lost their lives to Covid during the Covid outbreak in a care centre (details supplied) in January 2021; if he will provide the details on the staffing ratio to care for residents on the ground at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Covid-19 outbreak occurred in the centre referenced by the Deputy from late December 2020 to early March 2021. I am informed by the HSE that an outbreak control team was established by the local Department of Public Health and throughout the outbreak period, the HSE provided intensive supports to this centre through the local Covid Response Support Team.
This support included public health and Infection Prevention and Control support, PPE, resident and staff mass testing, assistance in sourcing agency staff, accommodation for staff under the HSE Temporary Staff Accommodation Scheme, and extensive and ongoing communication and support calls. In addition, first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were provided to residents and staff during this period.
Information in relation to staffing ratios in individual nursing homes is not held by the Department. The mortality rate for individual outbreaks cannot be provided. As the Deputy will appreciate the release of specific data may inadvertently compromise individuals personal and private information.
175. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the communications between the HSE and nursing home (details supplied) in Stradbally, County Laois during the Covid outbreak at Easter 2020; the supports that were provided by the HSE to the home at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53649/22]
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.
176. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of employees who are eligible to apply for the cycle to work scheme in his Department and the HSE in of the past five full calendar years from 2017 to 2021; and the number of employees who availed of the organisation's cycle to work scheme. [53653/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe below table shows the number of staff in the Department of Health who availed of the Cycle of Work scheme in each year between 2017 - 2021. The table also shows the number of staff who were eligible to apply for the scheme in each year which includes any staff member who was active in the department at any point during the year in question.
|
Year |
Eligible to Apply |
Availed of the Scheme |
|
2017 |
526 |
13 |
|
2018 |
572 |
16 |
|
2019 |
625 |
16 |
|
2020 |
709 |
28 |
|
2021 |
849 |
27 |
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to their workforce
177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if there is any subsidy for parents who wish to have their child vaccinated against meningococcal B (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53655/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department.
All children are offered MenB vaccine at 2 and 4 months of age with a booster dose of MenB vaccine given at 12 months. Vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge.
Parents may choose to have their older children vaccinated if they wish. If so, the parents should consult with their GP to arrange its administration on a private basis.
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a speech and language appointment will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53656/22]
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.
179. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if assistance will be provided in the case of a young person (details supplied) who has to pay for their HPV vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53663/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes exposed to HPV infection.
Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage.
In October 2021, my Department asked the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:
- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
The NIAC submitted advices in relation to the HPV Vaccination Programme to my Department which noted that HPV vaccination should be prioritised for unvaccinated second level students and females under the age of 25 years.
In line with the NIAC's advice, I have asked the HSE to facilitate and operationalise the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme.
This programme, which is expected to launch in mid-November 2022, will offer free HPV vaccines to all boys and girls in second level education who were previously eligible to receive the HPV vaccine and who have not yet, for whatever reason, received it.
Young women, up to the age of 25, who have now left secondary school, and who did not receive the vaccine, will also be eligible to receive the vaccine as part of the catch-up programme.
180. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a child (details supplied) is granted an earlier date for an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53668/22]
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.
181. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the lack of GP places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53678/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis in which the Minister has no role and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.
Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has to date been increased by €206.6m and is set to increase to €211.6m per annum next year when the Agreement is fully rolled out. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.
The number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022. The transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) which was concluded in 2021 will allow for the introduction of a new service model for GP training in Ireland and the further expansion GP training capacity in the years ahead. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.
These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice and will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.
182. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on a request by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April last, the Government approved a Compensation Scheme for individuals identified as affected by the Maskey Report. The Scheme is managed by the State Claims Agency (SCA,) which has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities, including the HSE. Such a compensation scheme was called for by many mental health advocates, including families in South Kerry.
The HSE have confirmed that around 120 applications have been received for the compensation scheme to-date. It is designed to provide full compensation in line with a court ruling but without the stress for families of court proceedings. As was indicated at the launch of the Scheme, families needed to engage a solicitor to apply on their behalf. This was done via the HSE, who then notified the SCA which took over and managed the whole process.
Up-front non-refundable payments of up to €5,000 were made available to those confirmed as eligible for the scheme to allow them discharge expenses immediately incurred, including cost of any independent expert psychiatric reports. Following various representations made to the Minister and the HSE, it was subsequently decided that the State Claims Agency could make a payment on account of up to €10,000 of General Damages to verified applicants of the compensation scheme, which payment will be deductible from any final assessment of Damages to be made in each claim. This is separate and in addition to the payment on account of €5,000 pursuant to the Scheme to assist in discharging any initial expense that may have been or will be incurred and it does not involve a change to the Scheme.
If an individual or family have specific issues about the Scheme, and for some reason they or their legal representatives do not have contact details for the SCA, they should raise concerns with HSE CHO4 for advice or assistance, including contact with the SCA.
It would not be appropriate for the Minister or the Department to become involved in operational details relating to a State compensation scheme. The priority for the Minister is that the HSE and SCA address collectively such issues at local level to progress individual cases.
183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will obtain an appointment for occupational therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53721/22]
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.
184. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for the Covid bonus payment for healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53745/22]
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 frontline 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.
The HSE 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.
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 want to reassure you that the Government is prioritising this payment and remains extremely appreciative for all our healthcare workers’ efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the integrated care hubs that are already operating or scheduled to open; the full staff compliment for each hub; the number of staff who have been recruited to date in each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53748/22]
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.
186. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be transferred from Letterkenny University Hospital to Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53759/22]
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.
187. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to increase the threshold for the over 70s medical card to ensure that the increases in social welfare payments are not negated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The HSE assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card and is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Regarding persons aged 70 or older, the medical card assessment is based on gross income. The weekly gross income thresholds for eligibility to a medical card for those aged 70 and over were increased in November 2020 and are currently €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. However, It should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. The means assessment determines an applicant’s eligibility allowing for taking account of one’s eligible expenses from their income. Given that this is a net assessment, it means that where one’s income or allowable expenses change there will be an impact on the decision about one’s eligibility. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, insurance, childcare, maintenance, nursing home costs, (detailed guidelines are available at: www2.hse.ie/file-library/medical-cards/medical-cards-national-assessment-guidelines.pdf).
It is important to note that certain social welfare payments are not included in the means assessment for a medical card. Changes to the rates in Budget 2023 include changes to these non-assessed payments and, therefore, changes will not have any bearing on the outcome of a medical card assessment. For other social welfare payments that are assessed as income for a medical card, it is noted that the increase in the rates in Budget 2023 would not be expected to make a substantial difference to the outcome of the assessment process.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues, including the current medical card income thresholds under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy and other issues which may be relevant.
188. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the supports that are being provided to a family (details supplied). [53816/22]
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.
189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports (details supplied) of increasing misuse of fentanyl; the steps that his Department is taking to combat abuse of this drug and the expected rise in misuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53817/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health and the HSE rely on a variety of sources to monitor drug trends. There have been no reports of increasing use of fentanyl.
The Early Warning Emerging Trends Committee is a sub-committee of the National Oversight Committee of the National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery 2017-2025. The sub-committee is chaired by the Department of Health and membership consists of a wide range of stakeholders including the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, Health Research Board, Revenue, An Garda Síochána, Forensic Science Ireland, State Laboratory, Hospitals, Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the HSE, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, academia and the voluntary sector. Among the functions of the committee is to receive, share and monitor on behalf of the Department of Health information on emerging trends and patterns in drug use particularly polydrug use and associated risks. Anyone with information on the use of fentanyl should share this with the committee.
The National Drug and Alcohol Survey (NDAS) collects information on alcohol and tobacco consumption and drug use among the general population in Ireland. The 2019–20 NDAS collected information from 5,762 people aged 15 years and older across Ireland. The survey included questions on the use of opioid relievers with only 0.02% of respondents reporting that they had used fentanyl.
The Irish National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) is an epidemiological database which records cases of death by drug and alcohol poisoning, and deaths among people who use drugs and/or those who are alcohol dependent. The synthetic opioids most commonly implicated in deaths (alone or with other synthetic opioids and/or drugs) were methadone (76%), followed by tramadol (16%) and oxycodone (7%). Other drugs implicated, albeit very rarely, were fentanyl, buprenorphine, tapentadol and dextropropoxyphene.
The National Drugs Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) is the national epidemiological surveillance database that records and reports on treated problem drug and alcohol use in Ireland. Between 2017 and 2020, out of a total of 39,562 cases treated for drugs as a main problem, only 21 cases were treated for fentanyl as a main or additional problem.
In Budget 2023, I secured €4 million in new development funding to expand the provision of drug and alcohol services to meet changing patterns of drug use and emerging trends. This investment will expand community-based drug and alcohol services, ensure the sustainability and increase the capacity of residential treatment services, mitigate the impact of drugs on children, families and communities and strengthen drug monitoring and harm reduction.
190. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will publish an independent review (details supplied) conducted as part of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 review. [53885/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 commenced in line with statutory and Government commitments in December 2021. The Review will assess the effectiveness of the operation of the legislation and will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The Review has 2 main phases. The first phase is comprised of a three-part approach to appraise the operation of the Act, with strands focusing on service users, service providers and a public consultation.
The second phase of the Review is being led by an independent Chair, Marie O’Shea BL, who will assess the extent to which the objectives of the 2018 Act have been achieved, analysing in that regard the findings of the three major research inputs.
A final report will be submitted to me, as Minister in late 2022 for my consideration.
191. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all teachers, teaching and school staff are made eligible to receive a Covid-19 booster vaccination immediately. [53886/22]
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 my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, 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. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed these recommendations and the rollout is 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/
