Written Answers Nos. 180-199
180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to health service workers in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56838/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
181. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the delay in processing the payments to Section 39 organisations to bring their pay levels in line with those employed by Section 38 agencies; and if the matter will be expedited.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
While the Government does provide assistance, under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to services that the HSE may provide, it must be acknowledged that these organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. They were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements and are therefore not covered by the pay restoration provided for in these Agreements, including Building Momentum.
An agreement was reached at the WRC in October 2018, in relation to a process of pay restoration for staff employed by 50 Section 39 agencies. Pay restoration commenced in April 2019 with an annual pay increase of up to €1,000. Any outstanding balance was paid in 2020 and 2021. A further WRC engagement followed in December 2020 in relation to a final phase of 250 organisations who were identified as part of the earlier agreement. A payment arrangement consisting of three phases was agreed with the first two payments to be made in 2021, and the third and final payment due to be made in 2023.
A process along these lines could play a useful role in providing solutions to the current pay related issues that Section 39 organisations have raised. As this is an ongoing IR process, I am not in a position to provide any further information at this time.
182. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if exceptions can be made to medical card rules for a person who needs treatment (details supplied); if exemptions are available in emergency situations which would allow them to get the treatment on their GMS card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56857/22]
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.
183. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the dates that the manufacturer of evusheld initially offered availability of the treatment in Ireland and applied for reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56868/22]
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 Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a date for ENT surgery at Sligo University Hospital; if they are on the routine or emergency waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56869/22]
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.
185. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 366 of 26 May 2022, if he will outline all payments made to all contractors and recruitment firms detailed in the other categories for greater than 60k for each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022. [56873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
186. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 366 of 26 May 2022, the financial audits and value-for-money investigations that have been carried out on spending as outlined. [56874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational/service matter in relation to assessment of this area of spend, I have referred this to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
187. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies in public health nursing by LHO and CHO; the number of public health nurses employed directly by the HSE; the number employed by agency and temporary secondment by each CHO and LHO; and the cost associated with the agency staff in tabular form. [56902/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
188. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56913/22]
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.
189. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the reason that a reconstructive skin removal surgeon has not yet been appointed as part of obesity care; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are huge issues associated with significant weight loss resulting in excess skin which causes many issues, including physical, psychological and emotional difficulties and weight regain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56928/22]
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.
190. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the progress that has been made on his work to introduce a public health obesity act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” published in June 2020 contained a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”.
The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
The review of the OPAP is due to be published shortly. It is informed by an evaluation of the OPAP undertaken by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork, which included an assessment through an online survey by numerous experts and stakeholders.
The review provides the opportunity to consider developments and new evidence since the publication of the OPAP, and to assess which elements might best be further progressed by legislation or by other means. A high level of interdepartmental collaboration is required to implement measures aimed at tackling obesity and in the preparation and implementation of legislation, as well as extensive stakeholder consultation.
In terms of the PfG commitment relating to legislation relating to restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children, I would like to refer to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 which was brought to the Oireachtas by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, Media and Gaeltacht.
The Bill will dissolve the BAI and establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. Under the Bill, broadcasting codes will ultimately be superseded by media service codes, which will apply to both video-on-demand and broadcasting services. Furthermore, An Coimisiún will be enabled to make online safety codes which apply to designated online services, such as video-sharing platform services (e.g. YouTube). Similar to broadcasting codes such as the CCCC, media service and online safety codes may provide for the regulation of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages which may be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children.
As the Department responsible for public health policy, the Department of Health would expect to contribute to and be consulted on the making of any codes by Coimisiún na Meán relating to the advertisement of food or beverages at children. The Bill has passed all stages in the Seanad and has moved to the Dáil, where it has passed the Committee Stage.
191. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of residents in the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton on 1 January 2021; the facilities that each of those residents from that date onwards have moved to since, including the number of residents who may have moved to the same facility; the number of residents who have moved to single rooms; the number of residents who have moved to shared rooms in other facilities; the number of other residents in those shared rooms in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57001/22]
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.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their pension increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the payment of pensions is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
193. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to provide specialist gynaecology services for individuals with down syndrome. [57014/22]
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.
194. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of private consultants who have run clinics in public hospitals paid through the National Treatment Purchase Fund over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57018/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the issue raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my Department that Public hospitals can approach the NTPF for insourcing funds to run initiatives within their own hospital or using the resources of a third party. These initiatives are designed by the public hospitals and all governance in relation to these initiatives remain with the public hospital at all times. The NTPF does not collect data in relation to the staffing of these initiatives. All initiatives submitted to the NTPF for approval must comply with public pay guidelines
195. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of times that he has visited County Clare since the Government took office; and the locations that he visited in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57034/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease note that due to the cyber attack, data relating to the Minister’s diary is inaccessible pre June 2021.
25/08/2021 The Minister visited the Clare Testing Centre, Block 1 Ballymalley Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare
196. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total financial amount on both a daily and yearly basis, of EU fines being paid by his Department in 2022; if he will provide the corresponding figures for 2020 and 2021, including the specifics of each case in his Department. [56781/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials will examine the matter and will communicate directly with the deputy with the information requested, as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1269 of 8 November 2022, the number of times that his Department met with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in my previous reply, a legal and regulatory review of forestry licensing was carried out by Philip Lee LLP and, following extensive stakeholder engagement, their Report, together with the supporting documents, has been published on my Department's website at the following link: gov.ie - Regulatory Review of Forestry (www.gov.ie)
As stated in their report, between 1st November 2021 and 23rd June 2022, the Philip Lee team engaged in almost 60 virtual bilateral meetings with the Project Woodland Project Board, the Working Groups, Department officials, individual stakeholders and the Forestry Policy Group. 18 of those meetings were with Departmental officials and were held remotely. These were held so that the consultant had a complete understanding of the forestry licensing system and in order to monitor progress on the contract.
The person named made a presentation on her report to all Department Forestry staff on 12th September 2022 by Webex.
198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of all horse deaths on Irish racetracks per track from 2008 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [56817/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
199. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fertiliser quality checks carried-out by his Department; the procedures followed for same; the results of the tests carried-out to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56842/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the authority responsible for carrying out market surveillance for fertilisers in Ireland.
As part of the risk-based control programme, in 2022 a total of 150 samples were taken at manufacturers’ premises and the laboratory results are available for 100 samples to date. The remaining results are expected shortly.
Of the results available to date, 326 individual analyses were performed for fertilisers and an out-of-tolerance was recorded for 9.5 % of these. Tolerance for individual parameters range from 0.4 - 1.1% Fertiliser manufacturers were informed of all out-of-tolerance results and asked to investigate the root cause. All out-of-tolerance results are followed up with the operator responsible and required the root cause of the non-compliance to be identified.
The Department controls are updated to ensure samples are taken from those operators who had non-compliant results in the following year's programme.
