Written Answers Nos. 333-353
333. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of additional CDNT psychologists that would be required in the north Tipperary area to clear the current waiting list of 339 children in a twelve-month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59920/22]
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.
334. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if a person who is in need of a carer to assist them in their home but who is unable to source any carer and lives in an island setting has any entitlement to additional supports from her Department in terms of accessing home help and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59930/22]
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.
335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if urgent residential living and or care can be facilitated in the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59931/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
336. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied) who, following a GP referral to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Limerick, has yet to receive an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59934/22]
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.
337. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update with respect to the progression of the 50-bed St. Joseph’s Hospital development in Ardee, County Louth; when the project is expected to be completed; if he will supply any other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59940/22]
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.
338. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the exodus of dentists from the dental treatment services scheme; his plans to deal with the long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over.
I have been concerned that patients in some parts of the country have been having difficulty in accessing a local dentist. Therefore, following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, I introduced a package of measures from 1 May 2022 to expand the Scheme and increase the fees paid to contractors. This has led to an increase in the numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS in recent months.
I am also committed to improving access to oral healthcare services in the longer term through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte . An unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year and support substantial service reform, through policy implementation. This is additional to the €148 million that is already provided for oral healthcare each year across the DTSS, the HSE Public Dental Service and orthodontic services provided by the HSE.
On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence, including through work on the development of a new medical card scheme. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláinte will prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.
The HSE is available to assist anyone who is struggling to access a dentist. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE directly assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by contacting private contractors or arranging treatment through HSE employed dentists.
The €15 million additional Budget 2023 award includes €5 million to support the HSE to continue to provide this emergency care service across the country next year, as well as to provide care to the targeted primary school class programme, and preparation is underway in the HSE for the use of this funding.
339. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the average response time of ambulances in County Kildare; the number ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
340. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount that his Department and the Health Service Executive have provided to organisations (details supplied) in relation to nursing and midwifery recruitment in each of the years 2019 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59958/22]
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.
341. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the contract of the midland youth drug and alcohol service will be extended beyond December 2022; his plans to ensure that such services are available in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59965/22]
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.
342. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in filling the vacancy of the CEO of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Board of the HSE remains on target to have the post filled by year end.
Revised timeline for recruitment of replacement Chief Executive, Health Service Executive as provided by the HSE.
|
Key Stage |
Estimated Delivery |
|
Publication of Tender to OGP Search Framework |
w/e 22 July 2022 |
|
Advertisement |
Friday, 23 September 2022 (subject to Search RFT issuing as above) |
|
Closing date for applications |
Thursday, 13 October 2022 |
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Interview Board Briefing Meeting |
w/c 24 October 2022 |
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Shortlist applications & close of search process |
w/c 31 October 2022 |
|
Preliminary Interview |
w/c 23 November 2022 |
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Final Interview |
w/c 14 December 2022 |
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Final Recommendation to the Board |
w/c 14 December 2022 |
343. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason that Covid-19 testing is being wound down in the midlands given that we are heading into winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have accepted updated advice from the Chief Medical Officer relating to COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Surveillance which has also been approved by the Government.
In the coming weeks, the HSE will be adopting a 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. Swabbing will be undertaken by GPs in these circumstances. Testing will also take place where deemed necessary by Public Health in relation to the management of an outbreak or specific public health risk.
Based on the revised public health advice, community swabbing will no longer be a feature of our COVID-19 response as testing will no longer be recommended for the general population. The implementation of this advice will reduce the scale of testing and contact tracing around the country and is leading to consolidation of resources in the period ahead, including the closure of community testing facilities which will no longer be required. The HSE has also developed extensive plans for surge and emergency responses for future requirements for testing and tracing should that need be identified. This includes additional resources that I have provided to the National Ambulance Service to recruit permanent Intermediate Care Operatives who will be deployed for swabbing purposes should the need arise to reintroduce community swabbing in the future but who will be deployed on ambulance service duties in the meantime. I have been informed by the HSE that the number of staff working in swabbing centres will reduce in November as part of this transition and due to the reduced demand for COVID-19 Testing. HSE managers have met these staff individually and are seeking potential reassignment opportunities into suitable funded vacancies for those who are interested in continued employment with HSE.
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.
I have also provided additional resources to the HSE to ensure enhancements are put in place to existing infectious disease surveillance systems. This will 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 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.
344. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a placement. [59969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.
345. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the capacity of the new building of Monasterevin day care will exceed the current capacity of the service; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59985/22]
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.
346. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of service users that will be able to be accommodated in the new building of Monasterevin day care; if investment will be made to enable the service to open for more than two days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59986/22]
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.
347. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current use of the building owned by the HSE at Patrick St. Portarlington, County Laois at the intersection of the R420 and R419; if it will be made available for community use or housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm the building at Patrick St. Portarlington, County Laois is owned by the HSE. The property was the former Portarlington Health Centre, and it is owned freehold by the HSE.
I refer to the ongoing Government initiatives in respect of sourcing suitable properties for use in the provision of accommodation under Housing for All and also as part of the Ukrainian Accommodation Response.
Earlier this year the HSE provided details to the Department of Housing of properties in the health estate that may be suitable for use in providing housing and accommodation. I can confirm that Portarlington Health Centre has been included on this list.
Given the urgent and important work being done under the all-of-Government approach in relation to both Housing for All and the provision of accommodation to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland, my Department and the HSE will continue to engage in the all of government efforts to address these important matters.
348. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the considerations that have been given to the establishment of a long-Covid clinic in the Southeast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59991/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision of a long-Covid clinic for Cork University Hospital; the staffing resources and vacancies for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59992/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.
350. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if progress has been made with respect to recruitment of occupational therapists in County Louth; if neighbouring areas with suitable levels of occupational therapists could transfer or redirect services; if persons will be offered appointments in neighbouring areas, in order to deal with the absolutely unacceptable void in services in the Louth area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59993/22]
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.
351. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the policies that are in place for the protection of employees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59994/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
352. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of facilities that have closed and ceased operations by name and location since the payments were awarded, of the recent TAPS payments of nearly €150 million distributed to nursing homes throughout the country to help manage the response to Covid-19; if any nursing homes voluntarily returned monies to his Department for any reason in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59996/22]
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.
353. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April last, the Government approved a Compensation Scheme for individuals identified as affected by the Maskey Report. This Scheme is being administered by the State Claims Agency (SCA). Such a compensation scheme was called for by many mental health advocates, including families in South Kerry.
The Scheme is designed to provide full compensation in line with a court ruling but without the stress for families of court proceedings. As was also 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. The HSE continues to provide care or other appropriate supports to those affected by the Maskey Report. This involves engagement with families locally, including the Kerry CAMHS Family Support Group . The Executive established a Clinical Liaison Support Team based in Killarney to offer the necessary key worker/case manager contact to those affected and to consult with them around the clinical and other supports available to them and to ensure they receive such supports in a timely manner. Those affected can also contact the HSE on the South Kerry CAMHS Lookback Review information line 1800 742 800 for information
As the SCA is an independent agency in terms of its role and responsibilities, the Department of Health and HSE are not placed to provide the Deputy with the specific information around process and update regarding scheduled payments. This information should instead be sought through the SCA.
