Written Answers Nos. 695-715
696. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the position of nursing homes charging additional money to clients who are in the fair deal scheme (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4350/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
- Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
- Bed and board;
- Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
- Laundry service.
Data from HSE indicates that, on average, NHSS residents cover around 30% of their cost of care, with the state covering the remaining 70%. This proportion is based on the assessment of residents' assets and income, rather than on the cost of providing their care, and has remained stable over recent years.
Costs not covered by the NHSS include those individually incurred for items like social activities, newspapers and hairdressing. This may also include medical services such as therapies and some medical equipment. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.
It is important to state that residents of nursing homes should enjoy the same levels of support and access to services as when they lived in their own homes. It is acknowledged that the reason they require 24 hour levels of support is due to their level of dependency, which in turn may require access to clinical services including hospital and other outpatient appointments in the community.
Although the NHSS covers core living expenses, residents can still incur some costs in a nursing home, as set out above. In recognition of this, anyone in receipt of financial support under the NHSS retains at least 20% of their income. The minimum amount that is retained is the equivalent of 20% of the State Pension (Non-Contributory).
The Department of Health is currently reviewing the available evidence and considering various policy options with relation to additional nursing home charges. Nursing homes should not levy additional charges on residents for services coming within scope of the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
Registered providers of nursing home care are obliged to provide an accessible and effective complaints procedure. Concerns about additional charges should in the first instance be taken up with the nursing home provider. Where an individual is not satisfied with the response they receive, they may wish to take their complaint further by seeking a review from the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies and, from 24 August 2015, complaints relating to the administrative actions of private nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaint’s procedure of the private nursing home concerned.
The Ombudsman can be contacted as follows:
Office of the Ombudsman
6 Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
D02 W773
Tel. (01) 639 5600 / Lo-call (1890) 22 30 30
e-mail at ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie
An individual can also use the following website to make a complaint to office of the Ombudsman at the ‘Make A Complaint’ portal on www.ombudsman.ie.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body with a dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. CCPC’s mission is to promote competition and enhance consumer welfare. The CCPC has published consumer protection guidelines for contracts of care in long-term residential care services for older people. The guidelines set out the obligations and responsibilities that providers must adhere to under consumer protection law and are aimed at providing greater transparency, clarity and certainty for consumers.
697. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate community mental health community services to assist a person (details supplied). [4353/23]
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.
698. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent closure of a resource centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4354/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra699. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will guarantee the same level of services will be provided to people in addiction and their families following the closure of a resource centre (details supplied); if he will guarantee the services that will be available in the Cabra area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4355/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 699 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. This is composited with another PQ on the same topic.
700. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the transport support Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4361/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative Schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport had responsibility for the continued development of the availability of accessible public transport. The Department of Transport is committed to this in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, a Transport Working Group was established to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The commitment under Action 104 was to ‘lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and [to] develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources’.
The Working Group considered proposals to inform the development of a coordinated plan for the enhancement of Government-funded transport and mobility supports available to people with disabilities. The Report will be published on DCEDIY's website shortly.
Developments which will impact on the policy options include the following: -
The ongoing progress by the Department of Transport in providing accessible public transport nationally and that Department's review of active travel and public transport policy, including accessible public transport;
The Cost of Disability Study, commissioned by the Department of Social Protection, which will inform policy direction in relation to the provision of adequate supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including transport costs; and
The Department of Finance's review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.
701. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the date the HSE received its commissioned report from an organisation (details supplied) into the running of St. Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park, following a protected disclosure; the cost to date of this report; if it has now been finalised; if not, the reason for this delay; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4459/23]
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.
702. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to open the accident and emergency and ICU in Nenagh hospital. [4462/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013, the Smaller Hospitals Framework defined the role of smaller hospitals and outlined the need for both smaller and larger hospitals to operate within Hospital Groups. The Framework identified the activities that can be performed in smaller Model 2 hospitals, in a safe and sustainable manner. In developing our smaller hospitals, the first and overriding priority is the safety of patients.
This Framework provided a stronger role for smaller hospitals, like Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals, in delivering a higher volume of less complex care in many cases closer to patients’ homes. It also ensures that patients who require true emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in a larger hospital environment.
Regarding hospitals in the University of Limerick Hospital Group, in April 2009, a process of reconfiguration commenced with the closure of the 24-7 emergency departments in Ennis and Nenagh. These emergency departments were replaced with Medical Assessment Units (MAUs) for GP referrals; and by local injury units/urgent care centres for self-referrals and operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week. These changes were supported by an Emergency Care Network, which had been set up in the region and led by Consultants in Emergency Medicine. These consultants, while based in UHL, have clinical responsibility for the Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John's. Additional Consultants in Emergency Medicine were recruited to support these changes in addition to Advanced Nurse Practitioners for the Injury Units in the smaller hospitals and for the ED in UHL.
Within the UL Hospitals Group, there are two Model 2 Hospitals, Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals. St John's Hospital is classified as a Model 2S Hospital, i.e. St. John's can carry out intermediate surgery, which requires in-patient stay and accommodation in addition to day case surgery. These hospitals play a pivotal role in the delivery of high-quality patient care within the region. The UL Group also includes Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Limerick.
The model 2 hospitals accept transfers of appropriate patients from UHL on a daily basis. These patients can either be stepped down from an inpatient ward in UHL or they may, where a clinician has decided it is appropriate, transfer to Ennis, Nenagh or St John's directly from the ED in UHL.
A recent development in Ennis Hospital and the Mid-West region has been the introduction of the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) pathway for 112/999 patients, which commenced on January 9th. It allows patients that meet the agreed clinical criteria to be treated in a Model 2 hospital. This pathway will result in patients receiving medical treatment in a hospital closer to their home, will reduce patient presentations to Emergency Departments and will release ambulances more quickly to respond to other emergency calls. The MAU in Ennis Hospital treats patients referred by GPs, ShannonDoc, and now National Ambulance Service paramedics. 112/999 patients that do not meet these clinical criteria will continue to be transported to Emergency Departments for assessment and treatment.
I have expressed concern about overcrowding in the ED in Limerick and acknowledge the distress caused to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in emergency departments in UHL and throughout the country. I visited UHL in February last year to meet with patients, staff, and management. The HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit (PMIU) led an intensive engagement with UHL team members throughout the summer in response to my concerns about the hospital and the findings of the HIQA report following an unannounced inspection of the ED in Limerick in March. The engagement supported the hospital and community services in driving a programme of work to respond more effectively to the pressures at the hospital. UHL continues to engage with the support team, working jointly with HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare to respond to pressures faced at UHL.
There has also been significant investment in infrastructure in UHL in recent times. For example, in October 2022, I broke ground on the new 96-bed inpatient block project at University Hospital Limerick. This project represents a total capital investment of just over €90 million, and will deliver a 4-storey, 96 single bed acute inpatient ward block and will go some way toward addressing capacity issues in the region. In 2021, a new 60-bed modular ward block opened. This follows the completion of two separate rapid-build projects, constructed in response to the Covid-19 emergency, which provided an additional 38 inpatient beds on site at UHL.
There are no plans at this time to reopen the accident and emergency unit at Nenagh Hospital, but I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure UHL is fully supported and that the necessary improvements to address capacity issues are actioned in a timely manner.
703. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to open accident and emergency and ICU in Ennis hospital. [4463/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013, the Smaller Hospitals Framework defined the role of smaller hospitals and outlined the need for both smaller and larger hospitals to operate within Hospital Groups. The Framework identified the activities that can be performed in smaller Model 2 hospitals, in a safe and sustainable manner. In developing our smaller hospitals, the first and overriding priority is the safety of patients.
This Framework provided a stronger role for smaller hospitals, like Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals, in delivering a higher volume of less complex care in many cases closer to patients’ homes. It also ensures that patients who require true emergency or complex planned care are managed safely in a larger hospital environment.
Regarding hospitals in the University of Limerick Hospital Group, in April 2009, a process of reconfiguration commenced with the closure of the 24-7 emergency departments in Ennis and Nenagh. These emergency departments were replaced with Medical Assessment Units (MAUs) for GP referrals; and by local injury units/urgent care centres for self-referrals and operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week. These changes were supported by an Emergency Care Network, which had been set up in the region and led by Consultants in Emergency Medicine. These consultants, while based in UHL, have clinical responsibility for the Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John's. Additional Consultants in Emergency Medicine were recruited to support these changes in addition to Advanced Nurse Practitioners for the Injury Units in the smaller hospitals and for the ED in UHL.
Within the UL Hospitals Group, there are two Model 2 Hospitals, Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals. St John's Hospital is classified as a Model 2S Hospital, i.e. St. John's can carry out intermediate surgery, which requires in-patient stay and accommodation in addition to day case surgery. These hospitals play a pivotal role in the delivery of high-quality patient care within the region. The UL Group also includes Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, University Maternity Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Limerick.
The model 2 hospitals accept transfers of appropriate patients from UHL on a daily basis. These patients can either be stepped down from an inpatient ward in UHL or they may, where a clinician has decided it is appropriate, transfer to Ennis, Nenagh or St John's directly from the ED in UHL.
A recent development in Ennis Hospital and the Mid-West region has been the introduction of the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) pathway for 112/999 patients, which commenced on January 9th. It allows patients that meet the agreed clinical criteria to be treated in a Model 2 hospital. This pathway will result in patients receiving medical treatment in a hospital closer to their home, will reduce patient presentations to Emergency Departments and will release ambulances more quickly to respond to other emergency calls. The MAU in Ennis Hospital treats patients referred by GPs, ShannonDoc, and now National Ambulance Service paramedics. 112/999 patients that do not meet these clinical criteria will continue to be transported to Emergency Departments for assessment and treatment.
I have expressed concern about overcrowding in the ED in Limerick and acknowledge the distress caused to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in emergency departments in UHL and throughout the country. I visited UHL in February last year to meet with patients, staff, and management. The HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit (PMIU) led an intensive engagement with UHL team members throughout the summer in response to my concerns about the hospital and the findings of the HIQA report following an unannounced inspection of the ED in Limerick in March. The engagement supported the hospital and community services in driving a programme of work to respond more effectively to the pressures at the hospital. UHL continues to engage with the support team, working jointly with HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare to respond to pressures faced at UHL.
There has also been significant investment in infrastructure in UHL in recent times. For example, in October 2022, I broke ground on the new 96-bed inpatient block project at University Hospital Limerick. This project represents a total capital investment of just over €90 million, and will deliver a 4-storey, 96 single bed acute inpatient ward block and will go some way toward addressing capacity issues in the region. In 2021, a new 60-bed modular ward block opened. This follows the completion of two separate rapid-build projects, constructed in response to the Covid-19 emergency, which provided an additional 38 inpatient beds on site at UHL.
There are no plans at this time to reopen the accident and emergency unit at Ennis General Hospital, but I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure UHL is fully supported and that the necessary improvements to address capacity issues are actioned in a timely manner.
704. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4499/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware, following the referendum in 2018, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was signed into law on 20 December 2018 and commenced on 1 January 2019. The purpose of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is to set out the grounds on which termination of pregnancy is lawful in Ireland. Its purpose is not to dictate clinical practice in the area or set out the medical procedures to be used by medical practitioners carrying out a termination of pregnancy.
The provisions set out in the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 were made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, based on its consideration of the report produced by the Citizens’ Assembly on the issue. No recommendations were made by the Joint Committee, or indeed by the Citizens’ Assembly, on medical procedures or clinical practice around termination of pregnancy.
Detailed work was undertaken by the relevant medical colleges during late 2018 and early 2019 to develop comprehensive clinical guidelines to assist medical practitioners in the clinical decision-making involved in dealing with these cases. This clinical guidance was a key component of the delivery of an integrated service. Care pathways, treatment plans and best medical practice in these, sometimes complicated, cases are best developed by medical experts and set out in these clinical guidance documents
705. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the reimbursement application for a treatment by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; when he expects this treatment to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of Apalutamide (Erleada®):
The HSE received an application for pricing / reimbursement of a new indication for Apalutamide (Erleada®) on the 25th February 2020 from Janssen (the applicant) for Apalutamide (Erleada®) for the treatment of adults with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT).
- The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Phamacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 26th February 2020.
- The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 23rd March 2020. The NCPE advised the HSE that a full HTA was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Apalutamide (Erleada®) for this indication compared with the current standard of care. www.ncpe.ie/drugs/apaluatmide-erleada-hta-id-20010/
- The HSE commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the 24th of March 2020 as per agreed processes.
- The NCPE Health Technology Assessment was received by the HSE on the 3rd March 2022 (www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Summary-apalutamide-mHSPC-20010.pdf). The NCPE recommended that Apalutamide (Erleada®) in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments.
- The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. Apalutamide (Erleada®) for the treatment of adults with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) was considered by the Drugs Group at the October 2022 meeting (minutes of this meeting are available online: www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cpu/drugs-group-minutes/hse-drugs-group-minutes-october-2022.pdf. The HSE Drugs Group (by majority) recommended in favour of reimbursement of Apalutamide (Erleada®) for the treatment of adults with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) subject to an improved commercial offering.
- The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team. The HSE Executive Management Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The application remains under consideration. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.
706. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for the provision of services (details supplied) in Waterford; if so, when these plans will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4490/23]
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.
707. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017; when it is likely to move to the next stage of the legislative process; if he will acknowledge that legislation is urgently needed to protect vulnerable adults; if he will provide clarity and a legal framework for those involved in their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4525/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017 is a Private Members Bill which passed Second Stage in the Seanad in April 2017.
As a Private Members Bill, it is the responsibility of the sponsors of the Bill to request that it be scheduled for the next stage of the legislative progress.
Regarding adult safeguarding, the Government takes the protection of adults at risk of abuse very seriously. There are various structures and processes currently in place to protect against abuse in the health and social care sector and to ensure prompt action. My Department is at an advanced stage of developing a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. Subject to Government approval, this policy will further strengthen the sector’s adult safeguarding framework and will apply to all public, voluntary and private healthcare and social care settings and agencies under my Department’s remit. In the event that the Government approves this sectoral policy, legislation as required to underpin it will then be prepared.
Separately, the independent Law Reform Commission is undertaking a review on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding (across all sectors). Upon completion, this Department will consider any recommendations the Commission may make regarding legislation relevant to its functions and anticipates that other Departments will do the same.
708. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on staffing at a facility (details supplied); and whether there will be a reduction in bed numbers in the facility. [4531/23]
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.
709. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to two-day surgery theatres at Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4532/23]
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.
710. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the services that are presently being provided at the Ennis primary healthcare centre at Station Road, Ennis, County Clare; the additional staffing requirements that are required to facilitate full operations; when the centre will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4535/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
711. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on mental health staff numbers in a facility (details supplied); the reported number of staff leaving; if CAMHS beds will be closed as a result of same; if so, the length of time that they will be closed; the steps being taken to replace these staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4536/23]
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.
712. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the work of his Department's cross-departmental agency group that was set up to monitor the European Commission's upcoming revision of pharmaceutical legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4542/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, published on 25 November 2020 is the second major building block of the new EU Health Union, and is fundamentally about ensuring safe, affordable medicines for all citizens and patients.
The strategy has four key aims that are focussed on:
- ensuring access to affordable therapies for patients, and addressing unmet medical needs (in the areas of antimicrobial resistance and rare diseases, for example)
- supporting competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry and the development of high quality, safe, effective and greener medicines
- enhancing crisis preparedness and response mechanisms, establishing diversified and secure supply chains and addressing medicines shortages
- ensuring a strong EU voice in the world, by promoting a high level of quality, efficacy and safety standards
Significant progress has been made to date on the delivery of actions laid out in the Implementation Plan, with some of the mechanisms of delivery addressing more than one of the desired actions. (55 outlined actions both legislative and non-legislative which will operationally realise the objectives of the strategy). This includes ongoing work on the revision of the General Pharmaceutical Legislation, Orphan and Paediatric legislation, work to define/set criteria for unmet need, creation of the Health Emergency Response Authority, Structured Dialogue Initiative, and Clinical Trials Regulation.
I understand that the European Commission intends to publish its proposal to update the general pharmaceutical legislation in March. Ireland welcomes and eagerly anticipates the actions that will emanate from and underpin the delivery on the aims of the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, which is premised essentially on ensuring access to safe, affordable effective medicines for all European patients. Once the legislative proposal and Impact Assessment are available my Department will be participating as appropriate in the deliberative process.
The Department of Health has established a Cross Departmental/Agency Group with key stakeholders, holding differing perspectives, which are shared so as to best inform national engagement as the implementation actions of the strategy progress. The Group has met on four occasions to date. Views are shared at these meetings, and the learnings gleaned utilised as appropriate by my officials as we respond in accordance with the obligations derived from our membership of the EU. I have also engaged directly with representative organisations in this context, and will engage further with key Stakeholders at a later stage as the implementation of the Strategy progresses.
714. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of times that the Health Service Executive sanctioned, suspended, terminated, or otherwise reprimanded a manager, employing body, or member of staff for workplace bullying in each of the years 2019 to 2022. [4553/23]
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.
715. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of times that the Health Service Executive referred any cases of workplace bullying to the Health and Safety Authority in each of the years 2019 to 2022. [4554/23]
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.
