Carol Nolan
Ceist:241. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of people employed by the Health Service Executive at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14050/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth Service Executive
Ceisteanna (241)
Freagraí scríofa
The total WTE in the HSE as of December 2022 was reported at 137,745, and the total Headcount was 156,285.
The HSE publish their workforce reports on their website on a monthly basis and can be accessed at the following address;
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/our-workforce/workforce-reporting/.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (242)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of employees of the Health Service Executive who have been on sick leave for a continuous period of longer than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14051/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Referred to the HSE for response.
Health Service Executive
Ceisteanna (243)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:243. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of employees of the Health Service Executive who were on sick leave, but whose employment was terminated for failing to return to work having been assessed that they are fit enough to do so, from the establishment of the HSE to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14052/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Referred to the HSE for response.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (244)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:244. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he was briefed following the HSE Drugs Committee meeting held on 14 March 2023 where the ongoing kaftrio dispute was discussed; when the HSE leadership team will meet to discuss the outcome of the meeting; if the team will prioritise this issue given the urgency of the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14116/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products
Ceisteanna (245)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a medicine (details supplied) is currently on the GMS list of approved medicines; if so, if there is a shortage of supply of the medicine; the steps being taken to overcome this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14151/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2022, Cheplapharm, the company who supplies Rivotril, notified the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) of a shortage due to a packaging material issue. It lasted from 12 August and supply resumed on 7 October. The company confirmed that the product went out of stock again on 25 November, stating delays with the manufacturing production cycle, affecting many countries, including Spain, where the product is manufactured.
The HPRA has offered regulatory flexibilities on multiple occasions, including the possibility of authorising a batch of the product, initially intended for other markets, to be supplied to Ireland. The HPRA also offered to expedite any controlled drug licence and engage with our counterparts in other countries.
An alternative oral solution product from a different supplier with the same active ingredient, clonazepam, in oral solution formulation has been available. Given the increased demand observed with this product due to the Rivotril shortage, the HPRA has also facilitated regulatory flexibility by authorising product intended for a different country to be supplied to patients in Ireland. Throughout the shortage the HPRA has kept Epilepsy Ireland updated on the shortage.
Cheplapharm confirmed to the HPRA on Monday 13th, that 30,000 units of Rivotril (over four months’ stock) was en route to Ireland. Cheplapharm estimates that this product will arrive this week. Supply is expected to resume on the week ending 2 April.
I can also confirm that Rivotril is on the GMS reimbursement list
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (246)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the criteria for a position in the National Ambulance Service (details supplied) will be examined and reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14152/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The experience recognised for incremental credit is only recognised for relevant service in Ireland and abroad as per the Department of Health Circular 2/2011. If the experience is comparable employment in other EU member states it is recognised.
The advertisement is clarifying that only this service is reckonable for incremental increase at time of commencement of employment. Any non comparable experience outside of the circular cannot be utilised in the incremental calculation of start up pay.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (247)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:247. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the voluntary and private sector employers in counties Cavan and Monaghan who received the pandemic special recognition payment for staff they employed that were eligible for the payment; the amount received by each employer; the number of staff employed by each that were deemed eligible for the payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14153/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (248)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:248. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the voluntary and private sector employers in counties Cavan and Monaghan who applied for the pandemic special recognition payment for staff members who were subsequently deemed ineligible, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14154/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Traveller Community
Ceisteanna (249)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of the National Traveller Health Action Plan Implementation Group which was due to be established in November 2022; the reason for the delay in establishing this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14157/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The national Traveller health action plan was launched on 28 November 2022. The Department is providing additional ring-fenced funding of €1.3 million to support the implementation of the plan.
It is a key objective for the HSE in 2023 is to develop a national implementation plan for the action plan and to establish a national implementation and monitoring group with key stakeholder engagement. The HSE has commenced work to develop implementation plans for community healthcare organisations. It is expected that the establishment of the monitoring group will be announced shortly.
I strongly support the action plan as a significant step to improve health experiences and outcomes for the Traveller community and I look forward to working with the HSE, Traveller organisations and other stakeholders to support and monitor its implementation.