Written Answers Nos. 572-586
572. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on an appeal in relation to a home care support package (details supplied) as advised by a home care support office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44067/23]
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.
573. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the external review being commissioned into aspects of orthopaedic surgery at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street will include operations carried out by the consultant in respect of whom a referral has been made to the Irish Medical Council, at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh. [44073/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraYes, relevant surgical practice and operations carried out at National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh will be included in the independent external review of the paediatric orthopaedic services at Temple Street and across Children’s Health Ireland.
575. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update in relation to the creation of a national spina bifida register. [44078/23]
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.
580. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health how many new GP visit and GMS cards were issued in 2022; how many of the persons to whom these cards were issued in 2022 were unable to find a GP; how many of these persons were assigned a GP by the HSE in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44094/23]
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.
582. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [44107/23]
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.
583. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs operating in Mayo each year since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44141/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as the GMS contract for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card patients. As GPs are self-employed, they may establish practices at a place of their own choosing.
At the start October, 2,538 GPs hold a GMS contract and a further 580 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service.
In relation to the number of GPs operating in Mayo each year since 2006, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to contracted GPs, as soon as possible.
584. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the full complement of buildings and lands owned by his Department, or by agencies under the aegis of his Department, in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44160/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
585. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will approve long Covid clinics around the country, recognising the ongoing suffering and need for care of a large proportion of Covid sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44171/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that the Minister has trebled the allocation of funding dedicated to Long COVID service development from 2.2 million in 2022 to 6.6 million in 2023.
This funding is supporting the implementation of the HSE interim Model of Care for Long COVID, building on existing service provision, in addition to establishing new services across GP, community services and acute hospitals, to ensure a national service is in place for all who need it.
The first priority of the service is to ensure there are Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics operating within each hospital group to provide a national service. At present, there are 6 Long COVID Clinics and 7 post-Acute COVID Clinics operating nationally.
The HSE have advised that the Long COVID clinics currently operational under the model of care include: St Vincent’s University Hospital, and Beaumont Hospital, while the Post-Acute COVID clinics operational under new model of care include: Mater University Hospital and Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.
In addition, Tallaght University Hospital, St James’s Hospital, Cork University Hospital (CUH), University Hospital Galway, and Limerick University are operating combined Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics and the HSE is working with Letterkenny University Hospital to have a more definitive timeline around their anticipated launch date.
586. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure CIT nurses in Care Doc, Carlow, receive the pandemic bonus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44175/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2022 the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment.
Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation, the Government made its decision based on the substantial risk which certain healthcare workers faced. Eligibility guidelines were first published online by the HSE on the 19th of April 2022.
The HSE and external contractor KOSI Corporation remain responsible for processing applications for eligible non-public sector employees.
Only those staff who meet all the eligibility criteria as set out below are covered for this payment.
In order to receive the recognition payment, staff must have:
• Been in COVID vaccination cohorts 1 or 2, and
• Worked ordinarily onsite in a COVID-19 exposed healthcare environment, and
• Worked for at least 4 weeks in the 1/3/2020 – 30/6/2021 period, and
• Worked in a HSE/Section 38 organisation, or one of the following:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary,Section 39 etc.);
2. Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities, working on-site;
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. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The Government appreciates that those organisations and staff who are not encompassed for this particular payment may feel disappointed. It was tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which eligible frontline workers faced, following careful consideration.
The Department of Health has no mandate to include other groups or employers other than those who qualify based on the set eligibility criteria below. The Department also has no responsibility in receiving or processing applications.
