Written Answers Nos. 1087-1107
1087. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled people under the age of 65 years that have been placed in a nursing home in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and the average length of stay for a disabled person under the age of 65 years that has been placed in a nursing home. [48815/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
1088. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what more appropriate alternative options are considered before a disabled person under the age of 65 years is placed in a nursing home. [48816/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
1089. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled people under the age of 65 years that have been inappropriately placed in a nursing home in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023. [48817/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
1091. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on Ireland's membership of a treaty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47616/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the deputy that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response was not adequate and needs revision and as such, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a central leadership role.
On 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, commonly known as the Pandemic Treaty. Ireland supports this WHO-led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of such a Pandemic Agreement is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022. The INB has met six times to date and is due to meet again in November and December to progress work on drafting the agreement. A progress report was delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, and it is anticipated that the instrument will be adopted at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.
Ireland has been participating in the negotiation process along with EU Member States and is also, along with a majority of EU Member States, part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. It should be noted that while certain health matters are within the competency of EU Member States, other health matters are within the competency of the EU itself. The Group of Friends of the Treaty strongly supports an agreement that would foster an all-of-government and all-of-society approach, strengthening national, regional, and global capacities and resilience to future pandemics.
Ireland is advocating for an ambitious, fair, and implementable agreement to protect global public health through better pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Officials in my department are leading coordination on Ireland’s position in respect of proposals for the WHO Pandemic Treaty. My officials are engaging and will continue to engage with relevant Government Departments, Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, EU partners and relevant Non-Governmental Organisations on this matter.
1092. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). [47232/23]
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.
1093. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the amount of budget provision that has been set aside to fund the seven-day opening of the emergency cathlab suite at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47253/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraReferring to HSE as an operational matter
1094. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that was allocated to allow University Hospital Waterford cater to the emergency patient streams that occurred because of the Wexford ED closure; if he will provide the quantum of funding provisioned; the status of this money as to whether paid over as of yet or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47254/23]
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.
1095. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons who have applied for homecare support and who are awaiting the allocation of homecare; his views on the recruitment of homecare support workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47275/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible
1096. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a process to link the pay rates of section 10, 39 and 56 workers with those on a section 38 contract [47282/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no process being considered to link the pay rates of Section 10, Section 39 and Section 56 workers with those on a S38 contract. It is worth noting that Section 39 and Section 56 organisations and S10 are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee. Officials from Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE and Tusla attended a WRC process (16 October 2023) following similar engagements with trade unions representing section 39 and section 56 bodies over recent months. Following productive engagements at WRC, Industrial action that was due to commence on the 17th of October was averted.The process culminated in an offer being made to the trade unions. The Departments have committed to a significant increase of investment in the sector relating to pay amounting to an 8% increase, phased as:3% from 1 April 2023Additional 2% from 1 Nov 2023And further 3% from 1 March 2024.Departments have also committed to talks after any future public sector agreement.The Departments have proactively engaged with the WRC process to ensure the stability and sustainability of services for the benefit of those who rely on these essential services and the workers who are committed to providing quality services.The agreement, which unions have indicated will be put to their members, proposes an 8% increase in pay, delivered in three phases, with the first phase backdated to the 1st April 2023. The full year cost of the pay increases is €85.6m.Although we are not the employers, the Departments are aware that staff employed across the hundreds of funded organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration and are dependent on Government for funding
1097. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47291/23]
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.
1098. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to a concern raised in relation to a hospital carpark (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47292/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building, and equipping the new children's hospital. I have therefore referred your question to the NPHDB for direct reply.
1099. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the report being commissioned on the future costs of healthcare will use projections to estimate the effect that risk factors will have on the cost burden of non-communicable diseases; if he will include the impact of preventive policy measures on the prevalence of risk factors, and thus NCDs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47313/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwaiting reply from Department.
1100. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health to provide clarity on the outcome of discussions around concerns on the treatment of GMS income within a contractual GP partnership arrangement and any possible impact on tax revenue following new proposals by the Revenue Commissioners to prohibit GMS income being mandated to partnerships or employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47314/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1187. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on ongoing work to resolve the contractual arrangement issues with general practitioners associated with the upcoming revised tax treatment of general medical services income of general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47857/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1100 and 1187 together.
The collection of taxes and issues relating to the interpretation of tax law are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. However, I am aware of the concerns raised regarding new guidance to be issued shortly by the Revenue Commissioners regarding the tax treatment of GP's GMS income.
Officials from my Department and the HSE have engaged with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance to understand the context of the new guidance and to identify the potential operational issues which may arise following its publication.
Importantly, the guidance does not reflect a change in tax law, but clarifies how GPs’ GMS income should be treated for the purposes of tax under current tax law. To assist GPs and GP practices in complying with their obligations under tax legislation, Revenue will publish detailed guidance shortly. This will supplement the guidance issued to tax practitioners, through the Tax Administration Liaison Committee, in July of this year clarifying the correct tax treatment of GMS income. To allow GPs and GP practices time to make any necessary adjustments to their arrangements to ensure compliance with applicable tax policy and legislation, Revenue have implemented transitional arrangements up to the end of 2023.
My Department and the HSE are also engaged with the IMO and will remain engaged with them to address the potential operational issues raised.
The Strategic Review of General Practice, which is now underway, will examine the current contractual arrangements for the GMS, as well as other issues, and will propose measures necessary to modernise the contract.
1101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason the Regional Hospital Tullamore has no equipment to carry out core decompression procedures. [47322/23]
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.
1102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many people are on the waiting list for an MRI in each hospital in Ireland; the average wait time and the longest wait time for an MRI in each hospital in Ireland; the number of days a week that each MRI service is in operation in each hospital in Ireland; the number of staff necessary to operate each MRI in each hospital in the country for five days a week; and the actual number employed for each hospital. [47328/23]
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.
1103. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to detail any ongoing or previous use of artificial intelligence within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47338/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraArtificial Intelligence has not been and is not currently used in my Department. We will continue to follow best practice advice resulting from the Government's "A National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland", the National Cyber Security Centre's "Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies" and through regular communications with other departments/public service bodies in relation to the potential use of artificial intelligence.
1104. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the Government’s up-to-date position regarding a scheme to assist those frontline workers who are absent from employment due to long-Covid. [47348/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor a certain cohort of employees suffering from long-Covid, a Special Scheme of Paid Leave for Employees Unfit for Work Post Covid-19 Infection, specific to the public health service was introduced on 1 July 2022. Prior to this date, this cohort of employees had been supported financially by Special Leave with Pay that was introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform (DPENDPR) at the start of the pandemic.This Special Scheme was due to conclude on 30th June this year. In recognition of this ongoing matter, sanction to extend the Special Scheme for a period of 12 months was sought from the DPENDPR, however the sanction provided was for a period of just four months to 31st October 2023.As my wish is to continue to support this cohort of health care workers, my Department sought approval from the DPENDPR to further extend the Special Scheme to end June 2024 in line with the original request to extend. Approval has now been received from DPENDPR to extend the Scheme to 31st March 2024, after which date, any employee on the Special Scheme remaining unwell, may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme thereafter.
For public health service employees who did not qualify for the Special Scheme, the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme may be utilised.
1105. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the status of the new adaptation training programme for overseas nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47351/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to an operational matter of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.
1106. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health how many overseas healthcare assistants have registered as nurses in Ireland since the introduction of the new adaptation training programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47352/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the maintenance of the register of Nurses and Midwives is an operational matter for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.
1107. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health what funding was provided for the training of student psychologists in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47353/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, as part of Budget 2023 I secured €750,000 to fund counselling psychology training places, as a way of moving towards greater equality for students who are training as counselling psychologists and bringing the funding model for counselling psychologists closer to that of clinical and educational psychologists. The funding, which is sustainable and recurring, highlights this Government’s commitment to investment in training and education which is directly linked to the provision of healthcare services in this country.
Counselling Psychologists undertake years of training at Undergraduate and Masters level, prior to undertaking a three year Doctoral course which involves intensive academic research and work experience. On graduation, Counselling Psychologists make a significant contribution to the delivery of mental health services in both acute and community care settings. Graduates from the Counselling Psychology doctoral programme go on to work in areas such as Counselling in Primary Care (CiPC) and for the National Counselling Service (NCS) and other frontline counselling services.
This funding is recurring, commencing with students enrolled across all years of the counselling psychology doctoral training programme from the academic year 2023/24 onwards. The investment in the education of these professionals is linked to the recruitment challenges and service provision needs of HSE counselling services.
The total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This significant investment will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2024.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health.
In relation to the question raised, the Deputy may wish to seek the view of the Minister for Education as regards any additional funding for trainee educational psychologists in 2024.
