Written Answers Nos. 321-342
321. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26906/23]
View answerThe state bodies under the aegis of this Department are
- Tusla
- Oberstown Childrens' Detention Campus
- The Adoption Authority of Ireland
- The National Disability Authority
- The Irish Human Rights and Equality Authority
- The Ombudsman for Children's Office
Reflecting their independent status, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Ombudsman for Children's Office, these bodies will reply directly to you with their contact details
The email address for members of the Oireachtas for the other aegis bodies are as follow:-
1. TUSLA:- TuslaPad@tusla.ie
2. Oberstown Children Detention Campus: parliamentaryaffairs@oberstown.com
or communications@oberstown.com
3. Adoption Authority of Ireland:- corporate@aai.gov.ie
4. National Disability Authority:- OireachtasReps@nda.ie or SJLambe@nda.ie
323. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts being made by his Department to counter the rising costs of baby formula recognising the necessity of the product for many woman and babies where breastfeeding may be an unviable option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27029/23]
View answerMatters related to social welfare payments are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the Department of Social Protection may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
324. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if general practitioners receive a payment for each appointment attended by a medical card holder; if so, the level of payment received for each appointment attended; if a patient changes the GP practice they attend, does their medical card automatically follow them, or do they have to request a transfer of the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26760/23]
View answerUnder the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, GPs are reimbursed for the range of services they provide to medical card and GP visit card holders on behalf of the HSE. GMS GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on an annual capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service and some consultation types. Outside of those specific payments, GPs are not paid for individual consultations.
The annual capitation rate payable for each medical card or GP visit card holder on a GP's panel varies depending largely on the patient's age and sex.
Under the GMS scheme, GPs receive subsidies towards the employment of practice staff, contributions towards locum expenses to cover periods of leave, contributions towards medical indemnity insurance premiums and support payments for rural GPs who qualify under the Rural Practice Support Framework.
Medical card and GP visit card holders have the freedom to move from one GMS GP to another, provided the new GP is willing to accept the patient to their panel. Patients who wish to change their GMS GP can do so via the “Change of GP form” available from the HSE website.
325. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health when the new primary care area assessment team (PCAAT) in Wexford will be in a position to inform children when they will receive their diagnostic assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26768/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
326. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a status update regarding the proposals for a national screening programme for generic haemochromatosis in primary and hospital care settings, submitted to the National Screening Advisory Committee in January 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26771/23]
View answerI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, such as screening for Haemochromatosis, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
The Committee's Annual Call 2022 for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a total of 19 submissions, which included a submission on Genetic Haemochromatosis.
Genetic Haemochromatosis, along with a number of other conditions, is currently under consideration by NSAC. The Committee has published its Work Programme on its website, www.gov.ie/en/publication/e9d02-national-screening-advisory-committee-nsac-work-programme/ setting out the status of proposals currently being considered.
327. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a full-length pillow and an alarmed floor mat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26778/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that he will review the decision to appoint HSE enhanced community care consultants to model 4 hospitals only in view of the fact that the model 2 and model 3 hospitals are delivering a comprehensive range of health services to people who are residing in their immediate catchment area without the necessity of them having to travel model 4 hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26782/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when athletic therapy will be assessed for inclusion as a recognised profession under CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26789/23]
View answerA number of representative bodies for unregulated professions have approached the Department seeking to be regulated. It is important in this context to point out the issues to be considered regarding the proportionate degree of regulatory force required to protect the public are complex.
In light of this, and in line with ongoing work in the Department of Health, the Health Research Board was requested to carry out research on behalf of the Department to assist in policy development in this area. The report, “National Approaches to Regulating Health and Social Care Professions”, examines the approaches to the regulation of health and social care professionals internationally and is publicly available on the Department’s website www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea62b-national-approaches-to-regulating-health-and-social-care-professions/.
My officials are in the process of drawing from this report and other relevant sources to develop a framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future. This framework will also be informed by an evidence and risk-based approach to regulation in line with requirements set out in the EU Proportionality Test Directive, which was transposed into Irish law on 19 August 2022 (S.I. No. 413/2022). Further information on the Proportionality Test Directive can be found here:
www.single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/services-directive-handbookproportionality-test-directive-guidance-2022-12-22_en.
It should be noted that there are no plans in place to progress regulation of individual professions until appropriate risk-assessment and evaluation tools are in place in compliance with best practice, international evidence, and the Proportionality Test Directive.
My officials met with representatives of the professional body for athletic therapy recently to provide an update on the Department’s work on the future policy framework.
330. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will have spinal surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital; the reason for multiple cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26798/23]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
Under 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.
331. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have availed of the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme since it commenced in 2021, including a breakdown of the type of treatment received, and the hospital where treatment was received, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26821/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
332. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have availed of the Republic of Ireland reimbursement scheme since it commenced in 2021, including a breakdown of the type of treatment received, and the hospital where the treatment was received, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/23]
View answer333. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people from each county who have availed of the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme since it commenced in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26823/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
334. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will place a cap on the figure that uplifts each year's loan to the 'current' rate in relation to the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26826/23]
View answerThe 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. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants in the NHSS contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone, and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
One feature of the NHSS scheme is that participants who own property/land-based assets in the State also have access to Ancillary State Support, or the Nursing Home Loan, an optional feature of the Fair Deal Scheme. It is a loan which may be applied for at any time that is advanced by the HSE to help people meet the portion of their contribution to the cost of care that is based on property/land-based assets, most typically against the personal residence. If an individual secures ancillary state support, they will not need to contribute against the value of the relevant property during their time on the scheme, unless the property is sold during that time.
Payment of the Nursing Home Loan (Ancillary State Support) by the HSE results in the creation of a charge (a simple type of mortgage) in favour of the HSE against the interest of the applicant and his/her partner in the asset(s). The HSE will notify the Property Registration Authority of the charge who will register it against the specified asset(s).
Ancillary State Support becomes repayable following the occurrence of a relevant event, most commonly after the death of the client. If the loan is repaid in a timely fashion (in the event of the death of the scheme participant, this is 12 months), no interest is applied. In certain conditions - for example, where a partner or child continues to reside in the property - a further deferral to the repayment of the loan can be granted.
The Department of Health accepts that the Nursing Homes Support Scheme can place a potentially onerous burden on participants and their families. In attempting to alleviate some of the costs associated with long-term residential care, the legislation has been amended in recent years to extend the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of the principal private residence and to the financial assessment of family owned farms and businesses, provided certain conditions are met, to preserve their sustainability and future viability. Additional amendment to the scheme permits participants to retain 60% of income accrued from renting their principle private residence, and is currently under review - rental income accrued from property that is not a principal private residence will continue to be assessed at 80%.
In respect of calculating the rate and terms of interest relating to outstanding Ancillary State Support scheduled for repayment, as outlined in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, 16 (11), the Department of Health keeps this element of the legislation under ongoing review with relation to changes in economic conditions.
335. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review current GDPR policies to ensure data sharing is possible and more streamlined between State agencies where serious safeguarding issues are highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26828/23]
View answerThe fundamental rules and protections of data protection law must be taken into account in the context of all instances where individuals’ personal data are shared in a public sector context. State Agencies processing personal data are independent data controllers and responsible for complying with data protection obligations.
My Department has recently published the General Scheme for the Health Information Bill, which when passed will introduce a new legislative provision for the sharing of data in healthcare and social care settings taking into account GDPR policies and privacy.
I and my Department take the risk of abuse of vulnerable adults in healthcare and social care contexts very seriously, and various structures and processes are available to protect against abuse and ensure prompt action. To further strengthen the current framework, my Department is developing a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector. I expect that the issues that will be addressed in this sectoral policy will include inter-agency co-operation, including appropriate sharing of data, for adult safeguarding purposes, taking into account GDPR policies and privacy.
336. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of all secondary entitlements associated with medical cards; the total cost of each entitlement; the average secondary cost of a medical card, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26833/23]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Adults with full eligibility can access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultants’ services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants’ services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, and maternity and infant care service.
It is acknowledged that medical card holders have access to some broader services beyond health service however, my Department does not hold information in relation to those schemes or the secondary costs arising.
337. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the income eligibility guidelines to qualify for the medical card can be revised annually to take into account any social welfare increases announced in the annual Budget in order to ensure that people who already have a medical card and who have an income made up of a social welfare payment and an occupational pension do not lose this benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26834/23]
View answerEligibility for a medical card is based primarily on residency and means under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange a particular service which is available to persons with full eligibility, for themselves and family can qualify for full eligibility (a medical card). The HSE awards medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and assesses applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of any difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card or GP visit card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult social or financial circumstances.
It is also important to note that if a person's sole income is derived from a social welfare payment, even where this payment is in excess of the current income thresholds, a medical card will be awarded.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review, including in relation to current medical card income thresholds.
338. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the National Youth Mental Health Task Force, in particular the youth mental health pathfinder project; if a pathfinder team is now in place; if so, the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26850/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to the implementation of Sharing the Vision (2020-2030) which broadly incorporates the recommendations of the National Youth Mental Health Taskforce (2017).
This is reflected by the record allocation of over €1.2 billion for mental health in 2023, which includes a wide spectrum of services for young people ranging from prevention and early intervention to clinical programmes or acute in-patient care. Sharing the Vision has various recommendations relating to children and adolescents, including promoting a more holistic and whole-of Government approach. The National Implementation Monitoring Committee for Sharing the Vision regularly publishes progress reports in the public domain.
A significant recent development, under the HSE Service Plan 2023, is the creation of a new post of Youth Mental Health Lead at Assistant National Director level, and a new Clinical Lead for Youth Mental Health. These will allow the HSE to provide more integrated services overall, as envisaged under Sharing the Vision and Slaintecare.
With regard to the proposal to establish a cross-governmental youth mental health Pathfinder unit, with participation from the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, this received Ministerial approval during the previous Government. Its establishment is contained within the current Programme for Government.
The proposal is to formalise a new model for collaborative working within Government and place a Pathfinder unit on a statutory footing, through section 12 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. As this section has not been used before, various administrative, budgetary, governance and legal arrangements need to be developed and agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure a robust and workable model for the Pathfinder unit.
The demands on both Departments during the pandemic have presented challenges to progressing the proposals. Nonetheless, the Department of Health has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to develop an implementation option that fully addresses these issues. The realignment of Departmental functions in the education sector, specifically the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, has necessitated some further consideration of the initial proposal and makeup of the Pathfinder unit.
Officials from the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have discussed improved proposals for governance and legal arrangements at meetings in the past. Subsequently, the Department of Health worked with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the proposals for governance and legal arrangements to advance the establishment of the unit. These draft proposals are currently being considered by relevant Departments.
The Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to keep this matter under review, in the context of progress to-date, or that planned, for mental health legislation, policies and services relating to young people.
339. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if redeployed employees to the HSE that are not HSE staff or Section 38/39 staff are entitled to the pandemic payment; if so, when it will be paid; and if not, the reason. [26854/23]
View answerLast year 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. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation.
While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that 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.
Only those staff who meet all of the above eligibility criteria are covered for this payment. I appreciate that many other workers, volunteers, and other citizens, provided important services during this most difficult time. While this is not questioned, it is important to recognise that this in itself is not sufficient to be considered eligible for this payment.
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. While undoubtedly immense efforts have been made by other healthcare staff since the onset of this pandemic, it is right that the Government pursue this course to recognise those at greatest risk in the performance of their duties throughout the pandemic, including those who worked in the very acutely affected environments above.In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. As of February this year there is also a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.Finally I want to again express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during what has been a challenging period for our health services.
340. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an urgent appointment will be expedited for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26855/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
341. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the sites being considered for the new surgical hub in north Dublin; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26856/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE, which has responsibility for the delivery of the new Surgical Hub in north Dublin, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
342. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the expected delivery date for each of the six surgical hubs, announced on 26 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26857/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE, which has responsibility for the delivery of the new Surgical Hubs, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
