Written Answers Nos. 1147-1167
1147. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if there are separate waiting lists for intervention following assessment in primary care psychology services; and if so, the wait times for each service in Cork and Kerry, in tabular form. [35878/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1148. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health for an update on the Drumboe residential respite centre, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35880/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1149. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health to outline what engagements he has had with a group (details supplied); when he expects the national vaginal mesh implant oversight group to reveal its findings; if he intends to put in place a scheme to fully redress the survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35881/23]
View answerI understand that complications from a mesh implant are very distressing and painful for those women involved and since the emergence of this matter, the ongoing priority focus for the Department of Health has been to ensure that all women experiencing mesh related complications receive high quality, multi-disciplinary and patient-centred care. Women’s health remains a key priority for the Government and the Department of Health continue to focus on prioritising the care needs of women affected by mesh related complications.
Considerable work has been done and continues to progress in Ireland in relation to mesh implants, and the patient voice is central to our understanding of these, and similar, issues. Listening to the experiences of women affected by mesh remains a key priority for the Minister and his Department. Work continues to progress to advance the development of an independent and compassionate engagement for women affected by mesh to have their voices heard and Mesh Survivors Ireland and associated key stakeholders will be central to this process.
In terms of mesh-related service developments and supports, through additional funding first provided in 2020, the HSE established a National Mesh Complications Service. Further details on this service and supports are available from the HSE. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy on this matter and on the Deputy’s query in relation to the HSE’s National Vaginal Mesh Oversight Group, directly.
1150. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health when the theatre list for Cork University Dental School and Hospital will be resumed; the reasons for its suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35883/23]
View answer1167. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to reopen the dental hospital theatre list in Cork Dental Hospital which was suspended on 7 April and has not resumed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35923/23]
View answer1209. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an urgent issue in relation to the Dental Hospital in CUH will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36062/23]
View answer1213. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a problem at Cork University Dental Hospital in relation to access to general anaesthesia for Dental Hospital patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36078/23]
View answer1225. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties currently affecting patients at Cork University Dental School and Hospital, that the dental hospital theatre list was suspended on 7 April 2023 and has not been resumed to date, that this suspension has had an adverse impact on patients' lists, both adult and children, on dental nurse training, on oral surgery training and on staff morale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36168/23]
View answer1236. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will resolve a mater concerning Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH) and its reliance on CUH consultants for admissions, given that currently CUDSH consultants lack admission rights to CUH (details supplied); if he will review the ongoing issues and seek prompt intervention to ensure seamless care for CUDSH patients at CUH; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36207/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1150, 1167, 1209, 1213, 1225 and 1236 together.
I am concerned at the situation that has arisen regarding the suspension of access to surgical facilities in Cork University Hospital for patients of Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH). I have instructed my officials to ensure this issue is addressed as a matter of urgency.
The HSE National Oral Health Office and HSE staff in CHO4 are working with Cork University Hospital and CUDSH to ensure that arrangements are put in place to restore access as soon as possible, in line with relevant policies and protocols for clinical governance of the provision of care in acute hospital settings.
1151. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the current wait times for surgery in Cork University Dental School and Hospital; the number of individuals on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35884/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1152. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will advise which hospital has a MRI machine that is compatible with a pace-maker in order for a patient who has this fitted to have a MRI completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35899/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1153. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently expedite a surgical appointment for a person (details supplied). [35900/23]
View answerUnder 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.
1154. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 663 of 7 March 2023 and 610 of 9 May 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied), who worked as clerical staff at Mullingar Regional Hospital, will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1155. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 707 of 27 June 2023, if he will provide the public procurement rules that allow a tree-removal company which has been offered a substantial commercial contract by a State entity to remove 70 trees from Merlin Woods, Galway can have its identity concealed under the pretext of protecting its privacy rights; the name of the contractor; if an independent arborist assessment was carried out; if so, the name of that company or individual; the names of the other contractors who offered quotes for the works and the sums involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35902/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1156. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 664 of 20 June 2023, his plans to address the fact that 33% of HSE employees responding to the most recent 'Your Opinion Counts' staff survey report that they have experienced bullying or harassment by a senior colleague when basic data is not maintained by the organisation regarding number of grievance and dignity at work cases submitted by employees or wait-times for hearings; how HSE employees facing the daunting prospect of such grievance and dignity at work cases can be protected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35903/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of this operational matter.
1157. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown, by CHO for 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, the legal costs incurred by the HSE for legal advice and/or representation on grievance and dignity at work cases submitted by employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35904/23]
View answer1158. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE regarding covering legal costs for either, in cases where HSE staff members of equal rank are involved in a grievance or dignity at work case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35905/23]
View answer1159. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE regarding covering legal costs for either party, in cases where HSE staff members of different rank are involved in a grievance or dignity at work case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35906/23]
View answer1160. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health how the HSE decides whether it will cover legal costs for an employee involved in a grievance or dignity at work case, either as a plaintiff or a defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35907/23]
View answer1161. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the legal costs incurred by the HSE in 2021, 2022 and 2023 involving grievance or dignity at work cases taken by employees against other HSE employees; the percentage of cases where the HSE covered the costs of the plaintiff in each year; the percentage of cases where it covered the costs of the defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35908/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1157 to 1161, inclusive, together.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters.
1162. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 8 December 2022, how he can reconcile a commitment to providing support to healthcare workers unable to return to work due to severe long-Covid symptoms with a continued impasse in negotiations involving his Department with trade unions on the pay arrangement for such workers, who risked their health at critical stages of the pandemic to carry out essential work, and who are facing financial insecurity as well as a chronic and debilitating health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35909/23]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has provided Special Leave with Pay in line with the public health guidance in place (currently 5 days stay at home) for civil and public servants nationally, to facilitate employees to remain at home following a positive test result to avoid the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.
For certain employees who remain unfit to attend the workplace and are suffering from long-Covid, a temporary Scheme, specific to the public health service was introduced to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection. This temporary Scheme was due to conclude at the end of June however the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform has recently sanctioned a four month extension to the scheme.
Those who did not meet the criteria for the temporary Scheme, and those who remain unwell beyond the current 5 days of SLWP may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme if they remain absent. Officials from my Department met with unions in the WRC on the 10th of July to outline the above. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
The EU Advisory Committee on Health & Safety have recommended the recognition of Covid as an occupational illness in health and social care, however Member States vary in respect of their treatment of Covid in this regard.
I understand that Minister Humphreys has committed to reviewing the EU Committee recommendation regarding the occupational recognition of Covid in respect of the Department of Social Protection national Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, and the list of prescribed diseases/illnesses set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. The outcome of this review is awaited, however the Deputy may wish to seek more detail in respect of this directly from Minister Humphreys
1164. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when public ADHD services will be available in the Tuam area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35911/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1165. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 7 March 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied) will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35913/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1166. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed within the health service, by categories (details supplied) for each year from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35920/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
