Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:1545. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus of €1,000 will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/23]
View answerCovid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1545)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
I would also like to remind the Deputy that it is against Department policy to comment on individual cases.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1546)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:1546. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of workers who have received the Covid bonus of €1,000; the cost of the scheme to date; the number of applications still on hand to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37383/23]
View answerWritten answers
To recognise their unique role during the pandemic, the Government last year announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for eligible frontline healthcare staff in the HSE, Section 38 organisations, and certain other specific cohorts as follows:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
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. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
For the public health service, rollout is complete, with over 90,000 HSE staff and over 53,000 Section 38 organisations' staff paid approx €136m in total.
For eligible Defence and Dublin Fire Brigade staff, on 1/11/22 the Department of Health transferred funding to the Department of Defence (€1.265m) and Dublin City Council (€0.84m) to cover payments in respect of over 2000 staff. Payment of these staff is a matter for those bodies but is understood to be complete.
Regarding cohorts 1-4 above, the HSE and an external contractor, KOSI Corp, are currently progressing the rollout to these eligible staff. The HSE can turn around these payments very quickly, and as of 22nd August, funding has been made available to 734 organisations out of 751 that have applied, with 76,570 staff have been paid €66.6m through 734 Employers.
Furthermore KOSI have an on-line Portal in place for individual employees of companies who have ceased trading and 163 of the total staff paid have been paid this way with individual claims still being received
As there are still some outstanding claims being processed and supplementary claims are still being received with most employers having submitted more than one claim it is not possible to assess how many eligible staff remain to be paid, until all required data is received from relevant employers.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1547)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1547. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37404/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Nursing Education
Questions (1548)
Richard Bruton
Question:1548. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the changes recommended on foot of the McHugh report on student nurses have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37405/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives, €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements.
I would like these payments in respect of the 2022/2023 academic year to have been made long ago. However, the HSE raised a query as to whether or not tax implications might arise for students. The position has now been clarified and I am pleased to note that the HSE have informed me that they have issued their circular ‘Payment of Clinical Placement Allowances to Undergraduate Supernumerary Nursing and Midwifery Students’.
For the student nurses and midwives on their final year internship, I have ensured that their salary is set in line with the relevant recommendation in the McHugh report, by increasing their rate of pay with effect from January 2023, to 80% of Point 1 of the Staff Nurse/Midwife pay scale. Also, I have confirmed that two additional uniform tunics should be provided in advance of the internship placement.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1549)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1549. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total budget allocation to section 38 organisation in 2021 and 2022; the share of the allocation used for pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37407/23]
View answerWritten answers
The allocation of individual budgets to specific organisations is an operational matter, therefore I have referred the Deputy’s question to the HSE for direct response.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1550)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1550. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the total budget allocation to section 39 organisation in 2021 and 2022; the share of the allocation used for pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37408/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, it has been forwarded to the HSE for a response.
Departmental Reports
Questions (1551)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1551. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to report recommendations (details supplied) and indicate projected timelines for the HSE to adequately address the main concerns raised in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Question No. 1552 answered with Question No. 1511.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1553)
Pearse Doherty
Question:1553. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the parent of a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment for CAMHS in Donegal town, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37428/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Questions (1554)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1554. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered for a long-term-stay bed in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37435/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1555)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1555. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long on an appointment in the Rotunda Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37449/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (1556)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:1556. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the reason for capital expenditure running €77 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/23]
View answerWritten answers
Overall Capital expenditure was €77.4m under-profile to the end of June 2023. €72.8m of this underspend is from the M2 subhead which is for building and equipping of healthcare facilities. The Capital Plan 2023 sets out the capital programme and lists the projects across the sector and the country to be progressed this year. Good progress is being made in the implementation of the plan. At the end of June, non-New Children's Hospital (NCH) M2 expenditure was €8.2m under profile, with full allocation and profile planned to be drawn down by year end.
The key driver of the capital underspend against profile to end of June 2023 was an underspend in respect of the New Children’s Hospital (NCH).
The NCH project is well advanced with the construction and equipping phase 89% complete against contract value. However, BAM continues to underperform against its own scheduled programme up to end June 2023 and this is negatively impacting cashflow vs projections for the year to date. The National Paediatric Development Board (NPHDB) is continuing to engage with BAM to increase productivity on the project and to ensure it is completed as soon as possible. The NCH cashflow projection also included allowances/ contingencies that would only be needed in the event of unsuccessful outcomes from the disputes resolution processes under the public works contract.
I, officials in my Department, the HSE, and the NPHDB will continue to work on the implementation of the Capital Plan over the remaining course of the year.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (1557)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:1557. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person should have received the Covid recognition payment in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37494/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1558)
David Stanton
Question:1558. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to list in tabular form the number of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who have retired and who have resigned from full-time HSE positions in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37501/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1559)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1559. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who was referred on 12 August 2022, will have a date for urgent cataract surgery assigned to her. [37508/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (1560)
Pa Daly
Question:1560. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect a heart procedure to proceed. [37509/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Mental Health Services
Questions (1561)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1561. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to calls from Mental Health Reform urgently advocating for the reinstatement of a national director for mental health, reporting directly to the HSE CEO, to drive accountability and facilitate change within CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37510/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (1562)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1562. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progression of the draft Bill to reform the Mental Health Act 2001; if this will be added to priority legislation for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/23]
View answerWritten answers
The General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Mental Health Act was published in July 2021. The Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health’s Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report on the General Scheme was published on 12 October 2022.
Priority drafting for the Mental Health Bill was sought and granted for the Spring/Summer legislative sessions this year and officials in my Department are working intensively with the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to progress the final text of this complex, lengthy Bill.
Discussions on the priority list for the autumn legislative session are now taking place and the full list will be published at the beginning of the upcoming Dáil term.
The publication of the Mental Health Bill is a priority for me and for the Government and I look forward to introducing the Bill to the Oireachtas as soon as possible following publication of the Bill.
The new Bill will overhaul our mental health legislation making it more person-centred and human rights focused and help to put in place a more robust framework in which mental health services can be delivered.
National Children's Hospital
Questions (1563)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1563. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1288 of 25 July 2023, if he has been engaged with and-or consulted by Children's Health Ireland in respect of a branding process regarding the new children's hospital; the costs and third parties involved in the branding process; and if he has been supplied with any drafts of the branding concepts. [37514/23]
View answerWritten answers
The significant undertaking which is the children’s hospital project and programme shows the commitment of the Government to develop paediatric services for children and young people.
A clear name and identity are essential for identification purposes, to raise awareness of services, and imbue the hospital with positive messages and associations.
As the Deputy is aware, Children’s Health Ireland is undertaking a branding process for the new children’s hospital.
Children’s Health Ireland has advised that this process is at the commencement stage and to date no contract or costings have been agreed.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1564)
David Stanton
Question:1564. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time permanent vacancies currently in speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in each HSE community health organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37515/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1565)
David Stanton
Question:1565. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to list in tabular form the number of persons who were interviewed for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy permanent positions in each HSE community healthcare organisation area in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of positions offered following interview; the number of positions taken up in each of these disciplines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37516/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1566)
David Stanton
Question:1566. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to list in tabular form the number of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in each community healthcare organisation area who have retired and who have resigned from full-time HSE positions in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37517/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Questions (1567)
David Stanton
Question:1567. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists currently employed by the HSE in each community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37518/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
Medicinal Products
Questions (1568, 1579)
Sean Fleming
Question:1568. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when romosozumab (Evenity) osteoporosis medication will be approved by the HSE and other relevant bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37527/23]
View answer
Brian Stanley
Question:1579. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his Department has made a decision on the approval of the drug, Evenity (manufacturer Amgen), for the treatment of osteoporosis, given that this has been approved at EU level. [37611/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1568 and 1579 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and/or reimbursed.
In terms of the specific details of the application for pricing and reimbursement of Romosozumab (Evenity®):
• The HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement of Romosozumab (Evenity®) on the 20th April 2021 from UCB Pharma (the applicant) indicated for the treatment of severe osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture.
• The first step in the process is the submission of a Rapid Review dossier (a clinical and economic dossier) to the National Centre for Phamacoeconomics (NCPE) for assessment. The HSE commissioned the Rapid Review process on the 21st April 2021.
• The NCPE Rapid Review assessment report was received by the HSE on the 27th May 2021. A full HTA was recommended to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Romosozumab (Evenity®) compared with the current standard of care.
• The HSE commissioned a full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the 28th June 2021 as per agreed processes.
• The NCPE Health Technology Assessment report (ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Technical-summary-romosozumab-Evenity-21016.pdf) was received by the HSE on the 7th of March 2023. The NCPE recommended that Romosozumab (Evenity®), for the treatment of women who are postmenopausal with severe osteoporosis who have experienced a MOF (hip, vertebrae, distal radius, proximal humerus) within the previous 24 months and who are at imminent risk of another fragility fracture, be considered for reimbursement if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments.
• The HSE Corporate Pharmaceutical Unit (CPU) is the interface between the HSE and the Pharmaceutical Industry in relation to medicine pricing and reimbursement applications. The HSE-CPU met with UCB Pharma on the 18th May 2023 to discuss their application.
• The Drugs Group is the national committee which the HSE has in place to make recommendations on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines. The membership of the HSE Drugs Group includes public interest members. The pharmacoeconomic report will be reviewed by the HSE Drugs Group along with the outputs of commercial negotiations, and any patient group submission(s) received. The HSE Drugs Group will consider all of the evidence and make a recommendation to the HSE Executive Management Team.
• The decision making authority in the HSE is the HSE Executive Management Team. The HSE Executive Management Team decides on the basis of all the demands it is faced with (across all services) whether it can fund a new medicine, or new use of an existing medicine, from the resources that have been provided to it in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The application for Romosozumab (Evenity®) remains under consideration. The HSE cannot make any comment on possible outcomes from the ongoing process.