Written Answers Nos. 317-337
317. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline, in tabular form, the Members of the Steering Group established to develop a National Centre for Research and Remembrance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43347/23]
View answerIn March 2022, Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in Dublin 1. The National Centre will stand as a site of conscience to honour equally all those who were resident in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, Reformatories, and related institutions.
A Steering Group - chaired by the former Secretary General to the Government and current Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, Mr Martin Fraser - was established to drive the overall coordinated development of the National Centre. The Steering Group is responsible for developing the overall vision of the National Centre and providing strategic oversight for the design, development, coordination and implementation of the composite elements of the Centre.
The Steering Group comprises representatives from a number of Government Departments and Agencies involved in the development of the National Centre.
The table below outlines the current membership of the Steering Group:
|
Department/Agency |
Representative |
|
(Nominated by Government) |
Martin Fraser,Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom (Chair) |
|
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General |
|
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Laura McGarrigle, Assistant Secretary |
|
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Gráinne MorrisseyPrincipal Officer |
|
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
Kate Mc Eleney, Assistant Principal |
|
Department of An Taoiseach |
Brenda Boylan, Principal Officer |
|
Department of Education |
Aoife Conduit, Assistant Secretary |
|
Office of Public Works |
Rosemary Collier, Assistant Secretary |
|
Office of Public Works |
Ciaran O’Connor, State Architect |
|
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media |
Conor Falvey, Assistant Secretary |
|
National Archives of Ireland |
Orlaith McBride, Director |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
Lynn Scarff, Director |
|
Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
Paul Lemass, Assistant Secretary |
|
Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
Aideen Foley, Principal Officer |
|
Dublin City Council |
Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive |
|
Dublin City Council |
Karl Mitchell, Director of Services |
|
North East Inner City Initiative |
Jim Gavin, Chairperson |
A crucial element in the development of the National Centre is engagement with survivors and with the local community in Dublin’s North East Inner City. This will ensure that the development of the National Centre is directly informed by those most centrally involved, their families and representatives. An initial, open consultation was launched on 25 July and ran until 15 September, with a view to informing work on elements of the National Centre project, specifically:
• the museum and exhibition space;
• the research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century; and
• the garden space for reflection and remembrance.
Responses to this consultation are now being analysed and will directly inform the ongoing work on the development of the Centre.
Further, targeted consultations on specific elements of the Centre - for example the museum interpretation experience; the space for reflection; and the educational, family and parenting supports – will take place in due course.
318. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 970 Question Reference of 18 January 2023, if he will provide an update on the status of a person’s (details supplied) redress claim within the mother-and-baby institutions scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43349/23]
View answerIt is not possible to to provide an update in respect of a person's potential eligibility for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme in advance of the Scheme being open for applications. Opening the Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. The Deputy may be aware that underpinning legislation for the Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023- was passed into law on 11 July 2023.
This Act allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to administer the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer to head up that office. It also allows for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and provides a lawful basis for access to information and records which are essential for the processing of applications.
Intensive work is underway to conclude the work on the administrative structures in as timely a manner as possible and to transition to a live Scheme. An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad in advance of the Scheme opening. Once the Scheme is open, applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it. I would encourage any person who thinks they may be eligible for the Scheme to make an application at that time.
319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which Tusla is in the course of following up on its recent meeting with a mother (details supplied) who continues to be denied access to her children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43420/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
320. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to confirm if an employer (details supplied) was approved for the pandemic recognition payment; if so, whether payment has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43193/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
321. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that pay parity with HSE staff should be introduced for section 38 and section 39 organisations in order to address the crisis of recruitment and retention. [43206/23]
View answerThis is an ongoing Industrial relations matter & it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.
322. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he accepts that 200 additional multi-disciplinary staff are needed to uphold the fundamental rights of people with intellectual disabilities. [43207/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
323. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that community psychiatric services need to be introduced for those who have a mild intellectual disability. [43209/23]
View answer324. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he agrees that community psychiatric services need to be introduced for those who have a mild intellectual disability. [43209/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
325. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason recruitment for new genomic resource associate roles at the department of clinical genetics at CHI Crumlin, as specified as part of implementation of the national genetics and genomics strategy, is being held up, in spite of the fact that €2.7 million was allocated to implementation of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43210/23]
View answerAs this question relates to service level recruitment updates it is more appropriately answered by the HSE
326. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if it is the policy of his Department to support measures designed to ensure that the number of termination of pregnancies can be reduced year on year; the practical supports he is putting in place to ensure that the number of termination of pregnancies does not continue to grow year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43211/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman; where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before or within 28 days of birth; and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
It is a priority for me as Minister that those experiencing unplanned pregnancy in Ireland should be in a position to assess their options without bias or judgment.
To support an individual in making an informed decision, the My Options service offers non-directive counselling and information for people experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Information is available about all options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services. The ethos of the service is client centred and counsellors take their lead from the person contacting them for information and support.
Moreover, it is hoped that the introduction of the free contraception scheme which was launched in September 2022, for women and girls ordinarily resident in Ireland, aged 17-25, will assist in reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies.
The scheme was extended to women aged 26 from January 1st 2023 and has been further expanded on 1st September, 2023, to include women aged 27 to 30 inclusive.
Approximately €31.5m was allocated to support the scheme in 2023. Almost 2,400 GPs and 1,900 pharmacies in all regions of the country have signed up to provide services and products under the scheme to date; it can be accessed across the country.
327. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in paying contractors that have completed works in hospitals throughout the country; if he will confirm the amounts due to contractors by each major hospital for completed work above a value of €50,000; and if he will expedite payment to all contractors affected. [43217/23]
View answerThis question relates to expenditure at an operational level, I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.
328. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the provision for a new primary care centre in Rathdowney, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43218/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence (details supplied) from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation on behalf of nursing members across Tipperary, Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford, who are employed in CareDoc (section 39) organisation as community intervention team nurses; if he is aware that this cohort of nurses has not received their Covid-19 pandemic payment from the HSE or the Department of Health through KOSI; if he will support these nurses in receiving and addressing the non-payment of their Covid-19 pandemic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43219/23]
View answerIn 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, it is also against Department policy to comment on individual cases.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.
330. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in recruitment for new genomic resource associate roles at the department of clinical genetics at CHI Crumlin, as specified as part of implementation of the national genetics and genomics strategy, in view of the fact that the Minister allocated €2.7 million to implement the strategy. [43220/23]
View answerRelates to service level recruitment - please refer to the HSE for answer
331. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a date for an operation for a person (details supplied) will be confirmed as the case is deemed to be urgent. [43221/23]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an Inpatient/Day case or Outpatient waiting list.
The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients eligible for NTPF treatment, it is solely on the basis of their time spent on a waiting list. The clinical suitability of the patient to avail of NTPF funded treatment is determined by the public hospital.
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.
332. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the number of agency workers employed by the HSE at Ennis General Hospital on rolling short-term contracts, if any of those will be offered full-time contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43223/23]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
333. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health to clarify a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43233/23]
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 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health how he intends to ensure that people on lower incomes who are not entitled to a medical card are in a position to purchase emergency contraception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43234/23]
View answerThe free contraception scheme, initially open to women and girls ordinarily resident in Ireland and aged 17-25, was launched on 14th September, 2022. The scheme was later expanded to include 26 year-olds on January 1st, 2023 and women aged 27-30, inclusive, on September 1st, 2023.
The scheme covers the cost of consultations with GPs and family planning centres and prescriptions for the wide range of contraceptive options available on the HSE Re-Imbursement List, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs: injections, intra-uterine devices and systems (coils) and implants) and emergency contraception in addition to the contraceptive Pill, patch and ring. LARC fittings, removals, injections and check-ups are also free of charge under the scheme.
Emergency contraception is included in the scheme and is therefore free of charge for those aged 17-30 who are ordinarily resident in Ireland.
Contraception, including emergency contraception, is available at very low cost, subject only to the prescription charge of €1.50 per item, through the GMS (medical) card scheme, for women who qualify for GMS cards but who are outside the age-range for the free contraception scheme. The extension of the GP visit card to those earning no more than the median income will remove the cost of attending GP appointments for those eligible. The Drugs Payment scheme also limits the total cost of prescriptions per calendar month to €80.
It is also envisaged that wider access to more reliable methods of contraception, free of charge, through the free contraception scheme, may reduce demand for emergency contraception.
Finally, bearing in mind that prescription contraception does not prevent STI infections, access to condoms, free of charge, is also enabled through the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS), which distributes through the public network of STI clinics, NGOs working with high-risk groups, participating higher education institutions and with free home STI testing.
335. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health what assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied); when their application for funding for healthcare abroad will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43241/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
336. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms now in place for medical card holders who currently do not have access to a GP and are unable to secure a GP practice to take them as a patient. [43252/23]
View answerPatient choice of doctor is a bedrock principle of the GMS Scheme for medical card and GP visit card holders. For the vast majority of individuals concerned their choice of doctor is accommodated and they are registered with their GMS GP of choice. In 2022 (last full year data available) out of a total of about 348,000 individuals who were approved for either a GP Visit Card or Medical Card, 3,927 individuals were unable to secure placement with their doctor of choice, or 1.1% of the total. In addition, 3,701 existing GMS patients were reassigned following a change in their place of residence.
For the small number of individuals unable to locate a GP themselves, the long standing process whereby the HSE may assign an eligible person to a GP’s GMS panel remains in place, in accordance with the GMS contract. Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list.
The GP Agreement 2023, which provides for the expansion of GP care without charges to all children under 8 years and to those who earn up to the median household income, does contain arrangements in relation to the assignment of card holders/applicants to GP GMS panels. However, these arrangements do not prevent the assignment of patients and rather are in place to help the equitable distribution of assigned patients across the panels of participating GPs.
In addition, as per the Agreement, a joint HSE and Irish Medical Organisation working group is being established to review the operation of the patient assignment protocol with a view to ensuring that it is framed and operating in a fair, patient- and GP-centred manner.
337. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the temporary special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers with long Covid will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43253/23]
View answerFor a certain cohort of employees suffering from long-Covid, a Special Scheme of Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees unfit for work post Covid infection, specific to the public health service was introduced on 1 July 2022. 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 Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) in April 2023. The sanction provided by DPENDPR was for a period of just four months. This extension was sanctioned by DPENDPR on a once-off basis and is restricted only to those employees who are currently availing of the Special Scheme. The Special Scheme will now conclude on 31st October 2023 in light of this.I wish to continue to support the health care workers currently on the Special Scheme, and I have recently written to Minister Donohue again seeking his sanction to further extend the Special Scheme. Any employees on the Special Scheme who remain unwell beyond its concluding date, may utilise the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme thereafter.
