Written Answers Nos. 485-506
485. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the residential settings that service users under the care of the Midleton and Youghal and Cobh and Glenville adult mental health teams may have been referred to for respite or long stay placements since February 2021; and the number of service users referred. [55480/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
486. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to downgrade or close a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlmost ten years ago, the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Report identified approximately 4,000 people with disabilities living in congregated type settings. The 2011 Report expected that decongregation could happen at a much faster pace than was actually possible.
Since 2014, the Transforming Lives Programme provides the framework for implementation and for putting policy into practice across key reports, including Time to Move on from Congregated Settings in respect of residential centres. Today less than 2,000 people live in congregated settings.
The Programme for Government – ‘Our Shared Future’ includes a commitment to continue with moving people out of old style congregated settings, into new homes within the community, with the necessary supports. People are now being supported to live lives of their choice out in the community. Several congregated settings have closed fully and many more have closed specific units within the centres.
Thoughtful planning, capacity building work with stakeholders and sharing the learning across services is enabling meaningful person-centred planning and transitions that are sustainable. While the pace of change has been slow in some services, there is momentum and progress is being made.
Budget 2021 provides for an unprecedented level of investment in disability services, with the investment of €100m for new initiatives in 2021. The increased level of funding in 2021 will enable us to build on initiatives currently underway, including the decongregation programme, with a renewed focus on assisting people to move out of congregated settings to homes in the community. The HSE has prioritised the transition of a further 144 people from congregated settings in 2021 under its Service Plan.
As the numbers in the large settings continues to fall, the people still remaining in these services have access to better living conditions and share with fewer people.
The position of the HSE is that it wishes to see all individuals supported to have the option of living independently in the community provided this is in their best interests and in partnership with their families. It is recognised that this will take time to put in place.
As the particular issue raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
487. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a geriatrician will be put in place for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55494/21]
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.
488. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made with regard to securing a new CAMHS consultant to deal with children's mental health services in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55496/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
489. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies unfilled or filled on a temporary basis in Cavan General Hospital; and the details of each by category (details supplied). [55500/21]
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.
490. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a scan nurse for counties Cavan and Monaghan; the timeframe for this appointment; and the details of same. [55502/21]
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.
491. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a service (details supplied) in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55503/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
492. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the average age of general practitioners in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55505/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGeneral practitioners are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide medical services on its behalf to medical card and GP visit card holders without charge. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to GPs contracted under the GMS scheme.
493. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the guidelines in place for persons trying to access general practitioner appointments for their children who may have respiratory symptoms (details supplied); if it is a national directive that general practitioners are no longer carrying out consultations over the phone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE advises parents and guardians to contact their GP if their child is unwell and they are worried about them.
The HSE Guidance on Managing Risk of Transmission of Respiratory Viruses Including COVID-19 in General Practice advises that the level of infection prevention and control precautions required in the healthcare setting are generally the same for children and adults in most contexts but taking account of the needs of the child.
General practice has continued to operate during the Covid-19 public health emergency and GPs see patients face to face where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place. In response to the pandemic, it has been necessary for GPs to triage patient in-person contact with GP surgeries as much as possible, to help prevent the spread of the virus and for the protection of patients and staff. GPs are performing assessments over the phone to determine if a patient needs to attend the surgery. Where clinically indicated, the GP will arrange an appointment to see the patient in the surgery.
GPs continue to carry out telephone and face to face consultations in line with their clinical judgement. No directive has issued from either the Department of Health or the HSE on this matter. It is expected that normal clinical practice should be accessible to all patients, in line with normal risk assessment procedures.
494. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of the support for Irish survivors of thalidomide Bill; when it will be available for pre-legislative scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55516/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra589. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with representatives of an association (details supplied) to address major concerns regarding the support for Irish survivors of thalidomide Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55809/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 589 together.
There are a number of cases concerning thalidomide before the High Court at present and it is not possible to comment on matters that are sub judice.
The Deputy may be aware that following an Irish Government decision in January 1975, the Government granted an ex-gratia sum equivalent to 4 times the German lump-sum and an ex-gratia monthly allowance for life equal to the German monthly allowance, to each of the Irish children found to have thalidomide related injuries. There are currently 29 Irish people in receipt of ex-gratia monthly payments from the Department of Health. The annual figure for the Irish monthly payments ranges from €6,175 to €13,313 for each individual. The rate of payment is related to each survivor’s level of thalidomide related injury.
The German monthly payments are made by the Contergan Foundation, which is established under German legislation. From 1 August 2013, the Foundation substantially increased its monthly payments to thalidomide survivors, including Irish survivors. Both the German payments and the Irish ex-gratia payments made to the survivors are exempt from tax, including DIRT and are not reckonable as means for the purpose of Social Welfare payments.
In addition to the initial lump-sum and monthly payments for life, the supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment, housing adaptations and access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services. There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs.
Work is underway in the Department to bring forward Heads of a Bill to provide these health and personal social supports on a statutory basis to Irish thalidomide survivors. While it is not possible at this stage to provide a timeframe for these legislative proposals, the Government is committed to the ongoing support of Irish thalidomide survivors.
It is important to note that the German Contergan Foundation has confirmed that since 2013 it is accepting applications from individuals for compensation for thalidomide related injury. It is open to any Irish person to apply to the Foundation for assessment of their disability as being attributable to thalidomide. Any Irish person who establishes that their injury is attributable to thalidomide will be offered appropriate supports by the Irish Government, commensurate with those currently provided to Irish thalidomide survivors.
495. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by the HSE in contracting debt collection agencies to pursue unpaid statutory charges in each of the years 2013 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55521/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
Certain cohorts of people may be exempt from some or all of these charges.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private in-patient charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
496. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred by each public hospital in contracting external debt collection agencies to pursue unpaid statutory charges in each of the years 2013 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55522/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
Certain cohorts of people may be exempt from some or all of these charges.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private in-patient charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
497. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of inpatients or inpatient day cases with unpaid inpatient charges whose debt was referred to a debt collection or legal agency in each of the years 2013 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55523/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
Certain cohorts of people may be exempt from some or all of these charges.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private in-patient charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
498. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the expenditure by the HSE and public hospitals on referral of statutory charges to external debt collection or legal agencies; the breakdown of expenditure by charge, that is, inpatient charge, outpatient and emergency charge in each of the years 2013 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55524/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
Certain cohorts of people may be exempt from some or all of these charges.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private in-patient charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail of this question is a matter for the HSE and I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.
499. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason the oncology department in St. James’ Hospital is not providing Covid-19 booster shots to its most vulnerable cancer patients; the reason this cohort of patients have not been sent for booster shots elsewhere despite being anxious to receive the extra vaccine as soon as possible; when these patients will receive the booster vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55529/21]
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.
500. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of times the HSE has conducted a double Covid-19 test on a person when the first test result was positive; the clinical grounds for a second test taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55530/21]
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.
501. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of instances of Covid-19 case denotification that have taken place since March 2020 for cases which were examined against viral targets detected; the reason for the test; the condition of the person having the test performed as criteria set out by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55531/21]
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.
502. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the viral target measures used when examining whether a positive Covid-19 test requires a second test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55532/21]
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.
503. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 492 of 12 October 2021, the amount paid by his Department to a laboratory (details supplied) in view of reports that excluding VAT it was paid €87,750 for its work with his Department and not €78,000 excluding VAT as previously indicated; if the laboratory was engaged in work on a trial basis by his Department in December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55539/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs referred to in my response to the PQ in question, my Department expended €78,000 EXVat at the time of asking.
With invoicing for this service updated, I can confirm that my Department has now expended a total of €87,750 EXVat for this service.
504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if a laboratory (details supplied) was engaged by his Department on a trial basis at any time during the period from 1 January 2017 to 1 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55540/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department did not engage with this laboratory on a trial basis for the dates in question.
505. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the reduction in the threshold for the drug payment scheme will come into effect. [55542/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed drugs, medicines, and medical/surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. All persons ordinarily resident in Ireland can apply for eligibility regardless of their means.
The DPS threshold is currently set at €114 per month.
As announced in Budget 2022, the DPS threshold will be reduced to €100 per month. It is anticipated that, upon enactment of secondary legislation to give effect to this change, the new threshold will come into effect on 1 January 2022.
506. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55553/21]
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.
