Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1259. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDental Services
Ceisteanna (1259)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (1260)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:1260. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to extending the payment for those healthcare workers suffering from long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13845/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid.
This Special Scheme has been extended a number of times, most recently in October 2023, when the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) granted a final extension, permitting the Special Scheme to run until 31st March 2024.
DPENDPR's sanction to extend the Special Scheme to that date was contingent on it being the final sanction that would be provided, and as such the Special Scheme will conclude on 31st March 2024.
The conclusion of the Special Scheme has been the subject of a claim from health sector staff representative bodies, and the Labour Court has recently recommended that persons with Long COVID in the health service should be supported by taking account of the availability of the range of support arrangement already in place, including the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.
The circa 118 employees currently on the Special Scheme have been supported on full pay for close to four years to date (depending on the date they initially contracted Covid) having moved from DPENDPR’s Special Leave with Pay to the Special Scheme in July 2022. Any employee remaining unwell after the Special Scheme concludes, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, and employees have received personal notification of this from their employer.
The supports available under the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme include:
Full pay sick leave for three months.
Followed by half pay sick leave for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration, which if granted, provides up to a 547 days of paid sick leave.
The Critical Illness Protocol may also provide further supports if granted.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (1261)
Ged Nash
Ceist:1261. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will continue to fund an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13861/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Awaiting reply from Department.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1262)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1262. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE respiratory physiologists attached to Letterkenny University Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024. [13862/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1263)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1263. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE orthodontists, by grade, working in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13863/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (1264)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1264. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of children seen by dentists on the school dental screening services within CHO9 in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13864/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1265)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1265. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the average times persons have to wait in County Monaghan before learning their biopsy histology results; and the HSE policy on waiting times for histology results. [13865/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1266)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1266. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries allocated to consultant orthopaedic surgeons at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13866/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1267)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1267. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of x-ray machines currently available for usage in Croom Orthopaedic Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13867/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1268)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1268. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a new specialist endometriosis centre for complex care will be established in Galway. [13868/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to promoting and improving women’s health outcomes. Endometriosis has been recognised as part of the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce and is included in the Women's Health Action Plan 2022-2023, as part of a priority workstream on improving gynaecological health for women and girls.
In relation to endometriosis care in Ireland, the HSE's National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) is in the final stages of developing a National Endometriosis Framework in conjunction with endometriosis specialists and gynaecologists. This new Model of Care for endometriosis identifies how care for women in this area needs to be delivered and will cover primary (GP) care to local hospital care to specialist complex care.
The framework provides for five regional hubs, including Galway (UHG) to coordinate care within the maternity networks. These regional hubs support two supra-regional sites in Tallaght and Cork for management of complex cases of endometriosis. NWIHP has advised that all hubs and supra-regional sites are currently operational and taking referrals. Work is on-going in each of the hubs, to streamline endometriosis referrals into specific clinics. It is expected that services will expand as full teams are recruited.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1269)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1269. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an outline of the CAMHS service in County Wexford.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Addiction Treatment Services
Ceisteanna (1270)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1270. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE HSE addiction nurses in CHO6 in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the locations where these addiction nurses are located, in tabular form. [13870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Care Centres
Ceisteanna (1271)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1271. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the new Kilbarrack primary care centre; and what new services will be provided when this PCC opens. [13871/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1272)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1272. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to establish a postnatal hub in Cavan. [13872/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1273)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1273. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total spent on agency staff in the HSE CHO2 area in 2023. [13873/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1274)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1274. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on a waiting list for breast reconstruction surgery in each of the years 2021 to 2023 in each hospital, in tabular form. [13874/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (1275)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1275. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for dementia specific nursing home care in Limerick in 2023. [13875/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1276)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1276. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons aged 0-18 years of age who travelled outside of the State for specialist neurosurgery treatment not available within the State in 2023 via the HSE treatment abroad scheme. [13876/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1277)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1277. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant musculoskeletal radiologists at Tallaght University Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13877/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1278)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1278. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE audiologists, by grade employed, by HSE working in CHO4 in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13878/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1279)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1279. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant gastroenterologists with a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease based in Galway University Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13879/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (1280)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1280. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a hospital appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13881/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (1281)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:1281. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health how many times the critical lack of care for diabetes patients in Letterkenny University Hospital has been notified to the HSE national risk register in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13882/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (1282)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:1282. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when it is planned to restore physiotherapy clinics to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13886/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE recently ended the industrial action which commenced on 6 October 2023. As a consequence, members in these grades were not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result of the accumulated backlog, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (1283)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1283. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department has taken to establish if all workers eligible for the pandemic payment have been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13891/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In January 2022, the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic.
Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation. 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 front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedic staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The payment to HSE and Section 38 staff is substantially complete.
The roll-out of payments to cohorts 1 to 4 above has been carried out by an external contractor, KOSI Corporation. As of 22/03/2024, funding to 770 organisations for 79,672 staff has been issued.
|
Cohort |
Organisations processed for payment |
|
Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices |
449 |
|
Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities |
78 |
|
Agency roles working in the HSE |
108 |
|
Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE |
135 |
|
Total |
770 |
Roll-out continues to any remaining eligible staff in cohorts 1 to 4 and it is receiving priority attention from the HSE and KOSI Corporation.
Funding was transferred to the Department of Defence and Dublin City Council to cover cohorts 5 and 6 above on 1/11/22. Payment of these staff is a matter for those bodies but I understand that payment to these cohorts is substantially complete.