Tuesday, 9 Apr 2024

Written Answers Nos. 1563-1582

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (1563)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1563. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when beds will be open (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15110/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (1564)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1564. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if a visa application can be expedited (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15112/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Justice.

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (1565)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1565. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in light of the article published on 21 March 2024 in the Irish Medical Journal which described the case of a woman treated for an ectopic pregnancy three days after a medical termination of pregnancy, how many cases there have been in Ireland from 2019 to date where an ectopic pregnancy was treated in an Irish hospital following a termination-of-pregnancy procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15113/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy’s question relates to a service area, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response.

Abortion Services

Ceisteanna (1566)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1566. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the number and categorical heading of adverse incidents on record which has followed termination of pregnancy from 2019 to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15115/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (1567)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1567. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to ensure employers of Section 39 organisations receive the same pay and conditions as their counterparts employed by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15116/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is worth noting that S39 organisations are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee. The HSE has already made significant payments on account to qualifying organisations to begin to address the amounts due to staff under the Section 39 Employee WRC agreement. In recent weeks the HSE has issued templates to over 1,130 Section 39 funded organisations to allow them to claim the full amounts of funding due to their employees. To date, 165 organisations have replied and these are now being processed. The HSE has also written again to all Section 39 funded organisations requesting that they submit their claims without delay and offering support to organisations who have queries in relation to the process. Funding will be allocated on an annual basis.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1568)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1568. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason money was allocated to provide only for a lump sum payment in respect of money due to Section 39 workers in the past year and no funds allocated to sustain the increase going forward. [15121/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is worth noting that S39 organisations are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee. The HSE has already made significant payments on account to qualifying organisations to begin to address the amounts due to staff under the Section 39 Employee WRC agreement. In recent weeks the HSE has issued templates to over 1,130 Section 39 funded organisations to allow them to claim the full amounts of funding due to their employees. To date, 165 organisations have replied and these are now being processed. The HSE has also written again to all Section 39 funded organisations requesting that they submit their claims without delay and offering support to organisations who have queries in relation to the process. Funding will be allocated on an annual basis.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1569)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1569. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason pay parity for section 39 employees is taking so long (details supplied). [15122/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is worth noting that S39 organisations are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee. The HSE has already made significant payments on account to qualifying organisations to begin to address the amounts due to staff under the Section 39 Employee WRC agreement. In recent weeks the HSE has issued templates to over 1,130 Section 39 funded organisations to allow them to claim the full amounts of funding due to their employees. To date, 165 organisations have replied and these are now being processed. The HSE has also written again to all Section 39 funded organisations requesting that they submit their claims without delay and offering support to organisations who have queries in relation to the process. Funding will be allocated on an annual basis.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1570)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

1570. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health what assistance can be offered to a day centre (details supplied); when Section 91 for practising chiropody will reopen for registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15124/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will be aware, the Health and Social Care Professionals Council and registration boards it oversees, collectively known as CORU, are responsible for protecting the public through regulation of the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended). CORU fulfils this role by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training, and competence amongst the regulated professions.

The Podiatrists Registration Board opened on the 31st March 2021 and CORU have confirmed that it ran a communications campaign at that time to highlight this development and provide information on the future registration requirements.

In addition, raising awareness about CORU’s regulatory role is a key priority for the organisation and, to support this, CORU undertook its largest ever public information campaign in autumn of 2021. A radio advertising campaign was coordinated with a nationwide outdoor advertising initiative to raise awareness of CORU’s remit. This campaign received widespread recognition and was continued and expanded in 2022.

Furthermore, I am advised that CORU rolled out a comprehensive campaign early in 2023 to again raise awareness of the requirement for podiatrists/chiropodists to register before the end of the transitional period on 31st March, 2023. This included ads and press release in the print media, use of social media, blogs and notices to professional/industry bodies. This included notice to National HR and Strategic Workforce Planning within the HSE to help raise awareness. Letters were also sent to circa 200 individual chiropodists and podiatrists nationwide.

When a register opens for the first time for a CORU regulated profession, there are two application pathways available to prospective applicants:

• Section 38 : Applicants must hold an approved qualification to be eligible to apply. This application route is open indefinitely.

• Section 91 : Applicants must be existing practitioners working in the profession for a minimum period of two years out of the five years prior to the register being opened. As per the legislation, this application pathway is open for a period of two-years only.

The title of podiatrist/chiropodist became legally protected in March 2023, as the transitional/ grandparenting period closed - the transitional or grandfathering period for Section 91 applications was only open between 31st March, 2021 and 31st March, 2023 as CORU have already advised and it is not an option to reopen this route to registration.

As the section 91 route is no longer available, applications to register as a podiatrist/chiropodist must be made through the Section 38 application route. Applicants must hold an approved qualification, details of which are available on CORU's website at coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/education/approved-qualifications/podiatrists/.

I am advised that CORU have been in contact with the applicant, informing them of the legislative requirements for registration with CORU i.e. that all applicants are required to have an approved qualification when applying under S38 of the Act, which is now the only route available to the applicant. CORU have also confirmed to the applicant that the transitional period (31 March 2021 – 31 March 2023) was the period when the S91 application route was open.

On the matter of why the HSE did not contact the organisation concerned, if it was aware that it was providing podiatry/chiropody services, this is a matter that should be directed to the HSE. Please be aware that since the transitional period ended on 31st March 2023, all chiropody/ podiatry services provided by any individual calling themselves a chiropodist/podiatrist must be provided by a CORU registered individual.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1571)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1571. 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. [15125/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Nursing Homes

Ceisteanna (1572)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1572. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a fair deal application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15126/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Primary Medical Certificates

Ceisteanna (1573)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

1573. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) will be given a primary medical certificate, given the circumstances. [15128/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (1574)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1574. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to legal advice regarding Section 23 (4) of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 and S.I. No. 4/2020 Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (Sale and Supply of Alcohol Products) Regulations 2020 (details supplied); his views on same; if he will respond to correspondence from an organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15135/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Enforcement of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is the responsibility of the National Environmental Health Services of the HSE. I cannot comment on the application or enforcement of law already in operation.

Primary Care Centres

Ceisteanna (1575)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

1575. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on whether a primary health care centre is planned for the Douglas area in Cork. [15138/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As 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 to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ceisteanna (1576)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1576. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is not entitled to getting hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15153/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (1577)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

1577. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will make provision for the payment of PSRP payment to persons that acted as healthcare assistants in view of their working title of programme assistant during the various chapters of the Covid pandemic response by the State; and the rationale for not making payment to this cohort to date in 2024. [15154/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Firstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their continuous efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

In 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.

Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation. I can confirm that 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.

Only those staff who met all the above eligibility criteria were covered for this payment. I appreciate that many workers, volunteers, and other citizens provided very important services during the pandemic which has not gone unrecognised.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (1578)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

1578. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the hip operation for a person (details supplied). [15180/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Ceisteanna (1579)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

1579. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health when urgent spinal surgery will be scheduled in Beaumont Hospital for a County Donegal-based person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15181/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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 (1580)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

1580. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the supports his Department will put in place for health workers who contracted long-Covid while carrying out their frontline services during the Covid-19 pandemic, who continue to be impacted by their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15189/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was introduced in July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. That Scheme concluded on 31st March 2024.

Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.

The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1581)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

1581. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans for the new day care centre at Abbeyleix Hospital; if the preliminary design has been completed; and what commitments there are to finance it. [15190/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (1582)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

1582. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if beds in Abbeyleix Hospital that are designated for ‘Portlaoise Hospital transitional care’ in the A side of the unit and unused for a period of time, can be utilised for community respite care. [15191/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.