Written Answers Nos. 170-189
170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with an address in County Kerry who are waiting for a cataract consultation; the number who are waiting for a cataract operation, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32845/22]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
A key development in improving access to Ophthalmology services was the opening of a stand-alone high-volume consultant-led cataract theatre by the University of Limerick Hospital Group in Nenagh Hospital in 2018, with the intention that it would facilitate patients from surrounding geographical areas to avail of their treatment there. The impact of such initiatives can be seen in the reduction in the waiting times to access cataract procedures since 2018. At the end of December 2017 there were 8,027 patients waiting for a cataract procedure nationally compared to 5,781 in May 2022.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists. Ophthalmology waiting lists are a particular area of focus of this plan
The plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly.
This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting List Task Force. The Task Force will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached document, provided to my Department by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, outlines the number of persons with an address in County Kerry who are waiting for a cataract consultation which is provided as Outpatient (OPD) waiting list for Ophthalmology, and the number who are waiting for a cataract operation as Inpatient-Daycase (IPDC) for Cataract surgery at the end of May 2022.
171. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many qualified nurses living in Ireland who received their qualifications in Australia but they are not recognised in Ireland; if he will take steps to recognise these qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32865/22]
View answerThe Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) welcomes applications to the Register from all over the world. All nurses and midwives practising in Ireland must be registered with NMBI. A key function of NMBI is the registration of overseas nurses and midwives, and these applicants must meet standards as set out in a European Union Directive (2005/36). If applicants who were educated as nurses and midwives outside the EU do not meet the theoretical and practice component required but do meet the minimum threshold to proceed to compensation measures, applicants have the option to complete either an adaptation programme, usually carried out in a hospital, or to sit examinations to have their competence verified. It is essential that applicants meet the requirements in order to protect the public.
Qualifications obtained by applicants in jurisdictions outside the EU are assessed on a case-by-case basis. NMBI currently has six applications from Australia that will require an education assessment in order to determine if their undergraduate education meets the standards and requirements of the EU Directive. These are being processed as efficiently as possible.
172. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if health care assistants at a nursing home (details supplied) are eligible for the pandemic payment. [32869/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
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. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
173. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the State supports that exist for those availing of assisted living and or the providers of the assisted living schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32907/22]
View answerIreland’s population is ageing rapidly, and for the most part, our older population clearly indicates their preference to age in place, in their own homes, for as long as possible. The Department of Health, in conjunction with its partners, is committed to supporting and facilitating these wishes and preferences in the years ahead. A clear demonstration of this is in the investment of €195 million, allocated in Budget 2022, to enable the continued delivery of the Enhanced Community Care Programme as well as the continuation of the €150m allocation made in 2021, which is delivering an unprecedented expansion of home support provision. The Department of Health and the HSE also support a number of complementary Support-Coordination models which will help our older citizens to age in place and reduce the rate of older people transferring to long-term residential care.
The Department of Health is also committed to delivering the vision of the 2019 policy statement on 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population', jointly published with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. The central aim of the policy statement is to increase the housing options available to older people and to facilitate the integration of supports in a more coherent way, particularly between the housing and health sectors, with a view to facilitating people to live at home with dignity and independence for longer.
‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’ also commits to expanding the housing options available for older persons and sets out specific actions on housing for older people, including a commitment to implementing the 40 actions that were contained in the Housing Options for Our Ageing Population policy statement. A successful housing outcome for older people requires an effective blending of housing and health policy and the cooperation of a range of stakeholders in order to plan productively for the delivery of services to meet the needs of older people.
The Department of Housing has advised my Department that it provides housing supports for older people through capital funding provided directly to local authorities for the provision of older persons specific housing. In addition, by way of the Capital Assistance Scheme and the Capital Advance Leasing Facility, the Department of Housing has advised that it provides funding to Approved Housing Bodies who provide housing for older persons. In the case of the housing for older people provided directly by local authorities the rent paid is a ‘differential rent’ based on the income of the older person.
The Department of Health, alongside the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is currently supporting a housing with supports ‘demonstrator project’ in Inchicore in Dublin. Housing with support is defined as purpose-built, noninstitutional accommodation, where older people have their own front door and where support or care services are available. This is a collaborative, cross-sectoral, and cross-departmental project that recognises the need for a joined-up approach to addressing the critical issue of creating housing choice for our ageing population.
This project will deliver 52 homes and is intended to set a new standard for the future of housing provision for older people and to act as an exemplar for others to follow. The ‘Housing with Support’ model brings together a range of services and supports – principally relating to housing, community, social and care needs. It will enable older persons to live full lives in their own homes within their own community with independence and reduces the need to move into long term residential care. The total CAS funding approved for the project is €22m (subject to conditions) as well as a contribution of €450,000 from the Department of Health towards additional communal facilities. The HSE will provide revenue funding for the provision of supports for the tenants when they are in situ. The project has received Stage 4 approval recently and Dublin City Council expect that it will be commencing on site by mid-year year 2022 with a 2024 completion date.
174. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the average length of time from application that it takes for a professional (details supplied) with qualifications from abroad to register with CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32914/22]
View answerCORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator, being responsible for regulating certain health and social care professions. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended). This role includes setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards.
There are two forms of application to CORU: applications for the recognition of qualifications received outside the State and applications for registration. Professional qualifications awarded outside the State are assessed through a process of “recognition” which involves expert assessment of a qualification’s alignment with the standards of proficiency required in Ireland, and assessment of professional experience and lifelong learning where required. Where a health and social care professional qualifies outside the State and applies to register in Ireland, they must apply for the recognition of their qualification. EU/EEA applicants have the right to have their qualifications assessed in accordance with the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 and Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications and the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2017 (SI No 8 of 2017). Once a completed application is been submitted to CORU, i.e., one containing all the required documentation, a decision must issue within four months.
CORU has provided the following data on the average processing time for recognition applications:
|
Therapeutic Professions |
Average days to Decision |
|
Dietitians |
69 |
|
Occupational Therapist |
74 |
|
Physiotherapist |
86 |
|
Speech and Language Therapist |
84 |
|
Overall (all professions) |
85 |
(please note this data refers to the period January 2022 to date)
It is not possible, at this time, to provide the current average processing timeframe for registration applications across the specified professions. However, the average processing time for registration applications across all professions is currently 8.9 weeks.
I met with the Chairperson and CEO of CORU last year and raised the issue of timeframes for the recognition of qualifications and registration applications. Following our discussion, several measures have been initiated by CORU aimed at further reducing timeframes.
Until last year applicants were required to complete the recognition process before initiating the registration process unless they had confirmed job offers. All applicants are now invited to initiate an application for registration as soon as they have submitted a complete application file to the recognition department. This will have the effect of reducing the period of time required to both complete the recognition and registration process.
This is part of a suite of innovations that have been initiated following my discussions with CORU. Further steps underway include:
- Full transfer to an online application system
- Increased frequency of regulatory decision-making (Registration Board meetings)
- Assignment of additional temporary staff resources
- Recruitment of additional expert assessors in ‘under pressure’ professions
- Development of a Voice over IP (VoIP) solution to improve communications with applicants
My Department will continue to support CORU in achieving its strategic vision and improving timeframes for all applicants in the future.
175. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of professionals (details supplied) working in the HSE in the past five years who have qualifications from institutions outside of here and the European Union; the number in each therapy post working in the HSE in the past five years who have been recruited from within the European Union, the number of professionals in each therapy post (details supplied) working in the HSE in the past five years who have been recruited from Britain, excluding Northern Ireland, in tabular form; the number in each therapy post working in the HSE in the past five years who have been recruited from Northern Ireland, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32915/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
176. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of professionals (details supplied) who were based within a school setting in the past five years prior to the introduction of children’s disability network teams; the number of each of these therapy posts that are currently based within a school setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32916/22]
View answer178. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the ratio of therapy staff to children with disabilities in each children’s disability network team in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32989/22]
View answer179. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of clerical administrative support staff in each children’s disability network team; the ratio of therapy staff to clerical administrative support staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32990/22]
View answer180. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of the therapy posts referenced by the Minister of State for Disability at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters on 2 May 2022 that have been filled to date in children’s disability network teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32991/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 178, 179 and 180 together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
177. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the inclusion of diagnostics such as x-ray and ultrasound to be included in the range of services in the new east Meath primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32988/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
181. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that asthma is not considered a long-term illness with the HSE, requiring persons to be reassessed regularly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33022/22]
View answerThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. All chronic long-term illnesses, including those not covered by the LTI scheme, require regular clinical reassessment by a medical professional.
While there are no plans currently to extend the list of illnesses covered by the LTI scheme, the scheme will be included as part of a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
In the meantime, for people who are not eligible for the LTI scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
182. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) will be examined and an effective care plan expedited. [33028/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
183. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit additional neurology nurse specialists for a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
184. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can have their details corrected with by the HSE. [33030/22]
View answerThe matter is being investigated and my Department will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
185. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the strategy for supporting and treating persons with long-Covid. [33035/22]
View answer197. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 26 May 2022, if he will list the sites providing long-Covid and post-acute clinics respectively on an interim basis; the current number awaiting an appointment at each clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33100/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 197 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly
186. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus payment will be paid to home help and homecare assistance workers in an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33038/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
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. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
The Government is mindful of other workers who played their own part during this difficult period in sustaining other services. It is tough to draw a line on this matter, but the Government based its decision on the risks which the above frontline workers faced. In recognition of the efforts of all workers, volunteers, and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced a public holiday which took place on 18 March 2022. From February next year there will also be a new permanent public holiday established to mark Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day.
187. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children with scoliosis who were waiting for more than four months for a procedure, by month in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/22]
View answerIn February of this year I met with senior officials of Children’s Heath Ireland (CHI) and the HSE, as well as senior orthopaedic clinicians from Temple Street, Crumlin and Cappagh, to discuss the finalisation of proposals to increase orthopaedic activity at CHI. The plan proposes ambitious additional activity levels which will work to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis and spina bifida) by year end.
This latest initiative is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to address the issues facing these children. Both current and capital funding has been provided in 2022 to support this initiative.
Both current and capital funding totalling €17.43 million has been approved for this initiative. The plan will result in an additional 67 spinal fusions and 28 spinal other procedures for children with Scoliosis, as well as an additional 141 procedures for children with Spina Bifida. The plan also allocates substantial paediatric orthopaedic procedures at Cappagh orthopaedic hospital, with 720 additional procedures planned for the year.
By using the capacity provided by Cappagh for less complex orthopaedic patients, including routine scoliosis procedures, CHI can free up space in order that complex orthopaedic procedures, including scoliosis spinal fusions, can be carried out centrally at CHI sites. The impact of the plan has already been recorded with increased activity year to date. Year to date by the end of May 2022, 197 scoliosis procedures had been carried out, compared to 156 for the same period in 2019. The number of patients waiting longer than 6 months for a scoliosis procedure has also reduced to 79 by the end of May 2022, compared to 103 in August 2020.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Minister, I have asked the HSE to provide you with a direct response.
188. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the absolute number of persons who were invited to attend BreastCheck; the number and proportion who attended their BreastCheck appointment in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 between 2015 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33059/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
189. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the absolute total number of persons who attended symptomatic breast disease clinics regardless of waiting time and the number and proportion who attended for each of the pathways that is, urgent recommended two weeks and non-urgent 12 weeks, in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 between 2015 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33060/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
