Pauline Tully
Question:484. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if there is a compensation scheme for persons who have died due to Covid-19 and from long-Covid, respectively. [28896/24]
View answerCovid-19 Pandemic
Questions (484)
Written answers
I am advised that the Deputy has refined this PQ to be in respect of seeking 'an outline of supports that exist for people who are out of work due to Long Covid and for the dependents of those who died from Covid/Long Covid', and as such my response is on that basis.
The COVID-19 Death in Service Ex-Gratia Scheme for Health Care Workers provides for an Ex-Gratia lump sum payment of €100,000 to the families of health and social care workers who contracted Covid-19 in the workplace and subsequently died. The scheme is to acknowledge the remarkable dedication and fortitude in our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic shown by workers across the health system. The scheme is administered by POBAL on behalf of my Department.
In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme was put in place for 12 months in July 2022 to support eligible staff who were impacted by Long-Covid. At my request of the Special Scheme has been extended several times, most recently just last week when the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR) granted a final extension, permitting the Special Scheme to run until the end of June 2025. DPENDPR have been very clear that this was the final extension that would be granted.
Employees on the Special Scheme will be supported by their employers Occupational Health Physician during the next 12 months until the Scheme concludes, including being supported to return to the workplace, where that is possible, with reasonable accommodations that may help with same.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell beyond that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support. Employees who did not qualify for the Special Scheme but are also impacted by Long-Covid may also utilise the supports of the sick leave scheme.
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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (485)
Robert Troy
Question:485. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a hospital procedure will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [28897/24]
View answerWritten answers
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.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (486)
Paul Kehoe
Question:486. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the role the HSE has in ensuring that people have access to a GP in their community and in recruiting a new GP/practice in an area that does not have any GP service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28898/24]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (487)
Michael Creed
Question:487. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if it is compulsory for a person in County Cork (details supplied) to have to retire on 26 September 2024; and if he will outline the legal basis for this. [28907/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (488)
Cathal Crowe
Question:488. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently intervene to expedite respite for the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28916/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Service Executive
Questions (489)
Carol Nolan
Question:489. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the remuneration package of the chief executive of the Health Service Executive includes the free use of a car owned or provided by the executive; the terms under which it is offered; the estimated cost of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28920/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Assisted Human Reproduction
Questions (490)
Niamh Smyth
Question:490. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health following the passage of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022, when the issue of citizenship for a child born through IVF to an Irish citizen living outside of Ireland will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28926/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 was passed by Seanad Éireann on 26th June.
The issues covered by the legislation have been widely discussed and examined, including during Committee Stage and Report stage in the Dáil and by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy. Some of the issues which arose require further consideration and in this regard it is my intention to bring forward a supplementary Bill for inclusion in the Dáil’s autumn legislative programme.
The amending Bill will, subject to further consultation with and legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General, and Government approval, provide clarity for Irish residents undertaking donor-assisted human reproduction procedures abroad seeking to obtain a declaration of parentage. It is also my intention that the Bill will include provisions for Irish citizens domiciled abroad who have undergone surrogacy or donor-assisted human reproduction abroad to have their parentage recognised where it is not already, subject to appropriate safeguards, and also provisions relating to the citizenship of children whose parentage is recognised under the new provisions.
This will require amendments to existing legislation including Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 which are under the remit of my Department, and the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 which is under the remit of the Minister for Justice.
Officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth will continue to work on these and other amendments to be included in the forthcoming legislation. The Oireachtas will have sole responsibility for determining the form and scope of the final legislation.
Health Services Waiting Lists
Questions (491)
Robert Troy
Question:491. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the details of the current waiting times to access speech and language therapy in CHO8. [28929/24]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (492)
Alan Kelly
Question:492. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries attached to consultant neurologists at Cork University Hospital in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [28954/24]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (493)
Alan Kelly
Question:493. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE orthodontists, by grade, working within primary care service in CHO5 in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [28955/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Staff
Questions (494)
Alan Kelly
Question:494. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE secretaries attached to consultant ENT surgeons at University Hospital Limerick in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [28956/24]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (495)
Alan Kelly
Question:495. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric urologists working in public health services; his plans to expand this number; the international recommended best practice ratio for paediatric urologists to population; and the current ratio. [28957/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Questions (496)
Cathal Crowe
Question:496. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when funding will be released for orthodontic treatment at St. Camillus in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28962/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (497)
Cathal Crowe
Question:497. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for orthodontic treatment will be facilitated for a child (details supplied); when an appointment will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28963/24]
View answerWritten answers
“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
Questions (498)
Mark Ward
Question:498. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the discussions his Department and or the HSE in taking over the running of a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28993/24]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE was notified on Thursday 16th May 2024 by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), that HIQA had cancelled the registration of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home with the agreement of the Directors of Passage Healthcare International (Ireland) Limited, who was the registered provider of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home. Since 10am on Friday 17th May, the HSE, in accordance with its statutory requirement under Section 64 of the Health Act 2007, is required to take charge of the nursing home and carry on its business as if it were still registered, pending alternative arrangements.
As part of its ongoing assessment, the HSE assessed the nursing home and has engaged with all relevant parties to explore all options as it relates to Lucan Lodge. This assessment has generated a number of significant issues of concern.
Several fire safety concerns have been identified within the existing infrastructure. In line with its obligations, the HSE have put mitigation measures in place to address immediate risks.
As part of the HSE’s responsibilities, routine water quality sampling was undertaken in Lucan Lodge. Positive Legionella results were returned across the site at very high levels.
In consultation with Public Health, a Water Quality Committee meeting was convened on the 21st June 2024 and an immediate plan was put in place to urgently address the situation including the implementation of immediate control measures noting that further permanent water and heating works are required.
Unfortunately, these measures can only address the immediate risk and will not support the safe provision of ongoing care in Lucan Lodge. Extensive infrastructural works are required to remedy both the fire and the water safety concerns. The necessary work could not be done while people remain in the building.
Due to these issues, the HSE plan is to support residents to relocate from Lucan Lodge with immediate effect with the aim of relocation of all residents to be achieved over the next 4 weeks. There are currently 47 residents in situ. Over recent weeks, with assistance from the HSE, 20 residents have transferred of their own choice to 12 other nursing homes.
I am deeply concerned to learn of the challenges facing Lucan Lodge and understand how upsetting this information may be for residents and family members. The HSE team on site in Lucan Lodge are committed to working closely with residents and family members to explore options regarding a move to a new nursing home. The HSE will work with residents and family members to ensure the transition to new nursing homes respects their will and preference.
The HSE team will be available onsite to residents and family members over the coming weeks to answer any questions. Please be assured residents’ safety and ongoing care always remains the highest priority.
This is an evolving situation, and all options are being explored. Regular engagements are taking place between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
I would like to thank residents, families, and staff for their continuing co-operation at this difficult time.
Hospital Admissions
Questions (499)
Paul Donnelly
Question:499. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who attended the accident and emergency department at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [29010/24]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (500)
Paul Donnelly
Question:500. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of times the HSE has advertised for the post of consultant in emergency medicine since January 2022. [29011/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Questions (501)
Paul Donnelly
Question:501. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of additional patients seen on the dental treatment service scheme under the €5 million waiting list reduction scheme 2023; and the estimated total cost of these sessions in the CHO9 area. [29012/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Staff
Questions (502)
Seán Sherlock
Question:502. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists employed in each CDNT; and the vacant positions in each CDNT relating to occupational therapists, in tabular form. [29020/24]
View answerWritten answers
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
Questions (503)
Seán Sherlock
Question:503. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric occupational therapists employed in each LHO; and the vacant positions in each CDNT relating to paediatric occupational therapists, in tabular form. [29021/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.