Wednesday, 10 Jul 2024

Medicinal Products

Questions (411)

David Cullinane

Question:

411. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if skyclarys (omaveloxalone) has been considered for reimbursement for Friedrich's ataxia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30423/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (412)

David Cullinane

Question:

412. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver a specialist intestinal failure centre; if funding has been sought for such a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/24]

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Written answers

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

Questions (413)

Michael Lowry

Question:

413. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the implementation of the recommended salary increment for clinical nurse manager 2, as suggested by the expert review body on nursing and midwifery, given that the salaries of clinical nurse specialists are linked to this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I would like to acknowledge the very important part that both Clinical Nurse and Midwife Managers (CNM/CMM) and Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialists (CNS/CMS) play in our health sector. They have a key role in the effective coordination of care for patients in our Health Service.

Recent increases applied to the Clinical Nurse/ Midwife Manager 2 (CNM/CMM) scale were a result of the implementation of recommendation 45 of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery.Recommendation 45 of the ERB set out that the Clinical Nurse Manager 2 and Clinical Midwife Manager 2 pay scales would be extended by an additional scale point making Point 10 the new max of scale. The scale would also gain an LSI at Point 11. As part of the new Public Service Agreement, 2024-2026, it was agreed that the recommendations set out by the Labour Court would be implemented with effect from 1 January 2024. I understand that there are calls for the CNS/CMS grades to also be included in the implementation of recommendation 45 of the ERB. While I understand that the salary of the CNS/CMS role has historically been aligned with the CNM 2/CMM 2 role, the terms of reference for the ERB did not incorporate the CNS/CMS for pay related considerations.

I can advise that my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Questions (414)

Michael Lowry

Question:

414. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason, despite the recommendations for the implementation of the recommended salary increment for clinical nurse manager 2, as suggested by the expert review body on nursing and midwifery, the salary increment has not been applied to clinical nurse specialists, particularly those working in community palliative care in south Tipperary, and what steps are being taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30441/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I would like to acknowledge the very important part that Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialists (CNS/CMS) play in our health sector. They have a key role in the effective coordination of care for patients in our Health Service. The Department of Health is committed to the continued and ongoing development and support of the CNS and CMS roles going forward.

Recent increases applied to the Clinical Nurse/ Midwife Manager 2 (CNM/CMM) scale were a result of the implementation of recommendation 45 of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery.I understand that there are calls for the CNS/CMS grades to also be included in the implementation of recommendation 45 of the ERB. While I understand that the salary of the CNS/CMS role has historically been aligned with the CNM 2/CMM 2 role, the terms of reference for the ERB did not incorporate the CNS/CMS for pay related considerations.

I can advise that my officials are actively with the Department of Public Expenditure on this matter.

Health Services Staff

Questions (415)

Michael Lowry

Question:

415. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide details on how his Department plans to support the development of clinical nurse specialists in the community, which is essential for the improvement of services and the development of Sláintecare, especially during the current recruitment and retention crisis in the healthcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30442/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The Government acknowledges the very important part that Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialists (CNS/CMS) play in our health sector. They have a key role in the delivery of specialist care and effective coordination of care for patients in our Health Service.

The Department of Health is committed to the continued and ongoing development and support of the CNS and CMS roles going forward. There has been significant growth in the numbers of CNS/CMS in recent years as the roles are seen as vital for the delivery of integrated community care under Sláintecare reforms. In April 2024, there were 2,579 whole time equivalent (WTE) CNS/CMS, including those on a pathway to the post, an increase of 968 WTE since 2019.

The HSE is targeting recruitment of a total of 367 Clinical Nurse Specialist grade staff to the ECC Programme, 259 of which have been recruited to early 2024. 171 of these posts were on-boarded to HSE Primary Care by the start of 2024, with 49 Clinical Nurse Specialists recruited to Older Person’s Services and a further 39 to HSE Acute Hospital Services, through the ECC. These Clinical Nurse Specialists work within the ECC multidisciplinary community teams, providing care to patients, and facilitating the delivery of the end-to-end care pathways as part of the model which provides many different job opportunities for CNSs and CMSs to work to the top of their license.

Deputy may be aware I have set a policy target for 3% of the nursing and midwifery workforce to be at advanced practice level. While we will continue to build the CNS and CMS workforce in line with patient need the additional opportunities created by increasing Advanced Practice roles will also be available for CNSs and CMSs. Funding was provided in 2023 to recruit an additional 80 WTE Advanced Nurse and Midwife practitioners bringing advanced practice roles up to 2.4% of the nursing and midwifery workforce.

Medical Aids and Appliances

Questions (416)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

416. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will be making a special chair available in certain cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30448/24]

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Written answers

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.

Question No. 417 answered with Question No. 294.

Addiction Treatment Services

Questions (418)

Thomas Gould

Question:

418. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of beds by CHO for women seeking treatment for addiction, in tabular form. [30454/24]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Home Help Service

Questions (419)

Robert Troy

Question:

419. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours, which have been approved, can urgently be provided for a person (details supplied). [30503/24]

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Written answers

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.