Written Answers Nos. 370-384
370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to address and cease unfair additional charges being applied to medical card holders in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/24]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost.
The NHSS covers the cost of the standard components of long-term residential care which are:
* Nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person;
* Bed and board;
* Basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living; and
* Laundry service.
Costs not covered by the NHSS include therapies, more specialised aids and appliances, social activities, transport and individual items and services such as specialised laundry, newspapers and hairdressing. A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the medical card scheme or the drugs payment scheme, is unaffected by participation in the NHSS or residence in a nursing home. In determining the services covered by the NHSS it was considered very important that the care recipient and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, medications and aids that are already prescribed for individuals under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the NHSS, as this would involve effectively paying twice for the same service.
Residents of nursing homes should enjoy the same levels of support and access to services for which they are eligible as when they lived in their own homes. It is acknowledged that the reason they require 24-hour levels of support is due to their level of dependency, which in turn may require access to clinical services including hospital and other outpatient appointments in the community.
The Department of Health does not currently hold data relating to additional charges in private nursing homes; these vary according to each individual nursing home depending on the services offered. It is private nursing homes who hold responsibility for delivering care to their residents in line with their terms of registration and the relevant regulations under the Health Act 2007. It is clear that under the terms of the NHSS Act 2009, private nursing homes should not levy additional charges on NHSS residents for services coming within scope of the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
Part 7 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract in writing with each resident on their admission to the nursing home. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should never be charged fees which are not set out in the contract. The Department of Health and the HSE are not a party to such contracts which are concluded between each resident and their nursing home.
It is hoped that a number of recent initiatives will improve the integration between nursing homes and the broader health system, which may lead to a reduced need for out-patient appointments. From March 1 of this year, a community based mobile X-ray service has been available to residents in nursing homes and Community Nursing Units nationwide. This service aims to reduce the number of older patients attending Emergency Departments.
In addition, it is expected that all patients transferring from acute hospitals to nursing homes will be assessed by, and necessary care interventions delivered by, ICPOP (Integrated Care Programme for Older People) and the wider care team, as appropriate. It is anticipated that these interventions will have an impact on unnecessary transfers from nursing homes to acute hospitals.
Furthermore, it is noted that the CEO of the HSE has indicated his intention for primary care services that are available to people living in their own home to be equally available to people living in nursing homes, both public and private.
Finally, the Department of Health is currently reviewing the available evidence with regard to additional charges and a focused piece of work to examine the issue is underway. There are a number of separate factors driving this issue and potential actions to address each of these are being considered.
371. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will address the discrepancy between the current CNM2 and CNS pay scales, which to-date have seen the CNS pay scale being omitted from the additional scale point, and the introduction of the long service increment; the progress being made in addressing this matter, as per the recommendation of the expert review body on nursing and midwifery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/24]
View answerI 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. My Department 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 (CNM2/CMM2) 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 now 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.
372. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health if a commitment to provide MAU services in Nenagh on a 24/7 basis no longer stands; if so, the reasons for this; the measures he is taking to increase the opening hours of the medical assessment unit in Nenagh; the manner in which staffing would be procured; if he will address the shortcomings in the mid-west that the lack of such a service on a 24/7 basis will result in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30651/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
373. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) of advanced years has been told it could be another 11 months before they can access a hearing test and hearing aids in light of the impact the delay will have on their quality of life; if an appointment will be expedited in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30659/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
374. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the reason the Labour Court recommendation of 20 September 2023 (details supplied) has not yet been implemented across the board; the timeline for its full implementation, including proper regard for CNS and CPCs; the reason for delaying the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30661/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by all Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialists and Clinical Placement Coordinators. Their work is of significant value to our services.
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 and Labour Court recommendation LCR22828.
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.
While it is the case that certain grades in the HSE have similar pay scales, this does not mean that they are linked to one another. LCR22828 refers only to the implementation of recommendations 44-46 of the ERB and their encompassed grades.
375. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation regarding the recruitment freeze on nursing posts in the HSE including that of psychiatric nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30664/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
376. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm receipt of a pre-Budget submission from an organisation (details supplied); and in light of a request for approved addiction services contained therein he will look favourably on this request. [30667/24]
View answerThe Department of Health receives pre-budget submissions from a number of organisations providing health and or personal social services every year.
I can confirm that a pre-budget submission has been submitted by the organisation detailed in this question and has been noted.
377. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will implement the recommendation by the expert review body on nursing and midwifery that the clinical placement coordinator salary scale would be extended by the addition of one further point and the introduction of a long service increment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by all Clinical Placement Coordinators. Their work is of significant value to our services.
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 and Labour Court recommendation LCR22828.
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.
While it is the case that certain grades in the HSE have similar pay scales, this does not mean that they are linked to one another. LCR22828 refers only to the implementation of recommendations 44-46 of the ERB and their encompassed grades.
378. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of year one paramedicine enrolments at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the cost of each place ; and the number of CAO places. [30708/24]
View answer379. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedicine enrolments across all years at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the cost of each place ; and the number of CAO places. [30709/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
I am informed that the questions tabled by the Deputy relate to University CAO places rather than NAS College paramedic places. As such, the information requested would need to be sought from the respective Higher Education institutions. The Deputy may, therefore, wish to enquire further in the matter with my colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
380. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if the recruitment pause in the HSE can be waived in respect of filling a post (details supplied). [30733/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
381. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30744/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by all Clinical Placement Coordinators. Their work is of significant value to our services.
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 and Labour Court recommendation LCR22828.
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.
While it is the case that certain grades in the HSE have similar pay scales, this does not mean that they are linked to one another. LCR22828 refers only to the implementation of recommendations 44-46 of the ERB and their encompassed grades.
382. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the status of recommendation No. 45 of the report of the expert review body on nursing and midwifery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30759/24]
View answerRecent increases applied to the Clinical Nurse/ Midwife Manager 2 (CNM2/CMM2) scale were the result of the implementation of recommendation 45 of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery.
Recommendation 45 set out that the Clinical Nurse Manager 2 and Clinical Midwife Manager 2 pay scale would be extended by an additional scale point, making point 10 the new maximum of the scale. The scale would also gain a Long Service Increment at point 11.
As part of the new Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, it was agreed that ERB recommendation 45, as set out in Labour Court Recommendation, LCR22828, would be implemented with effect from 1 January 2024.
Circular 2/2024 has been issued by the Department of Health, sanctioning the implementation of this pay change from 1 January 2024.
383. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 802 of 23 May 2023, if he will provide the details sought and not yet provided in full, namely, the total cost of legal fees spent by the HSE in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 involving the defence of grievance and or dignity-at-work cases or advice on such cases taken by HSE employees against HSE managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30767/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
384. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department is taking to ensure that, in accordance with a recommendation made by the expert review on nursing and midwifery, clinical placement coordinators (who are paid the same salary as that of a clinical nurse manager 2, since 1999) would have their salary scale increased by on further scale point and the introduction of a long-service increment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by all Clinical Placement Coordinators. Their work is of significant value to our services.
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 and Labour Court recommendation LCR22828.
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.
While it is the case that certain grades in the HSE have similar pay scales, this does not mean that they are linked to one another. LCR22828 refers only to the implementation of recommendations 44-46 of the ERB and their encompassed grades.
