Written Answers Nos. 992-1002
992. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of progress reports her Department committed to publishing under the review’s governance framework; the number that were actually published; to provide copies of same; to explain any failure to comply with the reporting commitments given to Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9295/26]
View answerThe Department has sought clarification in respect of the matter raised. However, the information provided does not specify the particular review to which the Deputy refers. In the absence of this detail, the Department is not in a position to provide a substantive response.
Should the Deputy wish to resubmit the Question with the requisite information identifying the review concerned, the Department will give the matter further consideration and respond accordingly.
993. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the interRAI Single Assessment Tool will be fully operational nationwide for residents in long-term residential care; to provide the original implementation timeline; the current timeline; the reasons for repeated delays.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9296/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
994. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason interRAI assessments are not currently used to determine NHSS funding levels, despite Government acceptance of needs-based funding; whether she accepts that nursing homes continue to be funded on flat-rate pricing regardless of resident dependency.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9297/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
995. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home residents nationally have been assessed using interRAI to date; what percentage this represents of the total NHSS population; whether she accepts that the current dataset is insufficient to justify further delay in reform.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9298/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
996. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any legislative amendments required to link NHSS funding to interRAI-determined care needs have been drafted; the reason; and when such legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas. [9299/26]
View answer997. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason no resource utilisation group or case-mix pricing model has been introduced for long-term residential care, despite explicit recommendations and international precedent; and whether her Department has set a definitive implementation deadline. [9300/26]
View answer998. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the international models of dependency-based nursing home funding have been examined by her Department; which were deemed suitable for Ireland; and why none have been adopted. [9301/26]
View answer999. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when a National Safe Staffing and Skill Mix Framework for nursing homes will be finalised; to provide the date the pilot commenced; the number of pilot sites;the reason the framework remains in pilot stage several years after acceptance.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9302/26]
View answerThe Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (The Framework) provides an evidence-based flexible approach to determine the number of nurses and healthcare assistants required to provide safe and quality care based on patient need. Framework development comprises three phases.
Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings and has been national policy since 2018. Phase 2, focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings, and was adopted as national policy in 2022.
Phase 3 extended the Framework into Community settings and comprises three distinct stages: (i) Long-Term Residential Care settings for older persons; (ii) Community care settings; and (iii) Step-down and Rehabilitation settings.
Phase 3 (i) of the Framework is now at an advanced stage of development for long-term residential care settings for older people and has been overseen by a national taskforce. The Framework was implemented and rigorously tested and evaluated in eight long term residential care settings nationally, including public, private and voluntary care settings between 2022-2024. These sites were selected to reflect the sector’s diversity in terms of geography, size and governance arrangements. Following the conclusion of the pilot testing, the Research Team presented the findings and submitted a Final Evaluation Report to the Taskforce.
Based on the evidence and recommendations contained in the Final Report, policy development is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed in 2026. This timeframe for testing and developing Phase 3(i) of the Framework is in line with the previous two phases of Framework development.
1000. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any funding uplift has been provided to voluntary nursing homes to meet the staffing expectations emerging from safe staffing pilots; and if not, how providers are expected to absorb rising staffing costs. [9303/26]
View answer1001. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that voluntary nursing homes are being held to rising regulatory and clinical standards without any binding national staffing ratios or corresponding funding. [9304/26]
View answer1002. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the average weekly cost per resident in public nursing homes compared with NHSS-funded voluntary and private homes; and whether she accepts that public units frequently operate above NHSS price ceilings. [9305/26]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
