Written Answers Nos. 532-551
532. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a full-time MSc in an occupational therapy course (details supplied) is a qualification recognised by CORU, and if so, the average processing times for recognition and registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20330/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to note that only professional qualifications awarded within the State can be accredited by CORU for access to CORU regulated professions. Professional qualifications awarded outside the State are assessed through a process of ‘recognition’ which involves comparison of the qualification with the standard of proficiency required of accredited Irish qualifications.
The two-year full-time MSc in Occupational Therapy in question is not a qualification which is automatically recognised by CORU as meeting the standard required to practise as an occupational therapist in Ireland at the moment. Any applicant presenting with this qualification must have it assessed and recognised as equivalent to an approved Irish occupational therapy qualification before they can complete the registration process.
However, I can also confirm that all education programmes leading to a qualification for entry to a regulated profession which allows graduates to register with the Health and Care Professions Council in the UK are currently under review for alignment with the standards to practise in Ireland. The assessment of standards alignment between Ireland and the UK for CORU regulated professions is currently being evaluated by experts in the professions, both in practice and in academia.
If the alignment of standards between the two jurisdictions to practise in a CORU regulated profession is sufficient, graduates with UK qualifications will be eligible to apply for recognition without the need for their qualification to be individually assessed (as is currently the case), as it will be classified under CORU’s frequently seen qualifications pathway.
The Occupational Therapists Registration Board’s standards of proficiency are being examined as part of this review and, if they are considered to have alignment, all programmes that are approved by the HCPC will be accepted by CORU. The MSc in Occupational Therapy mentioned will be one of the programmes considered as it is currently approved by the HCPC.
CORU expects to complete the full review and assessment by the end of Quarter 2 2024. Applicants able to use this pathway i.e., when their qualification is assessed as meeting the standards required to practice safely in Ireland, will be able to register with CORU in a timelier manner as the lengthy recognition process will be significantly reduced.
CORU have indicated that, at end Q1 2024, the average number of days for a recognition decision to be made following an occupational therapy application is 64 days from when an application is deemed ‘file complete’ (i.e. all relevant information sought has been provided by the applicant and the application is ready for assessment) to a final decision being communicated.
The average time from when an application for registration is submitted on-line to the date an applicant is added to the register currently stands at 80 days for occupational therapists.
533. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason a land valuation is being sought in respect of a medical card application for a person in County Mayo (details supplied), in view of the fact that this person has provided evidence of the income they derive from this land and the undue stress this matter is causing to an older person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
534. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for a hernia operation in Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [20338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
535. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if assistance is available to help a person (details supplied) who needs to have a tooth repaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20339/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
536. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds currently provided in each public/voluntary hospital as of end-April 2024 or the latest date available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
537. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20358/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere was no EU receipt by my Department from health-related EU Programmes/Funds that are not included in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, between 2014 and now.
Similarly, my Department did not make any financial contributions towards health-related EU Programmes/Funds that are not included in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, between 2014 and now.
538. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review and refer correspondence to the HSE estate management team (details supplied); and to provide an update on the matter. [20367/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
539. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Dublin Midland Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20368/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
540. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Saolta Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20369/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
541. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Ireland East Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20370/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
542. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the RCSI Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20371/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
543. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the South/Southwest Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20372/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
544. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the UL Hospitals Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20373/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
545. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Children's Health Ireland Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20374/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
546. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the reason the employment embargo is impacting on cover for maternity leave; his plans to address this matter which is impacting services across the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
547. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the appointment of a new CEO of Children’s Health Ireland; the steps and stages involved in the process; the anticipated timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20378/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
548. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the recruitment embargo in respect of nursing staff will be lifted; when will nurses working in one part of the country be able to transfer to another part of the country as the embargo is having an impact on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20382/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding has been made available for an additional 2,969 staff for 2024. This represents 2,268 via the Department of Health and 701 via the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and is outlined in the HSE National Service Plan approved and published on 14 February 2024.
I have approved the allocation of the resources relevant to the health budget outlined in the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy for 2024 and plans to recruit these 2,268 additional staff are now in motion. This will enable the HSE to set out its recruitment targets in each area for 2024 and will inform decisions at local level on the filling of available posts, including the transfer of staff across locations and those returning to work following a career break.
549. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if there are particular restrictions on overtime for HSE carers for home help at this time compared to the restrictions which ordinarily apply; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20383/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
550. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health in tabular form the number of social worker posts that are authorised and the number that are filled in each hospital and clinic in Dublin, and larger hospitals broken down by Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20384/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
551. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a treatment abroad scheme application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20385/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
