Written Answers Nos. 408-431
408. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the standard procedure in CHO3 and CHO5 with regard to the submission of sick certificates for HSE staff on sick leave with a critical illness, such as cancer and on TRR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27891/24]
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.
409. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health how regularly sick certificates must be submitted to HR by staff on leave with critical illness in CHO3 and CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27892/24]
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.
410. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if it would be standard practice for a person on sick leave with a critical illness to be obligated to submit sick certificates once a week in CHO3 and CHO5; if so, if this would be the case when the individuals reason for leave has been identified as critical illness and their ability to return to work can be identified in advance, and should not need to re-confirmed on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27893/24]
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.
411. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if there is a standard procedure for the handling of sick certificates and staff on leave with critical illness across the HSE in all CHOs, or if it differs area to area; if it does vary area-to-area to any great degree, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27894/24]
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.
412. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the regularity in which staff on leave with critical illness must submit sick certificates varies depending on their role/position in the HSE and CHO area; if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
413. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the length a staff member may remain on TRR once they have used all TRR; the options available to staff who are still incapacitated with a critical illness and are unable to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll civil and public servants in Ireland are covered by the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme. The Scheme was reviewed and a revised policy issued in 2023.
In the health sector, Circular 14-2023 introduced this revised policy. Details in respect of Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration are set out in Section 4. I attach a copy of this circular for information for the Deputy.
414. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 823 of 11 June 2024, if he will outline, given the National Gender Service was unable to share how much of its clinical staff's time is spent on assessment, how it ensured its outstanding business cases had an appropriate balance of clinical roles. [27904/24]
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.
415. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 11 June 2024, to clarify that when the National Gender Service says it regularly meets people who go on to detransition, how many times per year it is that a patient detransitions. [27905/24]
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.
416. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 11 June 2024, that in the experience of the National Gender Service, what proportion of those who detransition express regret about medically transitioning. [27906/24]
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.
417. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health what the National Gender Service believes are the risks of transgender people not having access to HRT. [27907/24]
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.
418. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health what the requirements are for vaginoplasty and phalloplasty for transgender patients under the treatment abroad scheme; and if this includes approval by two consultant members of a multidisciplinary team. [27908/24]
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.
419. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if HSE acute operations has approved funding for a new location for the National Gender Service; and what consultation with the community was involved. [27909/24]
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.
420. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how the HSE transgender lead plans to take into account bad faith international research produced by those that oppose trans healthcare. [27910/24]
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.
421. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of comments previously made by a SPLC-designated anti-LGBTQ hate group in relation to the appointment of the HSE transgender lead (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27911/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a new clinical programme for gender healthcare has been initiated by the HSE, and over the next two years an updated clinical model for gender healthcare services will be developed.
To improve the clinical pathway for people with gender health needs, the HSE has appointed the Clinical Lead for the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) who will lead the development of a new Model of Care under the auspices of the National Clinical Programmes. This recruitment process was carried out by the National Recruitment Service and was independent of the Department of Health.
The work will be informed by the best evidence based clinical care for individuals who express gender incongruence or dysphoria. Emerging and evolving international evidence, including the recently published Cass Report will be reviewed as part of this work.
The HSE’s Gender Healthcare National Clinical Programme is committed to developing an updated model of care in a consultative way and stakeholder engagement will be an important part of this work. This will ensure that people with lived experience will be involved in the design of services and advise on the delivery and evaluation of services.
A number of groups have commented, both positively and negatively, on the development of the Model of Care and the appointment of the Clinical Lead but that cannot be allowed to derail the HSE from developing a well-governed and patient-centred healthcare service for the transgender community.
422. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) will be provided with Section 39 funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27921/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
423. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE pest control units currently in operation in Dublin city; to provide a breakdown of the full-time equivalent employees serving in HSE pest control units in Dublin city, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27922/24]
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.
424. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will receive a neurology appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27927/24]
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.
425. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the exact amount allocated to each individual for post-mastectomy care in each county, given that there may be disparities in products available depending on which county a person resides in; if he will provide assurances that allowances will be standardised across all counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27940/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provide an extensive range of aids and appliances to individuals living with a wide variety of different medical conditions. These support individuals to continue living within their communities and to enjoy a greater quality of life than would otherwise be the case.
The Community Funded Schemes (CFS) is the collective name for the provision of these products and services by the HSE. The provision of post mastectomy products is included but the range of individual allowance does vary across the country. Engagement between my Department and the HSE is ongoing regarding the potential cost of standardising the allowance available.
Progressing Women's Health is a priority within the Programme for Government, and a top priority for me as Minister for Health. I am proud to have overseen unprecedented levels of funding in women's health services over the last few years. I want to ensure that the necessary supports are put in place so that every woman has the same level of access to appropriate healthcare no matter where they live in Ireland.
426. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of all the legal costs incurred by the HSE, or his Department, in providing protection where families have taken legal action claiming a failure to provide child assessments for disabilities in a timely manner, from 2020, in tabular form. [27953/24]
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.
427. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27964/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced paramedics currently serving in Clare; if there are plans to expand, maintain or reduce advanced paramedic recruitment; the number shifts in the last twelve months have not had an advanced paramedic serving on them in spite of the Government's promise to maintain 24-7 advanced paramedic presence when closing Ennis Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27980/24]
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.
429. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 7 of 2 May 2024, when the issue of pay restoration and the WRC agreement will be paid to persons (details supplied). [27983/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to acknowledge the vital role that these organisations and their staff play in our health and social care sectors. They continue to have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children, older people and in other social care settings. Government has a clear interest in ensuring the stability and sustainability of these services.
The objective of the HSE is to ensure all employees can access their entitlements under the WRC agreement. They have already made significant payments to qualifying organisations and continue to work with each of the organisations to ensure payments are made without delay.
As this process continues it has come to light that there are other community groups, who are funded through different pathways and although operating similarly, are not technically Section 39 organisations, such as local drug and alcohol taskforce groups, who have not been encompassed within the existing process. The Department is aware of the issue and is working to resolve this matter in a timely manner.
430. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a substantive reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27991/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that as the matters raised relate to operational service provision, I have forwarded the correspondence to the HSE for direct reply.
431. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric ENT surgeons and paediatric ENT registrars at CHI Crumlin in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [27992/24]
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.
