John Lahart
Ceist:1690. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when a pay issue will be resolved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34306/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1690)
Freagraí scríofa
Firstly, 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 (CNM2/CMM2) scale were a result of the implementation of recommendation 45 of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery.
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. Following engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform, I can confirm that the Department of Health has now received sanction to allow the benefits of recommendation 45 of the ERB to also be applied to the CNS/CMS grade.
Circular 7/2024 has been issued by the Department of Health, sanctioning and detailing the implementation of this pay change.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1691)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:1691. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on the exclusion by the HSE of health and social care professionals, HSCPs, from representation on the senior management team in the new HSE health regions; if his Department maintains a policy on integrated care and the HSE restructuring; if he will detail his engagement with HSE management in respect of same; his plans to intervene to see HSCPs included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34308/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Primary Care Services
Ceisteanna (1692)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:1692. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for primary care services in Carlow; the number of staff available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34331/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (1693)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:1693. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the proposals made by an organisation (details supplied). [34334/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, as amended, the HSE is responsible for the provision of health and social services including addiction services. The HSE either provides these services directly or arranges to have them provided on its behalf.
HSE Capital and Estates prepares the HSE's annual Capital Plan in conjunction with operational services, taking account of contractual commitments, investment priorities and available funding.
It is suggested that organisations applying for HSE capital funding contact their local addiction service manager in the first instance.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (1694)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1694. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (1695)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:1695. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the total number of applicants for roles (details supplied); the number of successful applicants; the total amount of funding provided in the academic years 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34342/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (1696)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:1696. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health what support his Department has provided to medical organisations, including financial support or equipment, operating in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34345/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to advise you that the Irish Government's response to the crisis in Gaza has included significant humanitarian funding and the provision of in-kind assistance. A significant proportion of this funding supports the delivery of essential services, including healthcare provided in Gaza and neighbouring countries.
Ireland has provided €40 million in humanitarian assistance since last October. This includes €20 million provided in February for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main agency unpinning all humanitarian efforts (including healthcare delivery) in Gaza. Irish support to UNRWA, WHO, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (including the International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of the Red Cross and National Societies in the region) and through the EU ensures that healthcare continues to be delivered in Gaza even in the most difficult of circumstances.
There are well established formal procedures at EU and National level to deal with requests for humanitarian assistance. These procedures have been successfully utilised on several occasions in relation to Ukraine. With regard to the Middle East crisis, Ireland has utilised EU procedures in relation to a donation of 2,304 blood bags from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service – these were transferred from Dublin to Cairo. The value of this in-kind assistance of these items was €18,788.89. The cost of air transport for Ireland was €903.88, representing 25% of the total cost with the European Commission paying the remaining 75% of air transport costs.
I can confirm that the Ireland is actively considering how it can further support residents of Gaza given the appalling humanitarian situation in that region and the scale of civilian casualties.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1697)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:1697. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the reasons the HSE is no longer funding the provision of Dexcom sensors for use by diabetics on insulin injections; if there are plans to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34349/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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
Ceisteanna (1698)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:1698. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the discrimination against people who are HIV+, which means they are denied access to IVF, should be ended. [34350/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As per European legislation – and as transposed into Irish law as the European Communities (Quality and Safety of Human Tissues and Cells) Regulations 2006 – patients undergoing advanced fertility treatment such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) are required to undergo viral screening. This mandatory requirement screen bloods for the presence of HIV 1 & 2, Hepatitis B core antibody and surface antigen, Hepatitis C and syphilis. Section 2.3 of Schedule 3 of the 2006 Regulations states: “Where HIV 1 and 2, hepatitis B or hepatitis C test results are positive or unavailable, or where the donor is known to be a source of infection risk, a system of separate storage must be devised”. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) holds responsibility for ensuring compliance with the 2006 Regulations; however, neither I, as Minister for Health, nor the HPRA has the power to direct private assisted human reproduction (AHR) providers operating in this country to put in place the necessary facilities and systems to cater for prospective patients who have, for example, tested positive for HIV.
As part of the final phase of the roll-out of the Model of Care for Fertility, referrals for AHR treatment by one of eight HSE-approved private providers, as chosen by the eligible patient concerned, commenced in September 2023. As well as IVF and ICSI, the funding allocated is also being used to provide, again initially through private clinics, IUI (intrauterine insemination), which can, for certain cohorts of patients, be a potentially effective, yet less complex and less intrusive treatment.
In relation to the management and care of public patients who are HIV+, within the pool of the eight private AHR providers, the HSE has informed my officials that three are currently positioned to manage women with HIV who require IUI and whose partner is negative. If alternative advanced treatment such as IVF or ICSI is required, in which the gametes (egg or sperm) of the patients are handled and managed as part of the care, no AHR provider in Ireland is currently positioned to offer care if either the female or male is HIV+.
Funding has been made available to develop the first public National AHR Centre which is scheduled to open in Cork next year. The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) is currently working with the Cork AHR team with a view to developing in the first instance an IUI service that can manage patients living with HIV. This service is being developed in close collaboration with the infectious disease services and will involve the development of a joint package of care, such that a couple requiring IUI treatment can receive it in time in the Cork Centre and will no longer have to travel abroad. With the planned development and delivery of further advanced treatments in Cork, such as IVF, again NWIHP is working with the Cork team to assess the ability and feasibility of providing those services to patients living with HIV – thereby removing the need for any couples to travel abroad for treatment.
Any couple identified at Regional Fertility Hub level, in which one or both partners are living with HIV, clinically require AHR treatment, meet the national access criteria, and cannot be managed and cared for within the current network of HSE-approved providers will be able to receive their treatment under the HSE’s Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS). The relevant Regional Fertility Hub, NWIHP and the TAS will work closely together in relation to meeting the needs of individual couples in this regard.
Whilst this work is ongoing, with a view to ultimately positioning the public service to meet the needs of individuals living with HIV in relation to the provision of advanced fertility treatment, it is important to note that no patient is being denied treatment. AHR treatment can be provided (subject to any eligibility criteria that might apply) by the HSE through the Treatment Abroad Scheme.
My Department and the Government are focused, through the full implementation of the Model of Care for Fertility, on ensuring that patients receive care at the appropriate level of clinical intervention and those requiring, and eligible for, advanced AHR treatment such as IVF will be able to access same through the public health system.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1699)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:1699. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the stage reached in developing ADHD services for CH0 7t; if these services are now operational given it was stated that they would be by quarter 3 of 2023; the services that are now available; if further services are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34351/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (1700)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:1700. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of dentists in County Wicklow who accept medical cardholders; the actions he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34360/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients, are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
The DTSS is a choice-of-dentist scheme which does not require the patient to register with a particular dentist and enables medical card holders to attend any DTSS contractor (a dentist or clinical dental technician) directly without recourse to the HSE. The DTSS is free at point of access for medical card patients, and the contractor submits a claim to the HSE for direct payment for treatment provided under the terms of the contract.
To support practitioners to provide care under the Scheme, I approved and funded a range of measures that were put in place on 1 May 2022 to introduce and reintroduce elements of preventative care and increase the fees paid to dental contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. Looking at the payments for contractor claims between January and August this year, 200,570 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 41,800 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile agus Sláinte. The HSE's Strategic Reform Lead is driving policy implementation across the organisation and moving forward with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy. An implementation plan for the first phase of rollout is being developed between my Department and the HSE, for consultation and then publication this year.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (1701)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:1701. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by an organisation (details supplied) for section 39 funding from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34361/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1702)
Seán Canney
Ceist:1702. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the recruitment policy operated by the HSE; if he is aware that all posts vacant at the end of 2023 are now non-existent, that unfunded posts are now funded posts, and if any person leaves their post in the future, that post is not guaranteed to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34376/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive (HSE), working with the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has, as a result, finalised its Pay and Numbers Strategy for 2024. There is now a new approved maximum Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) health staff figure for the HSE of 129,753 (excludes Disability).
The funding of these posts removes the obstacle to normal recruitment and replacement in the remainder of the workforce, within the new agreed maximum number.
Instead, each of the six HSE Health Regions and each national service will be provided with its own specified number of WTEs and can within that approved number, replace, recruit, and prioritise as they see fit.
A Health Region or national service will be able to prioritise filling vacancies that may arise within the allocation. They can also re-prioritise should they wish and remain adaptive, within overall national policy and guidance.
The allocation will include a limit on agency and overtime spend to accompany the WTE allocation.
All previous years vacancies will have to have service assessment and be applied for using the new model. The announcement also allows for the regularisation of 2,000 posts for which the HSE had recruited but up to now were not funded for, and a further 2,000 posts recruited temporarily to support services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and which are still in place.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1703)
Niall Collins
Ceist:1703. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the current recruitment situation for specialist orthodontists in Limerick; when the waiting times will reduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34380/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1704)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1704. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34383/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.