Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44609/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (1160)
Freagraí scríofa
Under 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.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (1161)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:1161. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to carry out an investigation in relation to an occupational pension, to address the concerns raised, to issue a direct response in relation to email correspondence sent to himself and his Department by the complainant (details supplied); and to award any relevant outstanding arrears without further delay. [44610/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This ePQ has been referred to the HSE for response.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (1162)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:1162. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 2 October 2024, when a decision will be made on the business case for the CT scanner which was submitted to HSE in 2023 for St. Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire; the reason the decision is taking this long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44614/24]
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.
Addiction Treatment Services
Ceisteanna (1163, 1164, 1165)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:1163. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress in implementing the 22 recommendations outlined in the 2022 Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice report entitled ‘An Examination of the Present Approach to Sanctions for Possession of Certain Amounts of Drugs for Personal Use [44620/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatrick Costello
Ceist:1164. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will enact the recommendations relevant to his Department outlined in the Joint Committee on Drugs Use Interim Report published on 22 October 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPatrick Costello
Ceist:1165. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health his Department’s position on the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44624/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Reply not received from
Department.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (1166)
Martin Browne
Ceist:1166. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers for the Cashel minor injuries unit for the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down by profession; if the recruitment ban is resulting in departing staff not being replaced; if all departing staff are being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44626/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (1167)
Martin Browne
Ceist:1167. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of presentations to Cashel minor injuries unit each month to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44627/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (1168)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:1168. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health can he provide the total number of people currently on waiting lists in CH02 Galway; the total number waiting for outpatient operations and the numbers waiting for CDNT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44636/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.
With regard to the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT), queries on this matter should be addressed to my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Ambulance Service
Ceisteanna (1169)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:1169. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to introduce an ambulance service on Inis Oírr; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44637/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (1170)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:1170. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health how many dentists in Galway currently accept medical cards; and if will provide the names of these practice. [44638/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1171)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:1171. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the total number of respite services in Galway; the total number of people currently availing of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44639/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1172)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:1172. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a delay in the rollout of HPV vaccine to schools in the north east (details supplied) which were due in March 2024, cancelled and never re-scheduled; if he could establish how widespread this cancellation of vaccines was; and if he would establish a timeline for the rescheduling of this cohorts’ vaccine programme.” [44651/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter I have referred the question to the HSE for a direct reply.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1173)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:1173. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the average number of public detox beds available in CHO5 each month over the past 12 months; the target his Department has to increase the number of public detox beds in the CHO5 within the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44666/24]
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 Centres
Ceisteanna (1174)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:1174. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to increase the number of primary care centres in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44687/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1175)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1175. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2185 of 23 July 2024, the way the National Gender Service calculates the number of staff it requires for assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44737/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1176)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1176. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a UK professional association's calls in relation to the Cass Review (detailed supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/24]
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 (1177)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:1177. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting time for audiology appointments in Roscommon, Galway and Mayo CHO2; and the number currently waiting to be seen, including children. [44743/24]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (1178)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:1178. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list for psychology appointments in County Roscommon and Galway, including in primary care; the number on urgent waiting lists and generic; and the average waiting times. [44744/24]
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 (1179)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1179. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health for details of the HSE Health areas that will be reviewing the 2025 section 39 funding applications for an organisation (details supplied); if he will arrange for the organisation to be contacted directly to provide a point of contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44774/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This PQ has been referred to the HSE for direct response.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1180)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:1180. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health why students in fourth year children's and general integrated training courses are not receiving the €500 subsistence payment (details supplied). [44776/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to subsistence payments.
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to you on this matter.
Industrial Relations
Ceisteanna (1181)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:1181. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on any upcoming engagements between a union (details supplied) and his Department; if he will commit to pay parity for section 39 workers; if he will honour commitments made in October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44777/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Thank you for your correspondence to the Minister of Health.
Organisations funded through section 39 are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
Although not the employers, the Department of Health and Department of Children are aware that staff employed across the hundreds of HSE funded organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration and are dependent on Government for funding.
An agreement to increase funding for pay was reached in the WRC in October 2023. The application process is currently being managed by the HSE and KOSI and payments are progressing.
Subsequent negotiations regarding the funding of a further pay increase in organisations funded through section 39 arrangements are currently ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment any further on the matter at this time.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (1182)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:1182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason that the State subvention of private and public nursing homes varies across the State and between whether they are in public or private ownership; the objective criteria used to calculate these subventions; whether it is intended to reform the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44780/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Health acknowledges that there are variations in the cost of care across public centres as well as across private nursing homes, with HSE operated Community Nursing Units (CNUs) generally having a higher cost of care.
In December 2021, the Department published the independently chaired Value for Money (VFM) review on nursing home costs. The review found that the cost differential is largely driven by variances in staff-to-resident ratios and the skill mix in public and private nursing homes.
The VfM Review made nine recommendations which the Department continues to take forward.
It is also important to note that the HSE has a statutory function as provider of last resort and will always step in where a resident’s needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for elsewhere in the community. The HSE needs to be equipped to deliver all manner of complex care. The HSE will support families in a situation where a private nursing home is no longer able or willing to provide care under Fair Deal to a loved one. Residents in HSE-run Community Nursing Units (CNUs), which are often staffed at a level that allows the delivering of more complex care where required, represent less than 20% of Fair Deal scheme participants.
The only mechanism for funding from the public purse for nursing home residents is Fair Deal and it is really important that private and voluntary providers continue to engage in the process as set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
Funding to support people to access services in the sector continues to be provided in line with the long-established statutory mechanisms under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. This is the mechanism established by the Oireachtas to provide for the processes relating to funding under the NHSS and the negotiation of prices for services for private and voluntary providers with the designated State agency, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Maximum prices for individual nursing homes are agreed with the NTPF and are based on the NTPF’s cost criteria. These criteria include costs reasonably incurred by the nursing home, local market prices, historic prices and overall budgetary capacity.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 sets out the basis for determining the cost of care in public centres under section 33 of the Act, which is managed by the HSE, and maximum prices in private centres under section 40 and section 41. It should be noted that, as per the provision of the 2009 Act, the HSE determines the cost of care in public nursing homes and do not engage in the with the NTPF in matters related to costs.
The NTPF is the designated state agency tasked with agreeing the maximum prices for individual nursing homes which participate in the Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS). Maximum prices are agreed with private and voluntary nursing homes based on the NTPF’s cost criteria, such as costs incurred by the nursing home, local market prices, historic prices and overall budgetary capacity.
The NTPF carry out this role independently under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) Act 2009. The NTPF has statutory independence, and there is no role for Ministers or the Department of Health in this process.
It is important to note that the amount a nursing home resident pays towards the cost of their nursing home care under the NHSS is calculated based on the value of their assets and income when they apply for nursing home care.
Regardless of whether a person resides in a publicly run Community Nursing Unit or a private/voluntary operated nursing home their contribution to the cost of their own care is calculated under the same criteria, therefore the cost to the resident remains the same.
The Productivity and Savings Taskforce was established in January 2024. The Minister for Health requested the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the Health Services Executive to co-chair a programme to drive savings and productivity improvements across the HSE.
A key action is to secure a reduction in the cost of care in HSE Long Term Residential Care Facilities for Older People. The Taskforce will provide monthly updates to the Minister for Health.
The Department of Health also published a review of the NTPF pricing system in June 2021 and continues to work on bringing forward the recommendations that emerged from this review. A steering group has been established to oversee the delivery of these recommendations; this group has met on a regular basis since publication of the review.
The terms of reference for the group include a final report to be submitted to ministers, reporting on delivery of the four recommendations and making any further recommendations as appropriate. It is my understanding that this report is at an advanced stage.