Written answers
Tuesday, 22 June 2021
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Civil Service
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the right a civil servant has to appeal the decision of the chief medical officer of the occupational health department in particular in circumstances in which the diagnosis and recommendations are in conflict with those of the patient’s own medical advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33034/21]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Civil Service Occupational Health service provides advice on work related health issues to HR sections, line management, health & safety officers and employee assistance officers for the Civil Service. There are appeal mechanisms in relation to the medical advice of the Office of the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer (CMO), which incorporates the Civil Service Occupational Health Department, in relation to specific areas. These are the discounting of sick leave, Ill Health Retirement (IHR) and access to Critical Illness Pay (CIP). Where there is any difference of medical opinion between the CMO medical staff and a treating health professional, CMO staff are always available (with consent) to discuss this with the treating health professional.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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241. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of civil servants since March 2020 who have applied to work solely from home due to Covid-19 risk who were subsequently assessed by the chief medical officer of the Civil Service; the number of those cases granted leave to work from home; and the number refused the right to work from home. [33035/21]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government’s Resilience and Recovery Plan provides for home working to continue where possible, within a Framework of five levels. Employers in the Civil Service have had regard to the changes that have been required at each level of the Framework and based on current Government advice. Home working and work premise attendance has been balanced with the requirement to continue to provide the most effective and efficient services to the public, in line with the provisions of the Framework and latest advice.
The Office of the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer (CMO) conducts COVID -19 risk assessments when requested by the Civil Service employing organisation. This includes referrals where the employer is advised whether the employee is at general population or normal risk / higher risk / very high risk from COVID-19.
This COVID -19 risk assessment follows the risk categorisation guidance developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The decision on the employee’s place of work following this CMO risk categorisation is made by the employer in consultation with the employee, not the Civil Service CMO.
The number of cases involved from March 2020 to June 2021 are as follows:
A Total of 396 COVID Risk Referrals, of which
56 - Categorised as Normal Risk
263 - Categorised as Higher Risk
77 - Categorised as Very High Risk
The decision on whether the employee works from home or works onsite in the workplace following a risk categorisation by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is made by the employer in consultation with the employee, not the Civil Service CMO.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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242. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of cases assessed by the chief medical officer in which the civil servant has been deemed not very high or high risk such that he or she can attend the workplace in circumstances in which there is evidence of a conflict with the civil servant's own medical advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33036/21]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer (CMO) conducts COVID -19 risk assessments when requested by the Civil Service employing organisation. This includes referrals where the employer is advised whether the employee is at normal risk/ higher risk / very high risk from COVID-19.
This COVID -19 risk assessment follows the risk categorisation guidance developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The decision on the employee’s place of work following this CMO risk categorisation is made by the employer in consultation with the employee, not the Civil Service CMO.
The number of cases involved from March 2020 to June 2021 is estimated as follows:
A Total of 396 COVID Risk Referrals, of which
56 - Categorised as Normal Risk
263 - Categorised as Higher Risk
77 - Categorised as Very High Risk
The CMO does not record differences of opinion with treating patient doctors in regard to COVID -19 risk assessment referrals.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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243. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the office of the chief medical officer and the Civil Service occupational health department have been working from home, working in the office or a combination of both during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33037/21]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of the Civil Service CMO/ Civil Service Occupational Health Department staff have been present in the workplace throughout the pandemic. Staff have worked partially from home and partially onsite as service needs require. Consultations that require “face to face” contact such as for example statutory immunisations and statutory audiogram hearing tests have proceeded more or less as normal.
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