Written answers
Thursday, 7 March 2024
Department of Health
Covid-19 Pandemic
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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390. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to provide specialist long-Covid services for children; the steps he is taking to ensure that children with long-Covid have access to appropriate treatment and care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11360/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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391. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the HSE FADA survey regarding the prevalence of long-Covid; the timeline for completion; the type of data being collected and measured; the reason children are not included in this survey; if this survey has been extended beyond HSE Public Health Area B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11361/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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392. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for long-Covid and post-acute clinics, by clinic and time waiting, in tabular form. [11362/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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393. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff in each of the long-Covid and post-acute clinics, by clinic and grade, in tabular form. [11363/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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394. To ask the Minister for Health if patient data is being collected and measured from long- Covid and post-acute clinics (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11364/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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395. To ask the Minister for Health the operating hours for each of the long-Covid and post-acute clinics, by clinic. [11365/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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396. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria for discharging patients from long-Covid and post-acute clinics; if people can discharge themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11366/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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397. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the training and information provided to general practitioners and general practice nurses in respect of treating long-Covid and making referrals to specialist services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11367/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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398. To ask the Minister for Health the engagements he had with trade union representatives regarding his decision to conclude the temporary scheme of special leave with pay for healthcare workers with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11368/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. Sanction to extend the Special Scheme has been granted a number of times by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR), however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and DPENDPR have been clear that no further extensions will be granted. Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme will have received an individual notification of this from their employer.
Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.
The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
Health sector management have met with the staff representative bodies on a number of occasions in line with the Labour Court's recommendation to explore the supports already in place that are available to those impacted by long Covid. These engagements are ongoing at present.
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