Wednesday, 24 Mar 2021

Legislative Measures

Questions (1578)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1578. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to present the fair deal legislation before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14727/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as the Fair Deal Scheme, has been in operation for over 10 years and there is broad agreement that the Scheme operates well and continues to provide appropriate financial assistance where it is required.

However, it is recognised that the Act, in its current form, does not place caps on the financial assessment of family owned and operated farms or businesses when calculating the means to pay for nursing home care. This places a potentially onerous burden on family successors and could challenge the future viability of these productive assets.

Therefore, the Department of Health has proposed a policy change to the Scheme, to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at three years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset. The stated policy objective of the legislation is to introduce additional safeguards in the Scheme to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses that will be passed down to the next generation of the family to continue to work them as productive assets to provide for their livelihood.

This change was approved by Government and underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in the last Dáil. Progress on the development of the Bill was negatively impacted by the dissolution of the last Dáil and by the COVID-19 pandemic. The response to the pandemic has been and continues to be a national and public health priority. However, work on this legislation has continued to progress. I requested a waiver to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny from the Business Committee, given this was already undertaken in the previous Dáil, and this waiver was granted on 4th February 2021. I have met with the Attorney General to discuss this legislation, and there has been an ongoing and active engagement between the Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General on the development of the legislation, which will be brought to the Houses of the Oireachtas at the earliest possible opportunity. It is on the priority list for publication in the Spring legislative session. The Bill will be enacted upon completion of all stages in the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President.

Hospital Staff

Questions (1579)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1579. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding student radiographers; if he will meet with representatives of student radiographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14729/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Radiography students do not receive an allowance to support time spent on placement as part of their course. There are no plans to change this.

In 2020, assistant radiographers were employed on a 3 month contract following completion of their final year clinical placement, subject to the needs of the Health Service. As their skills were identified as being required during the COVID-19 response and subject to the needs of each acute hospital, they were offered a temporary 3 month assistant radiographer role following successful completion of their 7 week final year clinical placement. The 3-month period commenced on 18 May 2020.

It should be noted that across the health and social care disciplines, there could be over 8,000 students on placement in hospital and healthcare settings. Of this number, around a third are final year students. The length of placements and the activities performed during these placements vary between the disciplines. Students are not employees and in many cases the nature of the placement can, in the main, be limited to participation in an observing and a learning capacity.

Uniquely for student nurses and midwives there is, in the final year, a paid salary when they are specifically employed on an internship placement. Student nurses and midwives’ final year internship placement consists of a continual 36-week rostered clinical placement, including annual leave. The internship placement is a paid placement as the student nurses and midwives take a reduced caseload. During these placements, students are under supervision and are considered as 0.5 WTE of the workforce. In addition, intern students can be allocated across all shift patterns including nights, weekends and 12-hour days.

I wish to acknowledge the extremely important work that student radiographers are doing at present and the valuable contribution they are making to the fight against Covid-19. Unfortunately, due to my very busy schedule, I am not in a position to meet with a representative of Student Radiographers at this time.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1580)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of checks that have occurred on a weekly basis from 6 February 2021 to date on persons quarantining at home after arriving here; the number in each case of SMS, telephone and Garda checks; and the number of persons who were compliant and non-compliant in tabular form. [14734/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

All passengers arriving to the State are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator form. There are limited exemptions from this requirement for international transport workers, diplomats and children under 16. The Passenger Locator Form is used to support a system of engagements with arriving passengers including the targeting of public health messaging by SMS and email and may be used for contact tracing. Passengers may have completed a passenger locator form in advance of travelling and not travelled. Invalid paper forms may have illegible information including phone numbers or other essential information that is unclear and is required for follow-up. The paper form has been updated to an OCR form to improve legibility. Efforts continue to promote the use of the online form.

Passengers who completed a Passenger Locator Form are contacted by SMS and follow up phone calls to verify the address details provided on the form. SMS messages are also sent to deliver public health information.

My Department is informed by the Department of Justice that 590 checks on persons quarantining at home were conducted between 24 February and 14 March.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1581)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1581. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the population size for each cohort that is named in the provisional vaccine allocation groups list. [14736/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

On the 23rd of February 2021, the Minister for Health announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the National Immunisation and Advisory Committee (NIAC) listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March. Work is continuing on the stratification of subsequent groups and assessing the number of people encompassed by each group.

Drugs Payment Scheme

Questions (1582, 1583, 1584, 1585)

Pauline Tully

Question:

1582. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the number of persons here that were reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for leasing a continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP, machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14737/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

1583. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the average amount per person that was reimbursed through the drug payment scheme for leasing a continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP, machine in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

1584. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the name of the companies that currently supply the HSE with continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP, machines; the name of companies that supplied CPAP machines to the HSE previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/21]

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Pauline Tully

Question:

1585. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the amount that was spent annually in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by the HSE in reimbursing persons who were leasing continuous positive airway pressure, CPAP, machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14740/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1582 to 1585, inclusive, together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1586)

Robert Troy

Question:

1586. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if further consideration will be given to the vaccine roll-out schedule and greater priority given to retail staff who are at an increased level of risk whilst carrying out their daily duties. [14742/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

On the 23rd of February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.

The ongoing review process will continue to look at the other priority groups yet to be vaccinated, along with the competing needs of those working or living in high-risk situations, carers who deliver essential services to highly dependent individuals in the home setting, and those who are socially vulnerable/disadvantaged.

It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1587)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1587. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to prioritise cardiac patients in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine given that many in this cohort have been cocooning for one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14749/21]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

On the 23rd of February 2021, I announced an update to Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy.

In comprising the initial Vaccine Allocation Strategy, the NIAC listed several conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease and death. In the intervening period, national and international evidence has become available which has enabled a more detailed analysis of underlying conditions that may increase the risk of developing severe disease or death.

The NIAC has now been able to more comprehensively identify those medical conditions and to distinguish between those which place a person at very high or high risk of severe disease if they contract the virus. Medical conditions and the magnitude of the risk they pose will continue to be monitored and periodically reviewed.

The NIAC continues to monitor data around this disease and indeed emerging data on effectiveness of vaccines on a rolling basis. Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b44b2-minister-donnelly-announces-update-to-vaccine-allocation-strategy/

The next cohort to be vaccinated (Cohort 4) are those aged 16-69 and at very high risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination of this group began in March.

It is important to emphasise that vaccination is only one part of our response to the prevention of COVID-19 infection. People who are vaccinated need to continue with all the public health measures that have been proven to reduce the risk of infection, i.e., limiting our social contacts, physical distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding non-essential travel until a sufficiently large proportion of the population are immune.

Mental Health Services

Questions (1588)

Mark Ward

Question:

1588. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for Jigsaw; the average waiting time in each of the years 2017 to 2020, by CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14755/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services

Questions (1589)

Mark Ward

Question:

1589. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 18 February 2021, his views on the veracity of the figures that show a decrease in waiting times for Jigsaw in 2021 from 2020.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14756/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (1590)

Richard Bruton

Question:

1590. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. [14780/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Health Services Access

Questions (1591)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1591. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect an appointment in a pain relief clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14790/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

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.

The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.

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.

Paediatric Services

Questions (1592)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1592. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will have a diabetic pump procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14791/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Questions (1593)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1593. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the outpatient neurology waiting list in Sligo University Hospital in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, for both routine and urgent referrals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14792/21]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.

This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The National Waiting List Management Policy is a standardised approach used by the HSE to manage scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures. It sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists and was developed in 2014 to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached document.

Table

Medical Records

Questions (1594)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1594. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a medical records request will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14793/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (1595, 1596)

Neale Richmond

Question:

1595. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the reason for the move from providing therapeutic services on site to delivering them in a community setting under the progressing disabilities programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14798/21]

View answer

Neale Richmond

Question:

1596. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if persons who attend a service (details supplied) will receive their care off-site under the progressing disabilities programme; if the option is available to continue to receive care on-site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14799/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1595 and 1596 together.

As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1597)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

1597. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the position of postal workers on the vaccination allocation sequencing as part of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme; if they are identified under group 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14805/21]