Tuesday, 16 Jun 2020

Work Permits

Questions (462)

Holly Cairns

Question:

462. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of employment permits issued to boners of meat from August 2015 to April 2020, in tabular form. [11544/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

Ireland operates a managed employment permits system maximising the benefits of economic migration and minimising the risk of disrupting Ireland’s labour market. The system is intended to act as a conduit for key skills which are required to develop enterprise in the State for the benefit of our economy, while simultaneously protecting the balance of the labour market. The system is, by design, vacancy led and driven by the changing needs of the labour market, expanding and contracting in tandem with its inherent fluctuations.

In 2015 an allocation of 200 employment permits was established for the role of Meat Deboner to address the shortages the sector was experiencing with a further allocation of 160 permits made available in 2017. I approved a further quota of 300 last year following the consideration of an evidenced based case from the sector.

To date, 622 General Employment Permits have issued to non-EEA nationals to work as Meat Deboners out of a total quota of 660.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (463)

Michael McGrath

Question:

463. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a scheme is being proposed to deal with the withdrawal of credit insurance for businesses similar to that announced in Germany and the UK; if so, the details of the scheme; the estimated annual cost of implementing such schemes here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11583/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

I am aware of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on all businesses and this includes the private trade credit insurance market.

As a result of the significant economic shock, there is increased uncertainty regarding the financial performance of many companies in our economy. I understand that the trade credit insurance companies have had to adjust their coverage in response to this adverse economic environment.

In response the Government has already introduced a range of measures and supports to the economy in order to sustain and over time facilitate a return to a more normal trading environment. This in turn should permit the trade credit market to reconsider the risk environment and adjust their coverage as appropriate.

My Department continues to consider further options for appropriate and effective assistance to businesses and this includes the possibility of supports to ensure the continued provision of credit insurance and the appropriate mechanism to do so. This has included examination of trade credit interventions undertaken in other countries.

My officials are engaging with the private trade credit insurance providers to assess the impact of the current crisis on trade credit insurance and the scale of the consequential impact on Irish businesses, and whether specific support can be provided to this market and how this could complement other general supports provided by the Government.

Any support will need to be considered alongside these other available options, which may be capable of achieving an effective outcome and minimising the risk exposure to public funds.

This is an ongoing process.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (464)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

464. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount her Department spent on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11835/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

My Department incurred no costs for social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019.

Disability Support Services

Questions (465)

Chris Andrews

Question:

465. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the supports planned for children with disabilities and their families that are suffering during the Covid-19 lockdown and require support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10507/20]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Finian McGrath)

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (466)

John Brady

Question:

466. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if exemptions will be given from the new requirement to self-isolate for a 14-day period to parents who travel by plane frequently from the UK to Ireland to visit their children. [10522/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The measures taken are underpinned by a clear public health rationale.

As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some restrictions, the relative importance of the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases. Ultimately, the progress towards suppression of community transmission which has been achieved and which should allow for greater resumption of social and economic life in Ireland could be endangered.

The public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. I would ask that all persons arriving into the State follow this advice, and indeed all public health advice, as closely as they can. Persons arriving from Northern Ireland, international transport workers, including airline and maritime workers, and supply chain workers are not asked to self-isolate.

Information for those who are self-isolating and for people living with those who are self-isolating is published by the HSE on www.hse.ie. Information resources on self-isolation are also available on the website of the HSPC, and these have been translated into a number of languages.

My Department engages directly by email with families and businesses who have queries about public health advice.

Separately, since 28 May, it is a legal requirement for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The information on the form may be used to assist our contact tracing teams.

Disability Support Services

Questions (467)

Robert Troy

Question:

467. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of the redeployment of special needs assistants, SNAs (details supplied); if redeployment is going ahead; if so, the areas to which persons will be redeployed; and if there will be limitations regarding potential health issues. [10678/20]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Finian McGrath)

As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (468)

Steven Matthews

Question:

468. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to cases of businesses that operate an appointment only, physical training facility; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these businesses are categorised as similar to gyms in phase 5 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is the contention of the owners of these centres that phase 3 would be more appropriate in view of the fact they are more akin to behind-closed-door sports as set out in the roadmap due to their capacity to operate social distancing and regular cleaning of facilities by their staff. [10724/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.

I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 206 of 2020) signed by me, which came into operation on 8 June 2020 until 29 June 2020. The new Regulations provide for the unwinding of certain restrictions provided for in the earlier Regulations and also provide for continued restrictions for some business and services.

The purpose of this regulatory approach to the implementation of the public health framework is to inform a slow, gradual, step-wise and incremental reduction of the current public health social distancing measures, in a risk-based, fair and proportionate way with a view to effectively suppressing the spread of COVID-19 disease while enabling the gradual return of social and economic activity. The Government, informed by the public health advice provided by the Department of Health, has decided to take a gradual re-opening of society and the economy as risks to human health and life caused by COVID-19 remain and lifting the measures in place carries considerable great uncertainty and risk.

Regulation 7(1) of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 provides that the occupier, manager, or any other person in charge shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that members of the public are not permitted, or otherwise granted, access to a premises, or to a part of such premises, where a relevant business or service is carried on or otherwise provided. The relevant businesses or services to which this provision applies are listed in Schedule 2 of the regulation. The businesses and services described in Schedule 2 which are not permitted to open at this time include the following:

Swimming pools, indoor fitness facilities and sports facilities, other than insofar as they are necessary for athletic use and training by persons specified in Regulation 5(4)(a) or the coaching and support personnel of such persons.

The Deputy may wish to note that Regulation 7(1) is a penal provision for the purposes of section 31A of the Health Act 1947 and provides for penalties of up to a fine of €2,500 or six months’ imprisonment, or both for breach of the Regulations.

The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. Work is underway to consider how best to achieve this aim and more information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (469)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

469. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the criteria for selling food that a public house will have to adhere to in order to open on 29 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11214/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening of Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. Phase 1 was introduced on 18 May 2020 and the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.

The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:

1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:

a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,

b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,

c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,

d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,

e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.

2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.

3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.

4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.

As is clear from the framework described above, it is the Government rather than the Minister or Department of Health that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made. The decisions of the Government are published and the guidance in operation at a point in time are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie.

The Deputy may wish to note that all pubs, including those that serve food other than drinks, can only re-open when it is permitted to do so. All pubs, including those that serve food other than drinks, are required to be registered with the Health Service Executive in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. All food businesses must also have a food safety management system in place based on the principles of Hazard (Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) to control the risks in their food business. Further information on these and other businesses food safety management systems has been published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and is available at https://www.fsai.ie/faq/coronavirus.html. Fáilte Ireland has also published guidance for the hospitality sector which is available at https://covid19.failteireland.ie/industry-updates/guidelines-for-re-opening-published/

The National Public Health Emergency Team has also requested the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to develop guidance on the application of existing social distancing requirements in specific, defined and controlled environments in the hospitality industry during periods of low incidence of the disease. This guidance will then be considered by the National Public Health Emergency Team on completion.

In addition, on 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.

The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. Work is underway to consider how best to achieve this aim and more information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (470)

Brendan Smith

Question:

470. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the discussions there have been with the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland on the development of tracing apps that would be compatible on all of the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10476/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy will know a Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on Tuesday 7 April. The MOU was entered into on my behalf as Minister for Health and on behalf of the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have been in ongoing contact with the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland throughout this pandemic in relation to how each health system is implementing various public health responses, including Covid-19 testing and contact tracing. In addition, there has been significant engagement between the CMOs, and officials in both jurisdictions. Both jurisdictions recognise the potential for contact tracing apps to complement manual contact tracing operations and there have been ongoing technical discussions on tracing apps, including examining the issue of interoperability.

Discussions have and will continue to take place on respective plans for the gradual and controlled easing of restrictions, given the importance of implementing consistent approaches, wherever possible. All parties recognise that in terms of public health measures in both jurisdictions, that it will be important to maintain strong North/South collaborative arrangements. The administrations are seeking to adopt similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so on the advice of respective Chief Medical Officers.

Health Services Staff

Questions (471)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

471. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel recruited in February, March, April and May 2020, respectively, to the HSE due to the Covid-19 pandemic who were working in nursing homes and care homes immediately prior; the steps taken to ensure that nursing homes and care homes had at the time adequate resources to fill vacancies arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

While the HSE is providing unprecedented supports to nursing homes including relevant clinical and infection prevention and control advice, funding, access to PPE and in some cases, where necessary, staffing support, nursing home providers, under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013, are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the number and skill mix of staff is appropriate having regard to the needs of the residents.

With regard to the recruitment question the Deputy has raised, I have asked the HSE to respond directly on this matter.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (472)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

472. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of recorded deaths from Covid-19 and recorded cases of infection of retired religious personnel who were or are living in religious communities or in religious-specific care or retirement homes; if steps were taken to protect the large number of elderly religious living in such settings; if steps were taken, when they were taken; the extra assistance that was given with their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10478/20]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Jim Daly)

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

Dental Services

Questions (473, 725)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

473. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the assistance which will be given to dentists to aid them with the extra costs of providing PPE and other costs associated with reopening after Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10479/20]

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Norma Foley

Question:

725. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Health if the issue of PPE provision for dentists in the medical card system will be raised with the HSE in view of the fact PPE was promised some weeks ago and has not been provided [11623/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 725 together.

The Government has put in place a suite of measures to support small, medium and larger businesses that are negatively impacted by COVID-19 including a Restart grant for which application can be made on line to local authorities. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has published a Return to Work Safely Protocol, which is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority also provides information and advice for employers and employees in this regard.

The HPSC supports the use of the normal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in routine dentistry. The Dental Council has indicated that dentists should take a case by case assessment when deciding if additional PPE is warranted.

My Department is working with the HSE on the issue of PPE over and above that which is used in routine dentistry.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (474)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

474. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the effect the Covid-19 pandemic is having on public services; the arrangements being made to ensure that all staff who cannot work efficiently remotely return to work in their offices; the protocols being put in place to ensure this can be done safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10480/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government has established a Cabinet Subcommittee, chaired by the Taoiseach, to assess the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. The work of the Cabinet Subcommittee includes addressing the impacts, mitigation measure and contingencies for cross-sectoral issues which arise in areas beyond the health service, building on the effective public health work undertaken to date. A whole of government approach to the coronavirus response requires cohesive decision-making, a partnership approach, expert public health advice and clarity of communications. The Cabinet Subcommittee is supported in its work by a Senior Officials Group comprised of representatives from relevant Government Departments.

Through the Cabinet SubCommittee on Covid-19 and related structures, I and my Department consult with a range of Government Departments on all relevant aspects of the current pandemic and the Government Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society.

In keeping with the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business which sets out a plan to reopen Irish society in a carefully managed, phased manner, the majority of public service employees will continue to work from home. Only essential staff, whose work cannot be carried out from home, will travel to work.

Minister for Health

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, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed 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. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care.

My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (481)

Réada Cronin

Question:

481. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who were transferred from hospitals to nursing homes in north County Kildare as a result of Covid-19; the number who were tested for Covid-19 prior to transfer; the number who tested positive while resident in nursing homes; the number who died from the virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10537/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE through the Health Protective Surveillance Centre has developed an extensive body of guidance and support tools to assist in the management of COVID-19 cases, including in relation to nursing homes and homecare. This guidance is reviewed and updated regularly as necessary

The current relevant guidelines are the: “Interim Public Health and Infection Prevention Control Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks in Residential Care.

On 10 March 2020, the HSE issued Interim Guidance on Transfer between Care Facilities, which included preliminary guidance on the transfer of hospitalised patients from an acute hospital to a residential care facility in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance based on the best available information at the time set out the various procedures to be followed, including:

- Patients with COVID-19 should not be transferred to a LTRC until they had two consecutive tests indicating virus not detected.

- Patients who were symptomatic and were contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case should only transfer if the persons had a test indicating virus not detected and it was possible for that person to be isolated for the relevant incubation period;

- Patients who were asymptomatic and were contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case should only transfer if it was possible for that person to be isolated for the relevant incubation period;

- Transfers from hospitals with no evidence of spread of COVID-19 should proceed as normal, except patients with respiratory tract infection meeting the then criteria for COVID-19 testing – in those cases testing should be carried out and the result should be virus not-detected before transfer.

With regard to the query raised in respect of numbers of patients, this data is not readily available to my Department but I will follow up with the HSE to seek further information.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (482)

Seán Fleming

Question:

482. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an operation carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed 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. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care.

My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (483)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

483. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the reopening of SouthDoc on the north side of Cork city. [10546/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Aids and Appliances