Written Answers Nos. 713-728
713. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the length of time between all persons with suspected cases of Covid-19 who requested a test and the completion of the contact tracing for these cases in the weeks commencing 18 and 25 May and 1 June 2020, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11553/20]
View answerAs the HSE has responsibility, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
714. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if his officials will consider the way in which to raise awareness of Lyme disease with the general public who are now exercising outdoors more frequently during the Covid-19 emergency. [11570/20]
View answerThe HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. The Scientific Advisory Committee of the HPSC established a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee to look at ways of increasing public awareness. Part of the work of the Subcommittee is to ensure that all GPs are familiar with identifying and managing Lyme disease. The HPSC website (hpsc.ie) provides extensive information on Lyme disease diagnosis, treatment and how to avoid tick bites for the general public and health professionals.
As this PQ refers to operational matters regarding Lyme disease, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for further attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
715. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if buildings funded by the State since 2003 and built by a group (details supplied) have been used to secure mortgages; if so, the steps taken to prevent their mortgaging; and the steps taken by post mortgaging to secure these publicly-funded assets for the State. [11571/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
716. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the circumstances of a discretionary medical card appeal by a person (details supplied) being turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11572/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
717. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of each admission and transfer to a nursing home (details supplied) from December 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11585/20]
View answer718. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of each discharge and transfer from a nursing home (details supplied) from December 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11586/20]
View answer719. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of each death and the cause of deaths at a nursing home (details supplied) from December 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11587/20]
View answer720. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of those tested for Covid-19 at a nursing home (details supplied) from December 2019 to date; the date on which each test was conducted; the dates on which the results were available; the dates on which the patient and their next of kin were informed of the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11588/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 717 to 720, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
721. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given a new date for an operation in Tallaght Hospital in view of the fact their operation which was due to take place on 25 November 2019 was postponed. [11589/20]
View answerUnder 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.
727. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider amending the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to allow hairdressers and barbers open on 29 June 2020, subject to the targets being met in the roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11640/20]
View answerThe 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:
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:
The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
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.
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 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. This obviously includes consideration of the public health advice that will apply to services such as those described in the question. Work is underway to consider how best to achieve these aims and more information will be made available in the coming weeks. This work, once completed will form part of the Government's considerations.
728. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department spent on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11843/20]
View answerI can confirm that there was no expenditure on social media monitoring by my Department in 2018 and 2019.
