Written Answers Nos. 444-463
444. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if guidance has been issued to local authorities and businesses regarding the reopening of public toilets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12001/20]
View answerThe reopening of public toilets is matter for Local Authorities which are not under the remit of the Minister for Health.
445. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [12009/20]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
446. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the budget allocation for BreastCheck in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [12011/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
447. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot ascertain her position on a healthcare panel with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12015/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
448. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the two-week quarantine restriction for travellers coming here from abroad, including Irish citizens, is being kept under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12018/20]
View answerAs the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases restrictions, the relative importance of the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases.
The public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation is not a legal requirement of persons entering the State from overseas. 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.
The issue of imposing mandatory self-isolation for a 14-day period, to be considered as the situation evolves, was mentioned in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business.
My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, has developed proposals to strengthen the 14-day self-isolation arrangements for passengers arriving into the State from overseas. Exemptions are being carefully considered as part of this work. Any mandatory arrangements, including exemptions, would be kept under regular review.
449. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte cá mhéad fógra raidió éagsúil a cruthaíodh as Béarla agus cá mhéad fógra raidió éagsúil a cruthaíodh as Gaeilge maidir le héigeandáil Covid-19 ó thosaigh Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte agus a Roinn ag cruthú fógraí raidió; cá mhéad staisiún raidió ar cuireadh na fógraí as Béarla lena gcraoladh agus cá mhéad staisiún Gaeilge ar cuireadh na fógraí as Gaeilge lena gcraoladh; cá mhéad airgead a caitheadh ar na fógraí as Gaeilge; agus cá mhéad airgead a caitheadh ar na fógraí as Béarla. [12036/20]
View answer450. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte cá mhéad fógra teilifíse éagsúil a cruthaíodh as Béarla agus cá mhéad fógra teilifíse éagsúil a cruthaíodh as Gaeilge maidir le héigeandáil Covid-19 ó thosaigh Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte agus a Roinn ag cruthú fógraí teilifíse; cén córas a cuireadh ar bun lena scaipeadh ar na stáisiúin teilifíse agus cad iad na stáisiúin teilifíse ar scaipeadh na fógraí as Béarla agus cad iad na stáisiúin teilifíse ar scaipeadh na fógraí as Gaeilge; cá mhéad airgead a caitheadh ar na fógraí as Gaeilge; agus cá mhéad airgead a caitheadh ar na fógraí as Béarla. [12037/20]
View answer451. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte cá mhéad fógra as Gaeilge a chuir Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte chuig na stáisiúin ó thosaigh FSS agus a Roinn ag cruthú fógraí raidió agus fógraí teilifíse d’éigeandáil Covid-19. [12038/20]
View answer452. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte an n-aontaíonn sé go mbíonn daoine a úsáideann an Ghaeilge gach lá nó agus daoine ar mhaith leo an Ghaeilge a chloisteáil ag éisteacht le stáisiúin raidió agus teilifíse éagsúla agus nár leor fógraíocht faoi Covid-19 a theorannú do Raidió na Gaeltachta agus do TG4 chun freastal ar an bpobal go cothrom. [12039/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 452, inclusive, together.
Mar chuid dár fhreagairt faisnéise poiblí ar COVID-19, chuir mo Roinn trí fheachtas fógraíochta craolta le chéile – dhá fheachtas raidió agus feachtas amháin don teilifís.
Bhí sé mar aidhm ag feachtas teilifíse na Roinne siopadóireacht shábháilte le linn COVID-19 a chur chun cinn. Táirgeadh é i mBéarla ar chostas €114,965.33 agus craoladh é ar RTÉ a hAon, Virgin Media a hAon agus TG4.
Bhí cur chun cinn Feachtais Folláine na Roinne agus cur chun cinn feasachta maidir le thionscnamh na Foirme Aimsithe Paisinéirí COVID-19 mar aidhmeanna ag dhá fheachtas raidió na Roinne. Ba é costas iomlán na bhfeachtais seo ná €825,142.79 ar fhógraí i mBéarla agus €4,023.28 i nGaeilge.
Chuimsigh feachtais raidió na Roinne 13 fhógra Béarla a craoladh ar fud 32 stáisiún raidió náisiúnta, ilchathrach agus réigiúnach/áitiúil agus fógra Gaeilge amháin a craoladh ar stáisiún raidió amháin.
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta do chomhairle sláinte poiblí a sholáthar i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. B’iad príomhfhócas ár bhfeachtais sláinte poiblí ná comhairle a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin an Rialtais agus póstaeir comhairle sláinte poiblí agus leabhráin faisnéise a chur amach.
Bhí suíomh gréasáin an Rialtais ina fhoinse faisnéise don phobal le linn na géarchéime seo agus déantar é a nuashonrú agus a aistriú go Gaeilge go rialta. Cuireadh gach preasráiteas ón bhFoireann Náisiúnta Éigeandála um Shláinte Phoiblí (FNÉSP/NPHET), in éineacht lena n-aistriúcháin Ghaeilge, suas ar líne.
Sheachaid An Post leabhrán Faisnéise Poiblí COVID-19, a foilsíodh i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge, agus póstaer dátheangach dátheangach maidir le ní na lámh chuig gach teaghlach sa tír. D'éascaíomar craoltaí an chláir Nuacht ó mo Roinn agus d' éascaíomar ceisteanna Gaeilge ag ár seisiúin faisnéise don phreas maidir le COVID-19.
Ina theannta sin, cuireadh amach gach póstaer comhairle sláinte poiblí i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge agus roinneadh iad ar fud gach Roinn rialtais agus páirtithe leasmhara rialtais. Tá siad ar fáil freisin le híoslódáil ó shuíomh gréasáin an Rialtais sa dá theanga le haghaidh úsáide príobháidí agus tráchtála
ag https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/ee0781-covid-19-posters-for-public-use/. Tá mo Roinn tiomanta i gcónaí chun a cuid oibleagáidí go léir faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chomhlíonadh agus chun comhairle agus treoir thráthúil bhríoch a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge le linn na géarchéime seo.
Maidir le gnéithe de na ceisteanna seo a bhaineann le FSS, d’iarr mé orthu freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta.
453. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Sláinte cá mhéad post nó tvuít nó teachtaireacht eile a cuireadh amach as Béarla agus cá mhéad post nó tvuít nó teachtaireacht eile a cuireadh amach as Gaeilge maidir le héigeandáil Covid-19 ar na meáin shóisialta ó thosaigh Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte agus a Roinn ag cur poist nó tvuíteanna nó teachtaireachtaí eile maidir le héigeandáil Covid-19 ar na hardáin seo a leanas de chuid na meán sóisialta, arna bhriseadh síos de réir ardáin (sonraí tugtha); cá mhéad airgead a caitheadh ar fhógraíocht as Béarla; agus cá mhéad airgead a caitheadh ar fhógraíocht as Gaeilge maidir leis an éigeandáil ar na meáin sin ar fad, arna bhriseadh síos de réir ardáin. [12040/20]
View answerSuas go dtí an 15ú Meithimh, 2020, ba iad seo leanas líon na bpostálacha ó mo Roinn ar mheáin shóisialta
- 918 postáil ar Twitter, 30 acu i nGaeilge
- 191 postáil ar Instagram, 9 gcinn acu i nGaeilge
- 178 postáil ar Facebook, 21 acu i nGaeilge
- Níl cuntas TikTok ag mo Roinn.
Baineann na postálacha seo le beoshruthanna de sheisúin faisnéise preasa mo Roinne, le nuashonruithe ón bhFoireann Náisiúnta Éigeandála um Shláinte Phoiblí (FNÉSP/NPHET), le preaseisiúintí mo Roinne, le cur chun cinn físeáin agus ábhar meán sóisialta eile a cuireadh amach chun aird a tharraingt ar chomhairle sláinte phoiblí maidir le COVID-19 agus le postálacha a threoraíonn úsáideoirí na meáin sóisialta chuig comhairle agus treoir COVID-19 ar shuíomh gréasáin an Rialtais.
Dearbhaím gur chaith mo Roinn €20,744.95 ar fhógraíocht ar na meáin shóisialta le linn na géarchéime COVID-19.
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta i gcónaí chun a cuid oibleagáidí go léir faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chomhlíonadh agus chun comhairle agus treoir thráthúil bhríoch a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge le linn na géarchéime seo.
Maidir le gnéithe de na ceisteanna seo a bhaineann le FSS, d’iarr mé orthu freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta.
454. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the steps he and agencies under his remit are taking to minimise the impact of Brexit on the supply of medicines to patients here; the engagement he has had on the matter with the European Union; the details of discussions he is having on the matter with his ministerial colleagues in the UK Government; the measures he plans to put in place to help protect the medicines and pharmaceutical export sector in the event of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12043/20]
View answerThe UK has left the EU, and, when the transition period ends, it will no longer apply the rules of the EU Single Market and Customs Union. Work is underway across Government to prepare for this change. On the 29th of May, the Government agreed to intensify preparedness work across all Departments and agencies in preparation for the end of the transition period. As part of this whole of Government response to Brexit, my Department is working to ensure the health sector is ready for Brexit at the end of the transition period.
The continued supply of medicines post-Brexit remains a key priority for the Irish Government. The priority for Ireland is that citizens should not be put at risk due to a disadvantage in accessing or deprived of, medicines as a result of Brexit. The Department of Health is leading on the health sector's response to Brexit and is working to ensure the continued supply of medicines and any medical devices to patients in Ireland post-Brexit.
Experts from the Department, the HPRA and the HSE have conducted criticality assessment exercises on medicines and medical devices to scope out key risks and put in place mitigation measures for those potentially vulnerable to disruption due to Brexit.
A "refresh" of the criticality assessments carried out will take place later this year in order to have sufficiently up to date information on supply chains in advance of the end of the transition period. This will take into consideration an assessment of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 response and its impacts on supplies. All efforts are being made to ensure the continued supply of medicines to meet the needs of Irish patients.
The Department is also continuing to work with colleagues at national and European level to ensure the continued timely supply of medicines to Ireland post-Brexit.
As part of the whole of Government approach to Brexit, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has examined a broad spectrum of Brexit-related issues affecting business in Ireland. The agencies of that Department are also contributing to their efforts to mitigate any potential disruption to supply chains. These agencies continue to deliver a broad range of Brexit supports to support companies, build commercial resilience and to maintain and increase export levels.
In the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, exports in the United Kingdom account for approximately 6% of total exports. For IDA client companies, the continued functioning of the UK landbridge also remains important for the transport of final and intermediate products further afield. The use of the landbridge varies by product type, for example, the high-value, low-weight nature of final pharmaceutical products makes air transport a more logical choice relative to lower value, heavier products.
No set of arrangements will be able to replicate the access and benefits of the UK being a member of the EU and within the Single Market and Customs Union. Ireland will face these changes with the mutual solidarity and support of our EU partners and with all the strength that EU membership brings.
455. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on medicines by the State; the amount or percentage that related to generics and biosimilars, respectively; his plans to increase the use of generics and biosimilars; the saving achieved in biosimilars and generics in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12044/20]
View answerThe HSE and my Department are actively engaged in implementing domestic policies to maximise efficiency in our medicines usage.
Our commitment to generic medicines was demonstrated in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 whereby the Act provided for the introduction of a system of generic substitution and reference pricing. The Act permits pharmacists to substitute medicines prescribed, provided they have been designated as safely interchangeable by the Health Products Regulatory Authority. Reference pricing involves the setting of a common reimbursement price, or reference price, for a group of interchangeable medicines, and this is the price that the HSE will reimburse to pharmacies for all medicines in this group, regardless of the individual medicines’ price.
In terms of biosimilar medicines, the HSE's Acute Hospitals Drugs Management Programme (AHDMP) has a biosimilar strategy in place since 2017. This is making considerable progress using a collaborative to bring about changes in prescribing practice.
In addition, the HSE Medicines Management Programme completed an evaluation process in 2019 for the identification of the best-value biological (BVB) medicines for TNF- inhibitors under the High-Tech Drug arrangements.
In June 2019, the HSE introduced a system of gain-share to encourage the prescribing of the BVB medicines which has been largely successful in increasing uptake of these medicines.
To the end of April, the HSE has estimated savings of €14.5m in 2020 from biosimilar switching initiatives. Should this trend continue to year end, savings of approximately €30m have been forecast for 2020.
In relation to your specific data requests, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly as they have responsibility for this area.
456. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the preparations undertaken to prepare for a new national pricing and supply of medicines agreement in view of the fact that the current agreement expires in July 2020; the estimated savings that will be generated from the new agreement; the engagement he has had in the past 12 months with industry and other stakeholders on the matter; when negotiations will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12045/20]
View answerThe four-year Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines commenced on 1 August 2016 and, under the terms of the agreement, shall continue in force until 31 July 2020, unless continued by mutual agreement of the parties.
The Agreement also provides that negotiations on any successor or replacement agreement should begin at least six months before the expiry of the term.
My Department, the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association are in contact with each other, in the context of these specific provisions of the current Agreement and with a view to progressing the process of discussions on a successor agreement. My officials shall consider all relevant stakeholders as part of the preparatory work of a successor agreement.
457. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the rolling out of the medicinal cannabis access programme; the measures that remain to be implemented to commence the programme; if there are outstanding barriers to its commencement; the proposed commencement date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12079/20]
View answer504. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person (details supplied) can apply for reimbursement for the cost of medication which is significant and causing financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12310/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 457 and 504 together.
On 26 June I signed legislation which will allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) on a pilot basis for five years.
The signing of the legislation underpinning the MCAP allows for commencement of the operation of the access programme, the first stage of which is that potential suppliers may now apply to have their cannabis products assessed for suitability for medical use.
Commercial medical cannabis suppliers whose cannabis products meet the specified requirements set out in the legislation, and which have been listed in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and Control of Supply of Cannabis for Medical Use) Regulations, will be able to supply these products into Ireland.
To date three cannabis-based products have been deemed to have met the applicable criteria set out in the legislation and have been added to Schedule 1 of the legislation. The three products are:
1. Aurora High CBD Oil Drops.
2. CannEpil.
3. Tilray Oral Solution THC10:CBD10 25ml.
The HSE has engaged in discussions with the suppliers of these products, regarding pricing and supply information. The HSE will consider such information, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The programme will not become fully operational until pricing and supply matters are agreed.
Once suitable medical cannabis products are made available by suppliers, the MCAP will make it possible for a medical consultant to prescribe a listed cannabis-based treatment for a patient under his or her care for the following medical conditions, where the patient has failed to respond to standard treatments:
- spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis
- intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
- severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
The Department of Health will make this information available on its website.
Pending full operation of the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial licensing route to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, should they wish to do so. In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
Clinicians may submit an application on behalf of their patients to the HSE for reimbursement approval if the patient has a valid medical prescription for medical cannabis for one of the above medical conditions and have sourced a cannabis-based product which has been prescribed under a Ministerial licence.
The HSE has advised that in the previous situations where it considered reimbursement support appropriate, the following steps were completed:
- The patient’s consultant is satisfied that all therapeutic options have been exhausted and is prepared to accept the responsibility for monitoring the patient’s response to the cannabis product.
- A prescriber applies to the Minister for a Ministerial license and this is granted.
- The consultant completes an Individual Reimbursement Form, setting out the therapeutic benefit for the patient. It is important that this is completed in sufficient detail for therapeutic benefit to be demonstrated.
- The Individual Reimbursement Form is considered by the Medicines Management Programme (MMP).
- On review of the documentation, the MMP makes a recommendation for or against reimbursement support for the patient to the HSE, under the patient's eligibility, and informs the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) of that recommendation.
If approval is given, the PCERS, when authorised to proceed, will make the necessary arrangements to cover the costs involved for the patient.
458. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when he expects restrictions on visitors to antenatal and post-natal wards of maternity units to be lifted specifically in respect of partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12083/20]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to you directly.
460. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing free medical grade facemasks to at risk vulnerable sections of the community, for example, through the medical card scheme or the public health nursing network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12090/20]
View answer569. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the number for persons considered to be in the vulnerable group within the population; and if he will consider providing this group with appropriate masks. [12638/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 569 together.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) provided guidance in relation to face coverings in its advice to Government in relation to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Business & Society on 4 June.
The NPHET advice sets out circumstances under which the wearing of a non-medical face covering is recommended. These are when using busy public transport, when in indoor public areas including retail outlets, by people visiting the homes of those who are cocooning, by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are cocooning, all visitors to residential care facilities and in indoor work environments where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance. The wearing of face coverings in other environments should incorporate individual judgement or preference or where it is difficult to maintain a 2-metre distance.
Medical-grade face masks are not currently recommended for use by members of the general public. Based on current advice, there are no plans at present to provide medical-grade face masks through the medical card scheme or the public health nursing network.
It is important to emphasise that the wearing of face coverings is an additional hygiene measure and should not take the place of good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other personal protective public health measures. Face coverings should be used properly, in line with the guidance and to wash hands before putting them on and taking them off.
A national communications campaign was launched on 15 June which outlines best practice for the use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations in which it is difficult to maintain social distancing or where this distance cannot be guaranteed, and will communicate to the public about:
- who should wear face coverings
- in what settings, and
- how to wear and remove face coverings correctly.
The NPHET keeps the position on the wearing of face coverings under continual review.
461. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the provisions that have been made or resources allocated regarding the availability or enhancement of public toilets and associated sanitary facilities such as handwashing stations as the country reopens; the guidance being given regarding access to public and private sector toilet facilities for those with a no waiting card that have conditions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12109/20]
View answerThe services described in the Deputy’s questions are not matters within the remit of my Department. The provision of public facilities such as those described is a matter for Local Authorities which are under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
462. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the European health insurance card covers Irish citizens for Covid-19-related illnesses in other European countries. [12116/20]
View answerUnder the terms of EU Regulation 883/2004, all persons ordinarily resident in EU Member States are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC certifies that the holder has the right to receive medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in any EU Member State as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. The EHIC holder has the right to receive medically necessary treatment in the host Member State's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of the State concerned. If deemed medically necessary, this includes cover for Covid-19 related illnesses.
463. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a copy of the last status update of the HSE capital plan will be provided. [12120/20]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has developed a draft Capital Plan for 2020 having regard to the available funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway, and the cashflow requirements and priorities attaching to each project. All projects are considered as part of this process.
At present the draft Capital Plan 2020 is being reviewed and revised to take account of the impact of Covid-19 which resulted in delays on many projects and the funding of an emergency Covid-19 programme of works. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2020, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
