Written Answers Nos. 1247-1266
1247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that private hospitals are charging €275 for Covid-19 testing of private patients; and if so, if the charge will be continued in view of the fact that it is putting a further burden on patients attending hospital. [21754/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I do not have any responsibility for private hospitals, including in relation to charges that they apply. The Department of Health does not have a role in the operational functions of private hospitals.
More broadly in relation to testing, the HSE has developed guidance for the management of planned hospital admissions for non-COVID care which sets out advisory testing strategies for hospital patients. This guidance seeks to provide an advisory framework for mitigating risks associated with the delivery of non-COVID care while COVID-19 continues to be prevalent, and testing provides one of a number of measures that can be taken to reduce risk.
As with any procedure or test, there will be a cost. I am not in a position to comment on what the actual cost may be in private hospitals, however, I understand that the costs arising from testing for COVID-19 in public hospitals is much lower than the charge quoted by the Deputy. As you will be aware, public patients are not charged for Covid tests in public hospitals.
In addition, I can confirm that the NTPF have advised my Department that no patient is liable for any charge from a private hospital for services arranged by the NTPF. It is also my understanding that the three main health insurers have reached agreement with the majority of private hospital facilities regarding charges for pre-admission COVID-19 testing, while continuing to work with those providers who they have not yet finalised agreements with. The aim is to ensure agreements are in place so that health insurance customers will not be charged for pre-admission COVID tests.
1248. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if legislation to make the wearing of face coverings obligatory in retail outlets has commenced; if new regulations on the issue can be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21778/20]
View answerThe public health advice relating to Covid-19, including that relating to face coverings, is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
A person, without reasonable excuse, must now wear a face covering when using public transport, in retail outlets, shops and shopping centres, in other indoor spaces such as libraries, cinemas and cinema complexes, theatres, concert halls, bingo halls, museums, businesses carrying out cosmetic nail care or nail styling, hair care or hair styling, tattoo and piercing services, travel agents and tour operators, laundries and dry cleaners and licensed bookmakers.
The relevant Regulations are the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in certain premises and businesses) Regulations 2020 (S.I No. 296/2020)
These Regulations do not apply:
- to a person under 13 years,
- to the occupier, manager or person in charge or a worker where there is a screen that separates them from other persons or the person takes all reasonable steps to maintain a distance of two metres
- to a member of the Garda Síochána in the course of performing his or her duties
The Regulations provide that it is a matter for the occupier, manager or person in charge to take all reasonable steps to engage with persons entering or in a relevant premises to inform them of the requirements to wear a face covering and to promote compliance with the requirement. It is therefore a matter for the management of the retail operator concerned to decide what he/she may accept in terms of a reason for not wearing a face covering.
The Deputy may wish to note that the requirement to wear a face covering in the situations described is a penal provision for the purposes of section 31A of the Health Act 1947 (No. 28 of 1947). Enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
A reasonable excuse includes when a person cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress; to communicate with a person who has difficulties communicating; to provide emergency help or care to a vulnerable person; to avoid harm or injury or to take medication. In addition, in retail outlets, it is also permitted to remove the face covering to allow for identification when the sales of goods or services have a minimum age requirement, or to assist in the provision of healthcare or healthcare advice.
The Deputy may also wish to note that it is also recommended to wear a face covering when staying 2 metres apart from people is difficult; in a healthcare setting (including hospitals, GP surgeries, care settings, nursing homes and dental practices); when visiting anyone who is more at risk from coronavirus - such as people aged 70 or over or people who are medically vulnerable and in an enclosed indoor space with other people.
The current face covering advice is available at
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/face-masks-disposable-gloves.html
- http://www.gov.ie/facecoverings/
1249. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the longest and average waiting times for assessment of needs under the Disability Act 2005 by each CHO and by each LHO or alternative area sub-group; the number of cases in each of the past three years in each CHO in which the delay resulted in a non-compliance with the statutory limits set down in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21782/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the resources that will be invested into the expansion of the newborn screening programme in each of the next five years; the details of his plans to expand the programme and the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21789/20]
View answerThe National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 and has held three meetings to date. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly.
Professor Niall O’Higgins was appointed as Chair of the NSAC in 2019 and was asked that the Committee prioritise an examination of the approaches for the expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme ('heelprick test') and work in that regard has been progressed by the Committee.
Ireland has traditionally evaluated the case for commencing a national screening programme against the internationally accepted criteria (collectively known as Wilson Jungner criteria). The evidence bar for commencing a screening programme should and must remain high. This evidence threshold ensures that we can be as confident as we can be that the programme in question is effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards for the population.
The Committee will evaluate submissions and provide recommendations on a case by case basis. A meeting of the NSAC took place on 17 July 2020 where the Committee considered (1) the addition of ADA-SCID to the blood spot screening programme and (2) a change in the screening pathway of the Diabetic RetinaScreen programme.
After the meeting the Chair of the Committee wrote to me advising that ADA-SCID should be added to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme. I have accepted the recommendation and advised the HSE of this decision. The HSE will now make the necessary arrangements for the inclusion of this condition in the list of conditions screened for as part of the Programme.
Financial cost is but one factor that is considered in the decision making process. Due to the complex nature of the evaluation process and the criteria against which a decision is made, it would be impossible to accurately quantify the cost of expanding a screening service until a full evidential assessment was completed.
Any future potential changes to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme will be incorporated as part of the Committee's work programme.
Updates in relation to the work of the Committee will be posted on the NSAC website available at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/nsac/
I am strongly committed to identifying any opportunities that exist in this area and to their implementation.
1251. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 205 of 4 May 2017, 777 of 6 September 2019, 501 of 5 November 2019 and 745 of 20 May 2020, the consideration given to the issue raised (details supplied); if this matter will be considered with greater urgency in view of the Covid-19 emergency and the fact that many in the vulnerable categories are affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21790/20]
View answerMy Department is aware of the issue raised by the Deputy where a prescribed dosage requiring different medication strengths results in separate prescription charges and it is currently under consideration. Engagement with the HSE in regard to a solution is ongoing.
1252. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will address a case (details supplied); and the protocols that exist within emergency services, call centres and the An Garda Síochána to act upon reports of a potential suicide [21791/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1253. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when residential respite will recommence for persons with disabilities in County Laois. [21795/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy
1254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when urgently required appropriate treatment will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21799/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1255. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for cataract surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21800/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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.
1256. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21803/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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.
1257. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the announced procurement schedule for contract award for the building of a new cath lab for University Hospital Waterford; the reason for the OGP review lasting four months in the process in view of the fact that project was announced in September 2018; the reason the design specification to tender announcement has taken over two years; the reason no new impetus has been delivered to the process that can deliver an advanced contract award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21810/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.
1259. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health when the proposed reductions in prescription charges for those with medical cards that were due to take place in July 2020 will be applied. [21812/20]
View answerAs part of Budget 2020, the previous Government announced two measures intended to reduce the cost of medicines:
- GMS prescription charges would be reduced by €0.50c for all medical card holders. The charge would be reduced by €0.50c to €1 per item for the over 70s and by €0.50c to €1.50 for persons under 70. The maximum monthly charge would also be reduced to €10 and €15 respectively.
- The monthly threshold of €124 for the Drug Payment Scheme would be reduced by €10 to €114 per household.
The funding of these measures was predicated on the achievement of corresponding savings in the health budget in 2020. It has not been possible to achieve these savings to date and therefore I am not in a position at present to progress the changes to prescription charges. I will keep this matter under review in the light of the funding available to the health service in 2020 and 2021.
1260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when appointments will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21813/20]
View answerIn response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.
To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. This will involve a phased approach to ensure community services are strengthened. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge. Further detail regarding the phases of service resumption are contained in the HSE’s ‘A Safe Return to Health Services’ document, published on their website on 22 July.
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.
1261. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); his views on the importance of such services by way of support for members; if a special case will be made on their behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21821/20]
View answerOfficials in the Department of Health have been working with Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and the HSE Social Inclusion Services to ensure that services and supports continue to be provided for those with problem drug and alcohol use, in line with public health advice. Details of services operating during the coronavirus outbreak can be found at 'drugs.ie'.
AA, NA and Smart Recovery have responded to the crisis by providing online support and the HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline is available from Mon-Fri. 9.30-5.30pm 1800 459 459. Information about the effects of alcohol on your health and tips to cut down can be accessed on the HSE website www.askaboutalcohol.ie .
The Government introduced new regulations for indoor events on 31st August, 2020 [(S.I. 326 of 2020) Health Act 1947 (Section 31a – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020]. The regulations, which state that events being organised indoors may have no more than 6 attendees, apply to social, recreational, exercise, cultural, entertainment and community events.
Drug and alcohol support group meetings are not impacted by these restrictions and can continue to operate, subject to adherence to public health guidance relating to physical distancing and other protective measures.
The following public health guidance applies to indoor events:
- Meetings should take place online where possible.
- Where face-to-face meetings are necessary, physical distancing of 2 metres must apply.
- Meetings should be kept as short as possible.
- Managed and organised arrival and departure processes must be in place.
- Where possible, increase ventilation in the meeting facilities.
- The numbers attending should be kept to an absolute minimum. Capacity will depend on the venue and the ability to physically distance and ensure other protective measures are in place, the overall numbers at any one time within the meeting facility should not exceed 50 people.
- To ensure optimal physical distancing, multiple pods of a maximum of 6 people in each is preferable if sufficient space is available and if it is feasible, with no inter-mingling between pods.
I welcome the clarification that addiction support groups are not covered by the regulations governing indoor events. I would advise that support groups proceed with a degree of extra caution, as individuals with addiction problems are more vulnerable to the risk of Covid-19, and put in place strict protective measures.
1262. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that hold contracts for the dental treatment service scheme in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21827/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1266. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21861/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
