Written Answers Nos. 970-989
970. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if the report from the National Treasury Management Agency on the number of treasury units in the HSE has been implemented (details supplied); if not, the reason; the plans in place to implement same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21150/20]
View answerThe organisation of treasury Units within the HSE is a matter for the HSE. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to you
971. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health the testing regimes that are under consideration for airport arrivals here (details supplied); when testing will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21221/20]
View answerAs Minister for Health I have welcomed engagement on approaches to travel across Europe, and I am particularly supportive of initiatives to strengthen the sharing and comparability of data to inform any coordinated approach across the EU.
Aligned to this work, my Department is reviewing testing strategies already in place in some European airports to inform its consideration of an effective testing regime related to travel that could be developed for this country. Once finalised, recommendations will be submitted to Government for review.
972. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if all primary school children are offered the ability to avail of State services such as dental surgeons and opticians regardless of the type of school they attend. [21278/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
973. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if additional ring-fenced funding of €20 million will be ensured in 2021 to initiate the ambition of the national cancer strategy to ensure more persons survive cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21302/20]
View answerThe implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment, and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. The vision of the Strategy is that ‘together we will strive to prevent cancer and work to improve the treatment, health and well-being, experiences and outcomes of those living with and beyond cancer’. Over 200,000 are now living with and beyond cancer and the Strategy has a particular focus on maximising the quality of life of all of these people
Funding is being sought through the 2021 Estimates processes to further progress the National Cancer Strategy to the benefit of patients, their families and friends
974. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reintroducing the rehabilitative training allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21391/20]
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.
Under the New Directions day service policy, all HSE funded Day Services are expected to be provided on an equitable basis, while also ensuring that the use of finite resources is maximised. There is a strong overlap between the day supports now provided as part of the New Directions approach and the programmes being offered by Rehabilitative Training.
The clear policy rationale of not making the Rehabilitative Training bonus payment to new entrants is to ensure access to high quality services to those who need them, on an equitable basis. Since September 2019, new entrants no longer receive the bonus payment, in line with those attending similar training programmes.
Individuals already in receipt of the bonus payment will continue to receive it for the duration of their course. Most people with disabilities are now in receipt of the Disability Allowance (€203 per week) paid through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The savings made from the phasing out of the Bonus payment are ring fenced to facilitate provision of additional full and part time day placements nationally, based on priority need.
The HSE has advised the Department that in the period from September to 31 December 2019, 22 additional full-time placements and 19 additional part time placements were funded by the redirected monies. Each of these places has enhanced the lives of people, and their families. Enhanced service hours are enabling service users to be part of their local communities and enjoy greater choices about how they spend their time, while providing valuable social opportunities for families. In addition, adults who were heretofore not in receipt of any service are now engaging with their communities and experiencing new opportunities, having previously been socially isolated.
The cost of restoring the allowance would be c. €4m over 4 years, and in addition to this an alternative funding stream would be required for the day service placements already funded, and for those identified for a place in the coming months. Furthermore, the reintroduction of an allowance solely for RT programme attendees will create inequality, given that other training courses and services delivering similar programmes will not receive it.
975. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason funding has been cut for a service (details supplied) resulting in some of those availing of the service being cut from five to two days; and the steps which will be taken to rectify the situation. [21835/20]
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 this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
976. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if sufficient financial supports will be put in place for student nurses that are unable to work whilst on placement; if consideration will be given to increasing the financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/20]
View answer979. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if financial supports will be put in place for student nurses and midwives that are unable to work whilst on placement (details supplied); if he will consider increasing the financial supports offered to student nurses and midwives and other student healthcare workers in the longer term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22262/20]
View answer1097. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that third year nurses that will commence their placement in September 2020 have been instructed not to work elsewhere despite not being paid in their nursing role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21363/20]
View answer1137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will address issues (details supplied) regarding a placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21435/20]
View answer1201. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that third year nurses that will start their placement in September 2020 have been instructed not to work elsewhere despite getting paid in their nursing role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/20]
View answer1339. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that student midwives are being advised not to be employed in part-time work alongside their placement to prevent cross contamination and do not have income to pay for travel to placements which are often in other counties; his plans to introduce supports for those on placements; if rapid testing will be made available to student midwives; if this same will be provided to them at no extra cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22186/20]
View answer1376. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to student nurse placements will be reviewed; if the issues outlined will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22468/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 976, 979, 1097, 1137, 1201, 1339 and 1376 together.
At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of nursing and midwifery students in supporting the national effort during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is essential that clinical placements can now re-commence for all healthcare students in line with the requirements of their courses and to ensure the continuation of a sustainable workforce into the future.
I would like to advise the Deputy that guidance on the resumption of clinical placements was recently issued by the Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE to all Higher Education Institutes and copied to healthcare providers. This guidance included a revised version ( dated 17 August, 2020) of the HSE's document - Infection Prevention and Control Requirements for Clinical Placements in HSE facilities in the context of COVID-19. This document, among other things, sets out the requirement for Infection Prevention and Control Training for all students. It also underlines that clinical placements are an essential part of students' education and training, ensuring that they will continue to receive the breath of clinical experience that they require.
According to this guidance, students can move from a placement in one setting to a placement in another without an interval of time, provided they complete a COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Relocation Self Risk Assessment prior to commencing in a different location. Similarly, if a student continues part-time work in a healthcare setting during the same period as attending clinical placements, they are required to complete this self-assessment on an ongoing basis so that any need for testing may be identified. The guidance makes it clear that students should not present on clinical placement if they have any symptoms of acute infection. Overall, the guidance facilitates students in completing their education and training and in doing so it does not preclude them from working part time so long as they adhere to the infection prevention and control requirements. In terms of financial supports there is a travel/accommodation allowance which amounts to €50.79 a week to support those students to access the clinical placements they require.
Regarding testing , NPHET is giving ongoing consideration to the testing policy for healthcare workers. There is a range of what are termed rapid tests available in the market with different test types and sensitivity. The HSE established a laboratory taskforce (including key clinical leaders) within the Test and Trace team who make decisions on testing platforms to deploy, primarily guided by NPHET. NPHET has recently asked HIQA to review recent evidence on point of care testing. This review will inform future decision making.
977. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the development of a national respite support scheme for children under six years of age living with a serious disability; and if not, if support will be provided to a foundation (details supplied) in order that it can expand its pilot programme. [22161/20]
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.
978. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if the matter of allowing hotels to operate wedding functions later than 11:30 p.m. will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22162/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 18 August, 2020 the Government decided to implement a number of enhanced public health measures in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
These measures were introduced in response to an increase in the number of cases in recent weeks, with multiple outbreaks across workplaces, households, and in sports clubs. Internationally we have also seen a significant acceleration in the spread of COVID-19.
The measures introduced were required to protect the vulnerable in our communities, enable schools to reopen and support the resumption of health services.
As part of the measures announced, limits on mass gatherings were reintroduced. However, weddings are exempt from these limits and can be held with up to 50 people in attendance including staff working at the venue. The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 326 of 2020) provides the legal basis for this exemption. The Regulations also provide that a closing time of 11.30pm will apply to businesses selling intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises. These Regulations remain in place until 14th September.
The measures in place around weddings and other gatherings and the public health advice is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the decisions necessary to protect everybody living in Ireland from its effects is constantly evolving.
It is not possible to say what circumstances will apply in the future due to the nature of the virus that has caused this global pandemic and the concerns that remain about the very serious threats to health that can be caused by this virus.
The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the following links and is updated on a regular basis:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
980. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason Irish dancing lessons and similar cultural pursuits for young persons are restricted to five students maximum regardless of venue in view of the fact 50 persons can congregate in gyms and school classrooms of more than 30 students face no such restrictions; the action she plans to take to ensure the survival and success of Irish dancing through the Covid-19 pandemic. [22283/20]
View answer1337. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the regulation for holding an Irish dance lesson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22179/20]
View answer1387. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if organised sports training within indoor facilities can do so in multiple pods of six; if there is a limit of six on the total number of attendees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/20]
View answer1390. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if dance classes and performing arts activities can take place in community centres in cases in which children can operate in classes in pods of six or more in circumstances in which they are socially distanced and the pods are at least three meters apart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22545/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 980, 1337, 1387 and 1390 together.
You will be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
Progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.
The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the links below and is updated on a regular basis:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
https://www.gov.ie/en/
The recently introduced regulations [(S.I. 326 of 2020) Health Act 1947 (Section 31a – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020], which state that events being organised indoors may have no more than 6 attendees apply to social, recreational, exercise, cultural, entertainment and community events. Additional guidance has been provided in relation to activities such as exercise, sports training, dance and drama classes. These activities should be limited to 6 people and observe physical distancing rules. Multiple pods of up to 6 people in each may operate if sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place. There should be no mixing between groups. Sport Ireland guidance also applies here: https://www.sportireland.ie/news/sport-ireland-issues-practical-guidance-for-sport-on-covid-19-measures
981. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans for a national plan to provide care for persons with disabilities; if his attention has been drawn to the number of parents in their 70s, 80s and 90s who are the primary caregiver to their children with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22350/20]
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 this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
982. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the living conditions of a person (details supplied). [22432/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
983. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he has identified disadvantages experienced by families with disabilities particularly impacted by Covid-19; the measures in place or being put in place to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22662/20]
View answer984. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he is engaged with addressing difficulties experienced by children with special needs and impacted by the Covid-19 crisis; if he anticipates specific new measures to correct imbalances likely to affect such children later; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22663/20]
View answer985. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the measures put in place to improve the situation for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22667/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 983 to 985, inclusive, together.
The 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.
986. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners who entered prison in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date 2020 under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22672/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
987. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the plans and timeline for the introduction of transport services for disability service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22638/20]
View answerThe HSE has no statutory obligation to provide transport services and funding is not provided. However, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis. A variety of transport solutions are pursued in each CHO area, including:
- Travel training by service providers or families to enable public transport to be used upon commencement of their day programme where applicable.
- Service providers provide transport where available capacity exists
- Local transport e.g. Local Link, private bus transport providers and taxis, funded via a combination of service provider, HSE funding, service user contribution, and / or combined funding to meet the transport requirements identified.
- HSE local funding, where available, is utilised to support service providers to provide transport solutions for service users
- Families agree to transport service users to service providers
In general, disability service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
The HSE was successful in securing Dormant Account monies to fund a project to map all Disability transport routes nationally, via information gathering by Disability Service providers and HSE Services who provide transport. The outputs of this study will be used as a basis for considering how to improve access to disability services and how to best make use of local resources.
Day services are now reopening, and the availability of safe transport is essential to the delivery of Day Services across the country. Reduced capacity on vehicles will mean more journeys to facilitate those that require a transport service to access their day service location.
As services resume it will be necessary to identify how transport can continue to be provided in as safe a manner as possible and strictly within social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions. Transport providers will have to demonstrate that their transport services are safe and that all COVID-19 precautions have been established and observed. The guidance includes general guidelines and a risk assessment matrix on safe transport. While family members are to be encouraged to transport the individual to Day Services, this will not always be possible depending on the family circumstances and in these cases, there will continue to be a reliance on bus transport.
Transport is a theme of the National Disability Inclusion strategy, and Action 104 of this strategy states: 'We will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.”
As part of the mid-term review of the NDIS, there will be a focus on promoting collaborative approaches to cross-cutting issues, and the working group on transport (Action 104), was convened by the Department of Justice and Equality in February 2020, with a focus on identifying opportunities for collaboration between transport and other public bodies to promote greater mobility for people with disabilities.
988. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide additional residential facilities for adults with an intellectual or physical disability in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22330/20]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently supporting in the region of 8,300 residential places for people with a disability under the National Service Plan 2020. The Plan also provides for an additional 64 emergency residential placements for allocation during the year. Residential placements are provided on the basis of need and within available resources. The HSE engages with families to ensure that those with the greatest need are prioritised.
Where residential placements are not immediately available, the HSE provides a range of other supports for families including Day and Respite Services, Home Support & Personal Assistant Services, Early Intervention Services and Multidisciplinary supports for children and adults.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
989. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures that will be implemented to reduce the waiting times in relation to assessment of needs in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22331/20]
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.
