Written Answers Nos. 1117-1134
1117. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that An Garda Síochána has adequate powers to restrict the movements of persons who are ordinarily resident outside this jurisdiction in view of the restrictions on domestic travel in accordance with the national framework for living with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32022/20]
View answerThe Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 448 of 2020) came into operation on 22 October, 2020. These Regulations provide that a person may not leave their place of residence without reasonable excuse. The regulations define place of residence for people resident in the State and people not ordinarily resident in the State. In relation to a person who is not ordinarily resident in the State, the regulations define place of residence as the premises in the State, if any, at which he or she is currently residing, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.
1118. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €100 million allocated in budget 2021 to the disability sector; the amount allocated to new funding; the amount previously allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32288/20]
View answerAs set out in the National Service Plan 2020, a total of €2,054.5 million has been allocated for specialist disability services this year. My Department secured €100m in additional funding in Budget 2021, which will significantly increase the disability services budget to around €2.2 billion next year. This signals the Government is serious in its commitment to make a difference in the lives of people with a disability, in line with the Programme for Government.
In addition to the investment outlined in Budget 2021, the Strengthening Disability Services Scheme, which Minister Rabbitte and I announced last week, will make €20 million available on a once off basis in the current year to support voluntary disability service providers engaged in the Transforming Lives Reform programme. Details of this programme and information on how service providers can apply are available here.
The €100 million in new funding in 2021 will be targeted at five key areas: children’s services, day services, community supports, residential services, and integration. I will now ask the HSE, in preparing its National Service Plan, to examine how these key priorities can be progressed in 2021 within the overall increased envelope of funding for disability services
1119. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if provision has been made to support the drug and alcohol task forces with extra funding for the extra costs incurred in their response to the Covid-19 outbreak, otherwise these increased costs will directly impact on service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 pandemic has created a time of uncertainty and anxiety for everyone and particularly for those who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The restructuring of services, social distancing measures and self-isolation can be particularly difficult for those who are trying to remain drug or alcohol free and for those who are in recovery.
The Government plan for living with Covid-19 details how non-Covid health and social care services will be resumed, especially during the challenging winter months. This includes planning for the safe resumption of drug and alcohol services, including community-based services, residential programmes and recovery support groups.
The Department has set up a working group with drug and alcohol service providers to develop a 'Framework for the Restoration of Drug and Alcohol Services', in a planned and appropriate manner in line with public health advice. The working group has identified issues on which guidance and supports are required.
I recently met with representatives of drug and alcohol task forces to discuss continued support for their work in identifying and responding to local needs. I confirmed my approval of additional funding to support the resumption of drug and alcohol services including the adaptation of services, premises, online meetings and personal protective equipment.
I will be announcing the details of this additional funding shortly.
1120. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on adding products of a company (details supplied) to the medical cannabis access programme; if there are plans for expanding the products to be available through the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32295/20]
View answerCannabis products that can be used in the Medical Cannabis Access Programme above are considered by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to meet the criteria in parts (a) – (f) of the definition of a ‘specified controlled drug’ set out in the Misuse of Drugs (Prescription and control of supply of cannabis for medical use) Regulations 2019 and, accordingly, can be considered for inclusion in Schedule 1 to those Regulations.
Only products included in the schedule of specified controlled drugs can be prescribed by medical consultants under the Medical Cannabis Access Programme.
The criteria cannabis products must meet in order to be considered by the Minister for inclusion on the schedule are set out in the legislation and can be found in the operator guidance issued by the HPRA.
The manufacturers of the Bedrocan products have not sought to have their products included in the programme. Due to current Netherlands government policy, Bedrocan products, sold as cannabis oil formulations, are not currently permitted to be commercially exported from the Netherlands, but are only supplied in the Netherlands on foot of a valid medical prescription when presented to the appropriate pharmacy.
1121. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the delivery of products licensed under the ministerial licence for cannabis-based treatments that happened during the pandemic will be continued; if his attention has been drawn to the comfort this has given families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32296/20]
View answerOn the 6th April, the previous Minister for Health announced an initiative to assist patients access to their medical cannabis products during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The Department of Health has so far organised a number of collections from the Netherlands for patients of clinicians in possession of a ministerial licence under the Misuse of Drugs Act owing to the COVID-19 travel restrictions and quarantine requirements and the initiative will continue while these are in place.
1122. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32302/20]
View answerMy officials are at an advanced stage in the development of this document. There has been significant engagement and consultation with the relevant health sector agencies in the development of the document.
Furthermore a draft of the document was also referred to the multi-stakeholder Reference Group established as part of the implementation structures for the Expert Panel report. I understand that my officials are reviewing residual feedback from the consultative process with a view to completing the document very soon. It is intended that this will be a living document and will be updated regularly as required. It is my Department’s intention to publish the document on its website when it is complete.
1123. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the status of a new radiology intervention suite at Connolly Hospital; and the number of additional full-time staff that have been recruited to date. [32304/20]
View answerAs the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1124. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of extra full-time staff that have been provided to the rapid access chest pain unit at Connolly Hospital. [32305/20]
View answerAs the matter raised is a service delivery matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
1125. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of an additional full-time paediatric radiologist and an extra full-time paediatric emergency medicine at the paediatric outpatient and urgent care unit at Connolly Hospital. [32306/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1126. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32312/20]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
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.
1127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if regular physiotherapy can be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/20]
View answerAs this question relates to a service issue, the Health Service Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy on the matter.
1128. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home help packages by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32323/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a definition of a close contact for the purposes of Covid-19 tracing; if this definition used by the HSE is in line with WHO and ECDC guidelines; if this definition is applied in primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32324/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1130. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will have an adequate supply of the adult winter influenza vaccination for general practitioner surgeries and pharmacies in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32328/20]
View answerThe Government has expanded the provision of seasonal influenza vaccination to all persons in an at-risk group and aged from 6 months up. In addition, the HSE has purchased 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and is being made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
This expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access without charges. This is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and represents a significant step forward in providing vaccination without charges.
International markets for influenza vaccine are extremely tight this year, and in Ireland this resulted in deliveries from the manufacturer taking longer than intended. However, the full quantity of vaccine ordered has now been received. 950,000 doses of the injected vaccine have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists, and healthcare settings. This is 10% more than the amount distributed at the same time in 2019 and is equal to almost the full amount administered in the 2019/20 season. The quantities distributed to GPs and pharmacists has been based on the orders from the same sources last year, in order to ensure an equitable distribution. The remaining 400,000 doses will be distributed to GPs and pharmacists in the coming weeks. Given the difficult international market for flu vaccines this year, it is unlikely that any further increase in supply will be possible.
Demand for vaccination this year is unprecedented. This is the case across Europe and beyond. Given the finite supply available, it is important that even the increased quantities available in Ireland are targeted where they will have the greatest impact.
1131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of schools his Department or the HSE has notified that have had cases of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32334/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1132. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health his plans place resume BreastCheck services; when plans will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32337/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32345/20]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. 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 National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
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.
1134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if the possibility of teachers, SNAs and all school staff being offered the flu vaccination free of charge has been examined. [32346/20]
View answer1340. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the flu vaccination programme in order that teachers can receive the flu vaccine free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33257/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1134 and 1340 together.
Given the potential for the winter flu season in 2020/2021 to coincide with a resurgence of COVID, and the importance of minimising hospital attendance, the Government has expanded the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE defined at-risk groups and to all children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive.
The expanded programme will ensure that those most vulnerable to the effects of influenza will have access to vaccination without charges. This is in line with the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and represents a significant step forward in providing vaccination without charges.
By providing vaccination to those most at-risk, and those most likely to require hospitalisation if they contract influenza, it is anticipated that the programme will see a reduction in the number of influenza-related hospital admissions, as well as a reduction in the overall spread of influenza in the community.
This season, approximately 2 million doses of influenza vaccine have been purchased, which is double the amount administered last season. The HSE has procured 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine is being made available to all persons in an at-risk group and aged from 6 months up. In addition, the HSE has also purchased 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), which is delivered via nasal drops rather than by injection and is being made available to all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.
Demand for vaccination this year is unprecedented. This is the case across Europe and beyond. However, the HSE is satisfied that sufficient vaccine has been ordered to vaccinate all those in the at-risk groups. This expansion is the most possible in 2020, in particular as the international market for vaccines is under considerable pressure this year and it is not possible to procure additional quantities at this stage.
