Written Answers Nos. 1171-1187
1171. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the composition of the health intelligence unit; the number and grade of all staff in the unit; the remit of the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32515/20]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter, as soon as possible.
1172. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters raised by an association (details supplied) regarding operating under level 5 restrictions due to come into effect from midnight on 21 October 2020; and if he will engage with the association on the matter raised. [32518/20]
View answerThe Health Act 1947 (Section 31a - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 (SI 448 of 2020), which I signed on 21 October last, provide that optician and optometrist outlets are essential retail outlets and can provide services during Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.
1173. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of Covid-19 transmission that have been identified as having taken place in gyms and swimming pools in each month to date 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32522/20]
View answer1254. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the rate of transmission of Covid-19 from gym use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32801/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1173 and 1254 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1174. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding first aid and safety training. [32524/20]
View answerOn Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, families, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
At Level 5 of the Plan, an exemption is provided so that essential health and safety training, that cannot be done remotely, can continue.
Details of Level 5 measure are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/
Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
1175. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for primary medical certificates by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32525/20]
View answerThe Minister for Finance has responsibility for the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. To qualify for the Scheme, an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate.
The extent of the involvement of Health Service Executive (HSE) personnel in the Scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant meets the specified medical criteria. This determination is undertaken by Senior Medical Officers for the relevant HSE Community Health Organisation, on behalf of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply to the Deputy.
1176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review a case (details supplied); the steps he is taking in relation to the funding crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32526/20]
View answerThe primary concern of the Minister for Health is to ensure the continuity of supports and services for people with disabilities and their families.
As the Deputy will be aware, specialist disability services are provided by a range of organisations. In some cases the HSE itself delivers these services directly and in other circumstances, the HSE relies upon funded providers to deliver these services.
Organisations such as St John of Gods Community Services provide services for people with a disability on behalf of the HSE, on a contract for services basis, underpinned by Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. Service Level Agreements are set out between the HSE and the individual organisations.
As this relates to a service provider funded by the HSE, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1178. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if there is a legal obligation on persons to wear face coverings when entering retail businesses; if not, his plans to introduce such an obligation; if so, the proposed penalties for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32535/20]
View answer1308. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if persons exempt from wearing a mask need a general practitioner letter when entering various shops or on public transport; if he has considered issuing a card pass for those exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1308 together.
The 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
- Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 405/2020)
- Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in certain premises and businesses) Regulations 2020 (S.I No. 404/2020)
The public transport Regulations (Statutory Instrument SI No 405 of 202) provide that a “relevant person”, defined as an officer, employee or agent of a public transport operator or of the National Transport Authority, who is responsible for the implementation of the Regulations and it is, therefore, a matter for the public transport operators and the National Transport Authority to make arrangements for what they consider necessary to ensure that such “relevant persons” are satisfied with the information provided by any individual who is using a public transport service.
The retail and other business Regulations (Statutory Instrument SI No. 404 of 2020) 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.
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 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). While enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána, there is also an onus on businesses to make customers aware of the regulations and encourage compliance with them where appropriate.
The current face covering advice is available
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/face-masks-disposable-gloves.html
- http://www.gov.ie/facecoverings
1179. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if recovery support programme meetings are to be allowed continue under current level 5 committees. [32536/20]
View answerUpdated guidance was published on 22 October for drug and alcohol support groups and treatment programmes and other addiction treatment services, to ensure that they continue to operate safely under Level 5 of the national framework for living with Covid-19.
Individuals should adhere to the public health advice and restrictions at level 5, including staying at home and restricting movements to within 5km of home, except for their attendance at support groups and treatment programmes, and other specified exceptions.
The guidance is available at: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/17d32f-drugs-and-alcohol-policy/.
I fully recognise the vital role played by drug, alcohol support groups and treatment programmes in reducing the harms of substance use and supporting rehabilitation and recovery. They help individuals to build their recovery capital and to avoid relapse into harmful patterns of substance use.
1180. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists employed directly or indirectly of the HSE that have been redeployed for Covid-19 measures in addition to the normal full complement of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists employed by the HSE. [32537/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1181. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the Health Business Services is the only body within the HSE with responsibility for recruitment and filling of positions; and if so, the number of positions the Health Business Services has filled for tracking and tracing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32538/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1182. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of jobs or positions the HSE has filled or hired; the number of these positions were filled by HBS versus the number were filled by outside agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32539/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
1183. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE Valproate Response Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32547/20]
View answerThe HSE Valproate Response Report was distributed to patient groups and other stakeholders at the time of its completion in 2019. It is not intended to publish the report.
1184. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); if so, if he has considered the findings of the report; if similar measures are being considered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32548/20]
View answerThe issues and risks associated with the use of sodium valproate by women of childbearing age are well recognised by medicines regulators and healthcare professionals in Ireland. I am aware of the recent publication of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review in the UK, and have agreed to meet relevant patient groups later this month to discuss this and other issues relating to sodium valproate.
1185. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for homecare packages by CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32550/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1186. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason and evidence used in the decision to close barbers and hairdressers under level 5 restrictions. [32553/20]
View answer1210. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the data behind the decision to close gyms under level 5 restrictions; the impact of gyms on the R number; the potential reduction in the R number through the application of gym closures; the number of Covid-19 cases linked to gyms; the location of the gyms by county; and the general data which informed the decision to close down gyms. [32667/20]
View answer1211. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the data behind the decision to close close-contact personnel services such as hairdressing, barbers, beauty therapy and so on under level 5 restrictions; the impact of close-contact personnel services on the R number; the potential reduction in the R number through the application of close-contact personnel services closures; the number of Covid-19 cases linked to close-contact personnel services; the location those close-contact personnel services by county; and the general data which informed the decision to close down close-contact personnel services. [32668/20]
View answer1372. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the public health evidence in relation to the closure of restaurants, cafés and pubs for indoor business (details supplied). [29968/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1186, 1210, 1211 and 1372 together.
Firstly, I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to ensuring a balanced and proportionate response to COVID-19 by finding ways to implement public health measures in response to the pandemic in a way that is fair, reasonable and proportionate.
As you will be aware, in response to the rapidly deteriorating epidemiological situation across the country, Ireland has moved to level 5 of the Government’s medium-term strategy for dealing with COVID-19, Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19
This 5 level Framework reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. It acknowledges that cafés, restaurants and pubs and close-contact personal services, are the world of work for so many in our communities.
Any measures introduced at any level of the Plan are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19, and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
As I'm sure you can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government's Framework are based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible.
At level 5 of the Plan, unfortunately, this means closing many businesses and amenities to reduce the person-to-person contacts which allow the virus to spread.
Regarding the impact of the closure of these businesses on the overall R number, I have been advised by the Irish Epidemiology Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG), that it is not feasible to provide reliable estimates of the impact of very specific interventions. In order to do this, a series of assumptions would need to be made in relation to the number of close contacts that occur in a setting, the number of close contacts that occur in the population as a whole, the relative risk that such close contacts lead to infection, and the effect of mitigating measures such as the use of PPE. Small changes in these assumptions lead to very different outcomes in terms of impact upon the R number.
For your information, technical notes on the approaches used to estimate effective reproduction number (Re) or time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) are published on the Department of Health website https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dc5711-irish-epidemiology-modelling-advisory-group-to-nphet-technical-notes/
Further information on all levels of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/.
1187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that audiology services are minimally disrupted in view of the latest Covid-19 restrictions in view of the urgency of the appointments for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32561/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
