Written Answers Nos. 1099-1115
1099. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if local authority vets who had been funded by the Food Safety Authority to inspect animals for slaughter in the small abattoirs and butchers have had their contracts terminated; if that responsibility has been transferred to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32409/20]
View answer1402. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to address funding issues of local authority services for inspections of local abattoirs. [33285/20]
View answer1403. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to mitigate the economic effects on butcher shops in view of funding issues for local abattoir inspections. [33286/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1099, 1402 and 1403 together.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority with overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. Responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between the FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘Official Agencies’. These official agencies include the HSE; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Local Authorities; and Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.
Local Authorities (LAs), acting on behalf of the FSAI, are responsible for food law enforcement required under EU food law at certain food businesses with the controls carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS).
The annual funding provided by my Department to the FSAI is inclusive of funding for the LA service contracts. While funded by my Department, the FSAI is independent in the exercise of its functions.
The FSAI and the County & City Management Association (CCMA) have been engaging for some time regarding the funding and effective delivery of the service. The current LA service contracts with the FSAI are due to expire on 30th November 2020 and the Authority has been working closely with all parties to ensure that a system of food safety controls is in place in LA supervised premises from 1st December 2020.
My Department has agreed to provide additional funding, on a once-off basis in 2021, to the FSAI in respect of the LAVS service contracts for 2021, which in turn is being made available to the LAs by the FSAI. This is in recognition of the need to provide more stability to the food business sector that might be impacted. The additional funding is subject to a number of conditions relating to the development of a new model of service delivery and related service matters.
On 28th October 2020, the CCMA responded to the FSAI’s offer of additional funding confirming that the LAs are prepared to extend the current service contracts until 31st December 2021 in accordance with the terms offered by the FSAI. This arrangement will ensure continuity of current agreements with no impact on abattoirs or food businesses while a new service contract model is being developed.
1100. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to close the pay gap between section 38 and 39 workers who provide services for children and adults with an intellectual disability, as it is directly impacting on their capacity to recruit and retain workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32737/20]
View answerAn agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in October 2018 provided for pay restoration in relation to 50 pilot organisations in the first instance. Pay restoration for these bodies commenced in April 2019 with further payments due in October 2020 and October 2021 as appropriate.
The agreement recognised that some of the remaining Section 39 organisations were also likely to have pay restoration issues. A process to address these issues commenced last year under the auspices of the WRC. The parties have yet to reach an agreement. The HSE are currently carrying out a detailed costing exercise in relation to the remaining bodies which will be completed in the coming weeks. When the full costs are known, the Department will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Health sector management remain committed to the process.
1101. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if Ireland has decided to partake in the rescEU stockpile of medical equipment; if not, the reason; if so, the breakdown of the supplies received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32744/20]
View answerAs part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Commission has developed the rescEU medical stockpile and distribution system under the umbrella of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The stockpile, which is currently hosted across six Member States (Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Sweden), enables the delivery of medical equipment to Member States and other participating countries at a reduced cost, or free of charge in some instances. The stockpile is still in development, but it is proposed that supplies will be allocated according to a methodology developed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
To date, Ireland has not submitted any requests for medical equipment under rescEU, which is primarily intended as a last line of defence for countries with urgent, short-term supply issues.
1102. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if exemptions to the 14-day restriction of movements can be given to those who work in an area that requires travel in and out of Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32821/20]
View answerCurrently if an individual travels to Ireland from a country that is not included on the Government green list, they are advised to restrict your movements for 14 days.
For those who are travelling for essential business, where the expertise is not available locally the advice is nuanced as follows:
You may need to travel here for essential work, if this expertise is not available locally. You are still asked to follow public health advice and restrict your movements when you're not working.
You may need to travel overseas from Ireland for essential work. If you do, you are asked to restrict your movements when you return.
Close consideration has been given by Government to policy on international travel, including how we will implement the recently adopted Council Recommendation 2020/0256.
1103. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the process of a typical new capital project from end to end, that is, from design to planning to procurement to build; the different stages involved; if differences apply to a capital project undertaken by the Department of Health or the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32822/20]
View answerThe Health capital allocation in 2021 is now €1,035m (incl. e-Health and ICT) as notified in the context of Budget 2021. This includes additional capital funding of €155m (incl. €25m for the delivery of ICT related COVID-19 actions) provided by the Government for capital projects in response to Covid-19 in 2021.
The National Development Plan 2018 – 2027 sets out the total health capital funding to 2027 for the development of health infrastructure in line with health policies, strategies and in support of the reforms set out in Sláintecare. The Department engages with DPER in the determination of the annual health capital allocation as part of the annual estimates process and with the HSE to finalise a Capital Plan.
The HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure. The HSE develops a Capital Plan each year guided by national healthcare strategies, policies and Government priorities and having regard to the available funding and the number of large national capital projects currently underway. In drafting this plan, priority must be given to meeting contractual commitments.
The HSE’s National Capital and Property Steering Committee appraises all project submissions to recommend the selection of projects for inclusion in the Capital Plan, subject to funding availability.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal remains affordable and delivers value for money.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
The HSE actively manages the capital programme in order to ensure it has flexibility to progress as many projects as possible within the available funding, particularly in the event of any project not progressing as anticipated.
1104. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if clarity will be provided to teachers who are in close contact with a student in their class who is diagnosed with Covid-19; and if they are deemed to be a close contact by the HSE that would require notification, a period of self-isolation and a test. [32831/20]
View answerThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre has published Guidance for Educational Settings relating to the management of Covid-19 in school settings.
This guidance, which includes protocols relating to the management of close contacts, is available at https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/
This guidance defines a close contact as any individual who has had greater than 15 minutes face-to-face (less than 2 meters distance) contact with a case, in any setting.
This definition has been developed with reference to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The actual identification of close contacts within schools follows a Public Health Risk Assessment.
The Deputy may wish to note that schools must have a Covid-19 Response Plan and a Covid policy in place. Up-to-date Government advice and resources for schools, parents and students in the context of COVID-19, including advice on Covid-19 planning is published at https://www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
1105. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if break and yard time is included for students to be considered a close contact (details supplied). [32837/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1106. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the most up-to-date definition of a close contact used within the school environment; and the details of changes and dates of changes to this definition. [32877/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1107. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Kildare who have been impacted by the redeployment of disability clinicians to address the assessment of need backlog. [32881/20]
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.
1108. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a report from the Ombudsman for Children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32902/20]
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.
1109. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the status of possession of drugs for personal use; the considerations being given to future changes to the law in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32912/20]
View answerThe Government is developing a public health-led approach to drug use. This approach will connect people who use drugs with health services and a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction, which can have far-reaching consequences for people, particularly younger people.
There are two components to the health diversion programme whereby a person in possession of drugs, determined by An Garda Síochána to be for personal use, on the first occasion would be referred by An Garda Síochána on a mandatory basis to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a health screening and brief intervention. On the second occasion, An Garda Síochána would have discretion to issue an Adult Caution.
An implementation, monitoring and evaluation group, chaired by the Department of Health, is implementing the health diversion programme. The Group is developing proposals to commence implementation of the programme on an administrative basis in a number of locations throughout the country.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, a review of the programme will take place following the first full year of implementation, to ensure that it is meeting all of its aims.
I am committed to a health-led approach for possession of drugs for personal use. I look forward to the commencement of the health diversion programme in 2021. I have no plans to change the law in regard to the possession of drugs for personal use.
1110. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of passenger locator forms completed and processed in September 2020; the number of persons contacted following their arrival here via this process; the number of positive contacts made; and the number of cases of non-compliance with the restricted movements advice. [33027/20]
View answerFrom 01 September to 30 September 2020 there were 244,048 COVID-19 Passenger Locator Forms completed.
The Passenger Locator Form was launched in an online format in August and supports an enhanced system of engagements with arriving passengers, including the targeting of key public health messages via SMS. During September, over 278,000 public health messages issued.
Passengers may be contacted by SMS or phone call to verify their address in Ireland. In September, there were 65,764 successful phone contacts with arriving passengers to verify their place of address.
Public health advice to restrict movements following entry into Ireland is non-mandatory in nature, so non-compliance is not recorded.
1111. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing religious ceremonies including baptisms and first holy communions to go ahead in churches in line with social distancing guidelines to ensure that these services which are an essential element of Catholicism can go ahead in the same way as weddings can. [33242/20]
View answer1112. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will include priests on the list of essential workers to ensure that they can carry out their pastoral care duties in their parishes which can mean outside of the 5 km restrictions [33243/20]
View answer1144. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the provisions which prohibit the holding of public mass with a congregation in attendance in SI No. 413 of 2020; the provision or sections of the statutory instrument which prohibit or prevent the holding of public masses with a congregation in attendance; the legal basis for such a provision having regard to Article 44.2.1 of the Constitution which states freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion subject to public order and morality guaranteed to every citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32404/20]
View answer1160. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the provisions which prohibit the holding of public mass with a congregation in attendance in SI No. 413 of 202; if, in the event such a provision is in the statutory instrument, he will set out the exact provision or sections which prohibits or prevents the holding of public masses with a congregation in attendance; the legal basis for such a provision having regard to Article 44.2.1 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32460/20]
View answer1387. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the specific evidentiary basis for the restrictions on public worship; if he will reconsider permitting physical attendance at religious services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33499/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1111, 1112, 1144, 1160 and 1387 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September. This Framework sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.
The Plan sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus. The Plan is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied. Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services.
As I am sure the Deputies 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. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.
The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government 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.
It is advised to socialise safely and within the capacity limits. These various limits in the Levels are all designed to reduce the number of households mixing with each other and cut down the virus’s chances of spreading into more homes.
The Deputies should note, that the numbers should not be considered a target - they are the maximum recommended number. It’s always safer to meet less people, less often, for less time. If we do this, we have a better chance of keeping to the lower Levels in the Framework, and continuing to keep businesses, schools, and healthcare services open, while also protecting the most vulnerable.
The ‘Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19’ in the Living with Covid Plan provides for restrictions on gatherings of people indoors given the higher risk associated with these types of activities and sets out when it is considered that religious services can take place with protective measures (Levels 1 and 2) and when they must move online (Levels 3,4 and 5). Weddings and funerals are exceptions and can continue at every level with limited numbers.
Churches and other places of worship can remain open for private prayer. It is also important to note that at all levels, Ministers of Religion are permitted to travel to perform a service on-line, to minister to the sick, and conduct a funeral or wedding ceremony. The relevant regulations relating to Level 5 restrictions are S.I. 448 of 2020 (Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (NO. 8) Regulations 2020).
Throughout the pandemic, the Government has sought to implement these measures on the basis of guidance as opposed to regulations wherever possible. It could be noted that holding a religious gathering is not a penal offence.
I and my Cabinet colleagues recognise the immense sacrifices that are being made be people across the country at this difficult time. I know that that includes many people who are affected by their inability to attend church in the way they have been used to. However, there has been significant engagement and solidarity from the Catholic Church and other Faiths at all stages throughout this pandemic to ensure the protection of individuals and communities from COVID-19. Indeed, as the Deputies will be aware, the Taoiseach met with the leaders of the Catholic Church last week to consider the range of issues relating this matter.
Finally, the Deputies will wish to note that comprehensive guidelines are in place to ensure that religious services can take place safely when they recommence: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/religioussettingsguidance/COVID_religious%20settings.pdf
1113. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure blind and vision impaired persons have access to Covid-19 health information in their preferred format, including braille, large print and audio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33642/20]
View answerCOVID-19 has had a significant impact on every individual, especially those with additional needs.
Considerable efforts have been undertaken by the Department and by the relevant State bodies in putting in place measures to protect vulnerable groups. The Department is working closely with the HSE on engagement with representative organisations including the Irish Deaf Society and the National Council for the Blind (NCBI) on the development of public health information in braille and ISL formats.
Since March this year, my Department and the HSE have been working together to make the COVID-19 public health advice accessible to many groups of people, with different abilities and needs and from varied communities. Many of the results of these projects are available online, on hse.ie: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/
Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, met with Inclusion Ireland in August to discuss a number of issues, including Covid-19 and its impact on people with disabilities. This was also discussed at meeting with Family Carers Ireland in September attended by both Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, and Minister Rabbitte.
The #Inthistogether Wellbeing and Mental Health campaign delivered by the Department of Health featured radio advertising and social media activity to raise awareness about the need for social distancing in support of people who are visually impaired and people with disabilities.
The HSE has partnered with NCBI to produce audio, braille and Large Print versions of the public health information, including the information booklets sent to all homes. The partnership includes audio versions of the information available online, and also copied onto CDs and posted to people registered as visually impaired with NCBI. Likewise, Large Print or Braille versions are posted to those who use those formats.
I have also asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1114. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if holistic therapists who are providing reflexology and massage therapy for a range of different health needs and different ages are considered essential workers under guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33713/20]
View answer1177. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if acupuncture is deemed an essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/20]
View answer1189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture practitioners (details supplied) will be permitted to operate in level 5 in view of the health benefits for their patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32598/20]
View answer1191. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if health services such as acupuncture and osteopathy are permitted to operate under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32585/20]
View answer1199. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter on a new classification of acupuncture (details supplied); and the reason for closing this type of service down under level 5 restrictions. [32619/20]
View answer1209. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if professionals not included under the Act but who are engaged in pain management therapies and physical therapy can continue to operate. [32666/20]
View answer1242. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the profession of medical acupuncturist can be considered for inclusion as an essential service under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/20]
View answer1262. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by acupuncturists at their inability to practice and provide a service to their clients under the Covid-19 level 5 restrictions; if he will consider reviewing the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/20]
View answer1318. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that acupuncturists and other well-being therapists will be permitted to work during the pandemic restrictions in view of the important healthcare role they perform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33110/20]
View answer1366. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the position for holistic therapies such as reflexology, reiki and so on under essential services during the level 4 and level 5 phases of lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33381/20]
View answer1388. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter concerning massage therapists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33572/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1114, 1177, 1189, 1191, 1199, 1209, 1242, 1262, 1318, 1366 and 1388 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is currently at Level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 - the Plan for Living with COVID-19. At Level 5, only essential retail outlets and essential services are allowed to open to the public.
The list of essential services that can remain open during Level 5 includes therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005). There are seventeen professions designated under the 2005 Act, which are encompassed in the list of essential services. These are: Dietitians, Dispensing Opticians, Medical Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists (which includes Physical Therapists), Radiographers, Radiation Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Biochemists, Counsellors, Orthoptists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Social Care Workers.
1115. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the level of compliance in filling out the passenger locator form on a weekly basis from 5 October 2020; the number of forms which were correctly and incorrectly completed on a weekly basis; and the number of persons that refused to fill out the form on a weekly basis, in tabular form. [33892/20]
View answerThe following table provides the numbers of COVID-19 Passenger Locator Forms received and the number of forms that were incorrectly completed in the given timeframe.
|
Total number of forms received |
Number of incorrectly completed forms received |
|
|
Week 5 – 11 October |
39,248 |
6,707 |
|
Week 12 – 18 October |
35,569 |
5,634 |
|
Week 19 – 25 October |
29,333 |
4,486 |
Incorrectly completed forms refers to paper forms containing incomplete of illegible information. The Border Management Unit within the Department of Justice have informed my Department that there were no cases of persons refusing to complete the COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form in Dublin Airport in the given time period.
