Written Answers Nos. 736-758
736. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason the key performance indicator for non-urgent colonoscopies was changed in the 2020 HSE service plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/20]
View answerThe relationship between the Department and the HSE is set out in the Health Act 2004 (as amended). Under the Act, the HSE Directorate is accountable to the Minister for the performance of its functions and those of the Executive, and the Director General is accountable to the Minister on behalf of the Directorate for the performance by the Directorate of its functions and those of the Executive.
The Department oversees the performance of the HSE in relation to the delivery of the services set out in its National Service Plan. This is achieved through an on-going monthly performance management process where the HSE reports against the targets set out in the Service Plan. Monthly high-level meetings between management in both organisations are held to discuss on-going or emerging performance issues and to determine actions to resolve and improve areas of concern. There is also regular engagement between HSE and departmental officials on a wide range of issues to ensure compliance with policy objectives.
The Health Act 2004 (as amended) outlines the timeframes that must be adhered to in the publication of the National Service Plan. This outlines that my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of this determination, the Executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its Service Plan for Ministerial approval.
In terms of colonoscopy services, a national programme was established in mid-2016 to coordinate several activities to improve endoscopy services. The Endoscopy Programme is housed within the Acute Operations Division of the HSE and the programme is overseen by the National Endoscopy Steering Group, which includes a Clinical Lead, Training Lead, Nurse Lead and Programme Manager. The team are supported by the National Endoscopy Working Group. The aim of the endoscopy programme is to improve the delivery of endoscopy services across all Hospital Groups.
737. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if early learning developmental classes for new babies and mothers may take place in the context of level 5 restrictions (details supplied). [35166/20]
View answerThe Government's medium-term strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID- 19, 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. Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services.
The Plan 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.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.8) Regulations 2020, which give effect to the level 5 restrictions under the Plan, provide the list of essential retail and essential services which may operate under level 5 restrictions. This list does not include private or commercial classes for parents and babies/toddlers.
Education is, however, considered an essential service under the regulations. Under Part 2 of the schedule to the regulations, essential education encompasses primary and post-primary schools, and higher and further education where remote learning is not possible. Where a service provider considers that they fall into the essential education category e.g. as part of the national curriculum or as part of a specific, state-sponsored course of study, they should refer to the Department of Education’s guidance in relation to the operation of education services under Level 5 restrictions: https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/
Information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/
738. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if extra home help hours will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35180/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
739. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend free general practitioner care to children under eight years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35202/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop.
The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 was signed into law in August. This Act provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under. The initial stage of this phased expansion will be the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged between 6 and 8.
The appropriate date for commencing the expansion remains under consideration in light of COVID-19 and the additional pressures the expansion might place on general practice in that context and in anticipation of the usual increase in demand for healthcare services over the winter period. This date will be determined in consultation with the IMO. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
740. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that agency home carers are experiencing in being tested for Covid-19 as a preventative measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35210/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
741. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the roll out of Jigsaw mental health services in County Tipperary; his views on the continued delays in rolling out the service; the date by which the services will be functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35211/20]
View answerBudget 2021 saw an additional €50 million allocated to HSE Mental Health services, thus bringing the total mental health budget to €1,076 billion. This reflects the Government’s continued commitment to developing all aspects of mental health care nationally.
Jigsaw currently has 12 sites nationwide, all of which provide appropriate intervention and supports for young people age 12 to 25, with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Two new sites are scheduled to open in Wicklow and Tipperary in the near future.
I have engaged intensively at local level since my appointment to help develop various mental health services in Tipperary. In particular, I have liaised with local stakeholders, and with Jigsaw and the HSE, to progress the new Jigsaw service for the county.
Jigsaw has been, and remains, fully committed to open its new service for Tipperary as soon as possible. The challenge of locating a suitable premises has been significant, and has also been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, along with associated restrictions for a substantial proportion of this year. The focus for Jigsaw over recent times has been to secure a suitable and permanent premises in Thurles. This process is key to informing and firming up evolving timelines for this important project. The process for securing the new premises is very near completion.
Jigsaw intends to advertise for a team of local staff shortly, and to undertake necessary minor adaptation works in its new premises. Staffing may include, for example, a Service Manager, Clinical Lead and relevant counselling or other health professionals, depending on the Skill-Mix requirements at local level. The new service will be based in Thurles, thus facilitating development of out-reach services in Clonmel and Nenagh, together with the use of new technologies to facilitate the widest possible service provision.
Jigsaw, in its search for a suitable building, operates against a clear set of criteria (including value for public money), and in line with all HSE and other procurement guidelines. The various options it has explored in Thurles have been assessed against such criteria. Other criteria were also considered in the selection process, including accessibility and parking.
Jigsaw look forward to bringing this new service as soon as possible to the young people and the wider community in Tipperary.
The Deputy may rest assured that I will continue to liaise with Jigsaw and the HSE to progress this project, and that I will keep relevant local public representatives informed of developments.
742. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the funding agreement between the FSAI and an association (details supplied) for local authorities to carry out veterinary inspections on local abattoirs continues past the current agreed date of December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35220/20]
View answerThe 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 LAVS also perform a range of other functions and services with/for other Government Departments. The annual funding provided by the Department of Health to the FSAI is inclusive of funding for the Local Authority service contracts and while funded by the Department, the FSAI is independent in the exercise of its functions.
The FSAI and the County & City Management Association (CCMA), on behalf of the Local Authorities, have been engaging for some time regarding the funding and effective delivery of the FSAI service contract. The current LA service contracts with the FSAI are due to expire on 30 November 2020. Both parties have agreed to work together to introduce a new, more efficient model of service.
Notwithstanding the need for a more efficient model of service, additional funding is being made available by my Department to the FSAI, on a once-off basis, in respect of the LAVS service contracts for 2021. 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 28 October 2020, the CCMA agreed to the FSAI’s offer of additional funding and the associated conditions. The FSAI is sending contracts to the Local Authorities with a view to having them in place by 1 December 2020.
I am confident that the FSAI and CCMA will work constructively together to ensure that a new service contract model is developed in 2021.
743. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the status of medical card patients and entitlement of general practitioners to charge them for consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35239/20]
View answerThe majority of GPs hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As of the 1 October 2020, there are 1,588,697 medical card holders and 532,042 GP visit card holders.
Under the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess.". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.
However, the GMS contract stipulates that fees for medical and GP visit card holders are not paid to GPs under the contract in respect of certain medical certificates which may be required, for example, "under the Social Welfare Acts or for the purposes of insurance or assurance policies or for the issue of driving licences". Any fees charged by GPs for services provided outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between the GP and their patients.
744. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/20]
View answerAs 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.
745. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for addiction services announced by Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy on 10 September 2020. [35250/20]
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.
746. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has considered introducing legislation to cover vaccinations; if so, the circumstances in which it could be required in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35256/20]
View answerI assume the question is referring to legislation for mandatory vaccination.
It is important to note that vaccine hesitancy is not unique to Ireland. It is a global issue and was identified by the World Health Organisation, in 2019, as one of the ten leading threats to global health.
One of my priorities as Minister for Health is to increase vaccination rates across the country and several options in this area are being explored. A Vaccine Alliance was established in my Department in September 2019. Its aim is to increase the uptake of childhood vaccines and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
747. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that recovered from Covid-19; and the number of same that still require additional treatment and support due to the effects of the virus. [35266/20]
View answerSince the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) met for the first time, a commitment was given to collect and publish as much relevant data as possible while ensuring individual patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. While the nature and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, the collection of timely and comprehensive data has been instrumental in developing the health service response to Covid-19 and to the advice provided by NPHET and the Department of Health to assist Government decision-making in the wider response to the disease in Ireland.
The Deputy may wish to note that estimates of people who have recovered from Covid-19 are typically based on the number of people who were confirmed as a case and had not been hospitalised or died within a certain period, and those who had been hospitalised but were then discharged after a certain time. In the current situation where significant numbers of cases are asymptomatic or only very mildly symptomatic, these estimates are incomplete. As a result, data on the number of persons who have recovered from Covid-19 is not readily available to my Department at the present time.
748. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if registered mental health nurses can apply to be perinatal clinical nurse specialists; if not, the specific skills they need to acquire; and the way in which they can bridge that skills gap. [35269/20]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
749. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason student nurses are not being compensated for working on the front line of the health services given most student nurses have been used to fill gaps in the nursing workforce due to the recruitment and retention crisis and vacancies due to sick leave and given such these students no longer have recourse to part-time work due to the fact they are working in Covid-19 environments. [35270/20]
View answerThe HSE continues to fund the employment of fourth year student nurses and midwives who are on rostered work placements in hospital settings, including those scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and those fourth Year students who are to commence rostered work placement in 2021.
These fourth student nurses and midwives on rostered work placement are paid at the approved rate as detailed on the HSE salary scale of €22,229 (annualised - psychiatric nursing specialism) and €21,749 (annualised - all other nursing specialisms).
In addition there are other supports open to all eligible nursing students:
An accommodation allowance available for eligible nursing students which amounts up to €50.79 a week for the duration of the placement where it is necessary for the student to obtain accommodation away from his/her normal place of residence.
A travel allowance is also available to eligible nursing students.
My Department is currently reviewing these allowances for this year’s student nurses on clinical placements, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on such placements and expects to conclude this review shortly.
750. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the data behind the decision to close field sports courses under level 5 restrictions; the impact of field sports on the R number; the potential reduction in the R number through the application restrictions on field sports; the number of Covid-19 cases linked to field sports; the locations of same by county; and the general data which informed the decision to restrict field sports. [35271/20]
View answerAs you will be aware, the country 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 Plan 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.
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, people are asked to stay at home, with certain exceptions, and must exercise within 5km of home. No matches or other sporting events may be held with the exception of professional elite sports and senior inter-county gaelic games and horse and greyhound racing, which may continue behind closed doors. All other training activities should be individual only. It is possible to meet with 1 other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden, such as a park, including for the purpose of exercise. It is appreciated that these measures are difficult, but they have been put in place to protect public health.
You may wish to note that recreational hunting is not among the exemptions provided for under the current regulations - the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020)(S.I. No. 448 of 2020).
It is also important to note that individuals who have hunting licences or other licences issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Acts, must adhere to all public health guidelines at level 5. Further information on this and hunting at level 5 is available from the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the following link: https://www.npws.ie/news/hunting-under-covid-19-level-5
Regarding the impact of field sports 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/
I would also draw your attention to the CSO website for access to a range of data relating to Covid-19 including data on confirmed cases linked to Covid-19 Outbreaks. This is available on the CSO Covid-19 Information Hub at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-covid19/covid-19informationhub/ and, in particular, at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/br/b-cdc/covid-19deathsandcasesseries14/
A range of data on the epidemiology of Covid-19 in Ireland, including data on county incidence levels and trends in transmission, is also published in the daily report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) available at: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/casesinireland/epidemiologyofcovid-19inireland, while a daily report on the last 14 days in cases available at: www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/casesinireland/epidemiologyofcovid-19inireland.
Information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/
751. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if persons attending groups (details supplied) or other organised weight reduction groups can do so if they can arrange weigh-ins once a week for members on an individual basis adherent to public health advice in the interests of physical and mental health and well-being of participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35276/20]
View answerFirstly, 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-1 9
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.
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. At Level 5 essential retail and essential services will remain open. Further information on essential retail and essential services at Level 5 can be found at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#retail-and-services-for-example-hairdressers-beauticians-barbers
The Government is aware of the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. Relevant information is this regard is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
752. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the reason the application was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35291/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
753. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home residents or staff members that have tested positive for Covid-19 since 1 September 2020; and the number that have died. [35299/20]
View answer754. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the 51 Covid-19 ongoing outbreaks in nursing homes; and the size of each cluster. [35300/20]
View answer755. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the name and location of each nursing home which is currently dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19 [35301/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 753 to 755, inclusive, together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
756. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the same access will be allowed to epidiolex here as in the UK in view of the fact the medication is approved by the European Medicines Board (details supplied); if the HSE will be requested to fund the drug under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35303/20]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In line with the 2013 Act and the national framework agreed with industry, a company must submit an application to the HSE to have a new medicine added to the reimbursement list.
Reimbursement is for licenced indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.
HSE decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
I am advised by the HSE that it has received two applications for the reimbursement of cannabidiol (Epidyolex®):
1. for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in conjunction with clobazam, for patients two years of age and older.
In February 2020, the HSE commissioned the NCPE to complete a rapid review with respect to this indication. The NCPE recommended a full health technology assessment (HTA) to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of cannabidiol compared with the current standard of care. On 16 March 2020, the HSE commissioned a full pharmacoeconomic assessment for this indication.
2. for use as adjunctive therapy of seizures associated with Dravet Syndrome in conjunction with clobazam, for patients two years of age and older.
In February 2020, the HSE commissioned the NCPE to complete a rapid review with respect to this indication. The NCPE recommended a full HTA to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of cannabidiol compared with the current standard of care. On 16 March 2020, the HSE commissioned a full pharmacoeconomic assessment for this indication.
In July 2020, applicant submissions were received by the NCPE for both of the above indications. These applications will be assessed by the HSE in line with the 2013 Health Act.
757. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for the recruitment of two additional full-time consultant geneticists for the HSE National Rare Disease Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35313/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
758. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the mental health experts that were consulted when the decisions were made on the restrictions that would apply when Ireland moved to level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35327/20]
View answerFirstly, I would like to say that the Government is fully aware that the public health measures in place since the beginning of the pandemic continue to demand immense sacrifices across all areas of society and is particularly aware of the impact on people's mental health and wellbeing.
Since the emergence of COVID-19, the Government has been guided at all times by the emerging scientific understanding of the virus and in particular has been guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Membership of the NPHET is multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral in line with best international practice. The NPHET consists of representatives from across the health and social care service including the Department of Health (DOH), Health Service Executive (HSE), Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), and others with relevant expertise in health and/or other related matters. Current membership of the NPHET also includes a Consultant Psychiatrist and National Clinical Lead & Group Advisor for Mental Health with the HSE.
I can therefore assure the Deputy that the mental health impact of the introduction of any public health measure continues to be among the factors considered by the NPHET as it formulates its recommendations for responding to the COVID-19 emergency.
Further information on the NPHET membership is available at: - https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/
