Written Answers Nos. 386-406
386. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if emergency dental treatment is available at the dental department, Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal for cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment; if so, the process in place to access such treatment; the time frames involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39395/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
387. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; if their referral is routine or urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39396/20]
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.
388. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was refused a cross-border directive reimbursement having received written confirmation of prior approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39397/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
389. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for follow-up cancer treatment and procedures in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39398/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
390. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when Jigsaw services will commence in Thurles, County Tipperary. [39416/20]
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 near completion.
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.
I understand that Jigsaw recently advertised for staff for the new service. Jigsaw will have 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 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.
391. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the assistance available to help facilitate a remote visit between a person (details supplied) based in County Dublin and a family member currently resident in a long-term care facility. [39417/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly.
392. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39418/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
393. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding birthing pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39420/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
395. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason persons who are getting the Covid-19 test are not being asked if they have had the flu jab yet. [39438/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
396. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for hip replacement surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [39440/20]
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.
397. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the requested level of funding will be approved to secure the future of a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39444/20]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
398. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the suggestion by an organisation (details supplied) that small convenience stores and newsagents, due to not having click and collect facilities, be permitted to sell all goods they have stocked during the past 12 months through levels 4 and 5 restrictions once their turnover does not exceed an agreed amount and-or the retail space of their store is not greater than an agreed size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39450/20]
View answerThe Deputy should note that the issue referred to in the question relating to small convenience stores and newsagents, being permitted to sell all goods through levels 4 and 5 restrictions is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
399. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans and timelines to fulfil the programme for Government commitment to examine the inclusion of chickenpox vaccine in the children’s immunisation schedule in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39460/20]
View answer400. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if the €20 million budget allocation for Healthy Ireland initiatives under the programme for Government includes funding for the inclusion of chickenpox vaccine in the children’s immunisation programme pending recommendation from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39461/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge.
Varicella (chickenpox) is an acute infectious disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Primary infection with varicella results in varicella (chickenpox). Recurrent infection results in herpes zoster (shingles).
NIAC has identified the evaluation of VZV as a key priority for 2020. My Department has written to HIQA to request that it considers undertaking a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) relating to VZV vaccine in children in 2020 to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme.
The HIQA recently advised that COVID-19 has impacted its work plan and anticipates that it will conduct the HTA prioritisation process in Q1 2021 and the request for a HTA of varicella zoster vaccine in children will be included in that exercise.
The allocation of funding for Healthy Ireland initiatives does not include provision for the childhood immunisation programme.
401. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to approving neuromuscular therapists, acupuncture therapists and other complementary therapists as essential service providers under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39494/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere.
On 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. It will be possible for different regions and counties to be at different levels, depending on prevailing epidemiological situation. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus. The intention is that Departments and sectors will provide guidance for specific sectors and activities in line with the 5 level framework.
At Level 5 of the Plan, 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.
The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the links below and is updated on a regular basis:
www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/.
www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/.
www.gov.ie/en/.
402. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding neurology services in the south east; if his attention has been drawn to reports that the neurology service in United Hospital Waterford is the second most understaffed service in the country; if he is satisfied that the current level of service is adequate; his plans to recruit additional consultant neurologists, specialist neurology nurses and neurophysiologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39495/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
403. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the consideration given to the risk of image-based sexual abuse occurring when the HSE issued advice for persons not living together to have sex online to stop the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39506/20]
View answerI would like to clarify that I have no function in relation to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill (as amended), responsibility for which lies with the Department of Justice.
I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Justice, that there is a programme for Government commitment to enacting legislation in this area and the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill (as amended), is being progressed as a priority. The Bill is scheduled for Committee Stage in the Dáil on 1st December 2020.
Government amendments will deal with the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. It is hoped the Bill can progress through the remaining stages of the parliamentary process at the earliest possible opportunity.
Harassment and abuse in any form, whether online or otherwise, is utterly unacceptable and has no place in Irish society. The Minister for Justice, along with her Government colleagues, is fully committed to tackling abusive behaviour in all forms. The standards of what is unacceptable in an online setting must be consistent with those in traditional settings, and cross government initiatives are underway to address this. Progression of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill is a priority action for the Minister for Justice and Government is committed to seeing it enacted as quickly as possible.
404. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the regulations for Part 8 on advance healthcare directives have been drafted; if so, when they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39510/20]
View answerPart 8 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a legislative framework for Advance Healthcare Directives (AHDs). An AHD is a statement made by a person with capacity setting out his or her will and preferences regarding treatment decisions that may arise in the future when he or she no longer has capacity.
Establishment of a AHD Register is a complex undertaking and my Department intends to explore options relating to the implementation of an AHD Register and the associated Regulations. However, while Part 8 of the 2015 Act allows for regulations for a register of advance healthcare directives it does not require this register to be established before the Act is commenced.
There are a number of other interdependencies which must be addressed before Part 8 can be commenced and work is continuing in respect of all outstanding matters. These also include commencing certain other provisions of the Act outside of Part 8 that fall under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Justice and Equality.
405. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he plans to publish the protection of liberty safeguard Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/20]
View answerHeads of Bill to provide legislative clarity on the issue of deprivation of liberty safeguards are at a relatively advanced stage. A number of complex legal and policy issues which have arisen during the drafting process remain to be resolved.
Work on the Heads of Bill has been paused due to the diversion of resources, as part of the response to COVID-19.
406. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) commissioned by the Rotunda Hospital that details chronic lack of space, which increases risks of infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39524/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
