Tuesday, 1 Dec 2020

Written Answers Nos. 663-687

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (663, 664)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

663. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the logistics experts that have been placed on the group responsible for rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine. [39762/20]

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

664. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the distribution experts that have been placed on the group responsible for rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine. [39763/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 663 together.

The Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.

The Task Force membership is made up of senior personnel from my Department, the Health Service Executive, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Office of Government Procurement, IDA Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of the Taoiseach, as well as expertise in the areas of public health, supply chain logistics, cold chain logistics, and programme management. The membership of the group will, if necessary, be further adapted to ensure that it has access to the expertise it requires to fulfil its remit.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (665)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

665. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if the group responsible for rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine will hold a daily press conference to report on progress. [39764/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.

In the first instance the Task Force has been requested to ensure the preparation of a national COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy and Implementation Plan for consideration by Government. The Task Force's work includes consideration of the approach to public engagement and communication as a crucial dimension of the planning and delivery of an immunisation programme.

The public communication and engagement strategy has two main phases. The first is preparing for the vaccine - briefing the public about the safety and regulatory processes that are taking place in Ireland, Europe and across the world to ensure vaccine safety, engaging with people who have genuine hesitancies around the vaccine and communicating the Government Plan from acquisition to prioritisation to distribution. The second phase will focus on the execution of the programme once vaccine is available – encouraging the public to get the vaccine, informing them about who will administer it and where, and providing information on the progress of the programme on an ongoing basis.

Hospital Staff

Questions (666)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

666. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the appointment of a rheumatologist at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39767/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Respite Care Services

Questions (667)

James O'Connor

Question:

667. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the progress of the development of respite care facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39769/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

HSE Staff

Questions (668)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

668. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to staff pay from the HSE for a practice will be examined and expedited. [39786/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 669 answered with Question No. 632.

National Public Health Emergency Team

Questions (670)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

670. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the expert advisory group to NPHET was dissolved following its last meeting on 2 September 2020; the rationale for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39800/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

This decision was taken in the context of a review carried out by the NPHET, in which a number of Subgroups, having met their Terms of Reference, were stood down with their work subsequently realigned into the appropriate policy and operational functions of the Department of Health or other relevant organisations, or bodies. It was considered timely to regularise the emergency structures established at the start of the pandemic into the work of the relevant agencies.

As the HIQA has a statutory remit to provide evidence based advice to the Minister for Health, the Department of Health and the HSE, it was decided that the EAG would, in future, operate under the aegis of the HIQA in the preparation, review, and publication of Evidence Summaries and Scoping Reviews to inform NPHET policy.

Accordingly, on the 29th September 2020, the HIQA announced details of its new structures to provide evidence-based advice and support to the NPHET, including the establishment of the COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group. Further information is published at: https://www.hiqa.ie/hiqa-news-updates/hiqa-establishes-covid-19-expert-advisory-group-support-evidence-based-response

The Terms of Reference and membership of the new COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group are also published at the above link. The HIQA calls on the expertise of its COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group membership, as required, in carrying out its work.

The advice from the HIQA to the NPHET, along with the underpinning evidence for same, is published at: www.hiqa.ie.

National Public Health Emergency Team

Questions (671)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

671. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the details of any and all new advisory groups to NPHET; the makeup of these groups including the names and qualifications of the members, the terms of reference and the minutes of their meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39801/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

NPHET Subgroup Membership Details:

For the Deputy’s information, Membership details of all Subgroups that supported the NPHET, many of which have met their terms of reference and have been stood down, are contained in the NPHET’s Governance Structures Document, published 26 June 2020: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/de1c30-national-public-health-emergency-team-nphet-for-covid-19-governance-/

COVID-19 Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG) - Active

The COVID-19 Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG) was formed on 11 March 2020 to provide statistical and mathematical modelling support and advice to the Chief Medical Officer and the NPHET.

The IEMAG’s Terms of Reference are as follows:

1. Gather evidence and monitor the epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ireland and the pandemic internationally.

2. To develop epidemiological models to forecast the COVID-19 outbreak in the Republic of Ireland, monitor the impact of public health interventions, and model probable scenarios for numbers of new cases of COVID-19 over time.

3. To estimate the potential impact of COVID-19 on health services and health systems in the Republic of Ireland by developing a capacity and demand model and to investigate how best to utilise resource to meet expected demand.

4. To monitor and model the geospatial characteristics of the outbreak in Ireland.

5. Oversee the development of and reporting from a central COVID-19 data repository hosted by CSO (Central Statistics Office) and OSI (Ordinance Survey Ireland).

6. To collaborate with colleagues in Northern Ireland in support of the agreed programme of co-operation and collaboration.

7. To engage with international counterparts to support this programme of work.

8. To produce regular reports detailing the above information for presentation to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

9. To perform such other analyses or provide other advice as may be required from time to time by the CMO or NPHET.

The IEMAG will continue its work in anticipation of building up additional statistical, analytical, and disease modelling capacity within the HPSC. The current Membership of the IEMAG is as follows:

Membership of IEMAG	-
Prof Philip Nolan (Chair)	President, National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM)
Mr Ajay Oza	Surveillance Scientist, Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
Mr Alan Cahill	Statistics and Analytical Services, Department of Health (DoH)
Ms Ann Barbar	University College Dublin (UCD)
Ms Breda Smyth	Director of Public Health Medicine, Health Service Executive (HSE)
Prof Brendan Murphy	School of Mathematics and Statistics, UCD
Prof Cathal Walsh	Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick (UL)
Prof Chris Brunsdon	National Centre for Geocomputation, NUIM
Dr Conor McAloon*	Assistant Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine, UCD
Dr Conor Teljeur	Chief Scientist, Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
Dr Darina O’Flanagan	Special Advisor to the NPHET, DOH
Mr David McEvoy	UCD
Dr Elizabeth Hunter*	Data Scientist, Technological University Dublin (TUD)
Prof Francis Butler	School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, UCD
Mr Guy McGrath	UCD
Prof James P Gleeson	Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, UL
Dr Jamie Madden	Biostatistician at Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), UCD
Dr Jim Duggan	Information Technology, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
Prof John D Kelleher*	School of Computer Science, TUD
Mr Justin Gleeson	Director, All Ireland Research Observatory (AIRO)
Prof Máire Connolly	School of Medicine, NUIG
Dr Máirín Ryan	Director of Health Technology Assessment & Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HIQA
Ms Megan O’Driscoll	School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Institut Pasteur, Paris
Prof Patrick Wall	School of Public Health, UCD
Dr Sean Lyons	Economic, Social and Research Institute (ESRI)
Prof Simon More	Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD
Mr Conor Keegan	Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)
Mr Malachy Corcoran	Principal Officer, Scheduled and Unscheduled Care Performance Unit, Department of Health (DOH)

*New IEMAG Subgroup Members since publication of Governance Document on 26 June.

Resignations from the IEMAG Subgroup: Alan Barrett, CEO, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) (June); Alan Smith, DOH (June); and Derval Igoe, Consultant Public Health Medicine, NVRL/HPSC (April 2020).

The IEMAG is currently working on updating its publications webpage. It is understood that meeting minutes will be published at the following link by mid-December: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dc5711-irish-epidemiology-modelling-advisory-group-to-nphet-technical-notes/

HIQA COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group, - Active

From 2 September 2020, the work of Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to the NPHET, was realigned with, and mainstreamed into, the evidence synthesis functions of the HIQA. As HIQA has a statutory remit to provide evidence-based advice to the Minister for Health, the Department of Health, and the HSE, it was decided that the EAG will, in future, operate under the aegis of HIQA in the preparation, review and publication of Evidence Summaries and Scoping Reviews to inform NPHET policy. Accordingly, on the 29 September 2020, the HIQA announced details of its new structures to provide evidence-based advice and support to the NPHET, including the establishment of the COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group. The Terms of Reference and Membership of the COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group are published at the above link:

https://www.hiqa.ie/hiqa-news-updates/hiqa-establishes-covid-19-expert-advisory-group-support-evidence-based-response.

The advice from HIQA to NPHET and the underpinning evidence for same is published at https://www.hiqa.ie/. This is not a subgroup of the NPHET.

COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour advisory Group - Active

The Behavioural Change Subgroup was stood down in August 2020, having met its terms of reference, and an advisory group to the Department of Health’s communications team was created in its place. The advisory group is called the COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour advisory Group. This is not a subgroup of the NPHET.

The COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour advisory Group’s Terms of Reference are:

1. Provide evidence-based analysis and advice to the Department of Health Covid-19 Communications function to understand key population behaviours and drivers and inform public communications activities.

2. Analyse the data generated through the Department’s research processes conducted to listen to the public to understand and address emerging concerns, and advise on potential research issues.

3. The group will meet on a regular basis to review and provide insights with the outputs of this process being fed into NPHET on a monthly basis.

4. The group may also be requested to meet or otherwise provide analysis and advice on an additional ad-hoc basis if required, for example on an emerging issue of concern.

The COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour advisory Group’s Membership is as follows:

Dept of Health: - Ms Deirdre Watters (Chair), Communications - Ms Lyndsey Drea, Communications - Ms Sinead O’Donnell, Communications - Ms Elaine Scanlon, Communications - Ms Sheila Caulfield, Healthy Ireland - Ms Fiona Gilligan, Healthy Ireland - Ms Rosaleen Harlin, Sláintecare - Mr Robert Murphy, Research Services Unit External: - Mr David Leach, HSE - Ms Fidelma Browne, HSE - Ms Molly Byrne, NUIG - Mr Liam Delaney, LSE - Mr Pete Lunn, ESRI - Ms Aileen McGloin, safefood - Ms Orla Muldoon, UL - Mr Karl Purcell, SEAI - Mr Brian McIntyre, Orchard - Mr Gerard O’ Neil, Amárach

The COVID-19 Communications and Behaviour advisory Group has met on 5 occasions to date and its minutes are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/cf0b1-minutes-of-the-covid-19-communications-and-behavioural-advisory-group/.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (672)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

672. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if all healthcare workers are being tested for Covid-19 on a routine and regular basis; if so, the details of the testing regime; if the testing regime differs for different categories of healthcare workers; the rationale for different regimes or for no regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39802/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (673, 674)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

673. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the definition of a close contact in healthcare settings; if the definition changes for different categories of healthcare workers; the way in which the definition might differ from the definition of a close contact for cases in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39803/20]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

674. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the quarantining and self-isolation protocols for a close contact in healthcare settings; if the definition changes for different categories of healthcare workers; the way in which the definition might differ from the quarantining and self-isolation protocols for a close contact of cases in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together.

The HSE has developed an extensive range of occupational health guidance for health care workers who are exposed to COVID-19 which is available on the HSE website. This includes a detailed risk assessment of Healthcare Workers with Potential Workplace Exposure to Covid-19, which was updated most recently on the 24th October. Details can be found here:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/workplace-health-and-wellbeing-unit/covid-19-guidance/

Subject to local risk assessment, the guidance provides for derogation in certain circumstances for health care workers who are restricting their movements due to, for example, close contact with a COVID-19 case and who have been identified as essential to critical service needs. This may also apply to ‘essential’ HCWs entering the Island of Ireland. Details can be found here:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/workplace-health-and-wellbeing-unit/covid-19-guidance/derogation-for-the-return-to-work-of-healthcare-workers1.pdf.

Please note that this derogation is provided with the express purpose of ensuring safe staffing levels and should only be provided if an area cannot be staffed safely or a critical skill set to provide critical/essential services is unavailable.

Nursing Staff

Questions (675)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

675. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason he is unwilling to concede to the demands of student nurses and midwives to be paid at the healthcare assistant rate they were given earlier in 2020 for their work on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has since been withdrawn while they continue to play an important and crucial role as they played in March and April 2020, especially in view of the Taoiseach stating in Dáil Éireann on 20 October 2020 that these students should be paid like they were in the spring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39805/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Earlier this year, the Health Care Assistant initiative (whereby student nurses and midwives were offered temporary contracts to work as Health Care Assistants) began in April 2020 and ceased in August 2020.

This was in response to the Covid19 outbreak and was only ever intended as a temporary measure to provide additional support to the national effort, it also offered some protection to the ongoing education of student nurses and midwives as their clinical placements had ceased. Student nurses and midwives who took part in this initiative received payment of the first point of the Health Care Assistant salary scale, €28,493. The rate was also temporarily applied to those 4th year nurses and midwives on paid work placements.

The regular pay for 4th year student nurses on paid internship increased by 2% on 1st October this year. The annualised salary for this group is now €21,749 (or €10.72 per hour) for general nursing and midwifery and €22,229 (€10.96 per hour) for psychiatric nursing.

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.

My Department is currently reviewing these allowances for student nurses on clinical placements and expects to conclude this review shortly.

In the meantime, my Department completed an interim review on the 19th November that confirmed the educational and welfare protections that are in place for those on placement at the present time. These protections span supports for those on placement who have lost part time employment due to COVID-19 right through to occupational health and illness supports that are available while this pandemic is ongoing.

Hospital Services

Questions (676)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

676. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if developmental checks on babies by public health nurses are proceeding under current Covid-19 restrictions in counties Carlow and Kilkenny. [39822/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Screening Programmes

Questions (677)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

677. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of women that have had to have a repeat cervical check due to the fact their samples were out of date by the time they were presented at labs in the USA for testing by county in tabular form. [39825/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (678)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

678. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care psychologists and primary care staff seconded to testing and tracing as a result of Covid-19; when these clinicians will resume their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39833/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (679)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

679. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of preparations for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39834/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland is currently involved in an EU Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of member states to procure a portfolio of suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19.

The Government is committed to the timely implementation of a COVID-19 immunisation programme, as soon as one or more vaccines in the EU portfolio are approved for use. In this regard, a cross-Government High-Level Taskforce has been established to support and oversee the development and implementation of the programme.

Medicinal Products

Questions (680)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

680. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the body that will be carrying out the inquiry into the use of the epilepsy drug sodium valproate; and if he will provide the terms of reference for that enquiry [39836/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked officials in my Department to examine a number of different options for the structure of this inquiry. The terms of reference have yet to be decided, but I have emphasised that testimonies from families affected by disabilities associated with the drug will need to be central to the process.

Electronic Cigarettes

Questions (681, 682, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

681. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which evidence exists in regard to the safety of vaping as an alternative to tobacco smoking; if the practice is deemed to be a gateway by way of introduction to other abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39841/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

682. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons by age group who are known to practising vaping at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39842/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

721. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether vaping is habit forming; the consequences of same that have been identified by the health authorities from a public health perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40120/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

722. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which vaping is deemed safe or otherwise; if specific safety standards exist in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40121/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

723. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which regulations apply or are likely to be made in relation to vaping with particular reference to maintaining safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40122/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

724. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Healthy Ireland report deals with standards in vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40123/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

725. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which vaping is proven to assist in the reduction of tobacco smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40124/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 681, 682 and 721 to 725, inclusive, together.

The Healthy Ireland Survey is an annual face-to-face survey commissioned by the Department of Health which, among other health behaviours, examines the prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette usage among the population aged 15 and over. The 2019 Survey found that 5% of the population use e–cigarettes and a further 12% reported having tried them at some point. It also found that 38% of those who made an attempt to quit smoking reported using e-cigarettes during the attempt. The Survey does not examine standards in vaping products.

Electronic cigarettes are currently regulated in Ireland by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the EU Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU).

The Regulations introduced minimum standards for the safety and quality of all e-cigarettes and refill containers including limiting the capacity of e-cigarette tanks, limiting the volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid allowed in one refill container and restricting the nicotine strength of e-liquids.

In addition, the Regulations require nicotine-containing products and their packaging to be child-resistant and tamper proof, prohibit certain ingredients including colourings, caffeine and taurine, and provide for mandatory labelling requirements including health warnings. The manufacturers of electronic cigarettes must also notify the HSE and provide details on all ingredients contained in e-cigarettes and e-liquids before they can be sold in Ireland.

The most recent data on the usage of electronic cigarettes among young people is from the European Schools Project on Alcohol and other Drugs 2019 report. Almost 2,000 Irish students aged 15 and 16 years completed the survey in 2019 and it found that 39% of students reported having ever used an e-cigarette with 16% of these reporting using one in the last 30 days.

In October 2020 the Health Research Board published the findings of three evidence reviews on electronic cigarettes that were conducted at the request of the Minister for Health. The main findings of the reviews are as follows:

- Electronic cigarettes are not harmless to users, but there is evidence that they are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.

- Electronic cigarettes appear to be as effective as nicotine replacement therapies for assisting smoking cessation for an observed period of up to 6 months. Further study is required to determine their effectiveness over a longer period.

- There appears to be an association between the use of electronic cigarettes and subsequent smoking among adolescents.

The General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill was approved by Government in October 2019. Along with important tobacco control provisions the Bill will further regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes by prohibiting their sale to, or by, persons under the age of 18 and by introducing a mandatory licence for the retail sale of e-cigarettes. The General Scheme of the Bill has been submitted to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and has also been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Health for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.

Question No. 683 answered with Question No. 658.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (684)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

684. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the counties that have the greatest shortage of access to the flu vaccine; the way in which he will ensure that all vulnerable persons receive their vaccinations before the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39861/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

This season, 1.95 million doses of influenza vaccine have been purchased, which is double the amount administered last season. The HSE has procured 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV) for administration to all persons in an at-risk group, as well as 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for all children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive.

1.3 million of the 1.35 million doses of flu vaccine available this winter have been distributed to GPs, pharmacists and other vaccination sites. In addition, over 450,000 doses of the LAIV for administration to children aged from 2 to 12 have been distributed. As of 24nd November, over 1 million claims for reimbursement from GPs and pharmacists for the administration of influenza vaccines have been received by PCERS, including over 133,000 claims for the administration of nasal LAIV to children aged 2 -12.

While information on shortages of the vaccine on a county basis is not available, I am aware that demand for vaccination remains strong at this point and may exceed available QIV supply. It is likely that the full amount procured, 1.35 million doses, will be administered. Given the demand on the international market for influenza vaccine, it is not likely to be possible to procure additional supply.

Each year a certain amount of vaccine is “held back” to ensure those in at-risk groups receive vaccines. With the unprecedented demand this year it is important that the HSE manage the distribution of the remaining doses in order to target administration to the at-risk groups who need it the most. The delivery of the final 50,000 QIV doses to sites across the country commenced Monday 23rd November.

The significant increase in uptake among those in the at-risk groups, combined with the addition of vaccination for children aged from 2 to 12, will help reduce the impact of influenza on the community and the health system.

Question No. 685 answered with Question No. 658.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (686)

David Stanton

Question:

686. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there is sufficient personal protective equipment in stock and currently available to the HSE; the amount of stock available at present; the amount ordered and delivered each month to the end of July 2020; the further amounts ordered and delivered since; the associated costs involved; the procurement and tendering methods used in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39869/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (687)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

687. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the women's health task force; the steps being taken to improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39870/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Women’s Health Taskforce was established in September 2019 with the aim of improving women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare. The Taskforce has met seven times since it was established in September 2019, with an eighth meeting scheduled for 8th December 2020. A number of initial priority areas for action were determined by the Taskforce in 2020, with the issue of endometriosis recognised and included as part of a priority workstream on improving gynaecological health for women and girls. Proposals for action have been developed under three priority areas: Improving Gynaecological Health for Women and Girls (which includes consideration of endometriosis); Improving Supports for Menopause; and Improving Women and Girls’ Physical Activity. A programme of actions under these proposals is currently being finalised. Implementation of actions will be supported by the Budget 2021 allocation of a dedicated €5million ‘Women’s Health Fund’. This fund will also resource additional priority proposals to be chosen for 2021. Regular updates are provided on the official Women’s Health Taskforce webpage:

https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/-womens-health/

Work related to improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of endometriosis is ongoing within HSE. The HSE’s National Women & Infants Health Programme has advised that the best way to help the majority of patients with endometriosis is to improve access to gynaecology services. As such, the Programme has developed a plan to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for women awaiting general gynaecology, which includes patients with endometriosis. The plan aims to re-orient general gynaecology services to an ambulatory, or see and treat, model, rather than the traditional outpatient referral model. An ambulatory care model is a more efficient and effective use of resources. It is also better for the patient as it reduces the requirement for multiple outpatient appointments. The roll out of Phase One of the new Model of Care commenced this year, with the first three clinics to be established under the governance of the Rotunda Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, and University Hospital Galway, with a more limited clinic in Waterford. Additional clinics will be developed in 2021, with investment provided through Budget 2021, and subject to funding availability, it is envisaged that further clinics will be rolled out in the coming years.